Leo's Dead

Leo's DeadThere is a man who has died. His name is Leo. This is all we know for the moment. Todd Van Buskirks journey into conceptual art began with reading comics as a kid. A keen memory from Todd Van Buskirks childhood is that of being intrigued by a Garfield comic strip, by Jim Davis. On this strip, 2 or 3 panels were repeatedthe same drawingover and over. The next time Van Buskirk noticed this effect was in Frank Millers work for Marvel Comics and in

There is a man who has died. His name is Leo. This is all we know for the moment. Todd Van BuskirkÕs journey into conceptual art began with reading comics as a kid. A keen memory from Todd Van BuskirkÕs childhood is that of being intrigued by a Garfield comic strip, by Jim Davis. On this strip, 2 or 3 panels were repeatedÑthe same drawingÑover and over. The next time Van Buskirk noticed this effect was in Frank MillerÕs work for Marvel Comics and in MillerÕs graphic novel, ÒRonin.Ó A couple years later, while working at the Rochester Public Library, Van Buskirk accidently came across David LynchÕs ÒThe Angriest Dog in the World.Ó This strip uses the same drawing in each panel, the difference being the drawing in the final panel and the changing dialogue. As Van Buskirk expanded his knowledge of art history over a period of twenty years, including a BachelorÕs in animation graphics, he noticed and relished the element of repetition in other media; certain abstract expressionism, color field painting, pop art and minimalism to name a few.

Van Buskirk set up a few limitations before he started on the graphic novel: 1.No original art allowed. In place of original art, find a clip-art drawing. 2.Only one image is allowed in the whole graphic novel. 3.Space (negative and positive) is an element that can be changed or modified. 4.The panel itself can be modified, either through different placement of each panel, or the ability to modify the panel itself. 5.Only four page designs are allowed. This means there will be numerous repetitions of each page in order to have enough pages for a complete graphic novel. 6.The title is the only text that is allowed to hint at a textual narrative.