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Friday, September 3, 2010
Rich's Reviews
Goodies from S.P.A.C.E.
So, once I actually made it to this year's S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo), I did end up having a good time, even if I was a little stressed. Don't ask me how or why, but somehow, someway, I got sold a Greyhound bus ticket for a bus that didn't actually exist. I was at the gate I was told to go to, about 45 minutes before the time I was told the bus would depart, but there was no such bus there. There was a bus leaving for Columbus one gate over, however, it left fifteen minutes after I arrived. So I ended up waiting an additional hour and a half for a bus that would take me to Cleveland, where I'd transfer to a Columbus bus. But of course, said bus was a half hour late. Trained monkeys could do a better job of running Greyhound than the idiots they have in place already. I'm tempted to fly next year. Maybe I will. Anyway, I ended up with a splitting headache that lingered for quite awhile until I got some aspirin from Ian Shires and his wife (thanks, guys) and that helped.
I had a small turnout for my panel discussion – this year it was about collaborations in small press, and the pros and cons of working with a partner to make comics. However, my panelists made the best of it, and they turned what could have been a disaster into a pleasant experience, and I wanna thank them for it: A. David Lewis, Christian Beranek, Jim Rugg, Philip Clark, Dara Naraghi, and Sean & Wendy Frost.
There's a bit of news: the Detroit area will have a small press show of their own this fall. The retail shop Green Brain Comics is masterminding the operation; according to co-owner Dan Merritt, whom I talked to after the show, it'll be in October, at a site not too far from the store itself, with at least 40 tables. You may remember that the first Small Press Nation column I did over a year ago was on Detroit, so this is an ideal spot for such a con. They’re still trying to come up with a clever name for it.
So let's get to the reviews...
Sorrel #1
by Justin Madson
Just Mad Books, $5
The writer-artist of the remarkable graphic novel The Waiting Sun and the series Happy Town returns with a new mini-series about a young woman coping with the suicide of her non-conformist mother. While it's written well, it's a little too much on the "emo" side – too much time is spent on how sad and depressed Sorrel is without her mom around. I was more interested in learning about her unusual childhood and her absent father. As a single issue, it felt a little self-indulgent, and while I understand that Sorrel spends all this time in isolation, I would've liked to have seen more tension from the outside world. Maybe the aunt who calls is frantically worried about her. Maybe the cops who come by were at the request of a concerned neighbor who feared the worst. It would've been great to see Sorrel struggle with trying to get out of the house and move on with her life, but that struggle wasn't presented as dramatically as it could have. The art, as usual, is very good, though there was a little more hatching and cross-hatching than usual, which obscured some of the normally lovely linework. I'm sure that this will turn out to be another fine story, but it's off to a bit of a weak start. B-
Mr. Big #4
by Matt & Carol Dembicki
WASP Comics, $1.50
The pond animals' planned revolution against their turtle ruler continues as the crows discuss which sides to take in the conflict. Meanwhile, news begins to spread of a new potential threat. I've discussed this book before in my old column – it's basically Clan Apis with fish instead of bugs, every animal drawn anatomically correct and not in a cartoon style. So while that means there's gonna be little in the way of individuality, the creators get around it in several ways, like using different fonts for each species. Notice the scene between the newt, the fish and the snake, for example. I love how there are opposing factions and points of view in this story, and the cause of all of this conflict, Mr. Big himself, is rarely seen at all. As for the art, it continues to shine. The verisimilitude of the art and the near-complete lack of anthropomorphizing almost makes it seem as if this entire story is being projected onto these animals (and I think Matt admitted as much in an earlier issue). The only flaw is a major one: there's still no cover logo, which makes no sense. As beautiful as the color covers are, there really needs to be an indication of the title somewhere. Regardless, this is one of the best self-published titles out there now, so be sure and ask for it by name. A-
Axel & Alex #6
by Terry Flippo
Daddy-O Press, 205 Breezewood Ct., Mt. Airy MD 21771
$1.25
I don’t think I've ever talked about this book in C&R, either. Terry Flippo's been doing this one for quite awhile; it's about a little kid and a robot from the future who acts as his bodyguard (more or less). Still no website yet, but it's available as both single issues and trade paperbacks and is an enjoyable adventure story for all ages. The current issue guest stars Lady Spectra and Sparky from J. Kevin Carrier's long-running anthology Fantasy Theater, though the primary focus is on Alex and Sparky and the differences in their childhoods. As a character study, it's interesting to see. While Sparky's perspective is that of an archetypal superhero sidekick, Alex is on more of an even footing with his robotic partner, and is not as subordinate as Sparky is. Compare Batman & Robin to the Iron Giant & Hogarth and you'll get the idea. Unfortunately, we don't get to see all these heroes fight side by side in this issue, which I have to admit is disappointing. Nor do we get to see Lady Spectra talking with Axel much. As for the art, well, I suppose Sparky could have grown up a little from the last time I read about her, but here she looks about 15 or 16 when she should be closer to 12. While Terry's art has evolved significantly, and I've been following this book almost from the beginning, he still doesn't completely get the feel of what pre-teens should look like. The limbs are still too long and gangly. Still, this is one you can easily share with kids and adults alike. B
Mortal Coils Presents: Free Bodies
by various
Caption Box, free
A. David Lewis gave me this advance copy of this Free Comic Book Day edition of his anthology series Mortal Coils. There are two stories written by Lewis, the first a Waiting For Godot-type jaunt featuring two women who pop from place to place in their sleep, looking for a certain someone (illustrated by Taki Soma & Jeffrey LaJaunie); the second featuring an immortal djinn in modern times, looking for one thing and finding something else completely (illustrated by Chris Srnka). In addition, there's a new Finder story from Carla Speed McNeil and a new Hero Happy Hour story by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Scott Keating. Lewis' stories are often difficult to summarize; the descriptions I just gave do not do them justice. The first story is hampered by some awkward word balloon placement; a number of times I had to stop and think about what the sequence was, and for something as dense with sophisticated, heady dialogue as this is, that can be the kiss of death. The word balloons in the second story were easier to follow, but I think the artist allowed more room for them there than in the first. Both stories are challenging, to say the least. The first really does seem like a Godot homage, what with the mysterious "Mister Albert" Elle and Anna keep trying to call and the rhythm of the dialogue (the characters even use the phrase "Nothing to be done" twice, which is straight out of the play), and the overall futility of their quest. The second is basically a lesson in instant karma, though I wish it had been told from the perspective of the guy Teiresia meets at the highway rest stop instead. It seemed to be more his story. The Finder and HHH tales are both funny and make for decent introductions to their respective books. If you see this comic at your local shop on May 7, pick it up. B
Project: Superior
by various
Adhouse Books, $19.95
An anthology of mostly indy creators and their takes on the superhero genre. Among the creators gathered here include Paul Pope, John Cassaday, Paul Hornschmeier, Dean Haspiel, Jim Mahfood, Farel Dalrymple, Scott Morse, Brian Wood, Mike Dawson, Tony Consiglio, and more. As you might imagine, the majority of the stories here are on the satirical, humorous side. Among my favorites: Ronnie del Carmen's ode to Stan Lee, "No Prize;" Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca's Afrodisiac story (a character that appeared in the recent issue of their book Street Angel); Seonna Hong's take on racism, "Do You Know Bruce Lee?"; Graham Annable's silent "Captain Insomniac;" and Jamie Tanner's "Quiet Bird-Man" stories. There's a lot of good, quality talent in here. Well worth your time. B+
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April 22, 2008:
February 4, 2008:
November 20, 2006:
A Comic-Con without the Captain
