Midnight Ramblings - June 2010

Gabriel Hunt #5
The fifth adventure of Gabriel Hunt is now available in a new paperback book by David J. Schow. Hunt Among the Killers of Men features a cover by Glen Orbik. The warlord's men came to New York to preserve a terrible secret—and left a dead body in their wake. Now Gabriel Hunt is on their trail, a path that will take him to the treacherous alleyways and rooftops of Shanghai and a showdown with a madman out to resurrect a deadly figure from Chain's past. See your local bookshop for details or read a sample chapter at Gabriel Hunt.

New Pile on Profanity Hill
Jason T. Miles who runs the Profanity Hill comix distro reports he's added 27 new titles to his inventory this week. The books include some old, some rare, and some new. Check out the good goods at Profanity Hill.

The Possum and the Pepper Spray front and back covers

Pepper Possum
Pete Hodapp just finished up another comix project. This one is called The Possum and the Pepper Spray. He made the whole 20 page comix in just 8 days. It's part of the Lutefisk Sushi mini comic box set. Check out the video of the box that houses the Vol. D collection on the group's FaceBook page. If Pete's contribution is any indication of the quality of the collection, this year's edition will be awesome. To keep tabs on Pete step into the Yawning Void.

Flying Pig Returns (sort of)
Jim Main has unearthed copies of several zines he published back in the 1980s under the Flying Pig Publications banner, and is making them available to his readers. He has several copies of the original print run of Larry Blake's Nightstar #7 and the inimitable *PPFSZT! #15. He's also made a second print run of five other small press classics featuring an impressive line-up of small pressers who went on to bigger print runs. You may not find these zines in the Main Enterprises shop, but they can be ordered directly from Main via check or via PayPal to Jim Main. All of these zines are digest-sized with saddle stitch binding.

Nightstar #7 (1990) is 24 pages from cover to cover, with a 19-page Nightstar comic featuring some amazing art and storytelling by Larry Blake. The issue was edited by Dale Sherman. $3.00

*PPFSZT! #15 (Aug. 1987) features comics by Larry Blake (10 pages) and Donnie Jupiter (6 pages); a prose story by Tim Corrigan (1 page); and artwork by Blake and Tracy (cover), Mike Harris & Steve Shipley, Tim Corrigan, Brian Waters, Larry Nibert, Francis Mao, Rick Bradford, Reggie Byers, and Don Martinec (back cover). $6.00

Ultrapowerfulman #1 (1988?) Originally created by Jim Main and Pete Fitzgerald for Spotlight Comics in 1987 the story languished and Main eventually printed it himself. In the meantime Fitzgerald headed off to the Joe Kubert school and wasn't able to participate in the second issue. Nevertheless this comic provides a great look at some early artwork by Fitzgerald in an eleven page comic, written by Main, inked by Steve Shipley, and lettered by Don Martinec. The interior pages are printed on white paper. $1.75

Ultrapowerfulman #2 (1989) features a cover by Tim Corrigan. Jim Main returns as writer and Steve Shipley handles the artwork of an eight page comic. The book includes a spot illustration by Pete Fitzgerald (?) and a back cover by Milton Knight. $1.50

Nuclear Spawned Martial Art Frogs? #1 (1987?) was another series co-created by Jim Main and Pete Fitzgerald. The comic features a 17-page story written by Main, drawn by Bill Reames, and lettered by Susan Dorne. Reames also contributed the front cover, while Milton Knight drew the back. $1.75

Fandom Feature #1 (1981, Spectrum Graphics) The big feature here is Jim Main's interview with the late Jim Aparo, who worked for Charlton and DC during his long career in comics. This issue is loaded with work by pros like Aparo (cover) Michael Golden, George Perez & Sam De La Rosa, Doug Hazlewood, Rich Buckler, Tom Sutton, Mike Grell and John Byrne (back cover). The zine also includes a Conan article by Neil Hansen and additional spot artwork by Rudi Franke, Rich Maruzio, John Beatty, Don Maitz, and William Neville. $2.00

Baron Hawk #1 (1981) This swashbuckling adventure was the result of a collaboration between Jim Main and Steve Lafler. The book features a 12-page story created and plotted by Main with art and dialogue by Lafler. The book also includes a cover by Don Maitz and some additional full page art by Lafler. $1.75

Ink Stains Rescheduled
Ken Meyer Jr. shows a few of his own illustrations in the latest installment of his excellent Ink Stains column on ComicAttack.net. If you scroll down to the comments you'll see he's been dealing with "some crazy bad developments" in his life. Very sorry to read that. But in a later post he reports the column will be rescheduled as a monthly.

