Graphic Novel Review: Mongolian Wind

Graphic novels are the true hybrid between art and storytelling. The rich story, much of which is expressed in visual format, plunges the reader into a world where anything can happen. “A picture is worth a thousand words” afterall. That saying could never be truer than when looking at the hyper-realistic art style of Lu Ming.

Lu Ming is a complete artist, choosing not only to express himself via drawings and paintings, some of which are seen here in MONGOLIAN WIND, but is also a Palme d’or winner for advertising, does storyboarding and conceptual art design for film, is a professional guitarist, and had one of his sculptures featured prominently at Burning Man 2018. 

While MONGOLIAN WIND could in some circles be considered a graphic novel, as it contains lots of images, each of which tell a story, as well as stories from Lu Ming himself, I would definitely classify this more as an art book, albeit a fantastic one. Using ancient China and Mongolia as a subject (connecting with his heritage), Ming combines several different art styles, including oil painting and drawing right alongside digital media, to overwhelm your senses… and it will. I found myself staring at the tiny details on several suits of armor, and my imagination kicked in and starting making stories of my own.

Ming’s second collection, MONGOLIAN WIND, will transport your mind into the histories of a people and culture that deserves to be seen and remembered. For content and visuals, this publication is for 18 and up.

ADAM FISHER, Reference Associate