The Metamorphosis is a graphic novel inspired by Franz Kafka’s novella. Imagine a literary mashup that re-creates Kafka’s classic story as a dark, surreal comedy. The insular story of Gregor Samsa (now Greg Samsa) has been illustrated and expanded, introducing a measure of pop culture, sexual fetish and rocknroll.
Greg’s life begins in a lofty Tyrolean wonderland but quickly descends into a world of difficulty and hardship. As an adult, Greg supports his parents and sister, working tirelessly for the monolithic Super Tube Vacuum Co. He sells vacuums door-to-door, but, unfortunately, his route consists entirely of cathedrals and nunneries. Unfortunate because he can’t sell any vacuums and doubly unfortunate because Greg has traumatic childhood memories of nuns and scissors.
Greg has other problems as well. He lusts after his own sister, Greta. It’s the family’s dark secret. He’s replaced the loss of his mother’s coddling with an unhealthy longing for his sister. Eventually Greg’s deviance results in an extreme punishment by an unseen force. After a night of strange dreams, Greg Samsa awakes as a human size bug.
Greg’s metamorphosis proves to be devastating for his family – they relied on his income to survive. Schatzi, Greg’s stepfather, is a lazy old sot. Greta is an aspiring violinist, studying at the conservatory. Without Greg's support she may have to give up her dream. Heike, Greg’s mother, is deeply wounded by the transformation of her son. Greg was her first born, her darling child. Heike pines for the days when she and Baby Greg lived together in an idyllic Tyrolean chalet. That was before she married Schatzi, moved to the city, and lost Young Greg to a world of nuns and school. Now she has a giant vermin for a son.
The family sells their furniture and gives blood to survive. Heike falls deeper into depression, living on a diet of schnapps and anti-depressants. Only Greta looks after Greg, nourishing him a daily supply of soggy cornflakes. Greg tries to use the cornflakes to communicate, spelling out words. He’s sorry. He wants to help. But he can’t help and Schatzi wants him to go away.
Greg grows sad as Schatzi forces Greta to quit the conservatory and take a job as a go-go dancer. Schatzi then rents out Greta’s room to boarders, Wolfgang and Peter, Eurotrash posers who play perform loud electronic music in the living room.
Serendipitously, Greg learns to communicate (a shrill form of singing) through one of Wolfgang’s electronic instruments – The Electro-Metamorphasizer. Wolfgang, in turns, uses Greg to front a new band, Electronic Dung. The band is an instant underground hit. Greg is a sensation, but fame doesn’t buy him happiness. Offstage Greg is either locked in crates or quarantined in his room. Greta, Greg’s only ally, becomes smitten with Wolfgang and loses sight of Greg's mistreatment. She also can’t see that Wolfgang is an opportunistic cad who only cares about his own fortune. Greg’s one desire is to talk to Greta - to tell her how he feels, to tell her about Wolfgang and to tell her to pursue her dreams.
Finally Electronic Dung gets its big break, headlining a show at the Super Tube arena, and Greg decides to express his feelings in front of the capacity crowd. Unfortunately, the crowd doesn’t take kindly to an incestuous bug. They barrage Greg with candy apples. Disgraced, Greg flees the scene, wounded by a well-aimed apple. Greta searches for him and finds him. She comforts Greg as he spends his final hours in a garbage heap, dreaming of his mother and dreaming of his childhood in the idyllic Tyrolean wonderland.
Characters
Greg Samsa – Greg is in the prime of his life, living in the nadir of existence. He supports his drunken mother, his unappreciative sister and his lazy stepfather. His job at the megalithic Super Tube vacuum company runs him ragged. Greg is awkward and unsociable, perhaps coddled too long by his mother. As an adult he seems to have an unhealthy fascination for his sister (a dead ringer for his young mother). Eventually Greg plays the ultimate price for his fetish - he’s transformed into a giant bug. After his demise, the Samsa’s world darkens considerably.
Heike – Greg’s mother. She was once a charming young lady, living in the Technicolor Tyrolean world. These days her lederhosen have grown crusty. She’s bitter and drunk, but she still loves her son.
Greta - Greg’s sister. Greta is a saucy, flirtatious young woman. She studies violin at the conservatory. After Greg’s demise the family can ill afford to pay for her school.
Schatzi – Heike’s husband and Greg and Greta’s stepfather. He’s lazy sot who runs the family by delegating responsibility to everyone else.
Mr. Schlongen – Greg’s boss at Super Tube. He’s a starched collar businessman, straightforward and to the point.
Sister Mary Helvetica – Greg’s teacher at Catholic School. She kept the boys in line with her threatening scissors.
Salesman #1, Salesman #2 and Salesman #3 – Greg’s co-workers at Super Tube. When Greta is a contestant on The Mating Game, Salesman #1 is one of the eligible bachelors.
The Old Marxist – A scruffy old socialist with the clothes to match. He is the second eligible bachelor in The Mating Game. Later, he champions himself as a folksinger; he’s terrible but somehow headlines above Electronic Dung.
Wolfgang – A discontent Eurotrash poser. He is the third eligible bachelor on The Mating Game and the one Greta falls for. He also leads the band, Electronic Dung.
Peter – Wolfgang’s bandmate.
Mr. Schmerl – Manager of the Unterclub where Greta dances and Electronic Dung plays. He has a leering eye and a nose for money.