Top May 2010 April 2010

Midnight Fiction Favorite

When I review small press comix, zines, or other works I try to emphasize the positives about them. In spite of the Judge Ed Flagstone cartoon on the Review Index header, I really try to avoid passing judgement. As a sometimes small press cartoonist myself, I can appreciate the emotional and financial investment creators' make when they put something out there. And I've been around long enough to see more than one beginner progress to professional level work. More than anything small pressers need to support and encourage each other along the way.

I've been tempted to use a rating system in my reviews, but ultimately I'm not comfortable grading someone else's creative effort as a C—or worse. Who am I to pass judgement? One person's C is another's A+. I see my reviewer's role as highlighting a book's strengths and providing enough information so my readers can make their own judgement on whether they want to buy it or not.

So far, I think it's been a successful approach. However, when something is outstanding (IMHO), I've always wanted to give it a little additional recognition. I've thought about doing a Top Ten for 2010, but it's pretty subjective to try to separate number 10 from number 11. And chances are number 11 through 20 are also pretty darn good. One day recently, my subconscious came up with an answer of how to balance all these factors.

Beginning with this edition of MF.com, I'm awarding the new Midnight Fiction Favorite designation to the most recent ten books I've read that are Favorites. These may be books I've reviewed—or not. They are simply favorites to me. The most recent ten MF Favorites will be highlighted on the Review Index page. When a new favorite is selected the oldest book in the spotlight will move to the new Favorites page. By the end of the year there may be twenty or there may be more. The number is irrelevant. A favorite is a favorite—a reading experience that delivers something extra.

So what about all the books that aren't selected? There will be more than not. An MF Favorite is simply one that holds extra appeal for me. There are plenty of other publications worth supporting. Many will be favorites on someone else's list. The individual reader is always the final judge anyway.

Enough already, let's get on with the favorites. I'm very happy to give the following books my unqualified recommendation. These ten are absolutely favorites of mine:

A Rabbit in King Arthur's Court by Josh Latta
Chase #1-10 by Jim Main and John Lambert
Dirt Nap #1 by Gabe Miller
Underground Comix Price Guide Supplement #1 by Dan Fogel
Customed Crimefighter Comics #1-4 by Josh Tonn
The Ouija Interviews by Sarah Becan
MYX #1-3 by Jamie Chase (Bram Meehan & Darryl Wellington)
Jack Ass by Jeremy Eaton
Comic Fan #5 edited by Jim Main
Tales from the Seventh Galaxy (TFTSG3) #3 by James Rubino

Top Midnight Fiction Favorites

June 19, 2010

Day One
I love that title. It sounds like the beginning of something good. Day One is mystery writer Bill Cameron's third novel featuring retired homicide detective Skin Kadash. Just out this month. You can read about it, or watch book trailers at Bill Cameron Mysteries. And to read an individual case study about the way social media made an incremental difference on sales check out Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing. Hat tip to Janet Reid.

Latta Avatards
Father of Rashy Rabbit, Josh Latta, has cooked up a new get rich quick scheme. It involves scratching out lines over a hot drawing board in an underground studio somewhere in the midwest. As long as he's there why not order up a custom Avatard you can use for social media or other second lives? One visit to Lattaland makes all the difference.

Ed 5 Emerging
Sean Azzopardi reports that his work on Ed #5 is progressing nicely since he moved his computer out of his drawing area. Fewer distractions. Imagine that. Check out the line work for the cover on Phatcomics.

Ditkomania Seeks Contribs
Rob Imes is interested in contributions for Ditkomania #80. The issue's theme is based on Ditko's 1980s work for Marvel Comics. Imes can be contacts through his website, Ditkomania Returns or the Ditkomania Yahoo Group. The deadline for issue #80 is July 4th.

