From paul@zumcomics.info Tue Nov 04 06:30:36 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AGui4-0004lv-00; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 06:30:36 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=zumcomics.info) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AGui4-0007Z9-00 for ; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 06:30:36 +0000 Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 06:30:35 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed From: paul schroeder To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: <65BF879B-0E90-11D8-9A4B-000A277D970E@zumcomics.info> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) Subject: [review] Draw or Die Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Pete Dore=E9: Behind a fun but hastily inked cover, lies an intro page promising =20 "More Tales of Broads & Bars". What we actually get is two strips of =20 weirdo creatures wandering around. In "Then The Good Comes" we are introduced to "Ripper The Fuckin'=20 Elephant" whose friend Particle Man gives him a machine that creates=20 perfect comic book's by sucking the images out of your brain. This=20 potentially interesting story is marred, not only by fairly feeble=20 artwork, but by the fact the reader is given no information on who or=20= what these characters are. I kept having to check the cover to make=20 sure I was reading issue 1. I think Ripper is supposed to be artist/ =20 writer Jon Chandler, but who knows. This is surrealism for its own sake, and tho' the occasional panel has=20= potential, mostly it's weak and pointless. The second strip "Devil Watch" is better; altho' it's really only two=20= devils telling each other a joke, and taking four pages to do it, It=20 does at least show some semblance of drawing skill. Actually I noticed=20= reference to a comic called 'Devil Watch' in the first story, so maybe=20= these are characters and in-jokes Jon has been working on for some=20 time, and knows all about. But we don't, nor are we given any reason=20 to be interested. I don't know why anyone other than the artist's =20 friends would want this. All in all, much too self-indulgent for its=20 own good. See the review with sample of artwork at: http://www.zumcomics.info/d/drawordie.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Nov 04 16:27:04 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AH41I-0005bq-00; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 16:27:04 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AH41H-000381-00 for ; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 16:27:03 +0000 Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 16:27:03 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed From: zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) Subject: [review] Tales to Demolish Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Tales To Demolish #1 by Eric Haven reviewd by Pete Dore=E9 Tales To Demolish is a curious comic from Canada that basically=20 resembles an extended Tharg's 'Future Shock' Altho' It's called "Tales To Demolish" (why Is everyone using sub "EC" =20= titles these days?), there's only one story: The Glacier, about a=20 glaciologist exploring a frozen waste. During an earthquake, a giant=20 creature is released from the ice...and that's about it. The revelation as to what the creature is, isn't actually as=20 mind-blowing as writer/artist Eric Haven seems to think, and he takes=20= a lot of pages to get to it. Really this is a story that shouldn't take more than 4 or 5 pages. Eric's a competent artist (tho' I suspect he has trouble with faces, as=20= he takes every opportunity not to draw them), with a dark, detailed=20 cross-hatching style, and a good use of space, but as a writer, this=20 feels like a first attempt. This comic is nicely produced, and looks good, but, really, the story=20 is so ordinary, it doesn't engage your interest. If Eric's plan is a comic-length tale each issue, he's gonna have to=20 do better than this, and I'd suggest splitting the next book into 2 or =20= even 3 stories. Average. See http://www.zumcomics.info/t/talesdemolish.html for full review &=20 sample image From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Nov 04 16:51:45 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AH4PB-00061k-00; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 16:51:45 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AH4PA-0005gu-00 for ; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 16:51:44 +0000 Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 16:51:44 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: <2BFE5480-0EE7-11D8-9A4B-000A277D970E@yahoo.co.uk> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] Pig's Missing Pooh Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Pig's Missing Pooh by Robert Goodin reviewed by Pete Dore=E9 Behind a smiling cover lies a far too brief peek into the surreal,=20 childlike mind of Robert Goodin . These are seemingly gossamer thin=20 fables that hide deeper truths. That's Life is a superb one page gag that reminds me of the work of=20 'Mirko Illic' (Anyone older than God will remember his 'History of=20 Human Absurdity' and know what to expect here). "Seeds of Grass" is a love story disguised as a botany lesson that's =20 paced perfectly, and reeks of lazy, summer days. "The Monkey & The Crocodile" is a Kiplingesque forest fable that charms=20= and saddens at the same time and is the best thing in the mag, which=20= is no easy feat. Robert finishes with "The Lovely Evening Urbanus met Mr. Thadeus=20 Cornloaf" which, unfortunately, is a bit of a let down after the=20 previous strip. (Apart from the great title) As far as the art goes, well, it's uniformly excellent. Really. This=20 guy draws trees and foliage that makes me spit with envy, and he's a=20 master at that much overlooked skill; atmosphere. You are in that jungle with the monkey. You are in on that hill with=20 the rickety fence. You're even on that mountain with the talking=20 bodiless head. And he can write. These aren't just a bunch of lame gags strung=20 together by technical drawing skill. These are actual stories. How=20 rare is that? Honestly, I can't praise this highly enough. The only thing wrong with=20= it is that there isn't enough of it. I'd buy a book of this stuff in a=20= second. So go buy it. *Now*. Further details & sample of artwork can be found at: http://www.zumcomics.info/pq/pigspooh.html= From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Nov 04 17:52:40 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AH5M8-0006sr-00; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 17:52:40 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AH5M7-0003rC-00 for ; Tue, 04 Nov 2003 17:52:39 +0000 Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 17:52:39 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] The Girly Comic #3/Kiss Kiss Bang Bang #1 flip book Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: The Girly Comic #3/Kiss Kiss Bang Bang #1 flip book Ed: Selina Lock Contrib: [Jay Eales, mpMann], [Amanda Kear, Keds], [Adrian Kermode,=20 Peter Frain], [Barry Williams, Toby Ford], [Sean MacRoibin, John=20 Robbins], Lee Kennedy, [Alistair Pulling, Bevis Musson], Carol Keaton,=20= Des Taylor reviewed by Pete Dore=E9 Superb. Buy it. Oh, you want more? Okay. This has excellent production design, gorgeous=20= artwork, proper grown up writing, a professional outlook, a colour=20 insert, and I'm running out ofsuperlatives... It's actually split between two anthology titles, technically one for=20 'The Lads' and one for 'The Chicks', but actually it all hangs=20 together perfectly as one comic. But let's start with the Ladeez side of the book: "Simple Simon" is a good kick in the make up bag to all those girls =20 who take their (male) best friend for granted and has fun, Photoshop=20 aided art that makes good use of greytones. "I Don't Want My Sister To Contact My Ex-Boyfriend" is a=20 self-explanatory, nicely written one pager, with ( I'm sorry to say )=20= visibly rushed artwork. The great Lee Kennedy weighs in with "My Dead & Me" A very moving,=20 beautifully drawntale of lost friends. Who else could bring a lump to=20 your throat in six pages? More unexpected tears in" Oddcases: The Phantom Kittens" which,=20 although a bit stilted in it's composition, has a truly=20 heart-wrenching ending. The two best pieces here, I think. "Housekeeping Tips" , I'm afraid, is the worst. A one idea joke,=20 spread out over three pages, with barely adequate artwork. The colour section is given over to "Da Hood" with 'Oh My God Why Isn't=20= This Guy Working Professionally?' art from Dez Taylor . Unfortunately, =20= he also wrote it. It's not that the story is bad, It's just that I wanted to=20 be as blown away by it as I was by the art. Maybe his other stuff is=20 better. And so on to the Boyz section of the comic: Behind a rip roaring cover (In counterpoint to the beautiful, reverse=20 Girly side of the book) lies more good stuff. "An Open Book" is an interesting prologue to a (presumably) larger tale=20= of a female copper who can tell everything about you, just by touching=20= an object you've touched. Both art and script are excellent, and I'd =20 like to read more. "The Cull" has good, manga influenced art, and a fairly interesting =20 story about werewolves, that makes a good change of pace. Finally, "Doctor LoveMonkey and the Misery Machine" is a fairly=20 standard 'Doc Savage' spoof saved by some nice art (tho' there's too=20 much black used). I do have reservations about some of the pieces here, but the whole=20 thing is put together so well, It works brilliantly. Put it this way: I=20= want to be in the next one. I'm off to get the back issues now. I suggest you do the same. Further details & sample of artwork can be found at: http://www.zumcomics.info/g/girlycomic.html ZUM!= From paul@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 16 22:08:38 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ALV4Q-0001j5-00; Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:08:38 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=zumcomics.info) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ALV4Q-0006cY-00 for ; Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:08:38 +0000 Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:08:36 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed To: Reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: <6CA8BB64-1881-11D8-A66E-000A277D970E@zumcomics.info> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Bahala Na!" and "Don't say yes, say know!" Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Bahala Na!" and "Don't say yes, say know!" Posted by Andrew Luke The Goodman Brothers have been impressive circling on five years least,=20= actively involved in Liverpool anthologies and the Ian Hering Community=20= Workshop, Influences range from Stan Sakai, Seth and Bill WAtterson, or=20= similarities do. This isn't watered down ice cream, it's the real=20 dreamily. Arthur's "Don't say yes, say know" really has my hetero=20 heart, with characters' alienated, leftover and plain misunderstanding=20= presented in a visually confident style. The micromic "Chatroom Rendevous" at relaxed stroll pace using animals=20= to make a human point about security and attitude. Dave Goodman,=20 produces "Zappy the Magic Science Robot". This 16pg A7 tells of time=20 travelling, perhaps aimed at a younger age group with a smack of=20 barbarism, and reminds me somewhat of Alan Moore's Timmy Turbo tales. Also keen on commandeering this Chickwagon, one of the brothers has=20 produced a Google search results comic made from a selection of images=20= and relevant findings. "Bahala Na!" by David, also employs the use of anthromorphics, and a=20= greater honest guv, it's research for my work, fantasy gaming and smock=20= comics folklore. Some of it's funny, there's good detail, his Egyptain=20= tale represent heiroglyphs and costume, with my personal fave, a=20 re-interpreted excerpt from Blake's 'Tyger Tyger'. Thoughful. For further details write Dave at obakeneko@usagimail.com or Arthur,=20 bear@favouritecrayon.co.uk Alternatively, 34 Banner Street, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 0HQ. A pound per comic or International Reply Coupon to that value should be=20= okay, and they have a good back store available I reckon. Other titles to request include Zip Gun anthologies, Favourite Crayon=20 Stories, Square Eyed Stories and for =A33.50/5 U.S $ the four Pulp=20 Kitchen collections featuring many Liverpool cartoonists. http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005145.html= From paul@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 16 22:12:32 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ALV8C-0001nS-00; Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:12:32 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=zumcomics.info) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ALV8C-0007hp-00 for ; Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:12:32 +0000 Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:12:30 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Stink Like Dog #1-#3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Stink Like Dog #1-#3 Review by Mardou The first issue of Stink Like Dog is a series of black and white=20 flyers collected together. There=92s no discernable plot, but there is a=20= definite theme connecting the images. Etienne Le Comte=92s wears his=20 influences on his sleeve- unashamedly- the Ghost in the Machine/Matrix,=20= Japanese sci-fi, Oddworld. Style wise there=92s traces of HR Giger and=20= Big Daddy Roth in there too. Stink Like Dog #2 and #3 continue in this vein, but the strands of his=20= fascinations are brought together more cohesively =96 urban dystopias,=20= psychedelic pipework, test tubes, lab animals. Stink Like Dog#2 is more=20= text heavy with design blueprints, =91Kid in a Can=92 labels, adverts = and=20 flyers recommending voluntary lobotomy, and it=92s not without humour,=20= we=92re told televisual enjoyment will not be impaired! The booklets are beautifully constructed, each issue having a fold out=20= centre, and the attention to detail is astonishing. Although Le=20 Comte=92s influences are zeitgeisty (hell, even Charlie=92s Angels is=20 influenced by the Matrix!), few artists would even begin to try and=20 construct the highly detailed and exactly imagined world on paper=20 depicted here. Whilst being particularly successful when it gets sequential, there=20 are a few weak spots; Le Comte doesn=92t seem comfortable putting humans=20= into his machine, the mix of overly cartoony people in this tightly=20 drawn industrial landscape isn=92t quite there yet. That aside, I hope Le Comte keeps to the sequential. His mastery of=20 brown-acid psychedelia has me poring over the details. Priced =A31.50 ppd from Etienne le Comte, The Globe, Trelavour, St Dennis, Cornwall, PL26 8AR, UK Contact: e_le_comte@hotmail.com http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005154.html= From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Nov 19 22:34:10 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AMatm-0003aq-00; Wed, 19 Nov 2003 22:34:10 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AMatl-0002wo-00 for ; Wed, 19 Nov 2003 22:34:09 +0000 Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 22:34:08 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: <7D7A6042-1AE0-11D8-911D-000A277D970E@yahoo.co.uk> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM] The Rainbow Orchid Part One Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: The Rainbow Orchid Part One Review by Robert Rees At the first sight of the beautiful full-colour cover of The Rainbow=20 Orchid you would be forgiven for thinking that Herg=E9 himself had leapt=20= from the grave, pencil in hand to pen a new story of the diminutive boy=20= reporter, Tintin. You would also be forgiven for thinking that you had=20= the measure of this new comic at a cursory glance; all the elements of=20= a Tintin pastiche are present. There's the enthusiastic, slightly camp=20= boy adventurer who lives with an older bearded gentlemen in=20 circumstances that are never quite explained. There is a drunken=20 bumbler who kicks of the unthreateningly occult storyline, ugly=20 villains, ham-fisted goons. All it is missing is a white dog and set of=20= policeman twins! This straightforward imitation is pretty good, after all you have to be=20= pretty soul-dead to not love this kind of brilliantly drawn and=20 electric ripping yarn. It starts off with a flower competition, drags=20 in the Crusades and by the time we have an air acrobat providing an=20 escape from the villains you know that this is high adventure done=20 properly. What really lifts the book though is that it is not just pastiche. Huge=20= elements of it are drawn straight from Tintin but the whole story ends=20= up being distinctly different. Firstly the Tintin character is split=20 into two different characters, the boy man Julius Chancer who is an=20 assistant to antiquarian Sir Alfred Catesby-Grey and the cynical=20 wisecracking reporter William Pickle. This split immediately creates a difference, as Pickle is more like a=20 Hammett style fast-talking detective than Tintin and it is he that=20 drives most of the narrative forward. Chancer (for all his top billing)=20= is essentially there to drive fast cars, pop thugs on the jaw and=20 generally have a whale of a time while Pickle actually explains what is=20= going on. The two completely different narrative threads have the same=20= effect as blending The 39 Steps with Biggles. Pickle's story has a=20 genuine sense of menace and mystery while Chancer's is far more=20 straight-forward and exciting. The interplay of the two stories immediately make this comic far=20 superior to most you can read at the moment. It is not just ambitious=20 but it works and with =E9lan. The different levels of the story and = their=20 attendant styles lend a tremendous feeling of depth to the whole book.=20= It doesn't just pull you through the panels at speed, although it does=20= that, it also brings you back to re-read and reconsider the story once=20= the excitement has passed. In achieving all this - the artwork definitely does no harm. It has a=20 beautiful clean line style that shows that the artist has clearly being=20= studying continental styles. It is also very dynamic capturing the same=20= fluidity that Tintin has. The only problem with it is that it screams=20 out for a full-colour on every page. This comic should be in colour and=20= I hope one day someone stumps up the cash for the full colour hardback=20= treatment. Even without the colour though we have a vivid story that is possible=20 the most exciting comic of the year. In fact it=92s so good that I've=20 decided to buy it for my father as a Christmas present, he too loves a=20= ripping yarn. How high a recommendation can you get? For more details see: http://www.zumcomics.info/r/rainboworchid.html= From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Nov 19 22:42:43 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AMb23-0003la-00; Wed, 19 Nov 2003 22:42:43 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AMb23-0004ab-00 for ; Wed, 19 Nov 2003 22:42:43 +0000 Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 22:42:42 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v552) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-Id: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.552) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Rapid Fire: Terrible Sunrise #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Rapid Fire: Terrible Sunrise #2 Review by Robert Rees I was a child at a funny time in comics; when I was young I was old=20 enough to have a copy of Battle, Tiger or The Eagle included with the=20 family newspapers and magazines. You might still get a copy of Beano or=20= The Dandy in the paper round now but even they would be a rarity. Along=20= with the "boys' comic" every week my parents used to buy me an issue or=20= two of the Commando booklet comics for the holidays. Rapid Fire #2 managed to bring back all my memories of these comics in=20= the first few pages as resembles nothing less that the long running=20 strip "Charlie's War" about a British soldier who fought in the First=20 World War (and then in the Russian Civil War and the Second World War=20 as the strip continued to be more popular than history would allow).=20 The artwork is incredibly similar, though less dense and textured in=20 Rapid Fire. The story is also very similar as it focuses on a group of=20= British Expeditionary Force soldiers (although with no obvious=20 "leading" character) deployed to France at the start of WWI. Although=20 this is issue 2 a judicious slip of paper bound into the cover=20 summarises the content of the first issue, a wise move that I would=20 encourage others to adopt. It certainly makes reviewing easier although=20= the plot here is not exactly hard to guess. Much of the first section=20 of the issue is given over to the chatter between the soldiers and=20 their interactions with the French they are billeted with. The second=20 part details the first clash between the British and German soldiers. The similarity with Charlie's War is an important one for I suspect=20 that I would have thought that Rapid Fire was really quite good if I=20 hadn't been familiar with its "ancestors". Drawing comparisons though I=20= noticed how little we discover about the soldiers in this issue, we=20 have no idea who they are, where they have been and what they want to=20 do. Charlie was (if memory serves) a labourer from Liverpool whose view=20= of the war is initially quite idealistic. Presumably most of the men we=20= meet in this issue are regular army soldiers but apart from a nice line=20= about the Marksman Badge being a good investment because it confers=20 extra pay there is very little detail. Issues of class and region that=20= often seem important in the testaments of the real soldiers seem to be=20= absent here. It is all well executed but it doesn't seem to capture the=20= times or the people involved. In fact sometimes the characterisation=20 becomes so weak we see clich=E9s like the scavenger soldier appearing. The artwork is quite nice and expressively, certainly I had no trouble=20= believing that this story was taking place in France 1914. However when=20= the shooting starts the problems also begin. The art is quite stiff,=20 which didn't matter when people were relaxing, and the figures slowly=20 start to resemble waxworks when they should be getting looser and more=20= dynamic. Then there is the issue of distance; one of the real problems=20= in illustrating battles is conveying the distance between the two=20 sides. The artists who drew Commando created a huge variety of visual=20 shorthand to deal with the issue of having to have very =91deep=92=20 compositions in small panels. Chester Brown also brilliantly solved=20 this problem in his recent Louis Riel series. In Rapid Fire though we=20 are left with no visual indication as to how far apart the two sides=20 are: 20 metres or 2000? There is also the problem of making a gun=20 battle interesting, this is always difficult but there is an attempt to=20= answer this problem by emphasising German self-control as they advance=20= in waves to be slaughtered. The historical synopsis of the battle has the British dug-in in the=20 fashion of the Boers, their fire was so fast and accurate that the=20 Germans thought they were facing a line of machine gun nests. The=20 advance faltered but ultimately numbers counted and the British had to=20= retreat. I'm not sure you would get that story from this comic but I can see=20 that that is the story it is trying to convey. Rapid Fire comes very=20 close to being an excellent comic. It deals with big themes and big=20 issues that are of real current interest. It sets out a large cast and=20= uses it effectively, something that is actually quite rare in comics.=20 The art is solid and certainly I cannot fault its top-notch=20 portraiture. However at the moment it has a few big flaws that are=20 holding it back. Given maybe three or four issues it can definitely=20 sort them out and start delivering its full potential. It does not=20 exist in a vacuum though and the comic really does not need that many=20 issues to sort things out if it takes a few lessons from its=20 predecessors. Rapid Fire deserves to go on and complete its story arc and I would=20 like to see it tackle larger sections of the war as well. It is the=20 kind of comic that makes you glad to be a reviewer. For all its=20 problems I would rather read one issue of Rapid Fire that one hundred,=20= "got out of bed, cashed my dole" style comics. A comic with this much=20 heart and ambition deserves to succeed and should serve to encourage=20 other comic writers to set their sights a little higher. For more Information see: http://www.zumcomics.info/r/rapidfire.html= From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Nov 26 18:54:05 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AP4nd-00022i-00; Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:54:05 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AP4nd-0001HI-00 for ; Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:54:05 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:53:52 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Space Car Junkie Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Space Car Junkie Review by Lee Kennedy/mooncat These amiable little minis chronicle the day-to-day 'adventures' of US student 'Space Care Junkie' and his pals 'Aussie Fax' and 'the Jesus'. They go sledging, play computer games, and laser tag, play pranks on each other, work, watch telly and have nightmares. The artwork is drawn 'straight to ink' - no pencilling or planning - so there are moments where it is as crude as it comes & times where there are some real successful energetic drawing. Perhaps this immediacy helps to convey a certain cheerful charm that keeps you turning the pages and chuckling indulgently (ah, youth). Space Car Junkie isn't memorable stuff, but a jolly way to pass a few minutes. For more information & sample of artwork, please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/s/spacecar.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Thu Nov 27 21:32:12 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1APTkC-0004Ij-00; Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:32:12 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1APTkC-0000K5-00 for ; Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:32:12 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 21:32:09 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Bits n Pieces #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Bits n Pieces #3 Review by Robert Rees Well as the cover says this is the scraping of the barrel. A collection of illustrations, mottos, anecdotes, fantasies and jokes by Neale Blanden. Although the various cartoons and strips are all dated roughly from 2002 they seem to have been produced for a variety of different zines and comics with very little consistency in theme or topic. It's hard to do a sensible review of such a collection, there are naturally some bits that are good and some bits that are not very good. The impression of barrel scraping comes from the lack of consistency between any of the strips. It creates a, perhaps unfair, impression of just throwing stuff out almost randomly. Even the artwork seems inconsistent with the more extended strips looking ropey and the one pagers and more heavily stylised cartoons looking far better. Blanden can certainly do a mean line in grotesques. Selecting highlights is obviously a very subjective thing but I felt the worst pieces were the autobiographical or self-referential. What really shone for me were the cartoons that mixed Ambrose Bierce's words with Neal's art. The difference was very noticeable with the art seeming far more focused and the caricatures adding an whole new level of expression to the vignettes. Personal favourites out of the original material then: 'A Hasty Settlement' on the Bierce illustrations and the 'Grunt' parody of Mickey Mouse. Last words go to the cover, which was handmade and therefore always worthy of comment. The basic cover is blue paper with a Spanish Superman strip pasted onto it. Pasted on top of that on the front cover is a small black and white logo and illustration that has been hand-coloured with pencils. Overall very nice indeed but the glue has puckered the front cover a bit which is a shame after the effort invested. For more information & sample page from the comic please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/b/bitsnpieces.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Nov 29 13:27:02 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AQ57m-0004jH-00; Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:27:02 +0000 Received: from happy.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.195] helo=HAPPY.yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AQ57m-00083t-00 for ; Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:27:02 +0000 Message-Id: <6.0.0.22.0.20031129125410.02b2fac8@mail.zetnet.co.uk> X-Sender: X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.0.22 Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:05:39 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI#164] Comics Advertiser 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Tom McSween Comics Advertiser 1 by COAF Comics; free from COAF Comics, 10 Cleaveland Avenue, High Ercall, Telford, TF6 6AH And so it goes full circle. The original 1960s comics adzine called itself Fantasy Advertiser, wanting to sound upmarket. Almost 40 years later, the rejected title makes an appearance in a bold move, being A4 with full colour throughout. Not a meaty start unfortunately, 12 p[ages with only one (dull, irrelevant, self-congratulatory) article. Editor/publisher Shane Chebsey follows this very magazine's route by launching as a giveaway to build circulation, but he may need more worthwhile editorial to encourage paid advertisers to take it seriously. Comic & Toy Marketplace launched as a slick giveaway from the guys at Chaos City a few years back with 68 pages... but it never made it to a second issue. http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Nov 29 13:35:13 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AQ5Fg-0004rn-00; Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:35:12 +0000 Received: from happy.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.195] helo=HAPPY.yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AQ5Ff-00028t-00 for ; Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:35:11 +0000 Message-Id: <6.0.0.22.0.20031129132707.02949d28@wheresmymailserver.com> X-Sender: X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.0.22 Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:35:02 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI#164] BAM 25 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Chris E Bunting BAM 25 by CCobley + Mitzi & Ewing + various; =A32.50 + 50p (p&p) from J. Cobley, 94 Elm Rd, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13= 2TB Under a cool colour cover by Mitzi are all the usual favorites: Bulldog,=20 The Rainbow Orchid, and Mer-Tropolis. Along with the action and adventure= =20 are some sharp comical touches, particularly when Winston Bulldog meets his= =20 evil twin. A small press comic that packs more punch than many mainstream= =20 titles. http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine= =20 & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words.=20 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Nov 29 23:01:00 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AQE5D-0004KN-00; Sat, 29 Nov 2003 23:00:59 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AQE5C-0000xQ-00 for ; Sat, 29 Nov 2003 23:00:59 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2003 23:00:55 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Bad Attitude Boy #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Bad Attitude Boy #1 Review by Lee Kennedy Well, I'm old and jaded, of course, but I've seen a lot of comix like this one: Much punkish insult rudery, negativity taken to ludicrous extremes, faux-naive artwork, pointless cruelty and violence for the sake of cheap laughs... All that, of course, doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. 'Bad Attitude boy' himself, (who occasionally looks a bit like a demonic 'Calvin') somewhat lacks substance, but I quite liked his horribly cheerful, optimistic sidekick 'Bar-Fly', and some of the peripheral characters like Wally Werewolf, The Winged Ox and Vyctore the drippy Goth poet. I haven't seen Jim McGee's work before, but he has a nice loose, variable line, and gives very good action'/violence. I think he'll probably produce fine work in the future, if he hasn't already. BAD ATTITUDE BOY is immature, a little bit lazy, a little bit derivative, but it's damned entertaining, and left me wanting to see more of McGee's stuff, and how it develops. For more details please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/b/badatttitudeboy.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Dec 02 22:32:58 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ARJ4k-000262-00; Tue, 02 Dec 2003 22:32:58 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ARJ4k-0001DZ-00 for ; Tue, 02 Dec 2003 22:32:58 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 22:32:56 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Adult Issues Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Adult Issues by Debra Boyask Review by Andrew Luke "what wasn't really talked about at all.... inane workplace conversation, medical insurance, mortgage rates and clearing leaves out of the guttering" Eleven different strips, diary excerpts including recollections in much the same community form as her previous works. Theres some stuff I didn't know about, like the cost of waxing, and some strong puns that brought me to manifesting my laughter more. One of the things I enjoy about the annual Caption festival is the chance to find great comic booklets like this. I sit at home, seat couch, by table: It seems Debra is about to tell me a previously untold tale or come at me unexpected. Personal thanks. Everyone - enjoy! For more details see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005180.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Dec 02 22:37:53 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ARJ9V-0002Ag-00; Tue, 02 Dec 2003 22:37:53 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ARJ9V-0001Mt-00 for ; Tue, 02 Dec 2003 22:37:53 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 22:37:51 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Space Monkeys #2 Reviewed by Andrew Luke Know. It's got Tim doing some of his funniest work, and=20 some top stuff by Cousin Rich, Matt Trimby and=20 Rik Hoskins. No. I'm not reviewing detail of this comic. Know As to why, because it's great. It only costs 50p,=20 and an A5 stamped addressed envelope. No. 50p could buy you putrid coffee, a lot of=20 chocolate which you'd regret. You may waste it on=20 cigarettes. Know about this comic? Leave your comments on=20 Tim's genius with the link window below*. We'll=20 shift these. (Two to Beam Up#3 also available. =A32. Review may follow) *Link Window on the TRS Blog =46or more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005181.html From rickbradford@msn.com Wed Dec 03 15:12:26 2003 Received: from bay0-smtp02.bay0.hotmail.com (BAY0-SMTP02.adinternal.hotmail.com) [65.54.241.109] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ARYfy-0007Ps-00; Wed, 03 Dec 2003 15:12:26 +0000 X-Originating-IP: [63.84.43.196] X-Originating-Email: [rickbradford@msn.com] Received: from pavilion ([63.84.43.196]) by BAY0-SMTP02.adinternal.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.5600); Wed, 3 Dec 2003 07:11:54 -0800 Message-ID: <009301c3b9af$dbb9ad20$2516fea9@pavilion> To: References: <20031203062550.31334.13038.Mailman@list.zetnet.co.uk> Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 09:12:22 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 03 Dec 2003 15:11:54.0998 (UTC) FILETIME=[C9A56160:01C3B9AF] From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] AS THE MILLER TOLD HIS TALE: The Art of John Miller Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: AS THE MILLER TOLD HIS TALE: The Art of John Miller Review posted by Ricko I've been reading John Miller's work for years now, mostly in the 'White Buffalo Gazette' and 'Out of the Blue'. I really like some of John's drawings and design work, but I'm not his biggest fan. This is mostly due, however, to the fact that his strips are hit-and-miss for me as far as subject matter goes. I'm happy to say, however, that this collection has the good stuff insofar as my tastes are concerned. Lots of cool '60s references/inspiration (music, comics, tv), some nice pin-ups, campy fun and a bit of autobio. My favorite strips are two pulpy actioners which both, coincidentally, star cats as the protagonists. John has an unusual new wave sort of style that seems to belong in 1980s UK (John's Scottish). I don't think that's a bad thing, but it is oddly retro. It's also one of the things that makes his work unique. For art sample & further details, please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ 2003_11_23_poopsheet_archive.html#106986084814959578 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Fri Dec 05 22:32:35 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ASOV1-0000p2-00; Fri, 05 Dec 2003 22:32:35 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ASOV1-0003Gr-00 for ; Fri, 05 Dec 2003 22:32:35 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2003 22:32:31 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Dream Time #1 - #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Dream Time #1 - #2 Posted by Mardou Dream Time By Colin J. Dinnie and Iain Buchanan I'm being borne down in a torrent of slickness and pseudo-babble. Dream Time #1 introduces us to the 'Dream=20 Warden'. He began as a 'figment of our collective=20 imagination, he's the caretaker of the=20 unconscious'. He looks a little bit like an=20 elongated Orco from 'Masters of the Universe'. I=20 think I need a cup of coffee, sleep is not an=20 option=8A. Dream Time is pretty dire. A bland blonde and a=20 craggy Morgan Freeman type (a Vietnam vet just in=20 case you were wondering how lazy the=20 characterization was going to get) are brought=20 together - in dream time- to, wait for it "help=20 people in their dreams?" Carl Jung (poor chap) is dragged in to give the=20 'Dream Time' concept a bit of undeserved=20 intellectual credibility. In reality the Jungian=20 pretensions are just a lame plot device on which=20 to hang lots of weary, shop-worn stories. Dream=20 Time #2 has the medieval knight story, next up=20 promises to be a Quantum=8Asorry, Dream leap into a=20 Hollywood noir type story. It's not the=20 unoriginality of the stories or the pretending to=20 be clever that bugs me so much, it's that the=20 writer has absolutely nothing to say. There's no=20 charm in the script, no attempt to create=20 memorable characters. There's nothing much here=20 except a burning ambition to be much better than=20 they are. The result? A story flimsier than the tracing paper it was probably drawn on= =2E Still, it's very nicely stapled, so if you're a fan of staples give this a g= o. =46or more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005187.html www.underfirecomics.com From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Dec 06 22:02:20 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ASkVI-0002SG-00; Sat, 06 Dec 2003 22:02:20 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ASkVI-0006Ar-00 for ; Sat, 06 Dec 2003 22:02:20 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2003 22:02:18 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Six and Two Threes Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Six and Two Threes By Chris Doherty Review by Mardou Six and Two Threes is an issue zero Preview. It's easy to follow. Evan, a bittersweet fat kid is going to get wrongly arrested for murder. And here's how it all began..... It's hard to know what to say about Six and Two Threes. For what it is (Grange Hill promising to be the Green Mile), it's fine. Chris Doherty renders the kids in a chunky, kinda-manga style, and for a first comic the standard's above par. There's a harmonious mix of narration and diaologue and Doherty knows how to visually tell a story. Whilst displaying an ease of style and graphic confidence, my only reservation is that it's all a little bland. Evan's best friend, we're told 'rocks.Rocks hard'. But there's very little punk spirit in evidence. C'mon kids, shock me! Or at least try... Still, I don't want to be unfair on Six and Two Threes as it's okay. And the world of small press (hell, even the big press!) needs more okay comics. And who knows, by the next issue Chris Doherty may have started hanging 'round the local Spar asking elders to buy him that bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. Six and Two Threes could just get interesting. For more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005191.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Dec 09 14:14:26 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ATid8-0008Bn-00; Tue, 09 Dec 2003 14:14:26 +0000 Received: from happy.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.195] helo=HAPPY.yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ATid7-0003ZM-00 for ; Tue, 09 Dec 2003 14:14:26 +0000 Message-Id: <6.0.0.22.0.20031209140822.02c62e90@mail.zetnet.co.uk> X-Sender: X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.0.22 Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 14:14:21 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Nice #1, 2 & 3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Nice #1, 2, & 3 review by mooncat Anthologies! Ah - they are such a lovely things, as on one hand they can introduce you=20 to new & wonderful artists. In this case we have 'K draw' - whose cartooning has a loose light touch=20 tinged with a good appreciation of daftness & absurdity - is fun! His main= =20 story featured over these 3 issues is 'Earl, the Snapshot King'. The story= =20 rattles along at a fair pace & is over all too soon. I could happily digest= =20 many more of these pages. Consumption of more pages by 'Hercules' would not go amiss either. He does= =20 tight, precise cartooning realising really neatly a whole world delineated= =20 in his pin sharp style. Again, he's an absurdist who he has a happily=20 unhealthy interest in guns, oddments of mechanical construction & cartoon=20 violence. His approach to comics is imbued with a mature, hip design sense= =20 is jolly good fun. Oh yes - this is tasty work! Excuse my while I go & read the bits by these 2 artists again! =85But now=20 I've gone & spoiled the writing of this review... they were my highlights &= =20 now my enthusiasm drains...It's not that the rest are so terribly bad as=20 such... I just could never listen to my mother & leave the best bits until= =20 last. Nevertheless, on we go: 'Dr Assassin' by Anthony Hope-Smith: I suppose in a 'Fast Show' sort of way= =20 the repetition of the joke could be funny, but I couldn't eke a smile from= =20 my jaded soul. The line work of the comic improves from one issue to the=20 next & by number 3 has steadied with more lively line work.... but then, if= =20 you were to pick up #3 only & were presented with meeting the strip for the= =20 1st time, then I suspect you would just wonder what the point was; this Dr= =20 assassin stood there disguised in the plain site of illuminated torches=20 held by the unseeing 'special agents'... What chance are you given of=20 seeing the gag? Hope is raised in the last installment in issue 3, which=20 departs from the usual one page format - perhaps the spreading of wings? 'Dr Assassin' compares unfavorably with another ongoing '1 pager' (although= =20 it can't rally be called a strip - as it's a one page splash more of a gag= =20 cartoon, I guess...): 'Ha Ha Ha Said the Clown' by Dug Fuller is a nice=20 humorous juxtaposition - depressing doom with a funny face. Nothing much to= =20 them, but eloquently done, using an eye pleasing style which reminds me of= =20 Roger Langridge. Other work by Dug does not hold together so well. The cover to 'Nice #2'=20 being the prime exhibit for the prosecution: compositionally it's basically= =20 devoid of an anchor. The choice of thick marker (if the artwork is reduced)= =20 or calligraphy pen is also odd, as the line work looks uncomfortably=20 clunky; the more fluid lies of the 'Win Your Ex Back' strips show a much=20 more pleasing flow that makes the example of the line making that cover=20 seem more anomalous. Nigel Metcalfe has a curious style; a curious linear approach, but the line= =20 that he uses has little accent =96 it seems so uniform =96 there seems= little=20 life. Unfortunately there also seems little thought to the page layout &=20 composition =96 mostly seems either too cluttered or too spare; it seems=20 missing something, somehow some strips seem quite lost on the page while=20 others seem to be covered in the comics equivalent of a metromomic buzz.=20 There is ability in the cartooning but it relies too heavily of formulaic=20 shorthand, rather than the interpretation drawing into a realised cartoon=20 (i.e. That is the formula I use to draw a cartoon arm, rather than that is= =20 how to draw an arm & that is how it translates into a cartoon). In a way=20 his work his reminds me of Nigel Lowrey's art - of there are similarities=20 in styling, but Nigel is a jump slicker. All in all it does not work well=20 in this format with that inking. Maybe on a larger canvas with more=20 enlivened strokes? One oddment in the hollering, strutting pack is Will Shyne's 'Maybe=20 Tomorrow' in #1 This story does not have knowing irony or absurdist bravado= =20 - but is a simple little unrequited love story. It's drawn scruffily, but=20 with sincerity & feeling... so rather seems out of place here. I like it=20 for this aspect, but whether it could stand on it's own in a more conducive= =20 environment is debatable; it's the contrast with the rest of the book that= =20 makes it so pleasing. As a whole, this anthology seems to have formed around a group of people=20 who are thrown together by a common love of comics. As with any group=20 dynamic there are the high flyers & there are those that skulk in the=20 shadows Interesting developments are the inclusion of Toko in #3 - which=20 indicates that there may be a spreading of wings - a flowering that may=20 mean that as this anthology reaches a more critical mass the quality=20 threshold will increase to new levels. I look forward to hopefully watching= =20 for such developments. In the meantime - the strips that gleam make me tip the balance of my=20 favour to the positive side... yes - it has its faults (all anthologies=20 have their faults =96 it is their nature to be broken) - but I rather like= =20 this anthology For more info see: http://zumcomics.info/n/nice.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Dec 09 17:16:42 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ATlTW-0005sD-00; Tue, 09 Dec 2003 17:16:42 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ATlTW-0004d5-00 for ; Tue, 09 Dec 2003 17:16:42 +0000 Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 17:16:40 +0000 Subject: Re: [review] [ZUM!] Nice #1, 2 & 3 erratum Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v553) To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In-Reply-To: <6.0.0.22.0.20031209140822.02c62e90@mail.zetnet.co.uk> Message-Id: <7462131F-2A6B-11D8-8615-000A277D970E@yahoo.co.uk> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.553) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: > For more info see: http://zumcomics.info/n/nice.html forgot the 'www' - should be: http://www.zumcomics.info/n/nice.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Dec 10 14:01:09 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AU4tp-0004hC-00; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 14:01:09 +0000 Received: from happy.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.195] helo=HAPPY.yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AU4to-0006N6-00; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 14:01:08 +0000 Message-Id: <6.0.0.22.0.20031210140053.02ccfb30@mail.zetnet.co.uk> X-Sender: X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.0.22 Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 14:01:01 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Biomecha 3.5 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Biomecha 3.5 Review by Mardou It says "Party Special" on the cover and it certainly feels as if I have a hangover having read this through again, and still having no idea as to what's just happened! Okay, officially, Biomecha is about a strapping young sex lad, Toshio, who awakes from unconsciousness to find biomechanical arms on his torso, instead of his real ones. By issue # 3 (where I join these crazy kids) Toshio seems not to mind too much that he has these wacky mechanical limbs. A compensating factor may be that he's enrolled in a Cyber-Technik highschool, full of cheap alcohol and even cheaper dates! And there's Dr Harvey, a bit of an also-ran, character-wise, whose meant to help Toshio come to grips (natch) with his super-limbs. Okay, so there it is in a nutshell. Coming from the land that gave us 'Godzilla' and 'Shonen Knife', I wouldn't normally raise an eyebrow quite so high if Biomecha were indeed Japanese. However, as a homegrown slice of manga I'm utterly baffled. It's not the artwork's fault so much. It's pretty consistently good. Laura Watton has a confident manga style and apart from some occasional clunkiness, it's all very charming and full of promise. However, there's some poor layouts and script planning in evidence. And let's face it; it's a pretty terrible script. The writing is some of the most confused, garbled nonsense I've ever read and Laura really needs to make some executive decisions about her story. Like Tashio's arms for instance: they seem completely incidental to this episode. He only gets to flex his fuse-wired biceps towards the end of the story, and even then, it's only to get the beers in! Instead Watton seems more interested in delivering a slice of Manga 'Hollyoaks' replete with English undergraduate expressions ('Swish or what?' 'Chuggin' it down' 'Mine's a Metz!'). The vernacular being more Townie than Tokyo only adds to a confused package. Likewise the characters are just too similar. Watton skates over any opportunity to create any interesting exchange between her characters. Biomecha flicks from scene to scene in an over-excited and gushy fashion. Well, until Toshio learns to control his cyber-wrists properly (here's a genuine Japanese expression for you, 'Polishing the Mushroom!') I fear there's more of this hyperactive manga to come. Biomecha basically needs some time to develop. Even this most bizarre story can work if the basics of writing, structure and art applied. Watton has bags of the latter, the rest is sadly wanting. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/b/biomecha.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Dec 10 17:19:40 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AU7zw-0002qP-00; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 17:19:40 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AU7zv-0006f3-00 for ; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 17:19:39 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 17:19:38 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] King Cat #52 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: King Cat #52 Review by Mardou "This afternoon I read a King-Cat comic by John Porcellino . I liked the cover. I thought the first story 'Like a Dream' was pretty nice. Kind of poetic, like a little haiku with pictures or something*." *actual thoughts. And then I read the next story. It was called 'Haircutting Time' or something. It's like a true story of when John's eighteen or whatever. All his friends were called John too, which was pretty funny. Though sometimes it would be a bummer too, I guess. There's some kind of anecdotal memories and stuff. Like when they go to this gig and Chuck Berry plays on stage, but he's like, totally wasted. It was amusing in a depressing kind of way*. *actual words. At first I thought, like, this is really simple and pretty nice. Even though nothing really happens anyway. But it's kind of poignant in a confused kind of way. I guess. And it's been this way for, like, ever and ever and stuff. Or 52 comics I guess*." *actual inertia. Well it seems that everyone likes King-Cat comics, which is fair enough. It's pretty good! John Porcellino is better at this comics business than he'd like to admit. There's some good 'cinematography' going on in his panels, but because it's drawn in his ridiculously dumbed-down style, I'm afraid it doesn't hit the mark for me at all. The problem is I just don't care enough about King-Cat Comics. There's no alchemy in at work; John P may be hitting his mid-thirties, but he's still peddling these naively drawn 'coming of age' stories. After 50 comics or so, maybe it's time to move on. The best thing about this issue, is the aforementioned 'Haiku' style comics. Still simple but John P's trying harder here and showing what a damn fine cartoonist he really is. It's got that genuine magic that the rest of the comic hints at but stifles in the long-winded, retarded seeming yawn that Porcellino, sadly, settles for. For more information see: http://www.zumcomics.info/k/kingcat.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Dec 10 22:00:52 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AUCO4-0003jU-00; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:00:52 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AUCO4-0004KC-00 for ; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:00:52 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:00:51 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI#165] Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Leonie O'Moore Hen's Teeth by Nush; send SAE to 143 Baldwin Avenue, Glasgow, G13 2JX A small collection of mini-strips. Three very different stories with lovely distinctive artwork, which serve as a good taster of this creator's work, hinting at a dark quirkiness which will hopefully develop more in future issues. Short but memorable. LO 6/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Dec 10 22:04:12 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AUCRI-0003no-00; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:04:12 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AUCRH-0004Oe-00 for ; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:04:12 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:04:10 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI#165] Mbleh! #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Andy Smith Mbleh! #3 by Bryne; 3 Euros from 43 Killcare Gardens, Jobstown, Tallaght D24, Ireland. More vile and unspeakable goodness by Bob Byrne. Featuring favourites such as 'Clamnuts' and a new strip 'Mr Amperduke' which was previewed in CI's 'Panel Beaters'. It's a guilty pleasure reading Mbleh! Bryne's writing style is sharp and funny and his artistic prowess goes from strength to strength. 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Dec 10 22:06:36 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AUCTc-0003oq-00; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:06:36 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AUCTc-0004Pd-00 for ; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:06:36 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 22:06:35 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI#165] Pilot #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Andy Smith Pilot #1 by Mitz; 75p from http://www.syntaxerror.org.uk One of the nicest of a new wave of small press manga titles out there. A visual style that's clean and stylish combined with a familiar 'Flight of the Navigator' style plot that should seem contrived but simply feels comfortably familiar make this a charming and impressive debut. With an obscenely low cover price this is well worth picking up. 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From rickbradford@msn.com Thu Dec 11 14:32:38 2003 Received: from bay0-smtp02.bay0.hotmail.com (BAY0-SMTP02.adinternal.hotmail.com) [65.54.241.109] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AURro-0002ip-00; Thu, 11 Dec 2003 14:32:36 +0000 X-Originating-IP: [63.84.43.181] X-Originating-Email: [rickbradford@msn.com] Received: from pavilion ([63.84.43.181]) by BAY0-SMTP02.adinternal.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.5600); Thu, 11 Dec 2003 06:32:02 -0800 Message-ID: <008601c3bff3$9a0b5d20$2516fea9@pavilion> To: References: <20031204062550.8300.54742.Mailman@list.zetnet.co.uk> Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 08:32:24 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 11 Dec 2003 14:32:03.0530 (UTC) FILETIME=[8B8652A0:01C3BFF3] From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] TEPID Summer 2003 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: TEPID Summer 2003 - Review by Mike Hunter Impressively presented in an 8 1/2" x 11" size, with heavy paper stock - the title received a publication grant from the Xeric foundation - John Hankiewicz's 'Tepid' is likely one of the most difficult comics you'll ever encounter. Several issues have been produced over the years, apparently similar in challenging structure and surreality (this is the first 'Tepid' I've seen). The story in this issue is titled "The Element of Surprise," and symbols that recur within are ice, eyes, ice cream, broken windows, baseball, and, um, athletic cups. (I kid you not!) The tale - more of an unsettling, multilayered mood piece, a meditation, really - begins with a baseball crashing through the window of a ship anchored amid an Arctic expanse of ice. Attired in shorts, t-shirt and baseball cap, Eleanor, a dark-haired girl (who significantly looks just the same as in flashback scenes, set many years before) strolls on the ice, encountering a dessicated carcass and briefly placing a baseball in its empty left eye socket. A narrator speculates if she thinks of him, if her memories of him "yield...a person fully resembling the old me, or else a fully new version of me..." Intertwining stories of two "versions" of baseball players, one an innocent-looking, twelve-year-old lad who's never shown speaking, another a sullen, acne-specked young man, play out. Both are considering quitting the little league, both fascinated with Eleanor. The older one, in a car ride to and from the ball field, is revealed to have gone beyond the younger one's more distant infatuation: "I kissed her hair...she promised to buy me a tie," he notes, and has talked about inhabiting a "dream house" with her, and that Eleanor has drawn "...a picture of the baby she wanted to have. Then a picture of the boy the baby would become. Then a picture of me." The older woman (apparently his mother) driving, whose features are a combination of the characteristics of both males, adds a less halcyon detail to the romance: "...you destroyed her dresser with an aluminum bat." Yet the youth is the only one shown interacting with Eleanor: he slides the sports section from beneath her sleeping form, she playfully takes his baseball cap, places it atop a vase of flowers, then punches it, knocking the whole thing over. In a later scene, after throwing a baseball through a window, she'll straighten the vase, place the cap on top, and punch it again. Later, the two baseball players toss a ball back and forth. The ball finally heads towards the left eye of the younger one, who is then shown supine in a public restroom, blood on his baseball glove. When he joins the mother and other ball player in the car, it is revealed that eye has vanished: only smooth skin is in its place. His presence is ignored by the others. The older ball player tells how Eleanor, who told him "I come from ice," would touch his forehead with an ice cube. (Earlier, he was shown eating a "helmet sundae," then putting the miniature plastic ball cap the confection came in over his head, runnels of the melted treat going down his face.) The mother continues her reminiscences about the beauty salon she worked at, the Eleanor-obsessed old men whose hair she'd cut, whose emotional distress was soothed by the cold scissors being laid against their heads, one of whom said Eleanor symbolized "...the Element of Surprise." Towards the end, back in his bedroom, the boy covers his remaining eye with an athletic cup. Eleanor, shown earlier in that same place pensively holding the device, now is seen in the same panel doing that, as two different times overlap yet again in the book. He apparently finds an ice cube melting in a hallway, which Eleanor had thrown there earlier, before going into his bedroom, and which vanishes a few panels later. (In the car, the mother was shown dropping another ice cube out the window.) The narrator recalls, "On the day Eleanor left us, I prayed, 'Dear God, when I am older, grant me indifference'..." After looking at the sports section Eleanor had read, the boy sits at the table where, in alternating panels, the vase with flowers she had knocked over is shown upset, its water spilled, then restored as before, then tipped over again, and finally absent altogether. John Hankiewicz's depictions of people remind of Jim Blanchard's in their fluid, rubbery quality. As opposed to the protagonists, backgrounds and their textures are meticulously covered in fine ink hatchings, which separate shapes without seeming overly busy. As for the story, there are many more elements not touched upon here: the strange, overheard coach's speech ("...You can preserve civilization in the amber of your talents..."), prayer, bits of graffiti, the symbolism of the the art in the covers, recurring motifs of windows, vision, and those "windows of the soul," eyes. Those expecting a more conventional narrative, with a satisfying conclusion, will be disappointed. But this issue of 'Tepid' is nonetheless a remarkably daring, intellectually challenging, and ambitious work, which will reward repeated readings, and highly recommended to those with a taste for the outer frontiers of the art form. For art sample & further details, please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ From rickbradford@msn.com Fri Dec 19 15:30:07 2003 Received: from bay0-smtp03.bay0.hotmail.com [65.54.241.110] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AXMZq-0007nP-00; Fri, 19 Dec 2003 15:30:06 +0000 X-Originating-IP: [63.84.43.92] X-Originating-Email: [rickbradford@msn.com] Received: from pavilion ([63.84.43.92]) by BAY0-SMTP03.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.5600); Fri, 19 Dec 2003 07:29:33 -0800 Message-ID: <011c01c3c644$f1bbd340$2516fea9@pavilion> To: "Zum Reviews list" Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 09:29:48 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0119_01C3C612.A597B600" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 19 Dec 2003 15:29:33.0941 (UTC) FILETIME=[E76F4250:01C3C644] From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] ABSTRACT FANTASY: SINNERS Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0119_01C3C612.A597B600 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ABSTRACT FANTASY: SINNERS Review by Rick Bradford This issue of Nate Pollard's Abstract Fantasy series focuses on the = Seven Deadly Sins. Each Sin gets its own strip(s) featuring a bizarre = cast of characters including a couple of humans, a hot-dog kind of = creature and two or three others that fall under the category of = who-the-hell-knows. I'm not even sure whether they're all "real" or just = figments of the main character's imagination (he's been under a lot of = stress, you see). I don't know that all of the strips necessarily = illustrate the Sin they're attached to but it probably won't matter much = to fans of this sort of thing - that "sort of thing" being humor = (newspaper-comicky in some ways, psychotic in others) that revolves = around deranged characters, reckless abandon and much violence. Really, = it's something like a certain type of popular goth comics but without = the superficial gothic elements. Judging from the author's introduction, = this is all backlash from having been brought up in a religious = household, so maybe you can see where he's coming from (I can). Nate = also sent along the first issue (Abstract Fantasy: Mania, $4.00), which = is even thicker and contains lots of twisted comix featuring the same = cast.=20 For art sample & further details, please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ ------=_NextPart_000_0119_01C3C612.A597B600 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
ABSTRACT FANTASY: SINNERS
Review by Rick Bradford
 
This issue of Nate Pollard's Abstract = Fantasy=20 series focuses on the Seven Deadly Sins. Each Sin gets its own strip(s)=20 featuring a bizarre cast of characters including a couple of humans, a = hot-dog=20 kind of creature and two or three others that fall under the category of = who-the-hell-knows. I'm not even sure whether they're all "real" or just = figments of the main character's imagination (he's been under a lot of = stress,=20 you see). I don't know that all of the strips necessarily illustrate the = Sin=20 they're attached to but it probably won't matter much to fans of this = sort of=20 thing =96 that "sort of thing" being humor (newspaper-comicky in some = ways,=20 psychotic in others) that revolves around deranged characters, reckless = abandon=20 and much violence. Really, it's something like a certain type of popular = goth=20 comics but without the superficial gothic elements. Judging from the = author's=20 introduction, this is all backlash from having been brought up in a = religious=20 household, so maybe you can see where he's coming from (I can). Nate = also sent=20 along the first issue (Abstract Fantasy: Mania, $4.00), = which=20 is even thicker and contains lots of twisted comix featuring the same = cast.=20
For art sample & further details, please see:
http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/
------=_NextPart_000_0119_01C3C612.A597B600-- From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sun Dec 21 23:41:40 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYDCe-0006A5-00; Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:41:40 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYDCe-0000bm-00 for ; Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:41:40 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:41:36 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Gone Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Gone Review by Pete Dore=E9 'GONE' is a real treat. A beautifully produced 84=20 page book with excellent design and story. The=20 front & back covers are superb, giving the whole=20 thing a real look of class. It's about a girl who catches her boyfriend in=20 bed with his ex, and through a time travelling=20 wristwatch, goes back through his life=20 (repeatedly) trying to change events in his past,=20 so that he'll turn out to be a better boyfriend=20 in the future. Temporal paradoxes abound, and=20 Nigel takes the opportunity to exploit every=20 possible outcome such meddling would result in=20 (and then some!) until the only possible ending=20 clears things up once and for all (possibly...) It's funny, warm hearted, fast moving, and very=20 clever. The ultimate 'girl who wants to change=20 her man' story, and almost a small press answer=20 to 'Donnie Darko' , of which Nigel's obviously a=20 fan. It's also nice to see a male artist writing=20 about a strong female character. The bigfoot style art is sometimes at odds with=20 the story, but, on reflection, a more realistic=20 style may not have worked as well. Visually, the=20 characters are appealing, with their almost=20 manga-like faces, and overall design and page=20 layout is excellent, but the overall finish is=20 not what it could be, and some pages feel rushed. There is a back up strip: '9 pages about Time=20 Travel' (which in keeping with the theme is=20 actually ten pages), which is also very good, but=20 it isn't actually needed, as 'Gone' itself is=20 good enough to stand alone, and doesn't need a=20 back up. I have to say the cover price is a bit excessive,=20 and may put people off, but as 'Gone' is so good,=20 I still recommend it wholeheartedly. Excellent. =46or more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/g/gone.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sun Dec 21 23:44:55 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYDFn-0006JF-00; Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:44:55 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYDFn-0000n5-00 for ; Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:44:55 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:44:53 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Smokey Bush Meat Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Smokey Bush Meat Review by David Birchall The content of this was really spot on, I thought. Anything that doesn't take politicians seriously gets a thumbs up from me. If that involves pointing out the possibility that these people are power crazed, stupid beyond belief, ignorant of issues wider than what'll get them and their mates rich, and into bestiality, then all the better. I'm writing this only a few days after they found Saddam Hussein (or someone who looks suspiciously like him) down a hole; so there's something they can try and justify that war with...? Anyway there's still no weapons of mass destruction however, that's all been quietly forgotten about; I guess the real reasons they went to war is obvious to most us now - control of resources etc... Maybe I should start talking about the comic now rather than politics, although I suppose the comic is political so... Anyway, there are some very funny bits in here, Colin Powell as balloon, Bush's constant amorous encounters with canines, Osama Bin Laden hiding out as a member of the Washington Redskins American Football team... Stylistically the drawing didn't particularly excite me, but then it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, which artwork I don't like really has a tendency to do. While it's well rendered with slightly demented looking figures and distant landscapes reminiscent of ...someone whose name I can't quite recall at the moment. Essentially, it's great that people are prepared to deal with political stuff in there comics, especially if they treat the fools that have some kind of power over us in such an irreverent and humorous manner- in that way we don't take them seriously and they start to loose some of their power? for more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/s/smokeybushmeat.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sun Dec 21 23:47:37 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYDIP-0006Yn-00; Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:47:37 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYDIO-0001Ec-00 for ; Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:47:37 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:47:33 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Manhole Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Manhole review by David Birchall I have a feeling that I've read this somewhere=20 else before=8A have a vague memory of seeing a=20 copy at Ladyfest Manchester and poaching it to=20 read in a corner from the zine stall before=20 returning it later on... This comic has that kind of realistic, almost=20 illustrated style to it, where people actually=20 look something like people and so on and so=20 forth, but there's also really good use of=20 simple shading and lines. I like the effect very=20 muchly. Basically a lot of the stories are your kind of=20 girl meets boy, boy disappears or else weird guy=20 who lives on his own and is going a bit crazy, or=20 mother/daughter relationship type things. If I=20 were reading this kind of stuff in a short story/=20 novel type format I would no doubt find it=20 excruciatingly bad and painful to the point of=20 throwing it across the room. However, what I find=20 really weird and exciting about comics is that,=20 in this form, it's somehow a completely=20 compelling read. I can't figure out why this is;=20 but I'm quite happy with that so... Hmmm, maybe a lot of the stuff here is easy to=20 relate to on a really human, personal level; the=20 start and drift of a relationship to its end; how=20 people deal with life and all that=20 malarkey...good stuff, well drawn, characters=20 with real depth. There's also a cartoonist star=20 sign thing on the back cover which made me=20 chuckle. =46or more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/m/manhole.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Dec 22 16:11:34 2003 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYSec-0002Z7-00; Mon, 22 Dec 2003 16:11:34 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AYSec-0004Xg-00 for ; Mon, 22 Dec 2003 16:11:34 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 16:11:33 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Second Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Second Review by Pete Dore=E9 'Second' is a lot like reading someone's dairy.=20 It's also a lot like those Russian cartoons where=20 people are chased by buildings, for no apparent=20 reason. Some pages are barely more than=20 sketchbook drawings, while others are fully=20 realised strips. It's almost like a jam session=20 between two artists. There's no credit for who did what, but I suspect=20 the whimsical, lighter (in design) pages are=20 Simone's, while the darker, brooding strips are=20 Tom's; and they bounce well off each other. Most of Simone's work is fun, and deeper than it=20 first appears. I particularly like 'Monkey Nut &=20 Harrowed Marrow' and the one about 'The Daddy &=20 The Bunny' . Her style is loose (maybe too loose=20 in places), a bit like 'Purple Ronnie' , and in=20 fact would fit well on cards or T-shirts. Tom's best piece here is 'Outside' , tho' 'End Of=20 Season Finale' about two wrestlers killing time=20 before the big match, has it's moments. His style=20 is dense and detailed and bounces well off of=20 Simone's work. Both artists seem interested with small moments,=20 and with feeling more than plot or characters. I may be the wrong person to review this, as I=20 prefer character over everything. As=20 self-expression it's fine, and it's very well=20 produced, but I don't actually feel that=20 connected to it. =46or more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/s/second.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Fri Jan 02 22:53:08 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AcYAG-0003WS-00; Fri, 02 Jan 2004 22:53:08 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AcYAG-0001YT-00 for ; Fri, 02 Jan 2004 22:53:08 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 22:53:06 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Second Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Pete Dore=E9 'Second' is a lot like reading someone's dairy.=20 It's also a lot like those Russian cartoons where=20 people are chased by buildings, for no apparent=20 reason. Some pages are barely more than=20 sketchbook drawings, while others are fully=20 realised strips. It's almost like a jam session=20 between two artists. There's no credit for who did what, but I suspect=20 the whimsical, lighter (in design) pages are=20 Simone's, while the darker, brooding strips are=20 Tom's; and they bounce well off each other. Most of Simone's work is fun, and deeper than it=20 first appears. I particularly like 'Monkey Nut &=20 Harrowed Marrow' and the one about 'The Daddy &=20 The Bunny' . Her style is loose (maybe too loose=20 in places), a bit like 'Purple Ronnie' , and in=20 fact would fit well on cards or T-shirts. Tom's best piece here is 'Outside', tho' 'End Of=20 Season Finale' about two wrestlers killing time=20 before the big match, has it's moments. His style=20 is dense and detailed and bounces well off of=20 Simone's work. Both artists seem interested with small moments,=20 and with feeling more than plot or characters. I may be the wrong person to review this, as I=20 prefer character over everything. As=20 self-expression it's fine, and it's very well=20 produced, but I don't actually feel that=20 connected to it. =46or more info, please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/s/second.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Jan 03 23:14:21 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AcuyL-0006If-00; Sat, 03 Jan 2004 23:14:21 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AcuyJ-0000oY-00 for ; Sat, 03 Jan 2004 23:14:19 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2004 23:14:17 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hardly The Hog #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Scruff The first thing that strikes you about this comic is the front cover. It feels nice and heavy. It's a nice size and it's very, very shiny. It even has some shiny gold bits! Must of cost a bit to produce. So why, WHY has it got one of the worst drawings in comic book history scrawled upon it? WHY go to all that expense and then ruin it with a picture that is worse than anything else the comic itself contains? As soon as I saw it I thought "Christ, this is gonna be poo". If I saw it on a shelf in a shop, I wouldn't even pick it up. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but... well, that saying was written before marketing men existed. The second thing wrong with this comic is the drawing and design of the main character, Hardly the Hog himself. Out of all the characters and people in the comic he is the most badly drawn of all. In each frame he stands out like a sore trotter. In fact, to be honest, Hardly is a bit of a pig's ear. This is strange as the rest of the characters show some potential artwise. There is a style hidden here that, with some work, could shine but it all needs cleaning up. There is also a third crime: a dream sequence. A dream sequence containing Dali style lines depicting hearts and hands. How many more of these will I have to suffer in my lifetime? I hereby promise to shoot the next similarly crafted dream sequence creator. Individual sections of text can be well written but the story as a whole seems jumbled. I have nothing against Mystic Pig antihero demigods, semi pagan settings etc. In fact I'm a great fan of fantasy but this comic needs a serious clean up on every level before it will go anywhere. I just couldn't warm to any character, story or art in this comic. It did show enthusiasm though and it may be worth picking up the next issue to see how things have improved. Oink. For more info pease see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/hardly.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sun Jan 04 13:02:25 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ad7th-0007S4-00; Sun, 04 Jan 2004 13:02:25 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ad7th-00021o-00 for ; Sun, 04 Jan 2004 13:02:25 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2004 13:02:22 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] King Cat #57 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by David Birchall Yes, Yes, I was most excited when I realised I was going to get to review King Cat ! As you can maybe tell, it is one of my very favourite things, so this review is going to be in no way objective, but then very little is in this world. There's always something really touching about John Porcellino's drawing. The child like simplicity of it passes over you and wraps you up in half forgotten innocence. In the first story this sense of wonderment I'm rambling about appears as John sees a clear sky on a warm spring evening, watches his cat through the window, then the rain falls and it brings out tiny insects that go "zha". It's all quite lovely really. He follows up the insect thing later with a four page bit about Pillbugs (i think I'd call them Woodlice) which is kind of fascinating in the way that its good to see people putting time and effort into thinking about things that I'd never even consider, Another story illustrates those simple moments of human connection when giving away a table becomes an act of real kindness. What else? Lists, (as always in King Cat : informative of the writers life, whereabouts, and habits, as well as being amusing...), arty passages of frozen rivers and fog with text like, "I spend far too much of my time drawing", right towards the end a Herman Hesse poem illustrated, there are also various drawings of fine young cats in various poses (always good!). Definitely recommended. For more info, please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/k/kingcat.html#57 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 18:10:58 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdZBq-0007uS-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 18:10:58 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdZBp-0000e2-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 18:10:57 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 18:10:56 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Food Geek #2&3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Scruff Food Geek #2 I consider myself quite knowledgeable about food. In fact I'd call myself an expert, so I was quite looking forward to reviewing 'Food Geek'. The comic itself is a neat little package and the whole thing was clearly printed. As the title suggests the whole things about fooooooood; one of my favourite subjects. There is quite a lot squeezed into this bite sized booklet. Recipes, recipe strips, strips involving food, restaurant recommendations... you get the picture. As a veggie myself I was also pleased to find that a lot of the stuff was vegetarian. Unfortunately 'Food Geek #2' did nothing for me. The strips were OK but they didn't amuse or inform me. The stories are pleasant enough but once again, neither highly amusing nor informative. I found the whole comic self indulgent and a strange mix of attitude and tweeness. Food Geek #3 An immediate improvement over issue#2. This little comic about all things in foodgeekdom raised the odd smile or two and gave me a new curry recipe to try. 'How To Make 'Bazaarialoo '' Like Carrie is a well drawn and, more importantly, clear recipe strip. 'Death by Soup' by Billy is an entertaining short anecdote of why you shouldn't just swallow anything to impress someone you fancy. Carries ramblings are a sort of foodgeek foodblog and can be an interesting read. Definitely worth a dollar. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/f/foodgeek.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 19:11:06 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ada82-00028s-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 19:11:06 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ada82-00056d-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 19:11:06 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 19:11:04 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #166 The Imortals] Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards The Imortals #1 By Atkins & Doyle; =A32.50 from www.smallzone.co.uk 10 Cleaveland Avenue, High Ercall, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6AH. With a tip od the hat to Judge Dredd and Robocop=20 this 16-page, photocopied 12-issue series is set in a dystopian future - a=20 brain-washed police state where the unfortunately=20 named lawman Skrote rebels against his=20 conditioning. Despite some nice ideas, the=20 rough-edged black & white visuals - although=20 possessing a certain verve - nevertheless compare=20 unfavourably against the impressive standards of=20 other small press endeavors nowadays. 5/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 21:23:38 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcCH-0007eV-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:23:37 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcCH-0007bJ-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:23:37 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:23:36 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #166] Phobias Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Chris E Bunting Phobias By West + Hitchcock & various; Accent UK; =A33 from D. West, 2 Mill Lane, Holmes Chapel, Crewe, CW4 8AT. Nice phobia-filled stories. Dave Hitchcock sets=20 the ball rolling in style with an agoraphobic=20 vampire; then Chris Doherty brings in the Clowns;=20 Dave West demonstrates arachnophobia and super=20 skilled panel layouts, while Ben Dickinson and=20 William Volley form an excellent union for a tale=20 of loneliness. This really does come across as a=20 more professional creators' gathering than a=20 small press one! 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 21:33:01 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcLN-00082U-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:33:01 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcLM-0000fC-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:33:01 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:33:00 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #166] The Rainbow Orchid Part One Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green The Rainbow Orchid Part One By Ewing; =A32.50 from 57A Heathcote Drive, E. Grinstead, RH19 1NB A young Archeologist sets out on a quest for a=20 legendary flower, only to encounter nefarious=20 types out to stop him. This is a spectacular=20 work, at once echoing the classic classic style=20 of Tintin while forging something new. The art=20 is wonderfully attractive but what impressed me=20 the most was the slow-burning exquisitely=20 constructed plot. Great stuff. 9/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 21:39:51 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcRz-0008M2-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:39:51 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcRy-0006L0-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:39:50 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:39:49 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #166] Tales to Demolish #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards Tales to Demolish #2 By Haven; =A32 from www.smallzone.co.uk 10 Cleaveland Avenue, High Ercall, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6AH.. The Author accidentally kills acclaimed indie=20 comics creators Dan Clowes and Adrian Tomine, who=20 vow vengeance from beyond the grave. Origional,=20 surreal, subversive humour from US amateur Eric=20 Haven, who reveals a knowing satirical streak=20 towards the medium in this 24-page mini-comic.=20 The tight, disciplined art is at times striking=20 in its elaborately cross-hatched glory,=20 reinforcing the overall polished presentation. 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 21:47:11 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcZ5-0000FE-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:47:11 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AdcZ5-0002cQ-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:47:11 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:47:10 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #166] Thudd the Barbarian Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Alex Thompson Thudd the Barbarian By Critchlow; =A32 from C. Critchlow, PO Box 371, Southport, PR8 6YE. The muscle-bond meatheat barbarian is hired by a=20 couple of questing scholars searching for the=20 elixir of eternal life in the northern wastes:=20 enter comical encounters with frozen giants, ice=20 pixies and frozen beer barrels. Carl Critchlow=20 effortlessly manages to expand his White Dwarf=20 parody strip to a comic size, filling it with=20 gags, while his muted colour scheme has a=20 surprisingly European feel to it. Now id only=20 Bil could be encouraged to resurrect Gobbledigook! 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 05 21:54:23 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adcg3-0000fG-00; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:54:23 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adcg3-0003HK-00 for ; Mon, 05 Jan 2004 21:54:23 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 21:54:21 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #166] Young Man of a Certain Mind #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards Young Man of a Certain Mind #1 By Martinson; =A32.50 from www.smallzone.co.uk 10 Cleaveland Avenue, High Ercall, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6AH.. A would-be graphic designer reflects on his=20 unfulfilled ambitions and the foibles of his=20 fellow workers. A rather fractured narative and=20 a main support character who remains oddly=20 nameless detract little from this US creator Lars=20 Martinson's accomplished cartooning - bold=20 linework, lightly rendered, vaguely not unlike a=20 minimalist Robert Crumb. The main protagonist=20 is, perhaps unintentionally, a wonderfully=20 realised, self-absorbed irritant in this lovingly=20 produced 44-page quality book. 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 06 05:53:30 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adk9i-0003r4-00; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 05:53:30 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adk9i-0000dV-00 for ; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 05:53:30 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 05:53:28 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] O Men #1&2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by Scruff O Men #1 A soap opera with superhumans as the characters is basically how Martin himself describes the O Men . You'll note the term superhuman rather than superhero as Martin states that his characters, "do not run about all of the time in skin-tight costumes". The creator does his utmost in the prologue to inform the reader that this is not your usual superheroes vs. superbaddies stuff. If this was/is the intention why is it that by page 12 the three main characters (previously of a now defunct superteam) are fighting it out with a group of supercriminals for the remainder of the book? It all seems to be standard superhuman fare with the odd bit of swearing thrown in to make it a little more street. Perhaps the soap opera part will become more obvious in the rest of the series. The art is not too bad. It is clear throughout and gets too the point in most frames. I found the character and costume design a tad boring. This may have been a conscious decision by the creator to get away from the pants-over-the-trousers effect but he may of gone too far in the opposite direction. If you're into the genre then this may be worth watching. Personally, a comic in this genre has to be pretty special to hold my attention. This did not. There is nothing intrinsically bad about the comic but nothing to mark it above anything else either. O Men #2 The three reunited members of a disbanded superteam are back again. Still on their final mission to capture five dangerous escaped criminals. The thing that surprised me about issue 2 of the O Men was that the artwork has already started to improve. The clarity and use of space is far better than issue 1. This made the whole comic a far easier read. There is a far more developed use of black. I still believe Martin's claim of a soap opera has yet to hit the mark. There is nothing in the story that differs from the usual darker superhero tales. Every supertale shows some of the 'normal' life of its hero(s) and the story in The O Men is no different. The O Men is developing nicely. If a little more thought gets put into the soap opera side of it then this may appeal to many people. This one gets a thumbs up for potential. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/o/omen.html#1 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 06 08:58:00 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adn2G-0003Ra-00; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 08:58:00 +0000 Received: from happy.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.195] helo=HAPPY.yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adn2F-0001bh-00 for ; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 08:57:59 +0000 Message-Id: <6.0.1.1.0.20040106085745.02c9ee60@mail.zetnet.co.uk> X-Sender: X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.1.1 Date: Tue, 06 Jan 2004 08:57:54 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Red Eye #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Posted by Jez Higgins Red Eye #1 Everything old is new again. Or something like that anyway. Barry "Engine Comics" Renshaw seems to have enough energy and enthusiasm for ten normal people. In addition to writing, drawing, editing and publishing more comics than almost anyone on the planet, he's launched Red Eye, a magazine about comics. Presumably it's so named because the only time he has to put the thing together is when he would otherwise be sleeping. To an old duffer like me, Red Eye, is at once new and familiar. There are shades of Arkensword in the UK comics news coverage, a touch of Battleground in the articles on 2000AD, Strangers in Paradise and Don Lawrence, and a bit of Vicious in the discussion of what makes a good comic shop. But so what if I can see these echoes, conscious or not? They don't stop Red Eye being a good, interesting read. Chris Weston's Don Lawrence article I found especially interesting. Rather than simply bemoaning Lawrence's status as an unappreciated genius, Weston describes his time as Lawrence's apprentice to draw a warm portrait of the man. While Weston's article is the standout piece, the rest of the magazine is also strong. Stu Young does especially well to draw some sense from Warren Ellis. There's a long interview with Martin "The O-Men" Eden, which while occasionally lapsing into fawning, has a go at tackling the "why *do* you it" question. It's to Renshaw's credit than nothing here is bad. Physically, this is up to Engine Comics usual high standard. The layout is clear, the reproduction good and the paper feels nice and chunky. A few of the illustrations are slightly pixilated, but it's a minor quibble. For more info please see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005206.html From rickbradford@msn.com Tue Jan 06 15:08:43 2004 Received: from bay0-smtp10.bay0.hotmail.com [65.54.241.117] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Adsp0-0002ML-00; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 15:08:43 +0000 X-Originating-IP: [63.84.43.150] X-Originating-Email: [rickbradford@msn.com] Received: from pavilion ([63.84.43.150]) by BAY0-SMTP10.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.5600); Tue, 6 Jan 2004 07:08:09 -0800 Message-ID: <004a01c3d466$e642dc40$2516fea9@pavilion> To: "Zum Reviews list" Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 09:08:08 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0047_01C3D434.9A04CE60" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 06 Jan 2004 15:08:10.0433 (UTC) FILETIME=[E5D6FB10:01C3D466] From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] OUTSIDE IN #50 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0047_01C3D434.9A04CE60 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Review by Rick Bradford OUTSIDE IN is a zine of artist self-portraits that was begun by Steve = Willis (CRANIUM FRENZY) in 1983 and has gone through several different = publishers over the years. The most recent, Bruce Chrislip, has decided = to bring the 20-year project to an end with issue number 50. = Contributing self-portraits to this landmark issue are P. Williams = (cover), Erik Sutter-Kaye, Lee Kennedy, Linda Vik, Billy McKay, Larned = Justin, Matt Dembicki, Marc van Elburg, Ben T. Steckler, Christoph Meyer = and Eric Reynolds - quite a diverse line-up. There's also a drawing of = R. Crumb by editor Chrislip. My favorite self-portrait in this = collection is Eric Reynolds'. I'm pretty sure he's not actually a duck = but it's a nice drawing just the same. I don't know how to measure OUTSIDE IN's impact on the comix world but I = can tell you it's an important project. I only wish I'd become aware of = it prior to the late '80s as I'm still missing most of the early issues. = It seems a shame to see it formally end but who knows, maybe someone = else will be inspired to start a similar project one of these days. Any = takers? For more on the history of this long-running zine check out the article = here: http://www.angelfire.com/zine/poopsheet/outsidein.htm For more info please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ ------=_NextPart_000_0047_01C3D434.9A04CE60 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Review by Rick Bradford
 
OUTSIDE IN is a zine of artist = self-portraits=20 that was begun by Steve Willis (CRANIUM FRENZY) in 1983 and has gone = through=20 several different publishers over the years. The most recent, Bruce = Chrislip,=20 has decided to bring the 20-year project to an end with issue number 50. = Contributing self-portraits to this landmark issue are P. Williams = (cover), Erik=20 Sutter-Kaye, Lee Kennedy, Linda Vik, Billy McKay, Larned Justin, Matt = Dembicki,=20 Marc van Elburg, Ben T. Steckler, Christoph Meyer and Eric Reynolds =96 = quite a=20 diverse line-up. There's also a drawing of R. Crumb by editor Chrislip. = My=20 favorite self-portrait in this collection is Eric Reynolds'. I'm pretty = sure=20 he's not actually a duck but it's a nice drawing just the=20 same.

I don't know how to measure OUTSIDE IN's impact on the = comix world=20 but I can tell you it's an important project. I only wish I'd become = aware of it=20 prior to the late '80s as I'm still missing most of the early issues. It = seems a=20 shame to see it formally end but who knows, maybe someone else will be = inspired=20 to start a similar project one of these days. Any takers?

For = more on the=20 history of this long-running zine check out the article here: http://www= .angelfire.com/zine/poopsheet/outsidein.htm
 
For more info please see:
http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/
------=_NextPart_000_0047_01C3D434.9A04CE60-- From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 06 16:46:04 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AduLE-0006dw-00; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 16:46:04 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AduLD-0001fD-00 for ; Tue, 06 Jan 2004 16:46:03 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2004 16:46:01 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Catfood Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by Pete Doreé Catfood Catfood is part of a series called 'The Mice' and it is that unbelievably rare thing, a fairly original idea. Sometime in the future, giant aliens have invaded earth, in comparison to which humans are (you guessed it) the size of mice. In this section of the saga, we follow two of the aliens, Cota & Z'Dan, as they attempt to run their breakfast food processing factory, health and safety breathing down their necks, an inspection from their biggest client imminent, and all the while, those pesky humans doing their best to mess up production. This is all very British in execution, like '2000AD' before it disappeared up it's own arse. The aliens are not terrifying monsters, just bored menial workers, and the humans aren't fighting a great revolution to free the planet, just trying to moxy up the works. They really are 'mice'; insignificant and pointless. The alien's are actually more likeable and better defined than the people, and I especially liked 'The Feeder' , the alien who comes to inspect the site, who speaks through his intermediary. The human's, by comparison, are fairly bland. (Tho' they may've been better realised in other instalments). Interesting that their nominal leader, 'Mulligatawny', looks exactly like 'Abslom Daak, Dalek Killer' (remember him?). The art is good to great, with a vague hint of Chaykin about it. (The panel where the mice are knocked flying by the alien's 'cat' is particularly good) Design is excellent, tho' overall there isn't enough detail and, in fact, the whole thing may've worked better in colour. But this is a good, unusual comic, with a strong premise. Maybe if finances permitted, a book collecting all Mice stories would iron out the problems. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/c/catfood.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Jan 07 06:07:39 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ae6qx-0007Rp-00; Wed, 07 Jan 2004 06:07:39 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ae6qx-0002cC-00 for ; Wed, 07 Jan 2004 06:07:39 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 06:07:37 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Giant Clam #4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by mooncat Giant Clam #4 "Poofs only issue" At times I feel I review too many of Ralphie's comics & am too close to them to be objective in my assessments. I like Ralphie's work a lot - it makes me laugh - which is a rare & precious commodity. So - in the effort to maintain some objectivity I showed Giant Clam to a few of my work colleagues. Granted this is not exactly a wide demographic - they being male & under 30, but thinking about it - if I stood in a street proffering this comic to random people I might end up coming to the attention of the authorities.... This comic seems to have good reason to be kept on a high shelf at home, so that the kids do not see it. On viewing 'Bob Byrne's' contribution to this issue one colleague declared, "That's sick!" - after he had stopped laughing that is - he is a sick little puppy himself. A selection of other comments are: "Brilliant" "Hilarious" "Really funny" "The 'Biscuit Man' one doesn't work so well." "That 'Black Dog of Depression' is good. " And finally: "It's too early in the day for that kind of stuff - "Dust laughs at us" - I dunno..." ...this being from the afternoon shift arriving at 2:00 in the afternoon? There was also some marveling at how so much expression could be imbued into so few lines. I didn't bother to show the comic to one of the other lads - as, well - he doesn't seem to like comics at all - which is probably sensible, I guess... So - what am I to conclude from these observations? Well - oddly - that I am right - that Ralphie does create good funny comics that have a certain amount of universal appeal - really - honest - that's my official scientific view on the subject - & if you don't like these observations you can just fuck off! OK? good. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/g/giantclam.html#4 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Jan 07 21:56:53 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AeLfZ-00079o-00; Wed, 07 Jan 2004 21:56:53 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AeLfY-0000sB-00 for ; Wed, 07 Jan 2004 21:56:52 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 21:56:49 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hardly The Hog #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by Steve Edgell Hardly The Hog #3 You don't *have* to be a frothing-at-the-mouth Tory journalist to feel that you can demolish all adversaries with a swift flourish of innate verbal acuity. But if by some unimaginable circumstance you are, wipe the sputum from your lips, brush the saliva from your chin, press a tissue on ZUM!'s pages for a moment and read on. Even you will find something reassuring in the figure of an anthropomorphic porcine lead character who can complain: "I find your pattern of speech vulgar and your manners non-existent. I take it you are Americans?" Now if only Osama Bin Laden had been able to say that to George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld instead of aiming passenger jets at the World Trade Centre or hinting ominously about the Cave of Death. Would the world be a different place? Hardly The Hog is an insufferable boar. And therefore he is a figure of English fun. Every scrap of brayed diction, every carping nuance of spoilt middle-class English utterance is here. If the Amis family had been born with snouts, trotters and pointed ears instead of what they seem to have, this is how they'd be. US readers gulled by its comic book guise into buying a sample copy of HTH may find Hardly typically annoying. Some yanks may bang on about the French now but there is little more likely to get up the colonial snout than a patronising, indolent Brit. The English, it seems, are too damned busy sitting around being civilised to actually do anything. Every moment of Englishness is a conversational gem, glittering with allusion and erudition amid the festering stink of its historical inertia. Irony has provided limeys the delusion with which to trounce a world of triteness, overbaked ideas and obvious notions without having to work up the slightest sweat. Luckily, beyond the smoothness - or suaveness, or both - some real sweat has been worked up here by Alex Coward : refining dialogue, discarding ideas that either didn't work or were too witless. Likewise Jamie Coward's careful page and panel compositions wring an awful lot of narrative out of his choice of pictorial devices - simple, uncluttered lines and shaped areas of solid black - striking a balance between the need to define character and the need to lay out clear sequences of story. My only quibble is whether the comic really should just be for adults, as are so many independently produced comics submitted to ZUM!. English kids should at least get the chance to pollute their minds with something like this rather than with Temazepam or Atomic Kitten. Ah yes, details, details...in this issue Hardly is attacked by a mammoth shark, which reluctantly he despatches only after resorting to use of a firearm, and is rescued by an odd trio of American seagoers, one of whom, Merton Broody, takes Hardly to Enmity, the town Broody is sworn to protect. There. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/hardly.html#3 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Fri Jan 09 23:11:12 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Af5mZ-0004IQ-00; Fri, 09 Jan 2004 23:11:11 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Af5mZ-0007Ap-00 for ; Fri, 09 Jan 2004 23:11:11 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 23:11:07 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hellcar Comix #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by Steve Edgell Hellcar Comix #2 I almost felt on former home ground for a moment when I opened the pages of this zine. Music, comics, alternative culture, grungey black and white screened photos on newsprint. At first sight it's like a blast from the pre-Mondo, pre-web zine scene. In fact, what this boils down to is an indy anthology comic funded by music promotion. Good ploy. Use cash from an area where there's relatively a lot of money for development and promotion to provide an outlet for a medium where there isn't. Hellcar has a circulation of 8000. That's a lot of readers for small press comics. Hellcar doesn't feature much written editorial. The zine's pages are mainly filled with music label display ads, plus there's a cover CD with promotional tracks from the bands advertised. The rest is comics, graphically sophisticated but some a little slack storywise. Reading them is a little like trying to read Garo if you don't understand Japanese, but I think it's meant to be irony. The standout is Witch Killers by EFF , about a young comic reader who dreams that he's attacked by his piano teacher, in reality a witch. Daniel Gallant's The Wedding Solution , which pastiches the style of a children's instruction book, and E White's fine 1-page rendering Ramona & his tepid exploits (weirdo declares love), also get an honourable mention. The cover CD is varied collection of 19 bands playing music in genres from techno to country. Includes Shuggie Otis's 'aht a mi hed' which caught some airplay in the UK not so long ago, and a track from Jools Holland faves, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club . There's also an Onion Head Monster animation (QuickTime) by Paul Friedrich for CD's 'enhanced' section. PC users: all the usual autorun inf and .exes are here so you don't have to worry (perish the thought). Mac users: just locate the QT movie and click on it. The audio section plays as usual. For More info, please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/hellcar1.html#2 From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 12 22:59:12 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AgB1c-0007ZR-00; Mon, 12 Jan 2004 22:59:12 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AgB1c-0004eN-00 for ; Mon, 12 Jan 2004 22:59:12 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 22:59:08 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Flying Monkey #2&3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by Steve Edgell Flying Monkey #2&3 Young blokes with pens and word processors, learning their craft. At a guess I'd conclude that the pages drawn with thick lines are by Andrew Livesey and the ones with thin lines are by Simon Perrins . This isn't a sophisticated distinction but it makes things easier for me while I try to work up something a little more informative. Each issue contains a mixture of short stories and one-page ideas. On the evidence here, Perrins is the stronger storyteller. Most consistent are a series of situation comedy shorts with regular characters, Daz and Dave , nucleus of a group of mundane young men, and Spinal Tap -like parody in stories about a prog rock quartet, Valinor . The humour is based in character and accuracy of observation. Perrins's panel breakdowns and scripting far outweigh the strength of his variably finished drawing and rendering. Andrew Livesey is the more fluent illustrator. Livesey's contributions are the obverse of Perrins's, containing all the graphic definition and pictorial certainty that Perrins's lack, but with a much flimsier grasp of character and narrative - and spelling. In issue 3 it seems at times as though Livesey's work is attempting to channel the styles of one or two comic artists who surfaced in Deadline in the late 1980s and early 90s. By issue 4 it's moved on to a distinctive reworking of slightly earlier clear-line styles, which probably has a lot more longevity. The appeal of these comics is not just in the quality of their execution but also in the potential their contents indicate. The small press is a place where a couple of people can experiment at being creators . That's what's happening here. It's one of the many things the small press is for. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/f/flyingmonkey.html From rickbradford@msn.com Tue Jan 13 15:04:30 2004 Received: from bay0-smtp09.bay0.hotmail.com [65.54.241.116] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AgQ5m-00033S-00; Tue, 13 Jan 2004 15:04:30 +0000 X-Originating-IP: [63.84.43.123] X-Originating-Email: [rickbradford@msn.com] Received: from pavilion ([63.84.43.123]) by BAY0-SMTP09.