The Book of Genesis Illustrated

Despite the witty placement of labels on the cover of R. Crumb's illustrated Book of Genesis, warning about the graphic nature of the content inside, there's really no need for concern. Fastidiously true to his sources and scrupulous in his research, Crumb has managed to take these first 50 chapters from the bible and make them almost too tame. But, like the mythical story of Adam and Eve itself, it all starts out quite nicely. The illustrations for the first 20 chapters--the creation of heaven and earth, the birth of Adam and Eve, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by a storm of fire and brimstone--are gorgeous and inspired, reflective of the dynamism of the stories. While there's nothing innovative these days about Crumb's technique, there is always certitude in his tiniest marks, and an impressive command over his ability to balance a gritty veracity with his trademark, mesomorphic approach to human figures. So maybe it's the material itself that betrays his efforts, but the remainder of Crumb's Genesis lacks the crisp vitality of the start. Repetitive page layouts and POV angles rob it of its spark, and Crumb's literal explication of the text makes sticking with it something of a chore. Frustratingly, the Book of Genesis winds up feeling like after-school homework when what it really needs is a bit more Crumb--and a bit more mischief.