Trek Babe Supreme
Mike Fisher and his Goofa Man Productions announced the completion of Trek Babe Supreme with week. It's a short animation that dares to answer the question, "Which Star Babe in all of the original Star Trek series is the most awesome?" Apparently Goofa Man operatives interviewed Star Babe authorities from their vast network of experts and somehow narrowed the field to one Trek Babe Supreme. To find out who won, tune in the Goofa Man Channel on YouTube.

Witch Knots
Ira Marcks announced a collection of his weekly webcomic Witch Knots this week. The 56-page trade paperback presents a significantly revised version of Marcks online comic strip. For more information visit the Witch Knots website. And if you haven't seen Marcks' amazing illustrations for the Illustrative Score, consider this a reminder.

Hair High DVD
Indie animator Bill Plympton's cult classic, Hair High was out on DVD this week. The film features the voice talents of Sarah Silverman, Dermot Mulroney, Eric Gilliland, Keith Carradine, Beverly D'Angelo, David Carradine, Martha Plimpton, Michael Showalter, Ed Begley Jr. and Justin Long in an outrageous romantic comedy that tells the story of a teenage couple, murdered on prom night, who return as zombies for revenge. You can read more about it on the Hair High website and purchase the DVD (along with others) from the Plymptoons store.

Voice of Comicdom #17 (1971)
The June 7th installment of Ink Stains (#20) by Ken Meyer Jr. features Voice of Comicdom #17. Rudi Franke's long-running VOC is where Richard Corben first made his comics debut. It was in an earlier issue from June 1968 with a story called Monsters Rule. By VOC #16 he was already producing some of his finest work with the debut of part one his famous Rowlf comic. Part two of the story appears in the issue highlighted here, VOC #17. The story was reprinted by Rip Off Press in it's entirety in 1971 in its own comic and later by several other publishers. Meyer's column includes an early bio of Corben, commentary by Jan Strnad, and a downloadable PDF of VOC #17.

eFanzines
There's a great hub called eFanzines that provides volumes of science fiction fanzines as free PDF downloads. I know this site has been around forever, but I've only just discovered it. So I'm mentioning it here just in case anyone else is in the same boat. That's the web for ya. There's always something new to discover!

Weird Work Writeups
Alterna Comics announced a new paperback this week. Hello, Do You Work Here? is filled with weird/funny work-related stories contributed by a variety of writers and artists. Each spread presents a one-page true story on the left and a full page cartoon reenactment on the right. To pre-order and preview the book compiled and designed by Peter Simeti visit Alterna Comics.

Top May 2010 April 2010

June 12, 2010

Art Break #1 and All Nukes #1

Art Break #1
Dan Taylor's Weird Muse Productions launched a new artcomix this week. The first issue of Art Break features the art of John Lambert, superstar of the Main Enterprises stable of illustrators. The illustrations in this 12-page mini comic highlight the more emotive side of Lambert's work. They were all done while taking breaks at his day job, as a way to relax. These drawings speak to the various moods and visions one experiences over a period of time at work. There's also a short Q & A with the artist that provides a glimpse into what makes him tick. Art Break #1 is available for $1 from Weird Muse Productions.

All Nukes #1
A new 24-page mini comic featuring the surreal/dada comic illustrations of Dale Coovert (aka Andy Nukes) was released this week from Main Enterprises. Nukes cites his influences as Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Basil Wolverton, Roy Lichenstein, Andy Warhol and Picasso, to name a few. All Nukes #1 is available for 3.00 (postpaid) from Main Enterprises.

El Vocho
Steve Lafler's new graphic novel El Vocho is now available for $12 from Lulu.com. You can also read the book online at CO2 Comics.

Secret Prison
Pat Aulisio and a band of Philly's alternative cartoonists published the first issue of Secret Prison Comics in Spring 2010. The tabloid-style comics newspaper includes work by Bob Pistilli, Aulisio, Ian Harker, Art Baxter, Box Brown, Cyn Why, Beth Heinly, Kelly Phillips, Tommy Rudmose, Steve Teare, Andrea Grigoropl, Dan Fitz, and Jason Clarke. It's free around select Philly retail haunts or can be purchased for $5 from Secret Prison. The second issue is already in the works. You can see the cover of #2 on the Secret Prison Facebook page.

