Whatcha Readin'? 6/12/05
Jun. 12th, 2005 12:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jkcarrier
Some minicomics and other odds 'n ends that have rolled in here lately:
DON'T BE A CROTTE! by Leanne Franson
More funny misadventures of "Bi-Dyke Liliane", drawn in a minimalist but very charming style. Some of the issues Liliane deals with are specific to her sexuality -- trying to find a suitable sperm donor, dealing with prejudice from both the straight and gay communities -- but the overall themes of love, relationships, financial woes, etc. are very universal.
"He always knew I couldn't stand peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches."
TALES OF FANTASY #28 by Larry Johnson
Tales of Fantasy is a long-running anthology minicomic -- one of the big influences on my own "Fantasy Theater", as a a matter of fact. The lead story, "Dark Owl", involves native American medicine man who must deal with strange gods and demons, as well as the internal politics of his tribe (the common man suddenly beset by supernatural forces is a recurring theme in Larry's work). It's a tight, suspenseful little tale, but for me the highlight of the issue is the second story, "Grey Silk". This is Larry's adaptation of a prose story by Rick Howe -- it's a Twilight Zone-ish sci-fi story about an alien princess who goes to extreme lenghts to preserve her youth and beauty. Larry's Ditko-influenced artwork really compliments the creepy and surreal atmosphere of the story, and the whole thing flows together beautifully.
"But I am myself the greatest treasure on this planet of treasures."
SPHINX #2 by Larry Johnson
A thick collection of essays by cartoonist Larry Johnson. The unifying theme here is his memories of his childhood and teen years -- his relationship with his late father, schoolteachers who influenced him, and the struggle every young person goes through trying to establish an identity for themselves. The tone varies from lighthearted (turning up a box of old comics he hasn't seen in 20 years), to fairly grim (recalling his father's alcoholism), but all the pieces are written with clarity and honesty. The essays are liberally illustrated with contemporary photographs and artwork, which helps establish the context. One of the cooler features is a gallery of the self-portraits Larry has painted, from the '70s to the present. There's some great insights here, both of Larry himself and the times he grew up in.
"He was in misery and was quite generous with it, a gift to his children."
KEKIONGA #1 by Pam Bliss
The debut of Pam's new ongoing series, which unites characters from many of her previous minicomics, and introduces a few new ones. Kekionga is a small midwestern town populated with charming and quirky characters -- a shapeshifting Sasquatch, a Buddha-like junkyard owner, an alien dog, a wannabe-superhero, and many others. When a mysterious storm with supernatural overtones hits the town, these oddball characters have to work together to find a solution. While they deal with the immediate crisis (with typical Pam Bliss humor and aplomb), there's a feeling of forboding, as if this is just a harbinger of bigger events to come. It's really exciting to see Pam stretch her already-considerable storytelling chops and take on a longer, more ambitious narrative.
"I know when I've seen something special."
COELACANTH AND FRIENDS by Pam Bliss
Pam's 24 hour comic, featuring a lot of the same characters from KEKIONGA. Great fun, as some of the items lying around Bud's junk shop (a stuffed fish, a disembodied brain, a model airplane) take on a life of their own. Sharp, witty dialogue, and juicy cartoony artwork, as we've come to expect from Pam.
"Well, that's dead mysterious, and no mistake."
SUBGUBBLE by B.D. Leonard
A couple of cute sci-fi strips, reminiscent of Vaughn Bode's work. Ironic twists are the order of the day here -- predator becomes prey. Kind of slight, but very funny.
"I just loves to klomp on things..."
COSMIC AVENGERS by Dan Kellaway
A goofy little space opera spoof that hits all the cliches -- square-jawed hero, pontificating space tyrant, damsel in distress, etc. etc. Lots of action, silly sight gags, and a bit of fourth wall-breaking add to the fun. The artwork was done over a period of years, and it shows -- the rough early pages quickly transition to Dan's current slick & confident style. But it's a blast throughout.
"Bob? Bob?! The Earth has been taken over by a guy named Bob?"
TIME PASSAGES #1 by Steve Roman
A new time travel/adventure yarn from Steve Roman. In his editorial, Steve admits to being influenced by Doctor Who; of course, this being a Steve Roman book, the quirky English guy is replaced by a leggy, big-haired blonde. ;-) In the world of 2419, Madison Walsh is a low-ranking worker at a time travel agency. She hates her job, and is a bit depressed over turning 30. Meanwhile we see Cavender, a mysterious clock-faced bad guy, stealing an equally-mysterious gizmo that will allegedly allow his employers to conquer time and space. A fairly typical set-up, but Steve's strengths are in his humor and characerization. He quickly establishes Madison as a likeable "everywoman", and Cavender is the sort of vicious-but-stylish villain you love to hate. This issue is mostly just set-up, but knowing Steve, we're in for a wild ride.
"If you plan on drowning yourself in the toilet like you tried last year, you'd better be prepared to clean up the mess."
CON-VERSATIONS #1 by Steve Roman
If you've ever worked a table at a comics convention, the vignettes here will be all too familiar. Obnoxious fans of all stripes get skewered -- the self-proclaimed experts, the politically correct, the hypocrites, and the just plain clueless. I was smiling and nodding in recognition throughout.
