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Welcome to the new page for Poopsheet Reviews. In case you found this page by itself, here's where home is. This page will be updated as often as possible, so be sure to check back for new reviews. Any comments or suggestions would be most welcome at [email protected].

cheers,
--Ricko

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< miscellaneous >

[untitled]
(Andrew Penland / 149 Newfound St. / Canton, NC / 28716 USA. Web: www.sidereality.com)
It’s possible this is titled “Oscillator Cunnilingus”, but I couldn’t say for sure. Crazy drawings/doodles, a poem, cut & paste bits and other randomness.

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< comics/x >

AIDSNER SANDERS MINI #1 • JACKY BOY #1
(Aidsner Sanders Comics / 102-40 67th Dr. #3A / Forest Hills, NY / 11375 USA)
“What’s up with this Aidsner Sanders stuff?” I hear you ask. Beats the hell outta me. Seems to be a foul-mouthed-enigma-by-design. Maybe it’s one of those jokes that’s only funny if you know who’s telling it. Anyway, these are both four-page minis. Jacky Boy is mostly text: a plug for Aidsner Sanders comics, a tiny bit of fiction and the revelation that Jon Benet Ramsey was killed by the “real” Freddy Krueger. Aidsner Sanders Mini is, uh, comics.

Update: Since I wrote the above I’ve learned that Jeffrey Kane (apparently the brains behind Aidsner Sanders) has stopped drawing his comics in favor of collaborating with other artists.

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< comics/x >

AMAZING ADULT FANTASY #14
(Send a few stamps to Tim Doyle / 924 E. 40th, #106 / Austin, TX / 78751 USA. Web: www.lowfashion.com/timdoyle)

Review by Carol Pond

Wow! In AAF #14 Tim gives you daily strips of his life for the month of October 2002. A lot happens: he goes to the movies, works at the comic shop, breaks up with one girl, gets back together with another one, plays drums and discovers the identity of an anonymous dis-er. There's lots more! The art is good, nice and cartoony with good use of black. This is a fun diary comic. My favorite strip is 10-19-02, about the kids who come into the comic shop to game on the weekends.

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< music >

AQUATULLE #5
($3.95; 332 Bleecker St. #K-15 / New York, NY / 10014-2980 USA)
Aquatulle is unapologetically nostalgic for the late ‘70s/early ‘80s. In this particular issue you’ll find: alternate titles for Dances with Wolves, Siouxsie Sioux, interviews (Andy Summers, Steve Severin, Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, photographer Roberta Bayley, Captain Sensible, David Sylvian, the Go-Go’s), ‘80s products, Joey Ramone, club photos, Ward Sutton comics and lots more. If you’re hopelessly devoted to this period in time, you’ll no doubt love this magazine.

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< comics/x >

ATTEMPTED NOT KNOWN #7
($1.00 from Peter Conrad / PO Box 64522 / Sunnyvale, CA / 94088 USA. Web: www.peterconrad.com)
I think this issue contains some of the best comics work I’ve seen by Peter Conrad. Although he’s done his share of more serious work, I think he’s much more suited to humor, both in delivery and presentation. Good stuff.

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< comics/x >

AZMACOURT #8
($2.00? from Marc Parker / PO Box 60792 / Oklahoma City, OK / 73146 USA)
This issue of Azmacourt is part comics, part personal writing (all by Marc) and I liked it a lot. The comics are autobiographical and the whole package makes for an interesting look at Marc’s life. He talks about his job, trouble with prescription drugs, his vegan tendencies and more. I think Azmacourt’s a great personalzine and the comics are always a nice bonus.

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< words >

BEZANGO, WA 985 #7 & 8
(Steve Willis / PO Box 390 / McCleary, WA / 98557-0390 USA)
I’ve really been enjoying this series. Steve Willis, best known as the cartoonist/creator/victim of Morty the Dog (and a multitude of other great characters), is doing something a little different these days. In each issue of Bezango, WA 985 Steve writes about the peculiar residents of this fictional (or is it?) town. I may have said this before, but it’s something akin to Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegone stories, only much more outlandish and entertaining. As a bonus, there are also drawings of each Bezangoan (Bezangite?) profiled. I hope Steve one day turns these stories into comix, but in the meantime I’m enjoying the heck out of these small stories.

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< comics/x >

BIPOLAR #3
($2.95; published by Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics)
This is good stuff from the Bros. Hanuka. Of the two stories, my favorite is the chapter of “Pizzeria Kamikaze” by Assaf Hanuka (adapted from a story written by Etgar Keret). I find the concept oddly appealing. The main character in this story, Mordy, committed suicide only to find himself suddenly existing in a world like the one he left, except everybody here also killed themselves. I suppose it’s a purgatory we can relate to, eh? While in this world Mordy gets word that the woman he loves has also arrived and sets out to find her. It’s a great idea ripe with possibility and it’s fun to watch it unfold. Plus, Assaf’s artwork is beautiful. The other piece, by Tomer Hanuka, is also quite good. It’s sort of a pathetic loveless loser story, but with something of a supernatural twist. The artwork, of course, is quite striking.

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BRAIN FOOD #8
($1.00 from Mike Toft / PO Box 7246 / Minneapolis, MN / 55407 USA)
Politically-charged comics with goofy main characters. This issue seems to be an excessive comedic reaction to 9/11 (or, perhaps, a reaction to a reaction) crammed with jokes and what are now unfortunate clichés.

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< comics/x >

BRICK DOG AND OTHER STORIES
by Amber Carvan and Mandy Ord

Review by Jeff LeVine

This little 60-page book features short comics that were created in a notebook that the two friends sent back and forth to each other every couple of weeks. The stories seem to play off each other, flowing into each other, inspired by the new comics one sent to the other. Sometimes the pages seem so much like a letter, that it feels a little weird to be a third person reading 'em, but it always feels good. Each cartoonist brings a unique, lively, mostly light-hearted voice to their pieces. There's a nice contrast created between their two different drawing styles, as Ord's strips seemed drenched in deep blacks, while Carvan lets the white of the page dominate. Animals, especially pets, and, er... road kill, seem to be the theme of most of the stories, but there are also noteworthy strips about stars, comets and dancing. A fun collection, nicely printed, and worth tracking down if you like your comics with a touch of the human. Try
http://www.plutoaustralia.com/catalogue/display.php?item=232

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< comics/x >

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN • SQUID • THE SYSTERN • TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE
(Maja D’Aoust / 1777 N. Vermont Ave., #411 / Los Angeles, CA / 90027 USA)
Stylish comics by Maja D’Aoust. My favorite of these is California Dreamin, which seems to combine real dreams with real life. I especially like one story about the unusual that resides within the view from Maja’s window. To Pee or Not to Pee seems to have been inspired by being forced to use a less-than-savory restroom at a bar. Funny depictions of the patrons. Squid is about, well, squids. The Systern follows an unfortunate chain of events involving bodily functions.

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< comics/x >

CLUMSY
(Jeffrey Brown, [email protected]; distributed by Top Shelf Productions, www.topshelfcomix.com)

Review by Jeff LeVine

Clumsy, an ambitious 224+ page graphic novel by (newcomer?) Jeffrey Brown, shows lots of promise, but is ultimately not very successful when looked at closely. The book tells the autobiographical story of a long distance relationship that lasts less than a year, told in cut-up little pieces and without much narrative flow. The little one- to three-page stories, mostly very brief scenes from the romance, do add up to give you sort of a picture of what happened, although for no apparent reason the stories don't seem to flow in chronological order, as sometimes the book randomly moves back and forth through the year, almost as if the finished pages were dropped to the floor and reshuffled, Naked Lunch-style. The shortness of each scene, often only one page long, kept me from falling very deep into the events. The occasional drifts into Kochalka-like twee-ness were a turn-off. The stories are best when dealing with the difficulties of being in a young relationship, the little misunderstandings, and trying to make things work with another person. These scenes ring true, especially because they reveal the author as a bit of a pathetic character. This pathetic aspect, however, doesn't really lead to a feeling of pity, but more a desire to slap around the author a bit and demand he act more like a man. It's no surprise that the relationship comes to an end with the girl leaving Brown flat.

