So this month’s edition of “My Last 10 Dollars” is again another trade paperback. After reading this one all I could think of were the things we miss the first time. For some reason or another I was completely unaware of “Mesmo Delivery” and its prolific artist, Rafael Grampa until just recently.The internet is an interesting place sometimes. My first encounter with this graphic novel was actually through a 3D rendering of one of the main characters that was intended for a miniature figurine. From there, I did a quick google search and found Rafael Grampa’s website Furry Water. More digging revealed his artwork, which was amazing btw, and that he had worked on a debut graphic novel called “Mesmo Delivery”.
Funny thing is that it went on sale originally back in 2008, and had been out of print until Darkhorse decided to pick it up in 2010 for a reprint. I was stoked to say the least. It gets better though. On a random trip to my local comic shop, there up on the shelf sat a copy of “Mesmo Delivery”! I couldn’t have scripted this! I quickly (but gently) grabbed it off the shelf and took it home. So to help you with your purchase decision, I’ll try my best (sans spoilers) to summarize my experience.
Story
The story of “Mesmo Delivery” is both short and sweet. As the title suggests, the main characters, Sangreco & Rufo, are in charge of making a delivery of some kind. During the delivery they make a stop at some random gas station, and through happenstance enter into a fight with some strangers. Interspersed throughout the story we are treated to a few flashbacks that explain the reason for this delivery.
Bottomline, the story is not meant to be some deep philosophical rant on life. Nor is it about some overly bored, undersexed, machismo seeking dudes getting into a fist fight. Truly, I feel it be a story that acts as a playground for Rafael Grampa to play around in. He has built a very intriguing sandbox for himself with “Mesmo Delivery”. One that has allowed him to be very creative and free in both visual style, and shock tactics. I hope you’ll excuse my obvious simile, but like a Tarantino film, the characters first appearance belies what type of violence they are truly capable of. I guarantee dropped jaws, and possibly a fit of laughter for anyone who reads this.
Mesmo Delivery packs twists and turns that, under Grampá’s innovative cinematic rendition, create an experience far more epic and intense than any other 50-page, self-contained comic. But then, you don’t have to be a heavyweight to deliver a knockout punch. -Wizard Magazine
Art
The art is admittedly what got me interested in this book in the first place. Perusing Rafael Grampa’s website, I was greeted by some very amazing work. I am reluctant to compare it to other artist for fear of downplaying this guy’s talent, but I was at first reminded of Frank Quitely. More exposure to the style though drifted my mind more towards an overall Japanese “flatness”, graphic design inspired pattern work, and R. Crumb. His line-work jumps off the page with its bold brush work and strong sense of space.
“Mesmo Delivery” reads like a fast paced, action movie, and looks it too. The cinematic paneling Rafael utilizes is both beautiful and intricate. The attention to detail is amazing. Little items strewn about offices and bars take on new life in the tapestry of the panel and somehow refuse to be simply “background”. In the sketches section in the back of the book, he shows us that incredible detail oriented mind, with drawings of logotypes for businesses.
Comments
Dude this sounds exciting. Going to B & D first thing to order/pick it up. However, I must rant about something I read in Wizard 223 (April 2010). Okay, we all know by now Spider-Man is getting the reboot treatment. It’s supposed to go back to high school Spidey. I’m all for that, sounds good, whatever. Here is what I’m hating. The title should just be callded Spider-Glee. Cause Wizards 6pg article about “who they should get, who they will get, and who we want them to get” is basically a super-hero themed Glee movie. I’ll admit I watched the first few epidsodes of Glee (I work night shift and am bored), but to have 4 glee members up for 7, of what I’d say are, main high school aged rolls is rediculous. That’s my rant. Thank you.
Also, they did say to go ahead and cast Meghan Fox in as Black Cat . “Who could care less about MF’s delivery, diction or motivation — just put ‘Jennifer’s Body’ into the leather already!”
Comment by Bill-e on March 11, 2010 at 4:33 am
Guys Neil and I came up with who would be on your Avengers? Pick 5 people (leader, brain, strength, speed and wild card). Here are my five: Steve Rogers (leader), Amadeus Cho (brains), Luke Cage (strength), Iron Fist (speed) and Sif (wild card). Word hit us with your responses….
Comment by Bill-E on June 1, 2010 at 5:20 pm
My five are more like a rebooted Excaliber with
Nightcrawler(leader and a more jaded returned from the dead attitude),
Beast(my brains and back up stregnth).
Colossus(main strength),
Polaris (Speed in a magnetic form.
Wolfsbane(Wildcard since she was on X-force she and Nightcrawler would have lots of religious type headbutting)
Comment by Neil on June 1, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Five villan team.
Magneto to lead
Sinister to brain over(eventually he will betray the team)
Namor as strength and spy
Sabertooth as a tactical scrapper. ( I would play Creed a lot smater and less of a minion in this he is every bit the veteran warrior Wolverine is.)
Deadpool (Wild card and I am playin him old school. No more wacky hap-slappy Wade. No chances are if you hear his joke your bleeding already and just have not figured it out yet.)
Eventually this team would expand to pick up every brotherhood mutant from the old school and would make a good event if writen well.
Comment by Neil on June 1, 2010 at 7:25 pm