"'A Boy and His Dog'? Is this based on the movie?"
DON'T BE A CROTTE! by Leanne Franson
More funny misadventures of "Bi-Dyke Liliane", drawn in a minimalist but very charming style. Some of the issues Liliane deals with are specific to her sexuality -- trying to find a suitable sperm donor, dealing with prejudice from both the straight and gay communities -- but the overall themes of love, relationships, financial woes, etc. are very universal.
"He always knew I couldn't stand peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches."
TALES OF FANTASY #28 by Larry Johnson
Tales of Fantasy is a long-running anthology minicomic -- one of the big influences on my own "Fantasy Theater", as a a matter of fact. The lead story, "Dark Owl", involves native American medicine man who must deal with strange gods and demons, as well as the internal politics of his tribe (the common man suddenly beset by supernatural forces is a recurring theme in Larry's work). It's a tight, suspenseful little tale, but for me the highlight of the issue is the second story, "Grey Silk". This is Larry's adaptation of a prose story by Rick Howe -- it's a Twilight Zone-ish sci-fi story about an alien princess who goes to extreme lenghts to preserve her youth and beauty. Larry's Ditko-influenced artwork really compliments the creepy and surreal atmosphere of the story, and the whole thing flows together beautifully.
"But I am myself the greatest treasure on this planet of treasures."
SPHINX #2 by Larry Johnson
A thick collection of essays by cartoonist Larry Johnson. The unifying theme here is his memories of his childhood and teen years -- his relationship with his late father, schoolteachers who influenced him, and the struggle every young person goes through trying to establish an identity for themselves. The tone varies from lighthearted (turning up a box of old comics he hasn't seen in 20 years), to fairly grim (recalling his father's alcoholism), but all the pieces are written with clarity and honesty. The essays are liberally illustrated with contemporary photographs and artwork, which helps establish the context. One of the cooler features is a gallery of the self-portraits Larry has painted, from the '70s to the present. There's some great insights here, both of Larry himself and the times he grew up in.
"He was in misery and was quite generous with it, a gift to his children."
KEKIONGA #1 by Pam Bliss
The debut of Pam's new ongoing series, which unites characters from many of her previous minicomics, and introduces a few new ones. Kekionga is a small midwestern town populated with charming and quirky characters -- a shapeshifting Sasquatch, a Buddha-like junkyard owner, an alien dog, a wannabe-superhero, and many others. When a mysterious storm with supernatural overtones hits the town, these oddball characters have to work together to find a solution. While they deal with the immediate crisis (with typical Pam Bliss humor and aplomb), there's a feeling of forboding, as if this is just a harbinger of bigger events to come. It's really exciting to see Pam stretch her already-considerable storytelling chops and take on a longer, more ambitious narrative.
"I know when I've seen something special."
COELACANTH AND FRIENDS by Pam Bliss
Pam's 24 hour comic, featuring a lot of the same characters from KEKIONGA. Great fun, as some of the items lying around Bud's junk shop (a stuffed fish, a disembodied brain, a model airplane) take on a life of their own. Sharp, witty dialogue, and juicy cartoony artwork, as we've come to expect from Pam.
"Well, that's dead mysterious, and no mistake."
SUBGUBBLE by B.D. Leonard
A couple of cute sci-fi strips, reminiscent of Vaughn Bode's work. Ironic twists are the order of the day here -- predator becomes prey. Kind of slight, but very funny.
"I just loves to klomp on things..."
COSMIC AVENGERS by Dan Kellaway
A goofy little space opera spoof that hits all the cliches -- square-jawed hero, pontificating space tyrant, damsel in distress, etc. etc. Lots of action, silly sight gags, and a bit of fourth wall-breaking add to the fun. The artwork was done over a period of years, and it shows -- the rough early pages quickly transition to Dan's current slick & confident style. But it's a blast throughout.
"Bob? Bob?! The Earth has been taken over by a guy named Bob?"
TIME PASSAGES #1 by Steve Roman
A new time travel/adventure yarn from Steve Roman. In his editorial, Steve admits to being influenced by Doctor Who; of course, this being a Steve Roman book, the quirky English guy is replaced by a leggy, big-haired blonde. ;-) In the world of 2419, Madison Walsh is a low-ranking worker at a time travel agency. She hates her job, and is a bit depressed over turning 30. Meanwhile we see Cavender, a mysterious clock-faced bad guy, stealing an equally-mysterious gizmo that will allegedly allow his employers to conquer time and space. A fairly typical set-up, but Steve's strengths are in his humor and characerization. He quickly establishes Madison as a likeable "everywoman", and Cavender is the sort of vicious-but-stylish villain you love to hate. This issue is mostly just set-up, but knowing Steve, we're in for a wild ride.
"If you plan on drowning yourself in the toilet like you tried last year, you'd better be prepared to clean up the mess."
CON-VERSATIONS #1 by Steve Roman
If you've ever worked a table at a comics convention, the vignettes here will be all too familiar. Obnoxious fans of all stripes get skewered -- the self-proclaimed experts, the politically correct, the hypocrites, and the just plain clueless. I was smiling and nodding in recognition throughout.
"'A Boy and His Dog'? Is this based on the movie?"