The other area the books falls short in is the art department. From a distance it looks pleasingly rough, almost Gary Panter-like in it's raw first-take quality, combined with a heavy dose of the style of the early work of Chester Brown, but as the pages add up, I found the artwork to be a little short of substance. It never really adds to the story. It's just there. And while that's fine, it's not taking advantage of the strength of comics, where words and pictures play off each other to create something greater than either would be just alone.

Given more time and dedication to both his art and words/story structure, I think Jeffrey Brown actually has a lot of potential as a cartoonist, but this early work may have best been left at the bottom of a drawer somewhere, used as a learning experience for producing future, better, comics.

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COMIC BOOK HEAVEN #7
($2.25; SLG Publishing, www.slavelabor.com, www.comicbookheaven.net)
Scott Saavedra’s Comic Book Heaven is something of an old school fanzine whose focus is on an unusual topic: the kooky side of comics history. The emphasis here is on fun and nostalgia; if you think that sounds appealing, then you’ll love CBH. The main recurring feature is the “Me Am Weird” section in which Scott offers up synopses (and art repros) for goofy comic books from days gone by (think Silver Age DC). But, wait, there’s more: a look at mermaids in comics, a tribute to MAD, hippies, an entertaining letters section, cartooning by O. Henry, and plenty more, you betcha. I love every issue of this mag and highly recommend it. Also, look for the hardcover Flee, Puny Humans! in January that’ll collect the early non-SLG issues.

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< comics/x >

COMIC EFFECT #31
($3.50 from Jim Kingman /PO Box 2188 / Pasadena, CA / 91102-2188 USA)

Review by Alan Rankin

Even if – like me – you rarely read today's superhero comics, you were probably raised on the costumed heroes of yesteryear (and yesterweek). Comic Effect is a celebration of the comics we grew up reading. It's not just nostalgia, but a critical appreciation by insightful and intelligent writers.

#31 features reviews of the origin of the Justice League (from 1962), the Hulk magazine of the '70s, and current all-ages comic Amelia Rules!, which sounds like a lot of fun. The self-styled "Old Fan," Howard Davis, considers what will happen to his collection after he's gone, and poses a trivia question: Which superteam has appeared in more stories than any other? (It's not who you think.)

The most interesting review, perhaps, examines a recent Fantastic Four that focused on the Yancy Street Gang. Even casual FF readers will remember the Thing's constant torment by the always-unseen Gang. This story not only revealed the origin of their conflict, but "outed" Ben Grimm as a Jewish-American. (Adam Sandler will have another line for "The Hanukkah Song.") It's a move that adds new dimension to this popular character.

This issue of Comic Effect also includes Jim's announcement that he's publishing six issues in 2003. Consequently, he's putting out a call for more articles – comics-obsessed writers, take note!

[ Alan Rankin is a writer and photographer based in Texas. Recent projects include the photo chapbook Family Portraits, featuring some of the unique personalities who travel the Renaissance faire circuit. He's currently at work on a travel/perzine, Road Scholar. Contact him at: PO Box 200846, Arlington TX 76006. Email: [email protected] ]

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< reviews / networking / news >

COMIXVILLE #4
(a stamp from Comixville / PO Box 697 / Portland, OR / 97207-0697 USA)
Subtitled “A Quick, Little Guide to Self-Published Comics”, that’s just what it is. Brief reviews for 25 comics (art repros for 20), plus a cover and interview with artist Billy McKay. Well worth your stamp.

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< comics/x >

CREATURE TECH
(Top Shelf Productions, www.topshelfcomix.com)
This was mentioned last issue before I’d had a chance to read it. Now that I’ve read it, I want to say a bit more about it. If you’re already a fan of Doug TenNapel and you haven’t bought this, what are you waiting for? I really enjoyed it, maybe even more than I’d expected. See, even though I dug the Earthworm Jim cartoon when it was on and loved the Neverhood video game, I’d only read very little of TenNapel’s comic book work. The artwork here is reminiscent of the Disney style of recent years’ blockbuster cartoons. That may sound off-putting (it probably should), but TenNapel works this kind of popular animation aesthetic to his advantage (and the reader’s benefit). The real difference is that the beautiful brushwork and amazing use of contrast give the inhabitants of TenNapel’s world more character than any Disney license-trash could ever hope for. The story itself concerns an interesting spiritual quest that blends sci-fi, monsters, the paranormal, conspiracy and religion. I really don’t even want to get into it, but if any combination from the previous list appeals to you, you should be reading Creature Tech. Recommended.

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< words >

CROSSWORD PUZZLE POETRY
(Jim Siergey / 4135 N. Hermitage / Chicago, IL / 60613 USA)

Review by Mark Campos

This tiny volume collects 15 poems made from crossword puzzle clues, illustrated with slender line drawings. In their raw state crossword clues can sometimes sound like beat poetry (reading them out loud in a thrilling voice is one of my party tricks); tidy conceptualist Siergey keeps the selections short and focused, each with its own moment of epiphany. Here's one:

"Vietnam patrol boats
Eventually float to shore
Cancun, for one
'Aha!' "

[ M. Campos is a cartoonist and writer whose work has been in the last issues of Comics F/X, Factsheet Five, and Matte, among others. He is convinced there's a pattern. ]

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< comics/x >

CUSP
($3.95; Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics)
This is nice work by Thomas Herpich. Lots of beautiful linework, disturbing imagery, commentary on life and mystery, all under a striking painted cover. Herpich’s day job is in animation (currently working on Bill Plympton’s next feature), but let’s hope he sticks around and does more comics. The guy’s incredibly talented and I think this book is going to do well. Worth your time.

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< comics/x >

DIRTY STORIES Vol. 3
(112p book from Eros/Fantagraphics, www.eroscomix.com / www.fantagraphics.com)
For those who haven’t read one of these, Dirty Stories is an anthology of (mostly) smart comix about sex edited by Eric Reynolds and co-published by Eros Comix and Fantagraphics Books. These aren’t really porn comix and many of them aren’t even sexy, but they are comix about sex that adults shouldn’t be too embarrassed by to display in their bookshelves. I really enjoyed this collection of impressive work. A few of my favorite contributions:

• Al Columbia’s cover is absolutely stunning and offers the added bonus of being absolutely repulsive once you get a closer look.
• Everything by Cephalopod Products (Glenn Head) is brilliant. Amazing, repugnant stuff; it’d obviously been too long since I last saw his work.
• Ben Catmull’s 10-page story about masturbation fantasies (and their repercussions) is one of the best things in the book.
• Nono Kadaver’s “Dandruff”, for its beautiful linework (funny story, too).

The above just scratches the surface, but I am a lazy reviewer. There’s also wonderful work by Carol Swain, Rick Altergott, Matthias Lehmann, Ellen Forney (educational!), H.G. Feekes (a disturbing tale of free sex), Karl Wills, Bob Fingerman, Kevin Scalzo, Renée French, Zak Sally (beautiful endpapers) and plenty more, if you can believe it. As a bonus, three Tijuana Bibles are reprinted (I hope this is a trend). Recommended.

