A Spoon Too Short #3
IDW Publishing 2016
Written by Arvind Ethan David
Illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis
Coloured by Charlie Kirchoff
Lettered by Shawn Lee
What is it about Dirk Gently that makes him so endearing to readers? He’s more than a little crazy, marches to beat of his own drummer for sure and he’s pretty genuine about what he’s thinking. This issue starts off and kind of explores a little more to him than that though as if his connectedness of all things is more psychic in nature which I am not sure I like that much. Oh and why would he be in a U.S. Military Research Base, I hope that one’s explained because honestly I like him being British.
I will say this the way his mind works is truly unique. So anytime we get to see him do his thing then i’m all for it. Even more so when we see him throw upon the General oh and that it looked like something out of Ghostbusters yeah that didn’t hurt either.
Last issue we say Dirk talk to an Elephant and she scribbled something down on his notepad for him and we pick up there with the present part. This is what I love and Arvind seems to be having the best time with the characterization here. I loved the BBC series and this is what it feels like to me when he’s just rambling on going about his thing like his theory of interconnectedness is something everybody is aware and no one has the slightest clue. Half the fun is seeing the reaction of the people he’s around to the things he says.
Ilias is one of my new heroes on the art world because he’s so good at nailing those responses here. Aside from that Elephant last issue what he manages to bring to this series with Dirk and those around him just makes this what it is. Without the work on these characters this wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is. Not just the shock and disbelief of what Dirk is saying that comes across but so does that resignation and astonishment when they realize somehow this crazy bloke is right. Ilias is doing some of the best illustration work on this series.
I know that the television programme is coming back and that’s great but this is what I feel is the essence of the character. While I’m happy that this is the second story arc is as strong as it is, every issue gets stronger than the previous one, i’m hoping that this will continue. IDW has found creators and a way to bring this unique and enigmatic character to life in a way that totally embodies the spirit he was created in.
So how does someone steal the ability to talk and does it tie in with poaching in Africa? Well we’ll find out eventually but for now it’s all about the journey and with Dirk Gently the journey is the fun!