There are a lot of stars in the constellations of my creative sky; inspirations that I have looked up to and tried to grasp. One of the brightest is Jim Henson. I grew up a Sesame Street kid, sure. But the Muppets were where it was at. And when The Dark Crystal came out…Wow. He managed to entertain, but also to make kids think and to make them dream.
This book is based on a screenplay he and long time collaborator Jerry Juhl put together over several years. It has a very odd, very 60s vibe. There’s a touch of the beat generation, the post-50s frustration with stuffier aspects of American culture, and a bit of Kafka.
Ramon K Perez’s artwork helps cement the late 50s/early 60s vibe, while also infusing a bit of classic European comics, in spite of the American Southwest setting. Like a comic equivalent of a spaghetti western.
While this is not the Henson you are likely familiar with, there are dashes of his well loved and remembered sense of humor, and flourish of creativity. Long time fans should enjoy this glimpse into a different side of the man and his art. And after reading it, a part of me would sure love to see it adapted into a film. I could see something in the style of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (style, not content).
Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand
Authors: Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl
Artist: Ramon K. Perez
Publisher: Archaia
ISBN: 978-1-936393-09-1
-Matt
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