1: Those Marvelous Dadas
Combining manifestos, art criticism, and history into a comic book is no easy task, but I think the authors have succeeded in creating an intriguing overview of a unique artistic movement. Although it is an overview, it doesn't seem oversimplified. I knew very little about Dada and Surrealism before reading this book, and I now feel that I understand some of the basic ideas behind this type of art. This book piqued my interest in learning more about the artists it presents in spite of the fact that I purchased it and read it mainly as a gesture of support to my friends who wrote it.
Even though the authors are friends of mine, I have to admit that my favorite parts of the book are the illustrations by Joseph Lee. He captures the irreverence of this artistic movement well. My biggest disappointment is the reproductions of the actual paintings. The scans seem very dark and grainy.
I have not read any other books in the For Beginners series, so I don't know how this one compares. I imagine this book would appeal to intellectual teens or adults who lack the time and/or attention span to wade through a comprehensive tome on the subject.
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