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Important Comics Are Bad by Dina Kelberman
2011, Important Comics
94 b&w pages, plus color cover
4.75" x 6.5" with perfect binding
$14 postage paid from Important Comics
In case you can't read the back cover blurb shown above, it goes exactly like this: "Please, please, please CANCEL Important Comics by Dina Kelberman. She makes Family Circus seem creative and entertaining. What was that strip she replaced? Please, don't print her anymore. It's painstakingly pathetic, unartistic and drab." -Baltimore City Paper reader.
The blurb and sample page below should give you a good feel for Kelberman's humor. She's clearly having fun making her comics and seeing them in print in the Baltimore City Paper. (And for those not in reach of a paper box, the strip can be read online too.)
This is the second collection of Important Comics and it's filled with the same inventive layouts and dry observations of the mundanity of daily life as the original volume. And in case you're a IC cultist, there's a index too. So you can refer to the gag on say, hip ideas, in seconds. (Great for trivia contests too.)
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Mediocre Narcotica by Chrissy Spallone
14 pages in glorious black-and-white, plus color covers, no ads. Includes Mediocre Narcotica comics created from 2010 through 2011 and funny fake advertisements. Professionally printed and bound. 8.5 by 11 inches. $2.99 plus $2.50 S&H
Mediocre Narcotica is an imaginary band created by cartoonist Chrissy Spallone. Native to the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Mediocre Narcotica has been entertaining small cult audiences since 2008 with their blend of hardcore and bubblegum punk. Like many bands in their genre, Mediocre Narcotica is can be self righteous at times, but once in a while they make a good point, and they always deliver their message with fun energy and punk rock irony. In this volume, the band speaks on such issues as the apocalypse, hipster elitism, healthcare reform, animal welfare and that stupid cartoon Family Guy. They are influenced by such bands as Leftover Crack, Fear, The Angry Samoans, The Ramones, Minor Threat and 7 Seconds.
Mediocre Narcotica shipped via USPS first class, possibly with special surprise extras. Order from Chrissy Spallone's Etsy Store.
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Tribute #1edited by Jim Main
Jim Main has published a gallery of homage illustrations called Tribute #1. The quality of the full page artwork inside this zine is very professional. See Main Enterprises for stats, contributor list and order info.
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Eternity #1 by Sam Gafford
August 2011, Self-published. 32 b&w pages, plus color cover, digest size.
$4.00 (postage paid) from Sam Gafford
Gafford first published an anthology with this title back in the 90's. With encouragement from Jim Main and other small pressers, Gafford decided to revive it at last. After the introduction, the first story is the opening episode of a continuing story called Cthulhu Arcanum (21 pages) by Sam Gafford (story), Johnny Gonzales (layout/letters) and Floyd Choat (pencils/inks), from 2003.
Sam created Gafford For Hire (8 pages) on his lonesome. The book also includes full page artwork by John Lambert, Dave Farley and Hal Jones.
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*PPFSZT! #31 edited by Jim Main
Summer 2011, Main Enterprises
52 b&w pages, plus cover
6.5" x 10.25" POD by ComiXpress
$7.00 (postage paid) from Main Enterprises
Brad W. Foster's cover for this issue is gorgeous. The thumbnail above doesn't really do it justice. Much better to see it in print. The Flash Gordon back cover is by Troy Boyle and John Larter. Kevin Duncan illustrates the inside front cover and Foster turns in another fine illo for the contents page. Main opens up the issue with a full page of commentary, focusing largely on background about The Mysticist, a character Carl Gafford and Joe Jenkins created in the 60's. The Mysticist was a regular in Gafford's fanzine, Minotaur, and Main's brought the character back in a new adventure in this issue of his long-running *PPFSZT! His intro includes a couple of cover repros of Minotaur #5 and #13.
Launching into the comics pages, we begin with The Ghost of Sister Carbona Gets a Job (3 pages) by Brien Wayne Powell. It's a wacky comic story filled with Powell's trademark deadpan humor and wry quips. Although the story centers on Sister Carbona's Ghost, Powell's Magnet Man gives her a push toward her eventual (what else) dead-end employment.
Death Comics (1 page) by Nate Corrigan gives us an amusing after death encounter in the heavens.
Return of the Mysticist (5 pages) by Steve Keeter (story), Rock Baker (pencils) and Jeff Austin (inks) gets off to a promising start, but you'll have to tune in next time to see how things develop in this continuing story. Baker/Austin's rendition of the curvaceous blonde features a wispy vest that barely appears at all. If this is your first exposure to The Mysticist, you'll want to see more of her. And with her new artistic pair, there's little doubt you will.
