While "researching" a recent Nexus Graphica, I had reason to look through my collection of Comics Of Unusual Size. This set of the big and small and odd of comicdom offers many gems. Deciding that I really should share some of these largely forgotten and sometime rare pieces, I’m taking you through a tour of the more interesting selections.
Click on images for full sized versions.
Brian Biggs‘s 7 3/4" x 7 3/4" graphic novel Frederick & Eloise (Fantagraphics, 1993) remains one of the prides of my collection. Biggs expertly uses his Gorey-esque stylings to relate this unusual, disturbing love story.
Page from Frederick & Eloise
Judging from the book’s back cover, I wasn’t alone in my assessment.
The quality isn’t the only reason I hold this copy in high regard.
Inscription from title page of my copy
I first learned of Brian Biggs when he lettered "Scales" (written by Lewis Shiner Art by Carlos Kastro) in my anthology Modern Perversity (Blackbird Comics, 1991).
Page from "Scales", Modern Perversity (Blackbird Comics, 1991)
Written by Lewis Shiner Art by Carlos Kastro Letters by Brian Biggs
Soon after, Brian sent me a proposal for Frederick & Eloise. Okay, actually, he sent me the entire book photocopied at the original art size of 3 3/4" x 4 1/2"! His initial plan was to produce the book with one panel per page as opposed to the two per page in the final version.
Sample page from original Frederick & Eloise submission
Envelope from original Frederick & Eloise submission
Even though Blackbird (where I was editing at the time) passed on the project (I don’t recall why), I managed to convince Brian to illustrate the second issue of my never completed series Wings. Through no fault of the creators, the entire project fell apart. Brian completed six incredible pages.
Unpublished p.9 from Wings #2
Words by Rick Klaw Art by Brian Biggs
Unpublished p.11 from Wings #2
Words by Rick Klaw Art by Brian Biggs
I did include a story by Brian in my Eisner-nominated anthology Weird Business.
Page from "The Stranger", Weird Business (Mojo Press, 1995)
by Brian Biggs
Brian Biggs has gone on to a career as a successful, award-winning children’s illustrator. He’s currently developing Frederick & Eloise as a film.