From DC’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns to the Marvel love interest/femme fatale Elektra and the villainous group The Hand, fans of the superhero genre are sure to know Frank Miller’s works, perhaps without realising it.
In Push The Wall, Miller’s chronicles of art, life and storytelling are sectioned off into 16 distinct lessons for the reader, featuring full-colour panels of comic artwork, a dash of experimental formatting and evocative art styles. Bursting with eloquent language and rich imagery, Miller commands the attention of the reader throughout.
Drawing from every artistic source imaginable, Miller references an endless bank of comic artists, authors and famed painters when listing his sources of inspiration. Telling his experiences from his time as a 17-year-old full of vim and vigour, to more recent years defined by knowledge and wisdom, Miller’s love of the craft is evident throughout. In combination with his thirst for knowledge and respect for his fellow creators, Push The Wall is a stimulating read from cover to cover.
Down to the recent resurgence in the Daredevil franchise, to the more recent teasers we’ve seen of The Hand in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Miller continues to reign relevant in superhero media. His significance extends further than the comic book genre itself – reaching into all modes of art as he encourages budding creatives to press against societal boundaries, to keep pushing that wall, and let art be fun.