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< comics/x >

DJUSTINE
($3.00 US/€3.00 EUR from Enrico Teodorani / via Ca’Nova 215-S. Andrea in Bagnolo / 47020 Pievesestina di Cesena (FO) / ITALY. Web: www.djustine.cjb.net. Mature Readers)
Enrico Teodorani’s Djustine reminds me that it’s been some time since I’ve seen anything quite like it. It’s something of a big ol’ genre hoedown in comics form. It’s essentially a western – starring a scantily-clad badass cowgirl – but you might also find aliens, lesbianism, Frankenstein’s monster, naughty nuns, bondage and the undead. There’s also a fair amount of forced sex, so consider yourself warned. The three issues I received contain numerous stories mostly written by Teodorani and drawn by others. The quality of art varies from piece to piece, but there’s some really good stuff, including work by Gianluca Pagliarani, Nik Guerra (sort of a manga/Bill Ward hybrid) and Rossi Cristian (reminds me of Scotland’s John Miller). There are also covers and pin-ups of Djustine by folks like Don Marquez, Frank Brunner, Mike Hoffman, Corrado Mastantuono and Sam Glanzman. I suppose I should mention that everything is in Italian, but if the above info appeals, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.

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< comics/x >

ELDRITCH PULP ADVENTURE #1 & 2
($2.00 ea. from Eric York / PO Box 905 / Flagstaff, AZ / 86002-0905 USA)
This is the new comic from the publisher of Tillinghast’s Moribund Fairy Tales. This new one is similar in that the stories take place in a Victorian/Lovecraftian horror sort of environment with all manner of cool gothic surroundings and ghastly creatures. The difference here is that, in the two continuing stories, creator Eric York has decided to work with a superhero (the Black Aphid) and dark humor (almost in an Addams Family vein – the cartoons, not the tv show). It’s really good stuff and I’m looking forward to more. Eric’s artwork is pretty outstanding and it surprises me that I don’t hear more about him. There are touches of Mike Mignola and Rick Geary and probably whoever influenced them. Recommended.

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< miscellaneous >

FAMILY PORTRAITS
($5.00 from Alan Rankin / PO Box 200846 / Arlington, TX / 76006 USA. E-mail: [email protected])
This is a collection of photos Alan Rankin has taken of Rennies (people active in the Renaissance Faire circuit), most in non-period garb. An interesting glimpse into one of America’s lesser-known communities. Unfortunately, this may be out of print by the time you read this, but Alan has similar projects in the works, including postcards, photo sets and zines. Write him to find out what’s available.

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< comics/x >

FANTASTIC BUTTERFLIES
(co-published by Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics, and Highwater Books, www.highwaterbooks.com)
I’ve been a fan of James Kochalka’s since the first time I saw his work. I don’t know what his personal aspirations are regarding comics, but what I do know is that he embraces life and all the good and bad that comes with it. This is the charm of his work and Fantastic Butterflies is a good example of that. This new book is a Magic Boy story (that is, semi-autobiographical) and those are my favorites of his. Even if there is a robot, a time machine, a talking dog (with a robot brain) and all sorts of oddly-shaped people, I still feel as if I’ve just absorbed a look at the world through someone else’s experiences. And I dig it.

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< comics/x >

FEAR ITSELF #7
($3.00 from Matthew Brown / 21 Beaty St. / Toronto, ON / M6K 3B3 / CANADA)
This is great stuff. The first story is the first installment of a murder mystery, the victim of which resembles a much-beloved comic strip character (it’s purely superficial, I’m sure). The second story, “The Sad Elephant”, is drawn in a completely different style and provides a satisfying surreal melancholy. I’m impressed and definitely looking forward to more. Recommended.

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FELDSPAR #1
($1.00 or trade from Micah Liesenfeld / PO Box 1731 / St. Charles, MO / 63302 USA. Web: www.aussiefax.com)
Poetry-as-comics that touches on love and the writer’s relationship to others and her surroundings. Words by Melissa Konieczko, art by Micah Liesenfeld.

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< comics/x >

THE FIERCE RIVER PIRATES: AT THE CON • THE FIERCE RIVER PIRATES: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES! • INSPIRATION • THE MISSION
(Carol Pond / address removed by request)
Carol Pond drew one 2-hour comic a week this summer and this is the last batch. My favorite of this batch is Inspiration because it’s funny and because, oddly enough, it reminds me of The Young Ones (the British comedy). Carol’s comics are always charming, fun and inspiring. I wish I had half the ability she displays.

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< comics/x >

FILTHY SHIT 2002
($1.00 from Mike Tolento / PO Box 20028 / Santa Barbara, CA / 93120 USA. Web: www.emptylife.com)
Hey, kids, it’s Filthy Shit! The title says it all and if you’ve seen previous issues by Mike Tolento then you know what you’re in for. “Father Fagigan, the Pedophile Priest,” “Tinkle Belle,” a bukkake nod (in my favorite strip), etc. Vile!

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A FINE MESS
($3.50; Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics. Matt Madden’s website: www.mattmadden.com)
This is a collection of comics by Matt Madden that either hadn’t gotten much previous exposure or hadn’t yet been published at all. The contents include: “Aranda’s Coat” (originally published, at a smaller size, in Expo 2001), “The Frustrated Transmogrificationist” (originally a dry point print), “House Music” (from a mid-’90s issue of Pulse! ) and “Night of the Grossinator” (a beautiful 16-page 2-color story previously published only in Italy).

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< words >

FISH WITH LEGS #7
($1.00 or trade from Eric Lyden / 224 Moraine St. / Brockton, MA 02301-3664 USA)

Review by Delaine Derry Green

This 26-page, low budget zine is big on content. Eric provides his second-annual first-hand account of a Boston zine convention - Beantown Zinetown 2002. Eric goes into great detail, sharing one zinester's reactions before, during and after the big show. Humorous descriptions of public reaction to his autographed 8x10 photo as well as an impromptu recorded interview for a public access TV show. Sounds like a very interesting day! Also includes this reviewer's favorite zine column, "Wicked Fun Facts," where Eric shares a number of offbeat details about himself. The zine wraps up with two pages of reviews (movies, zines, bands, etc.) written in Eric's unique style.

[ Delaine Derry Green has been making Small Diary comics since 1993 and produces the books My Small Diary and Not My Small Diary. NMSD-10 is the newest issue available and features 50 of your favorite small press artists. www.mysmallwebpage.com ]

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< comics/x >

FLEEP
($5.00; published by Sparkplug Comic Books / PO Box 10952 / Portland, OR / 92796-0952 USA. Web: www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com) This is really a pretty amazing comic by Jason Shiga. A man steps into a phone booth and his life is forever altered. To be honest, I don’t know what to say about Fleep because I feel that my reactions would give too much away. I will say that it’s pretty cerebral and I felt genuinely unsettled when I finished it. But in a good way. I give this book my highest recommendation. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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< reviews / networking / news >

THE FREE PRESS DEATH SHIP #2
(free – donations accepted – from Violet Jones / PO Box 55336 / Hayward, CA / 94545 USA)
This is an impressive and inspiring zine for a number of reasons: (1) Although it’s typeset, it’s produced entirely without computers (and is quite nice to look at). There was typesetting before PCs? The devil you say! (2) Violet’s crusade in support of individual freedom and free speech is unrelenting. (3) The “Making the Most of Postage” article by Hugh Mansfield is extremely helpful and informative. (4) There are many pages of interesting letters, an interview with Fred Woodworth (The Match!) and many pages of zine reviews (over 150 reviews). I highly recommend this one. Violet offers the zine for free, but I suggest sending two or three dollars (it’s a nice production) or, at the least, something interesting; I think you’ll find it to be a good deal.

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< words >

FRICTION MAGAZINE #1
($9.00 from Friction Magazine, 277 Luedella Ct., Akron, OH 44310 USA. Web: www.frictionmagazine.com)

Review by Alan Rankin

This is the first print edition of the mag, which has been on the Web for two years. A lot of short articles, fiction, art and activism crammed into this nicely-designed package. The editors seem truly dedicated to promoting the voices of the independent media. The article "Building Media Alliances" is a thoughtful analysis of how indy media can compete with corporate behemoths. This article is so good, I want to send copies to every zinester and independent artist on the planet.

