Monday, November 9, 2009

Abraham and Psychoanalysis Comics

Over the years, many artists have tackled "inner space"; the world of the mind; craziness, insanity, psychiatry, head-trips, and psychoanalysis. Wouldn't you say that the story of the binding of Isaac is worthy of being told over several issues ot "Psychoanalysis"? The problem with the story of the Akeida is that Abram does't speak (other than "hineni; here I am) One can only image the inner torment that Abraham must feel. I can only wonder what the internal dialogue Abraham must have had with himself, as he struggled to obey God. Certain "film noir" film directors come to mind: Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles. If the Akeida was done correctly as a comic book, it was have loads of thought balloons, and would have Wally Wood as the artist. Lots of reflected light, dramatic closeups, and sillouettes. It would be filled with Abram's inner-dialogue with himself. And it would probably be in E.C.
s "new trend" comic boo, "Psychoanalysis". Without that inner-dialogue, Abram becomes an automoton: an unthinking robot. The word balloon as the place where a drash resides. What a concept.