Synopsis
Curio & Co. creates entertainment collectibles and memorabilia, but from an alternate history pop culture properties that never were, in order to play with the power of nostalgia to re-create warm childhood memories. Their 2011 Eisner-nominated book Finding Frank and His Friend examines newspaper comics and the unique viewpoint of adults looking back on a child s take on the adult world. The book looks at the lost images of a comic that never existed, to take the reader through an imagined past to create instant nostalgia. The book includes 108 pages of original sketches and final illustrations by Cesare Asaro (working under the pseudonym Clarence Otis Dooley), supposedly from the early years of the popular comic Frank and His Friend. The book provides a glimpse into the development of this endearing comic, which would have been from published from 1975-1984. The book examines the culture of comics and collectors through an introduction and commentary by Kirstie Shepherd (writing under the pseudonym Melvin Goodge). The books are individually numbered as part of a limited edition print run of 2,000 copies. Each copy comes with a certificate of authenticity and a bonus, limited edition reproduction of an original Dooley drawing.
About the Author
At first glance, the products from Curio & Co. ranging from one-of-a-kind production drawings to limited edition books about the lost work of a beloved artist look like they fit in with other similar collectibles; they are familiar in terms of style, materials or context. But upon a closer look it is clear that the world is made up, and a little bit ridiculous. Allowing this moment of discovery is really important to Curio & Co., and letting people in on the joke is key to the fun. With Curio & Co. you fully immerse yourself in a complete world. All of the details of each product have been entirely developed down to the names and histories of the original production studios to the aged look of paper or drawings. Even the company itself is in character on the website, populated with eccentric personalities, and true identities are only revealed when they are face-to-face at trade shows or appearances. Each product is like the tip of an iceberg in terms of content; you only find out a little of the story that s on the surface, and although each piece will contain more information, you have to use your own imagination to fill in the blanks in the history or the back-story of the whole. Asking the audience to play along is also part of Curio & Co. By far the best reaction we ve received was from someone who got the concept of the company so well that he played along to add, Oh, I loved Frank and His Friend. When I was a kid I had a Frank and His Friend Lunchbox, and it killed me when I found out that my mom had sold it at a garage sale for fifty cents! Every Curio & Co. product is archival quality and a limited edition or unique piece. Most items come with a Certificate of Authenticity, so that you always know that your Spaceman Jax or Frank and his Friend is genuine!
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