In another great article, Keith Hamm compares dumpster diving in America with families who live year-round in a Mexican garbage dump. Other highlights: "The Seven Vices of Highly Creative People" (illustrated by Peter Kuper); a guide to street stenciling; an informative history of fan fiction; mini-interviews with indy musicians; a handful of short stories; an interview with author A.D. Nauman, accompanied by an excerpt of her novel Scorch. There's also an interview with comics artist Rachel Hartman of Amy Unbounded – but no comics, by Hartman or anybody else! That's my only complaint.

Overall, both the writing and design of this mag compare favorably with Granta, but with more of an emphasis on indy media. Check this one out.

[ Alan Rankin is a writer and photographer based in Texas. Recent projects include the photo chapbook Family Portraits, featuring some of the unique personalities who travel the Renaissance faire circuit. He's currently at work on a travel/perzine, Road Scholar. Contact him at: PO Box 200846, Arlington TX 76006. Email: [email protected] ]

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< comics/x / art >

HEADHUNTER #3 & 4
(Marc van Elburg / Postbus 68 / 7700AB Dedemsvaart / NETHERLANDS)
These are collections of insane drawings by Marc van Elburg, most featuring wildy mutated heads. Good old-fashioned art brut just like Grandma used to make. #3 has a couple of guest pages by Rael and #4 also comes with a noise CD that’s a perfect accompaniment to the drawings. Marc’s got lots more noise available (audio and otherwise), so send him something along these lines and you’ll no doubt get something fun in return.

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HI-HORSE #3 & 4
($3.00 ea. from Hi-Horse c/o Bishakh Som / 558 7th St. #4D / Brooklyn, NY / 11215 USA. Make checks to Bishakh Som. Web: www.hi-horse.com)
If you’ve never read an issue of Hi-Horse, I encourage you to check out what this small faction of the New York comix scene is up to. I’ll say right off that my favorite regulars here are Andrice Arp and Howard John Arey, but the rest of the work is nothing to sneeze at. The stand-outs in #3 are Joan Reilly’s “Hello?” (a great, unconventional love story), Arey’s “Night of the Bully” (an animated, cartoony piece that’s lots of fun) and Arp’s “A Turnip’s Progress” (a man has particular troubles with his garden, the worst of which is a turnip that has escaped). My favorite bits in #4 are the conclusion to Arp’s turnip story and her beautiful illustrations on the inside covers. These issues also contain interesting work from Bishakh Som (including a lovely cover to #4) and Olivia Kate Schanzer. Recommended.

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THE HOLLYWOOD ECLECTERN #33
(Ed Buchman / PO Box 4215 / Fullerton, CA / 92834 USA)
I really like this zine and I’m always glad to see a new issue. For those who don’t know, The HoLLywood Eclectern is devoted to Little Lulu and the work of John Stanley. Under a color cover by Larry Blake you’ll find a color reproduction of a Lulu strip (in English and Dutch), art from Stanley’s Kookie, a Kookie index, an updated Stanley bibliography, more art by Larry Blake and other bits of information. Ed says you can get on the mailing list for free, but be kind and send a few bucks.

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IT LIVES #1
($2.00 from Ted May / 1115 Louisville #2N / St. Louis, MO / 63139 USA or from www.usscatastrophe.com)
This thing fuckin’ rocks. Seriously. Under a beautiful color cover full of monsters, Ted May gives us several stories, all of which are a whole lotta fun and nice to look at. “Help Me Understand Your World” is something like a TV drama that takes place in a 1960s Marvel comic, only it’s much better than that makes it sound. What’s probably my favorite piece in the book, “Toilet Battle”, is also the one with the least substance. It’s sort of a weird-ass conglomeration of good ol’ American machismo, video games, action figures and kung fu movies. What’s more, it’s one long battle royale that takes place on (then in) a toilet. Must be seen to be believed. I’m gushingly in love with Ted’s work and I can’t wait for his next issue. Recommended.

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< comics/x >

LAND OF O
($3.95; published by Slackart, www.slackart.com; distributed by Top Shelf, www.topshelfcomix.com)
I briefly mentioned this last issue, but I think it deserves a little more attention. This Xeric-funded project by Michael Slack is a collection of illustrative comics that are certainly worth a look. Stylistically, this stuff is beautifully disturbing (or disturbingly beautiful, depending on one’s perspective). In fact, I’d say that if Kaz and Renée French had a cartoon baby, the result might be a little bit like this. No great truths are revealed here, but if your thing is ugly and twisted (see a doctor) I highly recommend this. I hope there’ll be more.

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LEEKING INK #26
($2.00 or “a fair trade” from Davida Gypsy Breier / PO Box 963 / Havre de Grace, MD / 21078 USA. Web: www.leekinginc.com)
Ever since I released my own journal zine (I Am What I Am), I can’t help but compare it to others I read. With that in mind, one thing that really stands out about Davida’s zine is that she’s been doing it long enough to know how to make it work. In addition to her mostly-interesting journal entries, she also includes longer pieces about different aspects of her experience. Aside from the events of her day-to-day life, we also learn about her love for shoes (with photos!), her love of books, the newest canine family member and her trip to England (man, I’m jealous). On top of all this, there’s a swell cover by Bobby Tran Dale. I enjoyed this a lot. I encourage anyone who likes personalzines to try it.

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< art >

LOLABRIGIDA #1
($18.00 US/$28.00 CAN/$150.00 MEX; Imprenta Ajusco SA de CV / José María Agreda y Sánchez #223 / Col. Tránsito / México D.F., C.P. 06820 / MEXICO)

Review by Jeff LeVine

Lolabrigida is a glossy, thick, anthology collection of comics, illustrations and poems printed in Mexico, but with most of the text (poorly) translated into English, though there are also a few smaller pieces in Spanish and Italian. Overall there is a very "too much art school" feel to the book. While almost all the work seems skillfully done, none of the voices seem particularly original or inspiring. The excessively glossy printing feels very inappropriate. Also surprising, although there are 162 magazine-sized pages, it's stretching it to spend fifteen minutes looking at 'em – there just doesn't seem to be that much there. A sadly uninteresting selection.

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< comics/x >

LOUIS: THE CLOWN’S LAST WORDS
(90pp color book, £12.95 UK / $19.95 US; published by Metaphrog / 34 Springhill Gardens / Shawlands, Glasgow / G41 2EY / SCOTLAND. Web: www.metaphrog.com)
This latest graphic novel from Metaphrog is perhaps the strangest Louis tale yet (and that’s no small statement). It’s also, oddly enough, the most lowbrow installment (which may seem puzzling if you’ve not read it yet) even if that element is only found in small, infrequent doses. Clown lovers will be disappointed to find that clowns only play a very minor part in Louis’ latest adventure. Clown haters, on the other hand, will likely be relieved.

Louis is like a child in his innocence and curiosity and recurring themes include oppression and his being manipulated. All of this makes for a harrowing sort of storytelling and a generally creepy vibe throughout the series. Muted, watercolored art, undefined languages, unfamiliar words and other factors contribute to something of a claustrophobic reading experience.

Another aspect, however, is that the book just can’t be set down. One must find out what’s going to happen to Louis and exactly how it’s going to happen. Also, I might add that the ending to The Clown’s Last Words surprised me, mostly because it seemed very concrete and could drastically affect some of the recurring plot elements mentioned above. Metaphrog have certainly made me curious as to where they’ll take Louis next.

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< comics/x >

LOVESICK FOOL #3
($2.95; Shady Comics / 4317 Ensenada Dr. / Woodland Hills, CA / 91364 USA. Web: www.shadycomics.com)
I became a fan of Dominic Polcino’s after reading the first two issues of this comic. Lovesick Fool is full of stories about romance and Polcino paints himself as somewhat pathetic, indecisive and lust-driven. You know, a man. His comics, though, are a whole lotta fun and even inspiring to the cartoonist in me. The art bounces back and forth between the barest of sketch and a much more refined product (and all points between). I don’t know that this method would work well for just anybody, but Polcino pulls it off and I find it rather appealing. Even in the barest sketches, the guy displays a real talent for the visual elements needed to tell the story and that’s the secret. The best part, of course, is that it’s funny. Recommended. Also, look for a new title, Shady Comics, to come out soon.

