At last -- Dave McKean's landmark Cages as it was meant to be seen and read: a true novel in visual form. Eight years in the making. McKean is an a...
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Dec 17, 2009
Mitchell A.
rated it: 
The single greatest work of sequential art, period. This is the absolute pinnacle of the medium. A painter, a writer, and a musician live in the same apartment and their lives gradually begin to intersect. There are multiple stories, stories within stories, allegories, and fantasies. It is a tour-de-force. McKean is best known for his work with the talented Neil Gaiman; Sandman, Violent Cases, Orchid, etc. His ability to illustrate human expressions is unparalleled in this field. He has t
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Jul 10, 2009
Christopherseelie
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This is a very daring attempt at broadening the scope of subject matter in the graphic novel. It begins with severa creation myths that have a refractory effect on the following story. There are several instances of meta-leaps in narrative and stories-within-the-story. The main story revolves around a painter in the midst of an artistic crisis when he moves to a strange apartment building packed with crazies, an oppressed novelist, and a musician who may or may not be an angel. The characters ar
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Sep 17, 2009
Shari
rated it:
Ok, this book is a tome of genius. Dave McKean's linework, humor, philosophizing, musical interest, and thoughts on religion are intriguing, heartbreaking(specifically the non-text panels)brilliant, sometimes rough(I find the religious bits kind of clumsy) but then-aren't we all kinda clumsy on this topic! Most of it reads as drawn from life (excuse all punning explicit or implicit here!)and I like all the scenes in the club.
It isn't one to read in one sitting (all issues), but af More...
It isn't one to read in one sitting (all issues), but af More...
Nov 28, 2010
Artur
rated it:
Dave McKean é bem conhecido dos fãs de banda desenhada pela já sua longa carreira a criar ilustrações feéricas num estilo muito próprio, pictórico e longe das convenções tradicionais do género. O trabalho deste ilustrador ganhou projecção com as suas colaborações em comics e literatura infantil com o escritor Neil Gaiman. Cages é um trabalho a solo, que embora denote as influências literárias de Gaiman, explora uma mitologia muito pessoal através de um longo trabalho que se pode descrever como u
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Sep 01, 2011
Oleg
rated it: 
If you're looking for a graphic novel that merges characterization with precise artistic craft, this is the book. McKean's manipulation of comic book mechanics makes for a tour de force of looking even while the story ups the abstract ante.
Abstraction is the name of the game here, with visual metaphors stretching throughout the book like running gags popping up at odd places among the shifting perspectives of the apartment building (what is this building anyway?). Getting through Cage More...
Abstraction is the name of the game here, with visual metaphors stretching throughout the book like running gags popping up at odd places among the shifting perspectives of the apartment building (what is this building anyway?). Getting through Cage More...
Sep 05, 2007
kkurtz
rated it:
Quite simply one of the most amazing visual narratives ever created. bar none. Dave McKean creates a world of such intrigue & wonder that one can't help but revisit it time & time again. Each time experiencing his lush, dream-like(& yes sometimes jarring) drawings as if for the first time.
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Nov 22, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
Visually, "Cages" is a tour-de-force and anyone interested in the 'graphic' part of graphic novels should check it out. McKean's drafting and design skills are hugely impressive, continually pushing the boundaries of how much can be done with a few expressive lines. But then there's the story. It reminded me of a quirky foreign film from the '80s, where a bunch of artists happen to be neighbors and how their idiosyncratic lives intersect as they discover truths about life and love and
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Sep 19, 2010
D.M.
rated it:
I'm sure it was intentional that McKean wrote his own review within this novel's pages: '...he wears his influences a little loudly, he has a tendency towards fashionable pessimism. But on the whole...quite a remarkable book.'
This is truly a remarkable book, although it does wear influences loudly (chiefly Neil Gaiman's prose & McKean's mentor Barron Storey in the art, at a guess).
The narrative is what one would expect from McKean: straightforward, but existing in an almost fabulous w More...
This is truly a remarkable book, although it does wear influences loudly (chiefly Neil Gaiman's prose & McKean's mentor Barron Storey in the art, at a guess).
The narrative is what one would expect from McKean: straightforward, but existing in an almost fabulous w More...
Mar 12, 2011
Kathryn
rated it: 
I feel as though I may be lynched for disliking this book. I love graphic novels and Dave McKean's vision and style yet this work lacks all but a slight cohesiveness and completely failed to elicit any type of emotional reaction from me. I felt not a single connection to any of the characters. Since the characters sharing an apartment and how they interact is the entire point of the book, I barely feel justified rating 2 stars. I am doing so only because of that vision and style I mentioned befo
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Oct 23, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
This is a difficult book to find, and I was luck enough to read it at my local library.
Part fairy tale, part mystery, part cautionary tale (though that's a bit redundant, what is a fairy tale after all?) this story has a great mixture of characters and situations.
It's a little difficult for me to describe. It mostly centers around an apartment building and the people who live there...mostly. An artist, a woman with a completely unique forest, two people on the run from e More...
Part fairy tale, part mystery, part cautionary tale (though that's a bit redundant, what is a fairy tale after all?) this story has a great mixture of characters and situations.
It's a little difficult for me to describe. It mostly centers around an apartment building and the people who live there...mostly. An artist, a woman with a completely unique forest, two people on the run from e More...
Feb 26, 2011
Ahimaaz
rated it:
A rather thick but fast-reading book, that meanders about art, music, creativity, has McKean working on it cover to cover art and writing opposed to only drawing as in Arkham Asylum (rewritten though at his behest) for Morrison, Signal to Noise for Gaiman… Choosing the clear line art for the most part against painted, collage, photography is justified given the length of work and the latter when they reveal themselves have their effect and alter a perception or two.
Cool, arty, sad, p More...
Cool, arty, sad, p More...
Jul 13, 2009
Laura
rated it:
The art is very beautiful if a bit dark, but McKean is without doubt very talented. The story was also full of interesting themes and at times quite philosophical. The plotline jumps all over the place, and seems more focused on themes rather than on any kind of structured timeline. I couldn't really get into it that much, perhaps it is much more managable to read in snippets at a time rather than in one fell swoop.
Aug 27, 2011
Gloriavirtutisumbra
rated it:
Wow. Amazing art. The story was a little hard to follow, i felt like i was reading an issue of sandman in parts. BUT it diverged enough to make it a really bizarre and satisfying read. McKean uses chaotic lines, slanted perspectives, and mixed media to his hearts content in this, and it works.
(after thinking much about it, i will also add it has one of the best drawn sex scenes i've ever read in a comic book. Just a series of line drawings at the end, that totally convey it as a More...
(after thinking much about it, i will also add it has one of the best drawn sex scenes i've ever read in a comic book. Just a series of line drawings at the end, that totally convey it as a More...
Aug 10, 2011
Alex
rated it:
I've only rated this four stars as it's been a while since I picked it up, and i cannot be certain it deserves the extra one.
It is sublime. It leaves an impression like poetry or a well written short story. Jazz and amazing in a simply inked magnificent series/collection.
It is sublime. It leaves an impression like poetry or a well written short story. Jazz and amazing in a simply inked magnificent series/collection.
Nov 04, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
One of the best comic books yet written. Relationships, God, and the nature of creation are the major themes of this book. But there's also McKean's art which is used to excellent effect in the book's personal and philosophical scheme. An ambitious and enjoyable book.
Jan 13, 2009
Kevin
rated it:
OK, I'm a bit of a Dave Mckean fan, hence my fan site www.davemckean-collector.co.uk.
But, Cages is without doubt one of the most complete and perfect pieces of story telling I have ever found.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
But, Cages is without doubt one of the most complete and perfect pieces of story telling I have ever found.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
Jul 31, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Both the art and the story are impressive, with deep and dense characters, and a mostly engaging set of circumstances that throw them together. Too many parts dragged, though, and while then end was entertaining, it wasn't totally satisfying.
Aug 08, 2011
Andy
rated it:
I was thrilled when I found out Dark Horse was going to put Cages back in print, and I wasn't disappointed by the beautiful 500-page softcover edition that they eventually produced. I'd always wanted to read it, but copies weren't exactly easy to come by.
Although the story is somewhat slow to start and difficult to follow at times, the artwork keeps the reader engaged. Each page would look at home on a gallery wall. The book features beautifully-rendered black and white ink illustrat More...
Although the story is somewhat slow to start and difficult to follow at times, the artwork keeps the reader engaged. Each page would look at home on a gallery wall. The book features beautifully-rendered black and white ink illustrat More...
Nov 27, 2009
Judith
rated it:
the best of the best of the best....even if you don't "like" Graphic Novels..this is a Masterpiece. Art/Creativity/Censorship..it's all here...Black & White and Color
Aug 08, 2010
Sky
rated it:
this book felt more like a piece of music than a story. i love his art, too, but he's not for everybody.
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Aug 04, 2011
I have no idea what just happened there, but whatever it was, it was really good.
Jul 11, 2010
Flourish
rated it:
Slightly difficult to follow, but extremely beautiful and meaningful.
Jun 11, 2010
Ken-ichi
rated it:
I remember nothing about the story, but the art is gorgeous.
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Jan 14, 2011
Sara
rated it:
Finally got to finish this. Been reading it for the past hour, I couldn't stop. It's mainly about God, Sex, love, passion, art, dreams, desires, poetry, humanity, destruction...do you see where I am going with this? No, you don't. You'll know what I mean when you're done reading it.It contains everything, but illustrated in the most beautiful way. It has some interesting thoughts (some contradict my religion), nonetheless very ponderous thoughts. The art! Oh God the illustrations are just brilli
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Jul 12, 2011
Dangeruss
rated it:
I consider Dave McKean to be one of the greatest artist alive today and I regard this as his greatest masterpiece. By far one of the best examples of sequential art ever done (with respect and apologies to Gaiman and Moore).
Jan 28, 2012
Scott
rated it:
Unlike most so-called graphic novels, this book is primarily a novel-like experience that happened to be released in separate issues. Taken as a whole, it is a stunning, blazing tour de force of art, storytelling and audacity. Some of McKean's trademark visuals come into play - cats with human faces, etc. - but with an arc that is both epic and intimate at htesame time. Not light reading.
Jan 18, 2011
Kerry
rated it:
I'm not really sure what to say about this one. Brilliant and yet at times confusing. I would get bogged down in some of the philosophy, but at the same time I needed to continue. I found the art to be outstanding and found myself reluctant to turn the pages at times because I found the visuals to be mesmerizing.
Oct 06, 2007
Steve
rated it:
fascinating look at creative process; not always the best writing or page layout in the world - hit or miss (when it hits, its really brilliant). But the art and ideas are great. Some absolutely gorgeous silent vignettes. Interesting comments on God - cycles of creation (god created us, we create gods); all is connected. Seems very pessimistic for most of it, but creativity (and the patterns of the universe) act as some measure of hope.
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Aug 20, 2007
Eric
rated it:
This book is somewhat uneven, occassionally pretentious, and even a little silly in spots. It is also genius. McKean explores every kind of creative expression you can think of as only a painter/mixed media artist/writer/musician/cartoonist/filmmaker can, with some of the most beautiful line work I've ever seen. The chapter about the old woman and her canary is worth the (substantial) price of admission alone!