Following the United Fan Organization (UFO) checklist of seven small press pubs, is The Super Surfer Dudes (8 pages) by George Leon, that follows the gag-driven adventures of three unbelievably sun-fried, rock 'n' rollin' beach bums.
Wildzone (9 pages) by Al Limacher and Rick Limacher was one of my favorite stories in this issue. Non-stop monsterific action as a hunter, his sexy guide and their party dare to pit their puny weapons against the waves of danger lurking inside every terrain of the wildzone. Limacher's artwork in this yarn is a pleasing combination of golden age and Kirby influences.
A regular feature of *PPFSZT!, Mr. Brunelle Explains It All (2 pages) by Robert Waldo Brunelle Jr. features four comic strips—printed versions of his amusing webcomic.
Pinky Gets A Stamp From Outer Space (2 pages) by Simon Mackie goes considerably over-the-top in an alien encounter triggered by stamp collecting. I really enjoy Mackie's underground comix sensibilities. It's always nice to see his work in one of Main's books.
Death of Digital (4 pages) by Steve Shipley could have been called the Revenge of Print. Prolific small press publisher Jim Main makes his way into the pages of his own comic to do battle with the digital harbinger of print! Oh, *PPFSZT!
Bill the Cockroach (2 pages) by Henry Gustavson features eight comic strips from the webcomic of the same name. You can read them online to get a good feel for the dry humor in this modern day comic strip.
Nate Corrigan reappears with Some Comics About Some Stuff (1 page).
And so does Simon Mackie with The Coffee Club (1 page).
The League of Annoying Heroes (5 pages) by Dan Burke was another issue highlight. With a story so absurd, you can't help chuckling. And Burke's variable-lined artwork is a joy to peruse.
Chibi Ninja Epic (2 pages) by Michael Anthony Carroll features the gyrations of a couple of comical ninjas. The letters page includes two in-depth LOCs from Mike Tuz and Mike Pascale and a spot illo of Astro Boy by Christopher Durant.
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Slam Bang #6 edited by Allen Freeman
May 2011, Fan-Atic Press. 220 b&w pages, plus color covers. 6" x 9", perfect binding, with trim. Allen Freeman, Editor/Publisher/cover design; Dan Burke, Assistant Editor & interior book design; Terry Pavlet, cover artist. Chris Tirri, back cover. Available for $14.95 from CreateSpace and Amazon.
In his introduction to 2011's annual volume, Slam Bang Editor & Publisher Allen Freeman turns over the reins to Dan Burke for next year's addition. Burke has already selected a theme: Bad Girls and Femme Fatales and is soliciting contributions, due November 2011. Freeman led Slam Bang for an amazing 26 year run and decided to put his creative efforts toward other projects. Here's a preview of the massive new issue with the robot theme.
Dan Burke's involvement with the 2011 edition of the anthology is obvious and it seems appropriate that his The Trophy Wife (4 pages) starts things off.
Memories (4 pages) by Anton Miller.
An issue of Slam Bang really wouldn't be complete with a contribution from Brad Foster, but with a robot theme, his pages are doubly appropriate. Robot Rhubarb (5 pages) is classic Foster fun.
Mind Set (6 pages) story and art by Cary Lee Baker, lettering by Willie L. Peppers.
Doris Danger Giant Monster Adventures (5 pages) by Chris Wisnia is continued in the SLG title.
As Seen on TV (2 pages) by Nate Corrigan, is followed by a beautiful full page illo by Allen Freeman.
Iron Giant Chef (3 pages) by Christina Wald.
My Brush with Conan O'Brien (1 page) by Chris Tirri is followed by an untitled (4 pages) comic drawn by Tirri and written by Allen Freeman and Tirri.
The Robot Boy (10 pages) by Dan Burke.
Knight 'N' Gail (3 pages) by Jeff Sorrell (story) and George Hartman (art) is followed by Who Serves Who? (1 page) by Hartman.
Jugger Nutz (5 pages) by Dan Burke (story) and George Leon (art).
Babysitters (5 pages) by Danos Philopoulos.
Robot Love (6 pages) by Joe Hutchinson, with inks by Daryl Hutchinson.
I'll Take Care (4 pages) by David Buceta.
The Men Who Would be Spiders (1 page) by Ed Bolman.
Passport (10 pages) by Edward Pun.
To Boldly Go . . . (3 pages) Script by Matt Jowett & Andy Sookram, breakdowns by Darryl Moore, and finished art & lettering by George Hartman.
