Reviews & Previews - Illustrated Fiction 32

Kit Bradley is a 20 year-old art student and petty criminal who knows it’s time to leave her delinquent past behind, but isn’t ready for the responsibilities of adulthood.

Kit's social headquarters is an all night diner, and while trying to put the ‘off’ on an on-again-off-again boyfriend, she runs into an old flame, and an enigmatic loner named Martha, whose mysterious disappearance will alter Kit’s life forever.

Created by Eisner and Ignatz Award nominee David Hahn.

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Revelations #1

2011, Hereafter Press
Co-created by
Louise Cochran-Mason (story) and Barry Southworth (art)
Ink/embellishments by Scott Shriver
Lettering by Marc Haines &
Linda Southworth
Production work by Marc Haines & Scott Shriver
Special thanks to Cary Kelley & Kentrel Brown
24 b&w pages, plus color cover
Available for $3.00 from Indy Planet
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A secretive group called the Third Sphere Assembly make contact with Mackenzie Rollins, and reveal that not only can her venom turn most living things into ooze in a matter of minutes, but it's also irresistible to demons. This makes Andrahon a very useful tool in the war between Heaven and Hell. However, Mackenzie has other ideas.

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Rashy Rabbit #7 by Josh Latta

Droppin' Anchor is the seventh episode of Josh Latta's Rashy Rabbit. My expectations were high, since the last issue was a Midnight Fiction Favorite. Well, I'm happy to report that in many ways this one is even better. Latta drew the originals for this edition at a smaller size, working on 9" x 12" paper, which is only slightly larger than the repro-size of his 7" x 8" comix. That may explain the bolder linework of the drawings.

Latta's artwork has always been great, but the panel compositions and point-of-views he selected for the action are outstanding in Rashy Rabbit #7. The writing is up a notch, too. The main sea story provides plenty of action and opportunities for Rashy to get into trouble, but there's also a subplot centered on Rashy and Honey Bunny that adds depth to both the lead characters and the story itself. Latta even threw in a couple of nice plot twists. This one's another Midnight Fiction Favorite. See Lattaland for ordering information.

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Three #1
edited by Robert Kirby

2010, Cubside Comics
32 pages, plus cover
Legal digest: 7" x 8.5"
$6.25 from Rob Kirby Comics

Editor Kirby's Curbside Comics is a relatively new enterprise that recently published this first issue of its anthology title featuring the work of LGBT cartoonists. It's a beautiful looking package with solid cartooning and storytelling and production values. The interior pages are printed on good quality glossy paper, with the cover printed on a similar, but heavier stock with a satin finish/coating that provides a pleasant tactile reading experience.

Kirby's vision for the book plays off the power of three in our culture. Everything from the three fates to the three little pigs to expressions like queer as a three dollar bill. After his introduction on the inside front cover and the contents page, the comix begin:

First up is Weekends Abroad by Eric Orner (14 pages). Orner's comics have appeared in Newsweek, New Republic and the San Francisco Chronicle. An indie film based on his popular Ethan Green comic strip was released in 2006. Weekends Abroad is a slice-of-life comix, told in the first person, about living in Jerusalem and escaping to the more relaxing atmosphere of Tel Aviv on the weekends. The story centers around the narrator's gay life with a subplot of his romantic musings over an English graffiti message he repeatedly uncovers. Although the entire comix is printed in full color, the use of color in this story is very muted, allowing the heavy crosshatching of the artwork to visually set the tone of the story. You can see more of Orner's comix on his website: Ethan Green Comix.

The second story is called Number One by Joey Alison Sayers (8 pages). Sayers is best known for the webcomic Thingpart, which has been nominated for Ignatz awards on several occasions, and her autobio comic book Just So You Know. Number One is about a home landscaping trio who trade sarcastic quips over their client's passive-aggressive reaction when one of the crew needs to use the bathroom. Sayers colors her tale in rich, flat colors that reminds me of a traditional humor comic book, back when they sold for 10¢ or 12¢. You can read Thingpart online at her website: J. Sayers.

Freedom Flight by Robert Kirby (8 pages) rounds out this triple feature. A young gay college student struggles to break free of a drab relationship with his older, ex-professor. During his walking daydream, he encounters a three-legged dog who seems to momentarily drag him back into real-time. When the owner retrieves the distraction he slips back into his own familiar surroundings. Kirby colors his calm, but melancholy malaise appropriately, through and through, in blue. Kirby's art and writing capture the uncertainty and lightly frustrating situation of his protagonist with just the right tone. Visit the editor's website for lots more: Rob Kirby Comics.

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Front covers of Monty Comix #1 and #2

Monty Comix #1-3 by Kayla A. Escobedo

Here's a preview of some beautifully drawn art comix by the talented Kayla Escobedo. The main characters, Monty and the Whale Girl are naked, just like the raw content of these highly personal comix.

Front and back covers of Monty Comix #3

Be sure to visit Escobedo's website, Kayla's Comix. It's packed with artwork and comix, and links to her store where you can purchase several limited edition treasures, including these issues of Monty Comix.

Page 1 from Monty Comix #2

Page 5 from Monty Comix #3

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Simpler Times by Adam Jakes

April 2010, Self-published
36 b&w pages, plus cover
Comic book size
6.75" x 10.25", POD at Hertfordshire Display
£4.00/$7.50 UK/US (postage paid) send email to Adam Jakes

Simpler Times is the second comic in a four issue story arc that began in Dark Dreams (Aug. 2009) and was reviewed here on MF.com a few pages back. A brother (Guedo) and sister (Madlenka) are raised and trained in the floating Flylands to become Agents of Order, sworn enemies of the evil Chaos. As young adults their fighting skills are impressive, but the question is will they have time to complete their training before they're called for duty?

Jakes continues to advance his skills as a writer, storyteller and draftsman with Simpler Times. It's great to see a small press comiker focused on multiple disciplines. The writing is solid with good narrative exposition and dialogue. The story is nicely paced and advances smoothly with appropriate scene changes. My only criticism is the opening sequence, where I felt too much time was spent setting up the story. I think the opening four page intro could have been reduced by half, thrusting the reader into the action as quickly as possible.

I really like Jakes drawing style. There's an obvious super hero influence, but he's resisted the temptation to dress the cast in masks and gaudy costumes. Okay, Madlenka does look a little Elektra-like near the end, but her mask is really a scarf rather than some sort of head covering. Simpler Times is more rooted in dark fantasy and horror, than super antics. Jakes continues his strong character design with Voodoo Bob. A character I hope he'll have an opportunity to develop further in future issues.

The price tag on Jakes books may seem a bit high for US readers, but he's mailing from the UK so the comics are actually a bargain with the postage accounting for the majority of the cost. I'd recommend both Dark Dreams and Simpler Times for readers who enjoy action-packed adventures set in imaginary, shadowy worlds.

Page from Simpler Times

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3 Mini Comix by Everett Gee

Here's a fine batch of wacked out mini comix (only smaller) from cartoonist Everett Gee. Each one is 8 pages, printed on colored paper with saddle stitch binding. The comix get progressively smaller.

Brite Ideas #1 (4" x 5") features "you won't believe this" full page gags with incredibly stupid bonehead characters acting out their bright idears like trimming toenails with a chainsaw. Gross, but funny.

Knuckleheads #1 3.5" x 4.25") Each of the one-page comix in this mini are built around superstitions and the amazing stupidity of the two dim bulbs who star.

Donk #2 (3.25" x 4") features full page cartoons of moronic hijinx based on super golden oldies. See more Geetoons and order info on the Gotcha Comix blog.

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Madkhal Front and back covers of Madkhal On-Ramp

Madkhal On-Ramp by CAD

2011, Self-published. 8 b&w pages, with self-cover.
Classic mini comix size: 4.25" x 5.5", handmade with saddle stitch binding, no trim.

A short collection of full page drawings and cartoons drawn late last year and assembled into a mini comix in early 2011. $1.50 (postage paid) or send your comix in trade.

Send to:
Clark Dissmeyer
917 E. 25th St. #5
Kearney, NE 68847

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Front covers of Smoke Signal #8 and #7

Smoke Signal #7 & 8

#8 March 2011, Desert Island comic newspaper, 11.5" x 8.75" folded, 36 pages (including self-cover), some in color $3 Split issue with Kutikuti from Finland, published in both countries simultaneously. Including: Sami Aho, Gabrielle Bell, Marc Bell, Lilli Carré, Michael DeForge, Roope Eronen, Glynnis Fawkes, Nathan Gelgud, Sam Henderson, Keith Jones, Paul Karasik, Ina Kallis, Tim Lane, Jarno Latva-Nikkola, Blaise Larmee, Mikko Luostarinen, David Mazzucchelli, Jesse McManus, Tommi Musturi, Jyrki Nissinen, Jaakko Pallasvuo, Ville Pirinen, Aapo Rapi, Ron Regé Jr., Anna Sailamaa, Kari Sihvohnen, Avi Spivak, Leslie Stein, Janne Tervamäki, Petteri Tikkanen, Jari Vaara, Amanda Vähämäki, Mikko Väyrynen

#7 December 2010, Desert Island comic newspaper, 11.5" x 8.75" folded, 36 pages (including self-cover), some in color $5 Doug Allen, Bald Eagles, Marc Bell, John Brodowski, Charles Burns, Shawn Cheng, Domitille Collardey, Jordan Crane, Michael DeForge, Nate Doyle, Edie Fake, Bill Griffith, Sammy Harkham, Rachel Hays, Sam Henderson, Tim Hensley, Keith Jones, Victor Kerlow, Aidan Koch, Tim Lane, Blaise Larmee, Gary Leib, Travis Millard, Jim Rugg, Mark Alan Stamaty, Jillian Tamaki, James Turek, Matt Wiegle, Dan Zettwoch

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Front covers of The Island and Aloha

The Island and Aloha by Desmond Reed

2010, Self-published
12 b&w pages, plus cover
2.75" x 4.25", larger paper folded into a booklet and saddle stitched, no trim
$2 for the set from Desmond Reed's Etsy Shop

Here's a pair of delightfully fun mini comix, well worth the price of admission. Reed's cartooning style is very simple with just enough detail to communicate what's needed in these 12-page, gag-driven comix stories. His pacing and writing keep the action moving and build up to his payoff endings very nicely.

As you can see from its cover, The Island is set in a classic desert island location in the middle of the ocean, where two strange bedfellows await rescue. The title of Aloha sounds as if it may be another island tale, but this one is about earthworms and their dubious friendships.

They're short, but both comix are good for a laugh; and packaging them together makes them last twice as long. In addition to Reed's Etsy shop, you can visit his page on We Make Zines.

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