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< comics/x >

MADBURGER
(216pp book, $16.95 US/14€ EUR/2000 sit SLO; published by Forum Ljubljana, www.ljudmila.org/stripcore/madburger/. Distributed in the US by Top Shelf, www.topshelfcomix.com)
The Stripburger crew has put out yet another outstanding international comix anthology. Subtitled “comics questioning sanity”, this volume contains an impressive list of contributors, all of whom deal with the subject of madness (what defines such a notion?) in one way or another. Some of my favorite pieces are by Jean Bourguignon (who has an appealing cartoon style somewhat reminiscent of Marc Bell), Vladan Nikoliç, Mateusz Skutnik, Ole Comoll Christensen (paranoia and vanity), Koco, Chris Cilla, Pakito Bolino, Gomé & Fedi, Josh Neufeld and Jason. Truthfully, I think this is a really strong volume and I heartily enjoyed around 95% of it (which is a good percentage for an anthology). Other artists to be found here are Matthias Lehmann (a great wraparound cover), Tom Hart, Richard Suicide, Madison Clell, Mike Diana, Kapreles, Ivan Mitrevski and the list just goes on and on. Highly recommended. Outside of Eastern Europe Madburger is distributed by Top Shelf (US), Bries (Belgium) and Oog & Blik (Netherlands).

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< comics/x >

MAGIC WHISTLE #7
($2.95; Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics)

Review by Jeff LeVine

Even though I love Sam Henderson's comics, I hadn't read an issue of Magic Whistle in quite a few years. A feeling that all the strips were kind of blending together, that they're all basically the same, kind of took hold in my head. Yet, when I saw the latest issue a few weeks ago, I thought, "I could use some laughs, I could use a dose of Magic Whistle," and brought it back home. I enjoyed reading it too, and there were laughs for sure, but also, it still did seem kind of interchangeable with any previous example of Henderson's work I've seen. Some might call that having a "style," but for me I guess his world so far seems a little small (for regular visits). I'd really like to see him stretching out and hitting some new targets. But anyway, for what it is, a funny book, it's pretty good – especially the first half – with it's bizarre story about "The Man with The Biggest Penis in the World," and his little "Don't Ask" gag strips. Unfortunately, the second half of this issue does seem to drift a little close to the filler category, especially with the weak superhero parody, "Captain Spaz," actually a piece of juvenilia, originally drawn in 1984 (it is vaguely interesting to see such an early example of his artwork). The highlight of the issue for me was a cutting little gag strip, showing a man and a woman standing over a crate of records, with the woman saying, "You've got a lot of great records. Can I borrow some and listen to them while I fuck my real boyfriend?" This I can relate with too well.

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< comics/x >

MICHAEL NENO’S DREAM
($1.00 from M.R. Neno Productions / PO Box 151303 / Columbus, OH / 43215 USA. Web: www.nenoworld.com)

Review by Bruce Chrislip

Michael Neno's Dream is a Big Little Book for post-modernists. Every page contains an illustration enclosed in a square panel and a minimum of text underneath. Printed on cardstock, the stylish, noirish artwork and dreamy story combine to make this a substantial 16-pager.

[ Bruce Chrislip, former Comics Journal staff writer, has moved up in the world and is now writing reviews for Poopsheet online. Chrislip is currently working on a capsule history of minicomix covering the years 1972 to present that will appear online at www.moderntales.com/longplay sometime in 2003. ]

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< words >

MR. PEEBODY’S SOILED TROUSERS AND OTHER DELIGHTS #16
($2.00 US/$3.00 Int’l from Jay / PO Box 931333 / Los Angeles, CA / 90093 USA)
As personalzines go, Mr. Peebody is always an entertaining read. This one covers the month of September, 2001. Jay writes about 9/11, work, a bomb threat, bums, football and the inordinate amount of sex he seems to get (lucky bastard). The wraparound cover sports a fun color collage of his partner Cherry. There are also several pages of zine reviews (I wish everybody did this).

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< comics/x >

NOT MY SMALL DIARY #10
($4.00 ppd from Delaine Derry Green / 1204 Cresthill Rd. / Birmingham, AL / 35213 USA. Web: www.mysmallwebpage.com)
Delaine puts together one of the most fun anthologies around. This latest issue’s got great autobio comix by folks such as Trevor Alixopulos, Sean Bieri, Edward Bolman (a rare appearance from a comix genius), FC Brandt, Brian Buniak, Mark Campos, George Erling, Ayun Halliday, Dave Kiersh, Carrie McNinch, Dan Moynihan, Andy Nukes, John Porcellino, Ben White and Jim Siergey. And that’s only a partial list. On top of all this great talent, Delaine’s knocked herself out on the packaging of this two-volume set. Yep, it’s two volumes, so if you happen to pick it up at Quimby’s or someplace, make sure you get both! Highly recommended.

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< cd-rom / video >

NOVEL AMUSEMENTS #2
(Jim Munroe / 10 Trellanock Ave. / Toronto, ON / M1C 5B5 / CANADA. Web: www.novelamusements.org)
A “CD-Romzine”, Novel Amusements is a collection of pieces (mostly video) that’s part short film, part This American Life, part music video and part screwing around. This edition features sixteen pieces and comes out to around 45 minutes of stuff to watch. The theme for this one is “Teenaged Boys & Other Animals” and the stand-out stuff for me is: “Colonel Canuck” by Jake Kennedy (a funny chat-room-session-turned-short-film), “Toast Punk” by Marc Ngui (fun animation), “Not Microwavable” by Jeff Chapman (pure adolescent-style cool ), “Circlegame” by Jon Sasaki (reminiscences of the punching game) and Jim Munroe’s “Confession” (for its cleverness). Novel Amusements is apparently free thanks to an arts grant, but be kind and send a couple of bucks. Also, you should go to the website and see what else is available.

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< comics/x >

ORCHID
($8.00; Sparkplug Comic Books / PO Box 10952 / Portland, OR / 92796-0952 USA. Web: www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com)
Orchid is an anthology of, more or less, Victorian tales of horror adapted in comics form. Between striking covers by Mats!? and Ted May are stories by Lark Pien/Jesse Reklaw, Gabrielle Bell, Ben Catmull, T. Edward Bak, Kevin Huizenga, David Lasky and Dylan Williams. Of these, my absolute favorite is also the longest (weighing in at 31 pages). Huizenga’s adaptation of J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s “Green Tea” tells the story of a man plagued by the unwelcome visage of a monkey that seems only to exist in his mind. It’s a truly chilling story and is illustrated masterfully.

The other story that really appeals to me is Bell’s adaptation of Saki’s “Tobermory”, the tale of a family cat who – it’s suddenly discovered – speaks perfect English and the upset household that results. The rest of the work in this volume is, at the least, interesting (especially Lasky’s take on “The Raven”) but the aforementioned stories and beautiful covers more than justify the asking price. Recommended.

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< miscellaneous >

OUT OF THE BLUE #11 & 12
($2.00 from Larned Justin / PO Box 471 / House Springs, MO / 63051 USA. Web: http://go.to/candidcartoons)
My two favorite things in #11 are Matt Holdaway’s seemingly-autobiographical account of a trip to Florida and Justin Grimbol’s ‘Mr. Kapow’ cartoon. Other stuff: Steve Skeates reminisces about his run on DC’s Isis comic of the ‘70s; an illustrated poem by Rick Howe; a new column by Cristoph Meyer; comics and art by Morgan Parducci, Delaine, Joel Orff, Jim Conatser, Jenny Gonzalez and others. More stuff, too. #12 has more writing by most of the same folks and art/comix by Rene Blansette, Patrick Williams, Conatser, Matt Feazell, Orff and others, plus roughly 25 reviews that include cover repros and art samples.

