I, Paparazzi

Written by Pat McGreal
Art by Stephen John Phillips and Steven Parke

I think this book, from 2001, can qualify as one of the stranger graphic novels Vertigo has produced since its inception.  The story is about Jake "Monster" McGowran, a paparazzi in New York, who in one incredibly bizarre evening, possibly uncovers some of the best-kept secrets of the world while stalking (professionally) a famous actor.

The book is a fumetti, or photo-story.  The panels are made up of photographs shot by Phillips, with digital manipulation by Parke.  It works here, and is completely appropriate for a book about the paparazzi.  At times, the pages suffer from a certain stiffness, but I found that since I was cognizant of the photographer, they worked better than some current artists who rely so heavily on photo-referencing (ie. Greg Land).  The actors/models employed in these scenes bring a certain level of truth to the affair.

The story is interesting.  I loved McGreal's historical drama Chiaroscuro: The Private Lives of Leonardo da Vinci way back when it was published, and feel like I should track down Veils, his other graphic novel at Vertigo.