Comic book uses verse to describe the beginning of the universe

COSMOLOGY

First things first

"BANG! The Universe Verse: Book 1" (James Lu Dunbar)

James Lu Dunbar, a 26-year-old artist from Oakland, Calif., has written, illustrated and self-published a comic book about the beginning of the universe. "BANG!" is for all ages and could be particularly helpful for educators looking for a snazzy way to teach this complicated subject. "If you don't understand everything, don't worry, no one does," Dunbar writes in the beginning of the book. "That's why I made it rhyme and added lots of pictures." "BANG!" is the first in a three-book series; the next two will cover the origin of life on Earth and evolution. Dunbar did most of his research in Boston libraries, where he pored over science texts, graphic novels and children's books for inspiration and information. The book consists of his pencil-and-ink drawings (doctored with Photoshop) and verse such as this: "Then lickety-split, things got going fast/That dense little dot did not get to last/A bang and a boom and a really massive blast!/In every direction existence was cast." People can view a slide show of the book at http://www.jldunbar.com/JLDunbar.com/BANG!.html or order a hard copy for $12.95. He may even e-mail you a free PDF if you ask nicely.

-- Rachel Saslow