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< comics/x >

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY #2
(Souther & Saelee / 106 N. Chester Ave. / Pasadena, CA / 91106 USA)
This is a fun team-up effort by Souther (Salazar) and Saelee. Lots of comix, sketchbook drawings, jams and randomness, plus a cool centerspread/fold-out thingie. I dig it. Speaking of Souther, be sure to look for his great “cover” to the “Comic Book” section of the December/January Nickelodeon magazine.

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< comics/x >

PIGEONANITY • THE END
(Pigeonanity is $2.00, The End is not priced; Entlund/Neil James Novak / PO Box 220378 / Chicago, IL / 60622 USA)
Pigeonanity tells the story of a pigeon not satisfied with life or the role fate has handed him. It’s a moral tale from which, I imagine, several interpretations are possible. Interesting and tragic. The End is a creepy dreamlike thing about human-headed insects.

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< comics/x >

PILLS
($1.00 from Ben Snake Pit / PO Box 49447 / Austin, TX / 78765 USA)
An autobio tale of young love gone bad. Sad and familiar. Like Ben’s diary comic Snake Pit only in longform. Fancy color cover, too.

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< comics/x >

PLASTIC FARM #1-4
($2.95; Rafer Roberts / www.plasticfarm.com)
Plastic Farm comes off as a bit like an anthology, but it’s actually one huge project containing interconnected stories and an overall plot. Rafer says the finished story will be roughly 45 chapters. What I’ve seen so far (the first four issues) is pretty interesting and it’s obvious that lots of room has been left for development as we’ve already seen the main character at vastly different points in his life. So far I’m intrigued. There’s a variety of story types, acceptance of conventions, rejection of conventions and even some guest artists on a couple of chapters. All this and color covers, too.

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< comics/x >

PROPER GANDER #36
(A sample is yours for the asking from PO Box 434 / San Marcos, TX / 78667 USA)
Proper Gander is subtitled “anticomics and stories”. The very best thing in here is Richard Visick’s comic about a failed suicide attempt, but you also get Claudio Parentela, Kapreles, Andrew Shoultz, Marcel Herms, Hans Rickheit, Michael Sieben and others.

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< comics/x >

QUAGGA #3
($2.00 from Trevor Alixopulos / PO Box 524 / Fulton, CA / 95439 USA. Web: www.alixopulos.com)
Fun comix by madman Trevor Alixopulos. Romance Tips for Creeps, a great comix biography of bluesman Kid Thomas, a semi-autobiographical piece that’s as entertaining as it is disheartening, and other good stuff. Trevor has this engaging realistic-cartoon kind of style that’s difficult to describe, but I like it a lot. Check it out. Also, look for Trevor’s work in the upcoming second volume of Legal Action Comics.

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< comics/x >

QUINCY, THE SCAREDY CAT #1
($1.00 from Ben T. Steckler / PO Box 7273 / York, PA / 17404 USA)
A silly Halloween comic by Ben Steckler about Quincy’s startling encounter with Pogue O’Possum (Ha! Get it?). If I’m not mistaken (and I could be), I think Ben made this as a Halloween giveaway for trick-or-treaters, which I think is a really great idea. Also, I like the unconventional format and color covers.

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< comics/x >

RANDOM ORDER #1
($1.00 from James V. West / PO Box 241 / Somerset, KY / 42502 USA. Web: www.randomordercreations.com)
This is James’ first comic in a couple of years and it’s nice to see he hasn’t lost his touch. James’ artwork displays a nice, clean brush line that I like and some of the design/lettering reminds me a bit of Edward Bolman or Chad Woody. The story itself is sword & sorcery (without the sorcery) that focuses more on drama than action. As a bonus, there’s also an original role-playing game set-up you can try with your pals.

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< comics/x >

READY OR NOT!
(Jesse Reklaw / PO Box 11493 / Berkeley, CA / 94712-2493 USA)
This appears to be a jam comic (drawn in “cutting session style”) by Wahab Algarmi and Jesse Reklaw. Wahab the cartoon character has a food-related dilemma and nearly ends up as food himself. What more do you need to know? Funny ending.

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< words >

A RED SHIRTED NO FRIENDS • others
(Mark Sonnenfeld / 45-08 Old Millstone Dr. / East Windsor, NJ / 08520 USA)
I’m generally not much on poetry, so I can’t really comment on this stuff except to say that Mark seems to be pretty prolific. I’ve received stuff (poetry/graphics) in the form of one-sheets, digests, a mini and postcards. Work in these is by Mark Sonnenfeld, Steve Kostecke, Reed Altemus, Oscar Yeats and John Crouse.

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< comics/x >

REPORTER: LITTLE BLACK
($8.00; Sparkplug Comic Books / PO Box 10952 / Portland, OR / 97296-0952 USA. Web: www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com, www.reporter56.com)
This is a squarebound collection of 14 Reporter short stories by Dylan Williams. Some of these first appeared in other places, but most of this collection is new, I believe. Seems to me this is a must-have item for fans of the Reporter series.

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< miscellaneous >

RETURN TO THE MAGIC 2003 calendar
($20.00 from Poetic Portraits / PO Box 200606 / Arlington, TX / 76006 USA.. Web: www.903smile.com)

Review by Alan Rankin

Christine Angele is a “fantasy photographer” at Renaissance festivals in Texas. Her trademark style starts with 35mm portraits, which she embellishes by painting right onto the photograph, transforming her subjects into mermaids, satyrs, witches and wood nymphs. Her stunning images are truly unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.

For the Return to the Magic calendar, she collaborated with other members of the Ren faire community, or "Rennies" (sort of a cross between hippies and carnies). More than a dozen women modeled for the lavish semi-nude photos. I happen to think Rennie women are the most beautiful women in the world – and this calendar gives ample proof to my claim. Under Christine’s paint (along with fabulous makeup, hair design and body-paint by Raychel and Allison), the women become walking works of art. My personal favorites are Weatherly, transformed into a green personification of Spring (April); Marna, dancing across the sky like a constellation in the flesh (September); and Raychel herself, seemingly a snow sculpture come to life (December).

If you're into art that celebrates the feminine form, fairies, paganism or erotic art, you'll want to check out this calendar. Sample pages can be viewed at Christine's website, listed above. Best of all: proceeds go to create a medical fund for Rennies, a group woefully unprotected by insurance or benefits.

[ Alan Rankin is a writer and photographer based in Texas. Recent projects include the photo chapbook Family Portraits, featuring some of the unique personalities who travel the Renaissance faire circuit. He's currently at work on a travel/perzine, Road Scholar. Contact him at: PO Box 200846, Arlington TX 76006. Email: [email protected] ]

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< comics/x >

ROSETTA: A COMICS ANTHOLOGY
($19.95; Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics)

Review by Mark Campos

It's the sort of collection that causes a swelling of pride in the
alt-comix fan's bosom. The ambitious Rosetta anthology hells into one place work by both domestic and imported cartoonists in an international show of sophistication. The unofficial theme seems to be communication, and retrieving messages from coded scraps of information – appropriate, considering the title's reference to the famous Stone, and also since unless you are an alt-comix fan with swelling prideful bosom, you probably won't be able to decode this book.

About that stone: it appears on the cover as an oddly-textured burger patty. About that cover: it's one of Dave Cooper's disease-colored large-girl images, zitty and purulent, right hand covered with mayonnaise, left hand down her stretch pants; sure to turn away at least one over-sensitive prospective buyer. (I didn't say I didn't like it.) Turn the book over, and things get more troubling. Miriam Katin's Kosher fast-food joint is charming in a child’s book way, but the details – the pig cook in the yarmulke, the Ks on the ample rumps of the waitresses, the rats on the floor in shtetls studying Hebrew – might raise a few mutters of protest from people who might not realize the artist is Jewish. My guts only unknotted after reading her story inside, "The Seven Sweet Spoonfuls Of Redemption", which helped me process that back cover.

