It did not surprise me when investigating the work of Dina Omut further that her story in mini kuš! #138 was apparently based on a dream she had a couple of years ago. ‘Not from Home, Not from Beyond’ has exactly that kind of weird, hallucinatory quality about it. Omut is from Italy, but was born in Romania, which has inspired the folkloric look of her work, so gorgeously embodied in this fantasy short.
The story is light in plot because it serves primarily as a vehicle for Omut’s fantastical illustration style. A young witch-like individual follows a strange smell of indeterminate origin through a strange otherworldly landscape. The odour in question snakes its way through panels and pages, enticing her ever onwards. As she seeks the source of the smell – her goat companion in tow – we are treated to a tour of her eerie environment and the odd and sometimes monstrous inhabitants therein.
This is a short where the reader just needs to go with the narrative flow and absorb Omut’s gloriously peculiar world and the intricate, almost organic artwork. Use of colour here is key in emphasising the mystical, supernatural qualities of this magical locale, with page layouts designed to give us multiple perspectives on her travels. A gorgeously realised blend of the dark and the sweet and a visual treat, especially for those unfamiliar with the artist’s work.
Dina Omut • kuš! comics, $7.95
Review by Andy Oliver
