The four stories in Nothing is Forgotten, published following a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, showcase a confident cartoonist with a flair for the enigmatic.
There are so many talented cartoonists at play in the ever-expanding universe of comics that it’s frighteningly easy to miss one (even with the tireless efforts of sites like Broken Frontier).
Even though this is a second print edition of Nothing is Forgotten, I’m ashamed to say that its creator, Ryan Andrews, was a new name to me when I stumbled upon a link to the Kickstarter campaign that funded the book.
Better late than never, though: this collection of four stories showcases a confident creator producing engaging work. (It’s little wonder that the first edition sold out and the KS campaign for the reprint was substantially oversubscribed.)
The stories (ranging from 22 to 48 pages in length) vary widely in subject matter, from a macabre autobio-styled tale of childhood to wordless horror-tinged fantasy and a touching fable of fertility.
However, they’re knitted together by rock-solid storytelling and a mastery of tone – both visually and in a wider narrative sense. Again, it comes as little surprise that two of the stories – ‘Our Bloodstained Roof’ and ‘Sarah and the Seed’ – were Eisner-nominated for Best Digital Comic after being initially published online.
The main impression one receives is of beautifully deft cartooning. Andrews is a master of subtle shading and the black-and-white format (with a few telling red accents). His craft shines through the darkness of the stories, which often have a nocturnal or occluded atmosphere.
He’s also rock solid in his storytelling choices. His layouts vary greatly from story to story, but they’re always clear and appropriate. He also picks the perfect moments to frame; even given the enigmatic nature of Andrews’ work, there’s never any confusion in these stories.
L-R: ‘Nothing is Forgotten’, ‘The Tunnel’ and ‘Sarah and the Seed’
That gift for the enigmatic is at the heart of Andrews’ appeal. His narratives leave you slightly off-balance without being frustrated or disappointed by the lack of a neatly tied and trimmed resolution. He draws you in with the clarity and accessibility of his illustration, and before long – like the youthful protagonist of the title story – you find yourself lost in the woods.
I know I’m gushing a bit here, but I still find it thrilling to come across a relatively under-sung creator with a body of accomplished and accessible work already under their belt.
I’m certainly looking forward to This Was Our Pact (“a story about a group of boys setting off to find the truth behind a town legend”), his full-length book from First Second – although I’m not holding my breath; publication isn’t due until 2016.
Nothing is Forgotten – along with other goodies – is available in print and digital format from Ryan Andrews’ website.
Ryan Andrews (W/A) • $21 (print), $5 (PDF), November 2014.
