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I recently finished reading the latest offering by writer/artist Jeff Lemire, entitled 'The Underwater Welder'. I've pretty much loved everything Lemire has worked on. While he is doing solid work in the mainstream DC Universe, it's his independent work where he earns my admiration. When he is free to both, write and illustrate, he truly shines. From his hauntingly emotional classic, 'Essex County', to his horrific, 'Lost Dogs', Lemire has an undeniable knack to cutting to the core of our fears.
'The Underwater Welder' is no different. It's the story of a young man, as he is preparing to enter the world of parenthood. He is cursed by the memories of his own dead-beat father, and struggles with abandonment issues. To become the man he needs to be, he must confront those issues. A simple plot, yes, but Lemire masterfully tells in a somewhat supernatural manner. It all makes for gripping, poignant story telling.
Lemire's artistic sensibilities aslo shine, here. True, he is no Jim Lee, but he is not meant to be. His figures, while cartoon-like exaggerations, are more true to spirit than true to life. His brushwork can be haunting and ugly on one page, and beautiful and heartwarming on the rest.
As a complete work, 'The Underwater Welder' is as good as graphic story telling gets. Lemire tells a deeply emotional story in a riveting setting. But, if you've been following Jeff Lemire's work, this shouldn't come as a surprise. He's as sure a thing as there is in comics.