Gilt Frame #1 Review

I'm a huge fan of Matt Kindt, but even some of his recent work hasn't been well received MIND MGMT And Depth. Secure, Subgenre was a mostly good story, but I never really got into If you find this, I'm already dead or BRZRKR. Given Kindt's versatility and productivity, this occasional “separation” is, to me, just part of being a fan.

Because then he can come back with a powerful new book like Gold-plated frame.

There are many gimmicks and catches Gold-plated frame that might grab your attention. Like that his birth mother, Margie Kraft Kindt, co-wrote it, which makes sense for a story about a family (specifically, a nephew and aunt) of globetrotting private investigators. Or that it's another Kindt book that has both a meta veneer (mostly the family stuff) and background material that complements the lore of this story about stolen antique chairs, a murder mystery, and a 19th-century bandit/thief. In short, the multi-layered approach that made Kindt such a profound talent and a truly compelling storyteller.

But what I admire most is Gold-plated frame because it's so damn charming.

Forget any hint of metaphor or sheer sensationalism; Sam and Meredith are some of the most engaging and vivid characters in a Kindt story (and that's really saying something). They're written as if they're fresh out of a Wes Anderson film, and the endless banter (and regular puzzle-solving) is utterly engaging and not nearly as tiresome as it might sound (seriously).

I think Kindt’s best characters – Ansel in People's PrincesRobert from Grass Kings – have always been a mix of grounded, deeply sad yet still somewhat optimistic, and group/family-rooted. And Sam and Meredith are no different – the latter took the former in when his parents became hippies, and they forged this wonderful makeshift family. The fact that they now travel around as the most unlikely Holmes and Sherlocks ever is less a bizarre creative decision and more an extension of their duo. They came together as problem solvers – usually the odd kind of family – and it only makes sense that they would find the same purpose in solving murders.

Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.

But really, it's not so much about what they do – even though the case is really brilliantly structured and has some real layers – but what happens while they do it. The excitement and joy they share with each other; the wit and honesty they convey; and the way they hold each other accountable and build each other up. They are already so fully formed in Gold-plated frame #1, and it's just such a joy to watch two charming and natural people embark on this seemingly unlikely adventure that is nonetheless a great analogy for how you can embrace a truly unexpected life when you only have each other.

It helps, of course, that the couple have such a deep world to move in. Kindt doesn't make nearly enough complete art these days, but he has Gold-plated frame and boy, are we lucky. His above mentioned outstanding achievements like MIND MGMT And depth embodied the light-hearted but lively style that characterizes Kindt as an artist, but I would argue that there is something even more magical in Gold-plated frame. Maybe it's the setting – the duo head to Paris, but there's also some great stuff in their super-cute mega-apartment in St. Louis. Or the grounded noir that lets Kindt play with a balance between the mundane and the nefarious with such grace and skill. Hell, it could just be that his mother's name is attached to it, and who wants to disappoint their family?

Either way, Gold-plated frame is this rich and vibrant masterclass of Kindt's artistic genius. He blurs the lines between cartoon, surrealism, and real life, and in that “middle” space we get these characters that tug at our heartstrings and yet feel textured and wonderfully imperfect. And that sense informs the way Kindt captures the real world — filling St. Louis with a touch of romance, capturing the dusty edges of modern Paris, and basically feeling like a comfortable pair of old shoes we've been living in for 12 years.

Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.

There are some novelties here – the thing with Sam's parents feels like a bad acid trip in a thematically appropriate way, and the background material (old letters, advertisements, etc.) adds even more prestige to this world. But they're always used and grounded perfectly, and so the focus here is just on the people in the world and all the magic and intrigue it offers.

Kindt's whole style is designed to be structured and alive – he captures people, places, concepts, etc. in such a way that you can practically feel the imperfect rhythm of their hearts. And it is this sensitivity that really sets him apart Gold-plated frame Besides, there is history and a sense of time and rhythm in this world that he helped create, and he can portray that in a way that's like sharing our own family stories.

It's an approach and a way of creating that holds back with punches and details when necessary, and then beats us on the chest at just the right moment. With this story in particular, it feels like Kindt is moving through the art to show us what we need, hint at other things, and generally allow for something of a mystery. It's that nut to be cracked and then taken head-on. There's so much to see and experience here, and Gold-plated frame is not only alive, but also invites you to take a walk with these very real people and their unique dreams and problems.

I made a corny joke earlier about the Kindts working together, but I really think there is something essential here. When you find Kindt in a place where he really and truly cares, that is where the magic happens. That is not to say that I am not comfortable with something I don't like (using BRZRKR Once again) that the child doesn't matter – you feel his warmth and presence, whether he is writing and/or drawing.

Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.

I think rather if he has a creative and emotional sweet spot like Gold-plated frameKindt is soaring like never before. He has the energy, warmth and space to do what he does best: tell stories that are about many things, but perhaps boil down to something simple like family love or embracing chaos. When Kindt gets going (I mean Really it hits), we get books like Gold-plated frame that feel like a milestone in a career that is so successful and robust, yet still growing and expanding. In short, a snapshot of everything great about Kindt's love of comics, his serious approach to the art, his deep, abiding love of people, and his charm and wit.

Don’t expect anything too new about Gold-plated frame. (Despite the other details mentioned earlier, it's also really well-told/layered.) Instead, just expect some of his best work in a while (that's saying something), and a story that elevates, confronts, delights, and thoroughly dissects itself and its readers in equal measure. Read this book because you came here through another Kindt project, but just know that this delightful, almost cozy crime thriller is a standout gem like few others.

“Gilt Frame” No. 1 is a true masterpiece of crime fiction

Gilded frame no. 1

This is one of Kindt's best offerings in a long time and an impressive exploration of family, history and art.

Kindt's art is the perfect mix of charm and provocation that enhances this crime thriller.

The Kindts combine history to create something with lots of personality, energy and life.

It is a well-structured story with lovely storytelling that requires your utmost care and attention.

Some of you may want your Noir with a slightly harder edge/shine.

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