Concrete: exploring humanity in a body of stone
The comic series Concrete features Ron Lithgow, who worked writing speeches. His existence takes a complete turn when extraterrestrial beings capture him and transfer his consciousness to a huge artificial body made of rock. Back on our planet, he must learn to exist with this new and enormous physical form. Although he becomes an unwilling celebrity, his essential battle is to preserve who he is and find meaning in his life. The plot focuses on how he perceives the world and interacts with other people from a unique angle, overcoming both physical and emotional obstacles. 🪨
The artistic style that gives soul to stone
Paul Chadwick illustrates the series using only black ink on white, with a technique that seeks to capture reality. He uses drawing to give weight and volume to Concrete's figure, making his stony exterior appear solid and enormous. However, his greatest skill lies in the contrast he creates. The protagonist's monumentality opposes the delicacy of his expressions and poses. Through meticulous body language, Chadwick conveys Ron's fragility and thoughts, endowing a theoretically inhuman appearance with human qualities.
Key features of the art:- Done entirely in black and white with a realistic focus.
- Masterful use of ink to suggest weight, texture, and solidity in the stony body.
- Visual contrast between the enormous physical presence and the subtle and expressive gestures that humanize the character.
The narrative examines themes like loneliness, adaptation, fame, and the longing to connect, using a fantastic premise as a mirror to observe the human condition.
A story that prioritizes introspection
Unlike other comic stories with powers, Concrete does not focus on confrontations or antagonists. Instead, it tells the daily experiences and deep reflections of its protagonist. Ron uses his strength and endurance to undertake travels, do demanding tasks, or help people, but always from an internal point of view. The series analyzes how loneliness feels, the adaptation process, unwanted fame, and the deep desire to relate, using the supernatural premise as a lens to examine what makes us human. 🤔
Central elements of the narrative:- Focus on the human experience and introspection, not on action.
- The protagonist uses his abilities to explore, work, and help in everyday contexts.
- Constantly explores identity, purpose, and connection from a unique perspective.
The paradox of public life
Concrete discovers that being a public attraction brings certain benefits, like free access to events, but also unique drawbacks, such as children trying to climb him as if he were a bouldering wall. This detail summarizes the constant duality of his existence: he is observed and treated as an object or phenomenon, while he internally struggles to be perceived and treat himself as the person he still is. The series delves into this paradox, showing how he navigates between external perception and his internal reality. 💭