Worth noting is how the cover dovetails conceptually with the endpapers and cover flaps, on which characters and motifs reoccur. Marc Bell's wacky condiment guy tale on the flaps is the highlight here. Still, you have to get past the cover to the inside, and that big girl with the mayonnaise covered hand is fairly off-putting. Inside these experimental collections, stories can range from the accessible to the incomprehensible. Some are nice enough, some just make you shrug, and once in a while one turns on the Big Light up in your head: the text and images come together with a tangible click. I am happy to report that this effect got me twice while
reading Rosetta. Daniel Zezelj's "One Day" uses the silhouette of a distant plane to quietly portray desire, fear, and wonder. Stefan J.H. van Dinther's "Constructions & Instructions" blends slogan-like text and clip-art-like illustration into two shiny conceptual mousetraps.

As for the range from got-it to don't-get-it, the most accessible story here has to be Lat's slice of autobio, a tale from his school days. His evocation of Malayan village nightlife is sharp and funny, and his style is darker and stronger than usually seen. The most confusing piece is eleven pages by M.S. Bastien, in which a bunch of cartoon heads float to inky ruin. You can just about see the chunks of caked-up ink on some of these spattered pages. Maybe there's a narrative there but I haven't found it yet.

In between the extremes, the familiar alt-comix artists do what they do best. Tom Hart's horny little man wallows in mud; Megan Kelso's artichoke people have no choice but to rise up in rebellion; David Lasky wonders if things might have been different; John Porcellino dreams of cats and playgrounds. Michael Kupperman's contribution is disappointing, since one of the two pages was printed with his Comics Journal interview a couple issues back. As for the unfamiliar artists, there are pages from Katja Tukianen's sickness diary (my diagnosis: a possible IBD, maybe Chrohn's), Sarah Varon's amiable if predictable winter's tale (I said to myself on page 4, "That snowman's gonna die"), and Tobias Schalken's sexy metanarrative, which you can hold up to the light for bonus meaning. An appendix supplies you with this information, as well as working sketches, first drafts, and further background on some of the pieces and artists. There are also short blurbs between the pieces which throw cold cans of unnecessary explanation on several of them – for example, Renée French's mystery pages would have been more effective if left alone. Now, me, I would have numbered the pages, numbered the contents page, and let the artists get on with it, put all the bio stuff in the back, but maybe that's too much like RAW.

This might not be the book to convert your disdainful friends to the glories of real comics. The ideal evangelical tool would have a severe cover – bible-black with the title picked out in Mylar or varnish, projecting the image of Serious Art. The contents could be the same, a little more solemnly arranged perhaps. But hey: Maybe you don't want to be prosletyzing all the time, maybe you just want to sit back in the choir and enjoy the sermon. Despite its flaws, this is as fine a preachment to be heard in the Church of Comics in a while.

[ M. Campos is a cartoonist and writer whose work has been in the last issues of Comics F/X, Factsheet Five, and Matte, among others. He is convinced there's a pattern. ]

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< miscellaneous >

SCOUT #6
($1.00 from Scout / PO Box 48522 / Sarasota, FL / 34230-0522 USA)
Scout the zine – written by Scout the woman – is full of charm. This particular issue has a theme of “food and cooking” and Scout discusses why she cooks (she never used to), wine and turning 30. She also gives us a four-page comic, book & zine reviews, a few lists, a few recipes and an article by Ed about pink chicken and other, ahem, delicacies. Cool clip art throughout. Fun!

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< comics/x >

SHUCK COMICS #1-4
($2.95; Shuck Comics / 668 Dexter St. / Denver, CO / 80220 USA. Web: www.sulfurstar.com)
In a nutshell, Shuck is a soulful comic about supernatural doings on Earth (but not really Earth) with charming artwork and dialogue that recalls both Krazy Kat and Pogo. The lead character, Shuck, is sort of a goat-headed fellow who we eventually learn is a retired soul collector. His current responsibility, it seems, is to keep the local dead in line when they rise from their graves each year on “hallowed eve”. The rest of the year he longs for his departed love, educates a neighbor girl named Thursday Friday in the ways of the world, brews beer and sleeps. The first issue had me interested and by the second I was hooked. The artwork is in black and white with gray tones added and seems to show the influence of Charles Schulz, Bill Watterson, Seth and the like. Essentially, Shuck is a fantasy comic that should appeal to both kids and adults. For more info, check out the website or read previous issues with added color at www.moderntales.com.

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< words >

THE 6TH OF NART
($2.00? from Jim Siergey / 4135 N. Hermitage / Chicago, IL / 60613 USA)

Review by Bruce Chrislip

A quirky mix of hardboiled prose and toon collage illustrations from Jim Siergey, one of the wittiest cartoonists in the comic book world.

[ Bruce Chrislip, former Comics Journal staff writer, has moved up in the world and is now writing reviews for Poopsheet online.Chrislip is currently working on a capsule history of minicomix covering the years 1972 to present that will appear online at www.moderntales.com/longplay sometime in 2003. ]

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< comics/x >

SLAB COMIX #1
($3.00 US/$3.00 EUR/£2.00 UK from John Miers / 66a Settles St. / London E1 1JP / ENGLAND)

Review by Carol Pond

This is a really clever comic "created entirely on company time, using those incredibly sophisticated tools, Microsoft Word and Paint." Every time I've tried to make comics using Paint, it's been pretty dreary, but this comic came out very well. Subtitled "a day in the life of a slab" that's exactly what it is. The slabs are faceless heads (they have mouths and occasionally hair or glasses which distinguish them). It's a wordless comic, using icons in the word balloons that get the point across incredibly well. The main slab wakes up, eats, does his "business," goes to work and gets yelled at, fantasizes about the female slab working in front of him, goes out for a beer with a friend during lunch break, and gets up the nerve to invite the aforementioned female slab out to dinner, with humorous results.

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< comics/x >

SSHHHH!
(Fantagraphics Books, www.fantagraphics.com)
This is a collection of connected wordless comics by Jason, some of which I’d read in the Jippi Forlag-published Mjau Mjau, where I fell in love with his work. It’s really quite a beautiful story that follows the life of a single character (some sort of bird; a crow?) as he finds love, foils evil, tries to avoid death and generally just deals with life. Some of that may seem a bit fantastic, but it’s all played very low-key. In fact, the characters show very little emotion at all (in their faces, at least), but Jason somehow manages to pull it off. The main character, sort of an everyman, demands sympathy (and empathy). Who am I to resist? I highly recommend this one. Also, look for his other graphic novel, Hey, Wait.

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< comics/x >

SUBWAY SERIES
(Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics)
Subway Series is a beautifully-designed, beautifully-drawn graphic novel by Leela Corman. I regret that it’s one of the few things I wasn’t able to get read before this issue was printed.

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< comics/x >

TEPID Spring 2002
($2.00 ppd from John Hankiewicz / 18 W. Traube Ave. / Westmont, IL / 60559 USA. Web: www.geocities.com/tepidcomic)
I think I can safely say that Tepid is unlike most anything else I’ve ever read. That said, you’ll excuse me if I can’t give it the analysis it deserves. Much of the writing reads as if stream-of-consciousness and the artwork doesn’t always match the text. On the surface, anyway. Themes and narratives are certainly present, but you have to find them. Many of the stories seem like dreams being related by someone too distracted by the nightmare of it all to be bluntly coherent. These stories demand close examination. For me that examination sometimes yields fruit and sometimes frustration. This review probably isn’t very helpful. What I can tell you is that the work is interesting and worth your time.

