Creased Comics. Brad Neely. New York Review Comics. 2026. 200pp. $24.95.
You might look through this book and wonder, Who is this guy? But keep looking and I’m confident you’ll conclude that Brad Neely is the real thing. Sure, some of the pages seem to be dripping with a cocky swagger. Or is it more of a wistful cry in the dark? Couldn’t it be both–and more?
Some people will either love or hate some of this stuff depending upon where they’re coming from: the lovers will love the raw sensibility; the haters will hate that very same raw sensibility. You can’t please everyone. Don’t even try. Maybe that’s how Brad ended up writing for South Park.
Sometimes you just need a naked guy on a hippo and call it a day. I’d love to be a naked guy on a hippo. Call it art. Call it whatever you like. This is work that may seem easy but there’s a special skill at play, especially to be able to create the work time and time again at a high level of consistency. The more you read through the book, I think you’ll agree that each page has something worthwhile to offer.
I think some of the best pieces in this book don’t use any text at all. The best ones bring to mind the work of Marcel Dzama, another artist who gravitates to more obscure and absurd themes. In fact, Dzama and Neely are of the same generation. This book you can consider as early work, spanning from when Neely was 19 up to age 34, a very fertile period in any artist’s life. Neely has forged his own path that includes a good bit of comedy bits, many you can find on Adult Swim.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable collection. I think it all goes to show that you can still be yourself, go for broke pursuing a relentless vision, and come out a success with just a few broken bones. It won’t be easy, but worth it, to walk that tightrope that all great artists must walk, of making something compelling while also making it look as easy as pie.