Pump Flipbook
Pete Hodapp is selling handmade copies of his flipbook, Pump, for just $4. This is a sweet little comics-related, self-published gem that provides several full moments of unabated entertainment. Pump's manually animated thrill ride features an oil rig doing what it's supposed to do—and best of all you control the rate of flow. Flip the book over and there's a pump of a different kind waiting to surprise you. Contact Hodapp at Yawning Void to order.

Mineshaft Sale
D. Blake Werts wrote this week about a sale on back issues of Mineshaft Magazine. That's right, the venerable comix and literary magazine has reduced the price of several of their back issues, so there's never been a better time to give it a try. Order online from Mineshaft Magazine. Get them now, before they're all gone!

Gothology: Misery Loves Company
DAPshow Press has released the second collection of its comics anthology Gothology: Misery Loves Company. Editors Justin King and Jack Sullivan describe the book's theme as "anything related to the Goth subculture. The 272-page volume includes work by Colin Abel, Annalise Addams, Noël Belknap, Anna Bowles, Christina Boyce, Ben Coombs, Gina Creazzo A.K.A. Exileinblonde, Adrien Dacquel, Spicy Donut, Rashad Doucet, Sarah Fowlie, Kate "Poj" Greenseth, David Grimshaw, Caylee Huckabay, Bloody Ichigo, Valia Kapadai, Patt Kelley, Justin King, T.J. Kirsch, Christine Larsen, Megan "Dekay" Lawton, Maximo V. Lorenzo, Andy Mahoney, Micaela Mau, Chris Mullins, Johanne Østervang, Taylor Pendleton, Mark Penman, Perca, ELton Pruitt, Isaac Ruder, Aluísio C. Santos, Senyphine, Maria Smedstad, Kasey Brianne Williams, Ashley M. Witter, Barbara Wittman, Jo Wu, and Asya Yordanova. For more information on this issue and on the first volume, check out the Misery Loves Company website. Gothology #2 is available for $18.99 from IndyPlanet, where you can preview work by six of its contributors.

Sketchbook Comix #2
Australian cartoonist Anthony Woodward has released the second issue of his Sketchbook Comix. The book is part of a four issue series of daily comics Woodward drew in 2008. He's also completed a comix called Spare Parts which features mostly miscellaneous drawings from his sketchbook, with a few pages of actual comics. Both are available from the AW Comix Etsy shop. To follow Wooward's comix adventures check out his AW Comix blog.

Comic Salon 2010
Sarah Burrini posted a report this week about Germany's largest comic con, Comic Salon, in Erlangen, where she tabled with pals from PonyXPress Magazine. Her report is filed on the German version of her Life Ain't No Pony Farm blog.

Top May 2010 April 2010

June 5, 2010

Chief Changing Head
The amazing Theo Ellsworth contributed this year's June calendar illustration. If you don't already know who Theo is, get yourself over to the Thought Cloud Factory to take a look at a view of his fantastical artwork. You can keep tabs on his work as it develops on Thought Cloud Factory News, and buy his comic books like Capacity and Sleeper Car #1 from his publisher Secret Acres.

The 2010 Midnight Fiction Desk Calendar is a free PDF download you can print, trim, and insert into a standard-size calendar jewel case. Many thanks to Theo and all of the other cartoonists who contributed to this year's calendar.

Tim Corrigan Wants Ideas
Tim Corrigan's Comics and Stories #46 is out. It features part three of the Hello Dolly story that began in issue #44. I've written about Comics and Stories in other Ramblings, but Tim reveals in his new issue how few subscribers he has. He's sent out comp copies to garner reviews and new readers, but hasn't had much luck.

I'll quote him, "Now, I'm not trying to make money or build an empire--I'm way past that delusion in today's marketplace. I just want to reach more people, make 'em laugh, give 'em something interesting to read, make a few friends, maybe get something back in terms communication or friendship and justify the incredible amount of TIME I put into this little comic every month. So, unable to solve this riddle myself, I've decided to dump it all on YOUR shoulders! If you have ANY ideas as to how I can reach more people without spending an arm and a leg, I want to hear it!"