Doc Smith's Tales From the Script (6 pages) by Dean LeCrone.
Gnartoons (4 pages) by James Stanton. Followed by Revenge of the Robot
(1 page) by Nate Corrigan.
Robot Tics (1 page) by Jim Siergey.
The Comic Critic (three 1 pagers) by Mark Monlux.
Robot Christmas (7 pages) by Marshall Loveless.
Robot, Mummy and Vampire (7 pages) by Matjaz Bertoncelj.
Impending Future, Forgotten Past (5 pages) by Matt Reints.
Cynicalman vs. Dr. Pweent (1 page) by Matt Feazell.
Untitled (6 pages) by Megaron Vavier Lucena.
Peas to Andromeda (7 pages) by Rob Jackson.
Too Many Robots (9 pages) by Ron LeBrasseur.
A Matter of Pride (8 pages) by Steven Peters.
The Incredible Time Saving Device (6 pages) by Neil Riehle.
Games Gone Bad! (4 pages) by Paul Alvis, followed by an advertisement on how to wrestle a gator by Dan Burke.
Superone (9 pages) by Samuel Kruzlik (plot) and Paul Houston (script & art).
Awa's Wish (10 pages) by Tommy Reeves. This story is followed by a 4 page interview with writer/publisher Chad Lambert.
Untitled (6 pages) by Brandon Burrows.
Every Man Has His Needs (5 pages) by Jim Pack.
Robo Repo (10 pages) by Allen Freeman (story) and Robin Ator (art). This story is followed by 2 pages of letters of comment, a full page illustration by Allen Freeman, and a review of Dan Burke's Giants Comics.
Happy-Bot Toy Company (1 page) by David Miller, followed by a series of advertisements for X-Ray Glasses, a Home Bomb kit, and Bending Iron Bars by Dan Burke; a full page illo by Brad W. Foster; and a page of ads for contributor websites.
Possum at Large (3 pages) by Chad Lambert (story), Don Paris Schlotman (art) and Jaymes Reed (lettering). The last page is filled with more ads for contributor websites.
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The Comix Reader #2 edited by Richard Cowdry
Richard Cowdry's mighty The Comix Reader #2 is now out. The full color tabloid newspaper features 24 pages of real comix. Much of the paneled contents page is reproduced below to give you a great idea of the bounty inside this beauty. Even for orders outside the UK, this paper is a steal. Get yours while you still can from The Comix Reader. (Click on a preview panel below to go to that cartoonist's website.)
The Comix Reader #2 is a Midnight Fiction Favorite.
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Monkey Squad One #7 by Doug Michel
Doug Michel makes Monkey Squad Mondays on Scanner Dorkly. He's also into print and has just issued Monkey Squad One #7. It's a digest-sized comix that runs 24 b&w pages, including its self-cover. This time out Squad One encounters zombies in a book-length story that continues in their next issue. A two-pager fills out the comix's final spread.
Monkey Squad One #7
$2.50 (plus 64¢ postage) from
Doug Michel
5000 Devonshire Ave. Apt. A
St. Louis, MO 63109
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Sheesh #2 edited by Jim Main
Summer 2011, Main Enterprises. 16 b&w pages, plus covers. 6.5" x 10.25", saddle stitch binding, with machine trim. Production management by Marc Haines. Front cover (shown above) by Rock Baker & Jeff Austin. Inside back cover (shown above) by Andy Nukes. $3.25 (postage paid) from Main Enterprises.
Content page cartoon by Scott Shriver, followed by Firing Squad (6 pages) by Richard Van Ingram.
Mistake Sale (1 page) by Steve Shipley.
Better Heard Not Seen (1 page) by Simon Mackie.
It's Here (2 pages) by Jim Main and George Leon.
Freud, Anyone? (1 page) by Jim Siergey. The Man Who Stared Too Much (1 page) by Jack Bertram.
Option No-Go (1 page) by Simon Mackie. Gag Cartoons (1 page) by Steve Shipley. Bleak Comics (1 page) by Jack Bertram. WTF! (1 page) by John Lambert.
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Smoo Comics #3 by Simon M.
2010, Self-published. 32 b&w pages, plus covers. 6" x 8.25", saddle stitch binding, no trim. £2.00 postage paid in the UK, £3.00 elsewhere, available from Pictures in Frames. A collection of issues was reviewed by Rob Clough on High-Low in May 2011 and by Justin Giampaoli on Poopsheet Foundation late last year.
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