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< words >

TERRORISM – CAN IT BE ENDED? • SOCIALIST SOCIETY • others
(DDEC / PO Box 3744 / Grand Rapids, MI / 49501 USA)
Socialist pamphlets and propaganda. If you’re interested, they’re quite dedicated to sending stuff out.

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< words >

THOUGHTWORM #8
$2.00 from Sean Stewart / 1703 Southwest Pkwy / Wichita Falls, TX / 76302 USA. Web: www.thoughtworm.com)
Thoughtworm is a perzine with longish articles about the life and experiences of Sean Stewart, who recently finished graduate school (library sciences, I believe). The issue begins with an article about relieving oneself of clutter, physical and otherwise. Appropriately enough, each copy of this issue has a baseball card (from his childhood collection) attached to the cover. I got Joe Niekro from the Yankees. Sean also writes about life after graduate school, Columbia, South Carolina and their upcoming move and offers several pages of zine plugs. My favorite bit, though, is the interview with Greig Means of the Independent Publishing Resource Center in Portland, Oregon. It’s great to hear details about a zine library and that one sounds like something the local zinesters should be thankful for.

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< comics/x >

TOMMY ATOMIC #1: Terminal Headcase
($3.00 from Ryan Dunlavey / Evil Twin Comics / 262 Fifth Ave., #2 / Brooklyn, NY / 11215 USA. Web: www.eviltwincomics.com)
This is the origin story of Tommy Atomic (who's also showed up in Royal Flush, reviewed last issue), a reluctant superhero with a nuclear warhead buried in his skull. It’s a fun story with lots of cartoony action courtesy of Ryan Dunlavey.

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< comics/x >

TRIPLE DARE #2
($2.95; Alternative Comics, www.indyworld.com/altcomics)
Three cartoonists each create a story under specific requirements (“dares” such as: “Refer to an event in words only first, then later in pictures only”). The three stories this time around are by Tom Hart, James Kochalka and Nick Bertozzi with a bonus back cover by Matt Madden (a Corto Maltese homage that accepts this issue’s dares).

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< words >

TWIST #2
($3.00 from PO Box 441 / Ames, IA / 50010 USA)
This is a litzine full of poetry and prose, all of which follows the theme of “lies”. I really like one story in particular by G. Christine called “The Lie”. Other contributors include Sally Boeckholt, Jack Norton and Richard H. Fox. Next issue’s theme will be “hunger”.

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< reviews / networking / news >

WHITE BUFFALO GAZETTE
(Send a couple of bucks or stamps to Buzz Buzzizyk / PO Box 2452 / Butler, PA / 16003 USA)
As far as I’m concerned, the White Buffalo Gazette was, is and always will be one of the best zines ever published. Over the years, some people haven’t quite gotten what it’s about, but one way to explain it might be to say it’s sort of a water-cooler hangout for obscuro artists (even though the corporate metaphor is wildly inappropriate). There’s lots of original work here (such as sketchbook excerpts), rarely-seen stuff is sometimes reprinted, listings of new comix available and “Unclassifiable Ads”, tiny ads (some real, some fake) or cartoons drawn by WBG readers. The most recent issue (November 2002, as I write this) has work by Andy Nukes, Steve Willis, Stephanie McMillan, Jeff Zenick, T. Motley, Violet Jones, Clark Dissmeyer, Hilary Barta, Marc van Elburg and many others. Highly recommended.

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< recordings >

WookieFoot: domesticated
WookieFoot: MAKE BELIEF
($13.00 plus $2.00 shipping from WookieFoot; contact them at their web address or e-mail [email protected]. Web: www.wookiefoot.com)

Review by Alan Rankin

Some pals turned me on to this Minneapolis-area band, describing their music aptly as "hippie-hop." Leadmen Mark Murphy and Jo Jo Lash create a fun blend of reggae, rock, stoner anthems, sampling, and a rap style that's more of a chant than a shout, united by Murphy's excellent production skills.

domesticated is a semi-concept album; half the songs form the modern-day "parable" of Nothing & the Monkey. (Make sure to request a copy of the nicely done mini-comic that goes along with the story.) Songs like "Mayonnaise," "Adrift" and "Settle Down" take the so-called American "culture" to task. But two of the CD's best songs fall on either side of the parable: the trippy "Mushroom Jazz" and the tragic "Far from Good." The latter is a functional male's lament about a woman so scarred by her past, she can't cope with a real relationship. (Been there...)

Make Belief, the group's second album, benefits from experience and a larger cast of musicians. One good song follows another: the sarcastic "All You Can Eat," the anti-materialist reggae of "Enough," the furious "Not Sees," the psychedelic "Get Down." There's even an Irish drinking song! But my favorite might be "OP8," a collection of vocal samples from a Reefer Madness-type movie that somehow becomes a dope-positive experience. ("No one had a bad trip...") That song is apparently the work of DJ Marko, who gives sampling a good name. I should also mention the incredible aria-like vocal work of Emily Gergen on "Get Down." domesticated is good – but I've played Make Belief so much, my CD player has grown dreadlocks.

One final note: I'm told that WookieFoot's live shows are a singular psychedelic experience all their own, especially their annual New Year's party. If you're in the Minneapolis area, you should check it out. And burn one for me...

[ Alan Rankin is a writer and photographer based in Texas. Recent projects include the photo chapbook Family Portraits, featuring some of the unique personalities who travel the Renaissance faire circuit. He's currently at work on a travel/perzine, Road Scholar. Contact him at: PO Box 200846, Arlington TX 76006. Email: [email protected] ]

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< reviews / networking / news >

WRITERS’ COLLECTIVE #2
($6.00/sample from PO Box 2270 / Daly City, CA / 94017-2270 USA. Web: writerscollective.theartzone.net)

Review by Bruce Chrislip

Writers' Collective is a publication suffering from a personality disorder. In a former incarnation, it was known as ProTooner and was a guide to gag cartooning markets. One can only surmise that, upon discovering how bleak the magazine gag cartooning market was, the editors shifted gears to cover writer's markets instead. But much still remains of ProTooner. There's plenty of gag cartoons and some cartoon market info, too. It looks like Writers' Collective is out to prove that the market for magazine writers can be just as bleak as that for cartoonists. There are only 17 writer's market listings here. None of them seem to pay very much – most in the $10 to $50 range. (The highest price was from Bugle magazine: $100 if you can come up with a great poem about elks and wildlife). At $6.00 per sample copy, Writers' Collective seems pricey. One could get way more market listings for the money by purchasing a new or used edition of the annual Writer's Market book published by Writer's Digest.

[ Bruce Chrislip, former Comics Journal staff writer, has moved up in the world and is now writing reviews for Poopsheet online. Chrislip is currently working on a capsule history of minicomix covering the years 1972 to present that will appear online at www.moderntales.com/longplay sometime in 2003. ]

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< reviews / networking / news >

XEROGRAPHY DEBT #9
($3.00 from Davida Gypsy Breier / PO Box 963 / Havre de Grace, MD / 21078 USA. Web: www.leekinginc.com)
Xerography Debt is “the reviewzine with perzine tendencies”. To further elaborate, the reviews are generally more laid-back and casual and grouped by reviewer rather than an A-Z listing of zines. This 72-page issue’s got around 20 reviewers, including such folks as Violet Jones, Bobby Tran Dale, Dan Taylor, Androo Robinson, yours truly and plenty more. Roughly 150 reviews of zines and comix, plus several columns and art by Androo Robinson and Matt Fagan. Recommended.

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< comics/x >

ZOOK AND MAX AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE
($1.00 ppd from Tim Kelly / 105 Madison Ave., 6th Floor / New York, NY / 10016 USA. Web: www.angelfire.com/ny4/timkelly19/ )
I’ve always dug Tim Kelly’s comics. They’re goofy, manic and fun strips involving aliens, cute girls, anal-retentive collectors and other nutcase characters. Me like.
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