The Ray Bradbury Chronicles, Vol. II

Volume 2 in this series illustrates another half-dozen of Bradbury's stories from the 1950s to early 60s. I've always found Bradbury among the more poetic of science fiction writers. He never violated real science too grossly, but the metal (or other out-there) bits never took center stage in these stories. Instead, they're about the people in the world that has such things in it. And, quite often, some magical force from an un-named fantasy arrives, as silent and inevitable as the phases of the moon. The first story, "Come into my Cellar," came to life immediately for me. I remembered it, partly, having read it some time in the 1970s. It was years old then, but it's just as fresh today as when it was written, with the possible exception of one detail: I'm not sure many tweens or teens still scrutinize the weird wonders of Popular Mechanics' back pages, or even whether those bizarre little mail-order operations still exist. No matter, the internet and viral marketing serves the same purpose today. An aging detail does nothing to the story's emotional credibility. And likewise through the other stories here. "Rocket Summer" portrays dramatic events, the kind that really change human history, from the front porch of people who think them momentary oddities, then go back to lives with no room for change in them. "A Piece of Wood" carries its mixed tone in expressive watercolors with a palette that makes me think of Kafka. Remember, this was published in 1992 - it probably wasn't the first watercolor comic, but innovative back then, and still ahead of the pack today. "Punishment Without Crime" had echos years later in Dick's "Minority Report" - given that conspiracy felonies are already on the books, just how far back from actual commission does the crime really begin? Artwork carries the story well, even though only Chiarello's watercolors really struck me. Bradbury's direct involvement in this effort really makes it stand out, though. He offers a brief peaen to comics (not graphic novels, but dailies) in the general introduction, then adds a few words at the start of each story. I'm very glad to see these American classics being carried forward in a new generation's medium, and with the master's blessing. -- wiredweird