"I confess, I am just barely web-savvy. There are probably all kinds of things I could do on a computer that I am not aware of. If you know of some option—please educate me!"

Tim has published 46 monthly issues on time, without missing a beat. Try a sample issue for $1.50 or subscribe for $15 for a year's worth. It's an absolute bargain as far as I'm concerned. Tim can be reached via his website, New Voice Media or look for him on Facebook.

Two Italian Guys
Chris Yura has just announced the publication of the first of chapter of a new series: Two Italian Guys. It's the Italian-American experience like you've never seen it before. Visit the Mangia Industry website for news, a gallery, recipes, and ordering info.

Good Minnesotan #4
2D Cloud has begun a fund drive on Kickstarter. The goal is to raise $1000, which will enable them to print more copies of the next issue of their experimental storytelling comic Good Minnesotan #4. More copies = a lower unit cost, which leads to more buyers and most importantly, more readers. It's a good plan and I hope it's successful. I was lucky enough to get a handmade preliminary copy of this wonderful issue at Stumptown this year, (coverage here) and it's a true work of art. Check out the video preview on site and let's get this thing started!

Steve Lafler Hits the Road
Manx Media will release a limited summer edition of El Vocho, the new graphic novel from cartoonist Steve Lafler. The limited edition will be for sale at Lafler's summer west coast appearances. With El Vocho, green energy comes to the comics as Lafler offers a crackling urban romance pairing Rosa, a brilliant inventor, with laconic Eddie, boy/man artist. Can love blossom in this tense thriller pitting big oil against budding genius Rosa?

Rosa and Eddie meet in a fender bender (shown above) and tempers flare, but cupid shoots his arrow and the two fall for each other. It takes their combined smarts and intuition to create the perfect clean energy engine. The results? A flying VW Bug, of course. (“Vocho” is the nickname of the Volkswagon Bug in Mexico, where there are still millions on the road.)

Mark your calendar, Lalfer comes to Reading Frenzy in Portland, Oregon on July 15th to present El Vocho. He will be performing a short stack of his Oaxacabilly songs (Rockabilly + Oaxaca) along with Portland's own David Perkin on percussion. The next stop is San Francisco at the Mercury Cafe on July 22nd. Lafler will perform his original songs with a full rock combo—two guitars, bass and drums, with the help of punk bassist/arranger Scott (Big Daddy) Hoover. Artwork from El Vocho will be on display and copies of the 100 page, limited edition will be on sale for $12.

Lafler has recorded some of his songs with producer/arranger Bill Stair, including Ballad of the Bug, a sort of El Vocho theme song. The indie cartoonist is best known for his BugHouse trilogy of graphic novels (Top Shelf Productions), tracking the birth of Be-Bop Jazz in an indigo toned "bug noir" Manhattan of the early 1950s.

Silberia Rising
Brian John Mitchell of Silber Media just released a new comix called Mecha. It's drawn by Johnny Hoang. It looks huge compared to his usual books, but it's really only about twice the size of his micros. Mitchell continues to expand his line of micro-mini comix. In fact, he's got so many titles going now he's issued a new Silber Mini-Comics Sampler that includes preview pages from most of them and a whole batch of new titles he's got in the works. At a buck a copy, you can try the Sampler or just get several of the regular editions.

Silber recently published the sixth issues of Worms and XO, Just A Man #4, Marked #6, and a new title, Cops & Crooks. C&C is set up like an Ace Double with half the book devoted to cops and the other half crooks. Eric Shonborn handles the art for the crooked side. While on the flipside, it turns out cops artist Jason Young also publishes his own book called Veggie Dog Saturn. The fourth issue was just completed. You can check out his work at Buyer Beware Comics and order issues of VDS for $2 or $3, depending on the issue.

Yawning Void #1
Pete Hodapp sent in a beautifully lettered package (see above) this week with a copy of his new comic. It's a tabloid newspaper printed on white paper, called the Yawning Void. Inside its covers is a collection of comics that previously appeared in papers local to the cartoonist. Pete says he's on a mission to ensure rural life gets its fair share of ink on the comics page. So order up your copy for $5 at Yawning Void, crack open a Leinie, and get a taste of the rural life in the rolling hills of Wisconsin.