McNeill, Malcolm (Burroughs, William S.)

The Lost Art of Ah Pook Is Here: Images From The Graphic Novel

Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics Books, Inc., 2012. First Edition. Hardcover. Inscribed & signed by Malcolm McNeill to Charles & Pamela Plymell. The tale of Ah Pook as an artistic endeavor is, in true Burroughsian fashion, a work that is as complex, storied, and appropriately dark as its writer: William S. Burroughs (Feb 5, 1914-Aug 2, 1997). Initially intended as a collaboration between McNeill and Burroughs in 1970, when McNeill was in his final year of art school, Ah Pook was toiled over for seven years by the two before it was eventually abandoned. Transgressive, dystopic, violent, and steeped in a properly Beat vulgarity, Ah Pook struggled to find any purchase in publication in the fashion that its creators desired. In 1979 Ah Pook is Here was published alone in the hopes of attracting a publisher for the combined text-image version, yet no such luck could be found and thus ended the collaborative effort between McNeill and Burroughs. Finally, thirty years later, Fantagraphic Books would step in and revive the long dead project. Fantagraphic Books tried to resurrect the project, christ-like from the crypt, in the form that the authors had intended but, alas, the estate of Burroughs would not allow the text to be used. In the end, what surfaced was The Lost Art of Ah Pook Is Here allowing the vivid, beautifully dark art of the story to flourish on its own, with all of the weight and power that such art is able to conjure. Signed by McNeill to legendary literary outlaws-&-publishers of the esteemed Cherry Valley Editions, Charles & Pamela Plymell. McNeil signature, in thin black pen ink, reads: "For Charlie + Pam / @ Cherry Valley 2016 / Malcom McNeill." Hardcover in illustrated boards; the very first edition of this must-own Art Book of Burroughsiana. [ISBN: 9781606994450]. Book in very fine condition with only the slightest wear on fine edges. An extra handling charge will be added for shipping due to the weight of this item. Very Fine. [Item #5051]

Price: $60.00