Mark Mallman gets graphic (novel)
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Self-styled rock icon Mark Mallman is stretching beyond the confines of seedy clubs and piano-pounding mayhem into the literary world: In conjunction with his new full-length The Invincible Criminal, the local music madman has written a companion story called "The Incredible Urban Myth Of The Invincible Criminal," chronicling the "drunken brain shenanigans" of the album's subject in long-form prose poetry. The serial tale is available both as text and in audiobook format, with a proper graphic novel (illustrated by Steven Somers) due early next year.
Mallman's prose is rife with imagery that's playfully demonic and delightfully oddball, as one might expect from a guy who occasionally plays shows in a wolf mask. The first part of the ongoing series, which will update daily throughout the week at magnetmagazine.com, shares its opening line with the Sex Pistols’ infamous closing line during their final performance: "Did you ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" Overall, the writing is appropriately bizarre and stands on its own well enough without the pictorial counterpart. The digital audiobook is a welcome enhancement, though, with Mallman spilling the same glorious intensity he does on stage. Who else would you trust with turns of phrase like "Cock deep in my middle years, I was a haunted man" and "You are next to be eaten! Youaoaoaoaooooo!!!!"
Here's the video for Invincible Criminal's title track:
