Reviews - Illustrated Fiction 7

This collection of over 200 Suzy daily and Sunday comic strips is a remarkable book for a number of reasons. The main one is that the comics themselves are a joy to read. O'Brien's gags are funny, and over the course of just a few weeks of strips, he successfully creates a connection between the characters and his readers. Each member of Suzy's small cast has their own charms and quirks. They don't always get along, but underneath the conflicts, the characters have a genuine fondness for each other. They care about each other and before you know it, you do too. Suzy was created in the early '80's and O'Brien adds light social commentary on the trends (Izod apparel) and controversies of the day (women's liberation, nuclear power). Vojtko's artwork has never been better. His cartoons are simple, but he successfully communicates the action, reactions, and emotions of his characters masterfully. His layouts, pacing, and timing complement O'Brien's gags perfectly. If you're a hardcore Vojtko fan like me, this book is a dream come true.

Suzy daily comic strip

O'Brien's introduction provides the background on how he and Vojtko met, how they developed the strip, their challenges selling it to a syndicate, and finally how the syndicate failed to secure enough newspaper subscribers to keep Suzy afloat. It's a cautionary tale about how difficult it is to break into the business even with a top-notch product. In that sense, the book is a rare glimpse into the process and the product of an ever so close hit.

Suzy Sunday strip

The book is remarkable in another way too. Using today's print-on-demand technology it's a perfect example of a "long tail" product. The audience for this volume may be relatively small, but they are avid. Thanks to Ramble House and Lulu.com we get the chance to read and own a collection of obscure, but classic comic strips in a very nice package. Who knows, now that Suzy is back in print maybe her creators will finally get the recognition they so richly deserve.

Suzy is an A4-size (8.25" x 11.75") perfect bound book, 76 b&w interior pages, with a full color cover. $15.99 from Ramble House at Lulu.com.

Zod #7 & 8 by Jacob Steingroot

The first thing that strikes you about Zod is the color. It's gorgeous. Steingroot prints each copy of his mini comic on an ink jet printer using high quality paper stock. In fact, it's even called "Exceptional Business Paper" by its manufacturer, Southworth. The paper has a nice tooth to it that makes it ideal for ink jet printing. Today, most mini comics are printed one at a time, so technically each print is an original. Zod's unique production toolset makes each issue feel particularly handcrafted.

Although this is the seventh issue of the title, it's a great place to begin reading it because Steingroot starts a loosely adapted version of The Odyssey in this issue. The storyline and key characters are based on the epic poem, but Steingroot's spin on it adds plenty of surprises and tangents that are clever and entertaining. The artwork is very simple, but charming. Some panels consist of just a head-and-shoulder shot with a word balloon. But even within his minimalist style, Steingroot keeps things visually interesting with varied layouts and a good mix of panels that include more detailed backgrounds. Although the color adds a real richness to the artwork, I think it would still carry the story and its charm, if it was only black-and-white.

Both issues are directly continued, but of the two, issue 7 has the more tidy ending. Issue 8 ends in an all-out cliffhanger. (Get going on #9 Steingroot!)
Zod #7, 12 pages including the cover, $2.
Zod #8, 20 pages including the cover, $3.
Zod #2-8 are available through Steingroot's website: Zod Magazine. Top

Tim Corrigan's Comics and Stories #15 cover

Tim Corrigan's
Comics and Stories #15

Allen Freeman's interview with long time small press comics creator Tim Corrigan in Slam Bang #2 reminded me it was time to subscribe to Corrigan's latest venue. This zine is literally a steal at $1 a copy. "Sometimes Ya' Gotta Toe the Line!" is a 13-page comic reprinted from Fred 'n' Marvin #1. Marvin shares his angst about an unusual, six-toed medical problem prompting his boss Fred, and administrative assistant Betty, to tag along for the surgery. Corrigan's expert cartooning and layouts complement the outrageous script nicely in this well-paced, slapstick comic story. The issue wraps up with a couple of entertaining blog-style pieces on Corrigan's storage building and the pond on this property. Issue 15 of this monthly comic is 16-pages, including the color cover. $1 each, or $12 for a twelve issue subscription from Tim Corrigan, PO Box 25, Houghton, NY 14744 Top

Comic Fan #2
edited by Jim Main

The title of this zine says it all. Comic Fan provides articles and reviews touching on the full spectrum of the comics world. The production values are firmly rooted in today's world of print-on-demand and digital workflows, but the editorial heart harkens back to the earlier days of comic fandom when zines like Gary Groth's Fantastic Fanzine, Marty Greim's Comic Crusader, and Bill G. Wilson's The Collector set the tone. Like these earlier zines, Comic Fan provides a nice mix of professional and fan artwork. The writing is very good as well, and ranges from very personal, blog-style entries to more straight-ahead reporting.

Editor Main starts things off with an issue overview and a personal tribute to DC and Charlton comic's Jim Aparo, who passed away in 2005. Two pages of letters of comment follow. I should mention that although readers generally like to read letters of comment in zines, publishers always seem to struggle to get them. Emails like, "Great issue - thanks!" are encouraging, but aren't print-worthy. The next time you have a few spare minutes email your comments to the editor of a zine you read. Give them your feedback. Believe me, they would LOVE to hear from you!

Dennis Kininger contributes a feature article on Vertigo's Fables series with background orientation to help get newcomers started. Those already familiar with Fables, or its spin-off Jack of Fables, will enjoy Kininger's observations and recommendations of the series' highlights. His article is nicely illustrated with cover images.

Lance "Doc" Boucher provides part 1 of his interview with the late Alter-Ego founder Dr. Jerry Bails, aka "The Father of Comic Book Fandom". The interview centers on Bails' own comic series, The Commanding Pilot, with great commentary and sample artwork.

Associate Editor, Sam Gafford recalls the short-lived animated cartoon series from circa-1966 newcomer Ralph Bakshi: The Mighty Heroes. I think I was preoccupied with the British invasion in 1966, so I don't recall ever hearing about this and I didn't discover Bakshi until 1972 when Fritz the Cat hit the theatres. Anyway, Gafford's article is filled with detail and fond memories of this zany series and it's (also) short-lived spin-off comic books. The piece is supported with some great cartoon illos by Rusty Gilligan, Tim Stiles, Peter Fitzgerald, and a couple of cover repros.

The review section is called The Spinner Rack. The content is nicely divided into categories for mainstream, indie, manga and anime, and small press comics. With over 40 reviews this section provides a great introduction to titles you may want to pursue. Most include cover repros and the small press titles include the publisher's contact information. The review team includes: Mark Allen, Michael Vance, Dennis Kininger, Allen Freeman, Caroline Tigeress, and Matt Levin.

Larry Blake provides a beautiful portrait and heartfelt tribute to his Mother, Lavonne Blake.

Larry Tisch's Comic Memories are classically rendered spot illustations of Dr. Strange, Batman, Superman, and Iron Man.

Sam Gafford's Sez Me! column is an Op-Ed piece on the "death trend" in today's superhero comics. Captain America being a prime example for Marvel. Which is a deadpan segue into the zine's final feature, a spotlight on Cap's Comic Character Collectibles. Two pages of photographs of everything from action figures to chachkas like a belt buckle, lunch box, and Pez dispenser.

Other artwork for this issue (not previously mentioned) is by Dave Farley (cover), Jack Kirby & Dan Atkins, Jim Aparo, Dave Miller, Greg Moutafis, Michael T. Gilbert, Dan W. Taylor, and John Lambert. The back cover is a full page photo of the Flash from the TV show. Richard Sullivan provided production management and Tim Goebel is the loveable mascot. Comic Fan #2 is magazine-size, with 44 b&w pages, plus full color covers. $6.25 postage paid, from Main Enterprises. Top

Candy or Medicine Vol. 1 by Josh Blair

Candy or Medicine is an 8-page mini comic featuring Blair's cartoons and a photo-collage cover. The black-and-white mini is printed on a good quality paper and looks as if it was hand trimmed and stapled. It's a worthy effort from what appears to be a first-time zinester. Balir's comic ideas are clever, but the delivery is rudimentary. Let's hope he sticks with it and continues to grow as a cartoonist and writer. He's actively seeking contributors for future issues. You can check out Blair's simple, nicely designed website to see two sample pages from issue 1 and contact him about getting involved in future issues. Top

The Fetid Lake of Doom
by Steve Willis

From the creator of Morty the Dog, comes forth a great new digest-size mini comix about a foreboding lake and its lurkers within. It's based on a true story. Sure it is. Certainly a percentage of this fable is true, but like Willis' addicting blog entries - just what percentage would that be? The writing is brilliant - funny, sarcastic, skeptical, and highly entertaining. The artwork is simple, but it's great cartooning. Get it. Rick Bradford of the Poopsheet Foundation published it, but you can't buy it. Instead, he's sending a free copy with any order from his shop or ebay sales. Top

Phantascape #1
edited by Jim Main

The lead story in this magazine-size small press comic is called The Chronicles of Reverend Moore. Set in 1758, a young woman's body and soul is waging a deadly war with a hellspawned demon that grows stronger with each passing moment. Her only ally is the Reverend Moore. He fights not only the forces of hell, but a band of townspeople as well, who want to kill the demon's host rather than aid her in defeating it.

The series was developed by editor Main and writer Sam Gafford, and illustrated by Greg Woronchak. The 17-page opening episode will be continued in the next issue. Woronchak also contributed the cover, that was colored by Wally Lowe.

The 5-page backup tale, which is also continued next issue, was written and illustrated by G.A. McVey. Chapter One tells the origin of Sister Steel, a modern-day woman who finds herself thrust back in time and forced to prepare herself to face a serpent in ancient Babylonia.

If you're a fan of gothic fiction or sword and sorcery, you'll enjoy this well produced zine. Phantascape #1, 24 b&w pageswith a full color wrap-around cover, is available from Main Enterprises.

Top

Slam Bang #2
edited by Allen Freeman

This impressive comics anthology with a little over 200 pages provides a great sampling of work from many of today's small press comic creators. Most of the stories run from 1 to 6 pages in length, so there's room for inclusion of a small army of contributors. Although many pieces are humorous, there's a little bit of everything here - genre, style, and technique. 90% of the book is comics, with a few one-panel poster pages, comic ads, an interview, letters, and a few pages of real ads for other small press comics. There are too many comics in this volume to review individually, so the full comics content is listed below. Certainly you'll have favorites, but Editor Freeman has done a good job of maintaining a high level of quality throughout the issue.

Nick Andreychuk, Chris Fenoglio, Marc Lewis - Flame Retardant (5 pgs)
Matt Barbosa, Dimitar Bochukov - The End (6 pgs)
Matjaz Bertoncelj - My Africa (5 pgs)
Matjaz Bertoncelj - The Black Box (7 pgs)
Matjaz Bertoncelj - Wild Grannies (4 pgs)
Anton Bogarty - Photoplay (14 pgs)
Craig Boldman - Tailipoe (4 pgs)
Adam Buechler - Dichotomy (5 pgs)
Doug Caffee - Front Cover
Casy Camp - On the Subject of Puppets and Friends (5 pgs)
Tim Corrigan - Mightyguy in Who Can It Be Now? (8 pgs)
Brad W. Foster - Art (1 pg)
Jeff Gaither - Art (1 pg)
Jonathan Gilbert, Charles Dougherty, R. Humble, Mike Rickaby - Mister Chameleon (7 pgs)
Saul J. Haberfield - Believe (8 pgs)
Chuck Haspel, Allen Freeman - Another TV? (4 pgs)
Chuck Haspel - Art (2 pgs)
Ken Henson - Horace! (5 pgs)
David Johnson Jr., Christopher Moshier, Alejandro Alvarez, Andrea Blanco, Allen Freeman - 7 Deadly Sins (8 pgs)
Agata Laguniak - Monster (7 pgs)
Dan Lauer - The LumberJack! (5 pgs)
Dean LeCrone - Wacky Clowns (1 pg)
Giancarlo Lima, Christopher Moshier - The Mis-Adventures of Uncle Doug (10 pgs)
John Lustig - Last Kiss Comics.com (1 pg)
Mark Martin - About that Power Issue (1 pg)
Mark Martin - Train of Bus (2 pgs)
Mark Martin - Back Cover
Rory McConville, Nathan Kolander - Old Times (5 pgs)
Adam J. Monetta, Clarence Burk Jr., Michael Kasinger - Nation in Barhopping (6 pgs)
Mark Monlux - The Return of Stickman (4 pgs)
Steve Rasnic - Cube (6 pgs)
Michael Roden - Quaking at the Shining Coats of Silver Snakes (5 pgs)
Ray Scott, Chad Lambert, Jon Smith - Man of Prey (4 pgs)
Jim Siergey - You Tube (1 pg)
Tony Smith, Rick Withers, Giuseppe Pica - Emancipation (6 pgs)
Renzo Soto - Super Vaca (1 pg)
Dan W. Taylor - Self Control (3 pgs)
Randy Valiente - Silence Means Yes (12 pages)
Jacob & Laura Warenfeltz -The Most Scared I Ever Was (4 pgs)
Michael Wurl - A Message from the Editor/Publisher (5 pgs)
Michael Wurl - Peabody (1 pg)
Michael Wurl, Allen Freeman - Give (1 pg)
Stan Yan - Mr. Flingpoo's Fashion Review (6 pgs)

Two other contributions are worth noting. One is the Letters of Comments, which were all written by Allen Freeman and Michael Wurl. They are a hoot. In fact, they're so good I hope Freeman continued writing fake ones in his third issue, which is deep in production now. The second item of note is the interview with Tim Corrigan conducted by Freeman, which includes a nice portrait of Corrigan by Dave Sim. The interview, followed by Corrigan's Mightyguy comic is a fitting wrap-up for the issue. Corrigan's observations, enthusiasm, and optimism about small press comics is enlightening and inspiring. It's a great conclusion to the slickly produced, 200+ page volume. Small press comics quality and delivery have come a long way! Slam Bang #2 is a perfect bound, softcover book with 210 b&w interior pages, and a full color cover with UV coating. $9.95 from Fanatic Press. Top

Planet 24 by Phil Foglio

In 2003 Foglio took part in the 24-hour comic Spawns of Insomnia marathon organized by Cartoonists Northwest in Seattle. He began without any idea for the story and successfully completed a 24-page comic before the event concluded. He posted the comic on his website, but his readers wanted a printed copy and so he added some covers, an introduction - along with some design help from Kaja Foglio - and produced a digest-sized zine. The artwork is sketchy and the story isn't polished, but it's nonetheless impressive considering how much was accomplished within the 24-hour timeframe. It also provides a great example of the framework behind a more finished piece. Kudos to Foglio for meeting the 24-hour challenge and for making his work available in print. Website. Top

Postage Stamp Funnies #3
by Shannon Wheeler

This funny micro mini comic is the size of a business card and features 14 pages of single-panel gag cartoons surrounded by a scalloped, postage stamp-style border. The interior pages are all single-sided with black ink on white paper. The cover is printed on heavier, colored stock and the book is bound to remind you of a book of stamps. The whole package is so charming, it's just too much to pass up. You can read one of the strips on Wheeler's ComicSpace page and his How to Be Happy series on Too Much Coffee Man. Powell's Bookstore offers all of Wheeler's books for sale online. Top
Artwork © Shannon Wheeler

More MF Reviews

Pulp Fiction

Science Fiction

Non-Fiction

cartoon

Mini Comic Reviews

Send your mini comics and small press comics to Midnight Fiction for review. Be sure to include the cost, information on how to order, and permission to use the cover or a panel or two in the review.

Send to:
Midnight Fiction
PMB 293
6327 SW Capitol Hwy.
Suite C
Portland, OR 97239

Review Zines

Comic Fan
Ka-Whump!
Xerographic Debt

Reviews - Illustrated Fiction 7

Browse by page:

Direct link by author:

Suzy by Richard O'Brien and Bob Vojtko

Zod #7 & 8 by Jacob Steingroot

Tim Corrigan's
Comics and Stories #15

Comic Fan #2
edited by Jim Main

Candy or Medicine Vol. 1 by Josh Blair

The Fetid Lake of Doom
by Steve Willis

Phantascape #1
edited by Jim Main

Slam Bang #2
edited by Allen Freeman

Planet 24 by Phil Foglio

Postage Stamp Funnies #3
by Shannon Wheeler

More MF Reviews

Mini Comic Reviews

Other Reviews Sites

Review Zines

Reviews - Illustrated Fiction 7

Browse by page:

Direct link by author:

Suzy by Richard O'Brien and Bob Vojtko

Zod #7 & 8 by Jacob Steingroot

Tim Corrigan's Comics and Stories #15

Comic Fan #2 edited by Jim Main

Candy or Medicine Vol. 1 by Josh Blair

The Fetid Lake of Doom by Steve Willis

Phantascape #1 edited by Jim Main

Slam Bang #2 edited by Allen Freeman

Planet 24 by Phil Foglio

Postage Stamp Funnies #3 by Shannon Wheeler

More MF Reviews

Mini Comic Reviews

Other Reviews Sites

Review Zines

Tim Corrigan's
Comics and Stories #15

Comic Fan #2
edited by Jim Main

The Fetid Lake of Doom
by Steve Willis

Phantascape #1
edited by Jim Main

Slam Bang #2
edited by Allen Freeman

Postage Stamp Funnies #3
by Shannon Wheeler