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.5600); Tue, 13 Jan 2004 07:03:57 -0800 Message-ID: <005601c3d9e6$737bbb20$2516fea9@pavilion> To: References: <20040113062556.14168.23886.Mailman@list.zetnet.co.uk> Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 09:03:46 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 13 Jan 2004 15:03:57.0778 (UTC) FILETIME=[78232320:01C3D9E6] From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] MY UNCLE JEFF Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: MY UNCLE JEFF Review by Mike Hunter Despite the lip service paid to "family values" in our culture, that venerable institution gets scant coverage in the comics medium. Oddly, even autobiographical comics rarely touch upon family dynamics, or creators may, at best, devote a short story to their parents' dysfunctional marriage. Which makes the Eisner-award nominated MY UNCLE JEFF, a work intended as Damon Hurd's paean to his father's younger brother, particularly unusual and daring. The slouching, walrus-mustached, gap-toothed, tattooed Uncle Jeff - an amiable, salt-of-the-earth type - is introduced as a study in contrasts from Hurd's ramrod-straight, conservatively groomed and dressed father. "They are the paradox that makes genetics interesting," Hurd notes, "...people that deep down share some intrinsic characteristics and values, but their lives have gone in two completely different directions..." A family reunion at the home of Hurd's elderly grandfather forms the framework of the book. Pedro Camello's strong artwork, with clear layouts and deft use of shadow, adds vitality and drama to scenes that would have been visually dull in less gifted hands. Relatives do "catching up," and a brief bio of "My Uncle Jeff" plays across several pages: from mischievous youth, to a tour in Vietnam ("dishonorably discharged"), marriage ("When are you going to grow up?" the Missus says) and divorce. But several panels show Jeff, indeed a big kid at heart, romping through the years with young Damon, and we understand why Hurd concludes the page by saying, "He was a great uncle." For me the highlight of the book is a two-page spread, "My Family Tree," covering the mother's side of Hurd's family, from which he is now cut off ("...When the chips came down they shunned me. They betrayed me. They abandoned me..."), and haunted by, because of the fact that he still loves them. The portraits there spotlight Pedro Camello's exceptional gift for vivid characterization (he received no reference photos of the persons involved for the book, and created all from his imagination), the faces not quite full-blown caricature but with its touch of exaggeration well employed. And the descriptions of each person there encapsulate one of the most striking features of Hurd's writing. He'll mention "My step-grandfather Burt...I've always felt that pedophile sounded too stately...He's the reason my sister is afraid of her own shadow..." Then, when we're ready to consign Burt to cartoon-villain Hell, Hurd will add, "He loved jazz. He loved me. He was the only grandfather I ever knew." It's a technique deployed to powerful effect throughout the "Family Tree," and elsewhere in MY UNCLE JEFF Hurd likewise lets us mentally pigeonhole his uncle Steve, who "talks of killing various animals...with his car...and then eating them." We label him a redneck lout, but then Hurd continues, "He raised my cousin Chrissy, a victim of...cerebral palsy until she died...at the age of 18...No one loved her more than him...no one." In a culture and its media where we're accustomed to cardboard heroes and villains, it's a bracing shock to be reminded what a mixture of contradictory qualities people in real life can be. And it's why voices such as Damon Hurd's, willing to think outside the "good guys" and "bad guys" boxes, are so valuable for the continuing literary growth and health of the medium. For more info please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 13 22:52:43 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AgXOt-0003yS-00; Tue, 13 Jan 2004 22:52:43 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AgXOs-0001bZ-00 for ; Tue, 13 Jan 2004 22:52:42 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 22:52:39 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Amateur Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by Steve Edgell Amateur Once upon a time, in a comic community not so different from our own, it seemed that there were only two sorts of people. You could either be a 'fan', usually a buyer, reader and collector of US comic books, or a 'pro', a writer, artist or editor working to produce the comic books bought, read and collected by fans. The comic retailers and 'dealers' seemed to be left out of this social relationship, unless they doubled as fans or pros, and pros often doubled as fans anyway. So the fan was the common element and the pro was a kind of superfan, with special contributory powers. This was, in effect, a fan's-eye view of social identity, with comics and their contents as its currency. Fastforward to just after the comic collectors' speculator bubble burst. The slump in the direct market, the firm sales system of distribution built by fans - their bid to become 'pros' - that had grown to encompass almost the whole US comic industry, precipitated a questioning and a revaluation of the currency on all sides. Amateur captures some of the feeling of that latter period. Chris Butler's written intro puts it in its very title 'Marvel Comics Were Ace' - ie they aren't anymore. It's not simply a matter of disappointment or desperation. It seems to involve a kind of yearning to have Marvel comics ' value restored. Amateur puts the yearning into practice, taking the next step and trying to reinsert Marvel superheroes into a history marked by personal understanding or brought by the passage of time. First up, Steve Martin's treatment of Captain America puts Cap in 1942 Russia following the Red Skull , but in a winter setting which could be derived from the Nazi's invasion of the USSR as they slaughtered their way through what is now Belarus. Martin puts in the scenes that would have been left out of a Marvel Cap story: bodies from mass executions taken away for a christian burial, soviet guards kicking crucifixes from graves, an old woman making Cap wear the military fur hat that belonged to her dead son before returning Cap to the fighting. The second story, New York 1966 by Gavin Butler and pre- Guardian Jonathan Edwards , features the FF with Johnny Storm as alienated youth in Lost Weekend mode who hides from his sister and Reed Richards in a friendly lesbian bar. In the last story, Chris and Gavin Butler have Peter Parker drag Matt Murdoch uptown to pull by impressing a pair of ladies with Pete and Matt's super identities. All stories turn on common humanity and a lack of uncomplicated resolution - that is, truer to social identity as lived outside the classic comic fan community, or indeed the classic Marvel comic. The FF story contains the closest attention to illustrative detail, enabling Edwards create strong characters graphically. However, despite a trite ending, it's Cap's moment in Russia which is the most touching, in that the real history of Eastern Europe is still out there, and still haunted by memories made of the materials used for this story's background. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/amateur.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Fri Jan 16 22:35:29 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AhcYr-0003XT-00; Fri, 16 Jan 2004 22:35:29 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AhcYr-0005gR-00 for ; Fri, 16 Jan 2004 22:35:29 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 22:35:26 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Pewfell Porfingles Adventures #3&4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Steve Edgell Pewfell Porfingles Adventures #3&4 This is Chuck Whelon 's slightly circuitously routed translation to US comics of UK comedy takes on American sf and fantasy genres. The templates here are Adams and Pratchett, as evidenced in narrative ploys like 'Space is enormously, intensely, incredibly, infinitely big' etc and in the figure of Porfingles, a barely competent wizard, as main character. Equally the fun, as in the Discworld and Hitch-hiker series, is derived from undermining the grandiose sweep of genre convention with everyday banality - such as the Earth destroyed to make way for an interplanetary traffic bypass - while using its generic framework to develop a narrative. A few plot elements should give you a flavour of the storyline. An implacable girlie alien, dressed like an SS pole-dancer from the video of Mel Brooks's 'Hitler Rap' , lands in Spirekassle. Carrying a huge machine gun, she terrorises the town's inhabitants and shoots Bish Bathenwell, acolyte of the goddess Hornbag and friend of Pewfell Porfingles. Pewfell is esconced in The Hog Nuts after a night's drinking with two of his other friends, local villain Pedwyn the Jackle and Fug the barbarian. Turfed out of the pub after refusing to pay up, Pewfell and Pedwyn make a hash of dealing with the alien invader until Pewfell's orc-slaying wife turns up. Pewfell finally accedes to pressure from his wife to tidy his room but, while doing it, is distracted by the sight in his crystal ball of Bish's soul with Hornbag crying out for help. Pewfell rushes off to find Bish's body and bring it back to life again, forgetting that he still hasn't tidied his room... Inevitably the arrival of Pottermania has skewed discussion of genre fantasy but Whelon's relatively incidental references to hogs and warts (The Hog Nuts is Pewfell's boozer of choice and Warts is a day of the week) clearly made it into print while Joanna Rowling's bestseller would have been a mere information sheet listing on her commissioning editor's hard drive. Add to this Whelon's enduring attachment to the conversational affectations for which British speech provides such a rich resource and it's plain that what we're talking about here is what consumer magazine reviewers would call an 'eclectic mix'. Of course, fantasy is not exactly an uncrowded field in comic publishing. Unlike his many counterparts, however, Whelon self-publishes in the small press and in these two issues, doesn't have quite the wherewithal to develop his stories at length. To their detriment, his ideas seem cramped and confined in the small space he has available. In issue 3, this is compounded as the drawings start off in halftone, which doesn't work as all detail is lost. But the rest of the comic is cluttered anyway as Whelon crams too many panels on a page and fills too many of those panels with hatching. In issue four there are more pages and Whelon dispenses with the hatching. As a result the drawing is tidier and the story is more lucid. Although there are still too many panels - I counted 11 on one - on this comic's A5 pages, there are sequences which show how much more powerfully Whelon's drawing can be put in service of his comedy's intentions. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/pq/pewfelladventures.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sun Jan 18 22:53:53 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AiLnl-0003MU-00; Sun, 18 Jan 2004 22:53:53 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AiLnl-0007Xt-00 for ; Sun, 18 Jan 2004 22:53:53 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 22:53:49 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Andrew Luke's Comic Book EPISODE III Revenge Of The Cantina Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: reviews by mooncat Andrew Luke's Comic Book EPISODE III Revenge Of The Cantina Um, well - you could say that Andrew Luke is a bit like a comics naive artist - something like an Alfred Wallis* - long may he continue & plough his own furrow, but this comic just confused me, and not in a good way either. It is largely based on a parody of Star Wars , & not being an aficionado of this particular merchandising commodity, I would imagine there are huge swathes of satirical backhanders that are completely lost on me... at least, I would hope so; I didn't really find it funny. It does have a plot - a story arc - but the panel to panel story has no real flow, making it an uncomfortably disjointed read. I hear Chester Brown creates comic pages from individually drawn panels & arranges these on the page. I have a suspicion that there is a similar process involved with the production of this comic. I would guess that Chester has a vision of the finished page: how the panels interact to create a cohesive flow, & probably how that flow is positioned in the overall scheme of the comic. The panels in Andrew's comic can often be treated each as individuals - there sometimes seems little regard as to how they might fit into the larger scheme of the page, let alone the comic as a whole. To add to this disjointed reading there is the wilful desire to have the comic read sideways - you have to hold it sideways & lift new pages from the bottom. I have nothing against unconventional formats, but this just added to the awkwardness of the reading. It perhaps has a logical start in the parody of the text scrolling title sequence that all (?) Star Wars films seem to have as a signature, but it doesn't perform well for comics. I guess it could be considered a 'wide screen presentation' but the gag is not exploited. In the artwork, elements like the crosshatching are untidy & even inappropriate. Hatching is used for shading or implying direction, but Andy's usage seems to have little consideration of the effect the hatching creates when applied. Regardless of the density of hatching, no real sense of depth is achieved; unfortunately it often just sits there, in stripes. Okay - so Andrew displays rudimentary drawing skills & these do not really help with the clarity of the reading, but to be positive, it does have to be said that he looks like he's had fun creating it. There's a use of cut outs & differing media: pens, paints, which makes it all look more interesting than many of the charmless efforts that I've seen. It's just a shame some of that fun spirit didn't manage to imbue itself into my reading of it. *Alfred Wallis: http://www.austindesmond.com/HTM/ArtistCV/Awallis.htm For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/andrewlukescomic.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Jan 26 22:20:48 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlF68-0005LD-00; Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:20:48 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlF64-0004mu-00 for ; Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:20:44 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:20:42 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hong Kong Pussy Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Steve Edgell Hong Kong Pussy Not a lot to do with Hong Kong. A lot to do with pussy. Mostly to do with the Camp X-Ray that is the history of US comics from the mid 1950s until fairly recently. The historical allusions start on page 2. The EC horror comics that were so reviled by Estes Kefauver's investigation committee are revisited yet again from our side of the Comics Code divide. Instead of the Crypt Keeper or the Old Witch hosting the narrative corruption, here it's the Crack Whore in irony overdrive and no knickers, luring kiddies to her Dungeon of Depravity, enticing them to take a toke of 'that crack' and witness a world of perversion, promising "this time, I'm gonna make ya bleed". I've lost count of the times such material has been reheated in pop culture, let alone the comics small press. Given this saturation, the most practical option is, while retaining all the classic lugubrious brio and flourish, to crank up the intensity to the point of near unintelligibility. And that's what we get here: a jokey fantasia of autoeroticism where wank and wank fantasy fuse, story unravelling as body parts merge with each other and almost every other line seems about to turn into an orifice. There are some tips of the spunk-encrusted member to more recent comic inventions, such as Chris Ware's gigantic lettering: pages 3 to 5 could more or less be summarised graphically as FUCK YOUR SELF STUPID, CUNT FACE, FUCK FUCK FUCK, WANK WANK FUCK, COME. However the main target is the madness of porn. In a sense, it's a testament to the enduring quality of the taboos enshrined in the Comics Code , even now when the Code itself is pretty much moribund, that little comics like this can need to exist. It suffers the problem of all transgression - its impact is reliant on the power of the taboo it flouts. However, since sex taboos have disfigured comics and comics publishing for so long, it's not as though there's no starting point at all. What else could be bad about this comic? Illustratively, its rendering puts it a little on the wimpy side. The Crack Whore's face, for example, might be a mess of repugnant shit but Pussy's pissy little hatched lines don't really show or tell it. That's fixable, but it'll be ZUM!'s Pussy#2 review that sees it. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/hongkongpussy.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 27 17:45:11 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlXGx-0006gz-00; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 17:45:11 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlXGw-0007J1-00 for ; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 17:45:11 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 17:45:09 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #167] BAM #26 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Chris E Bunting BAM #26 by Cobley + Ewing + Irving & various; =A32 (+ 50p p&p) from J. Cobley 94 Elm Road, Wisbeach PE132TB Bulldog take centre stage, but to add variety,=20 there's James and Neill Cameron's amusing=20 Cleansing Services: Special Ops, Garen Ewing's=20 consistently well-crafted Rainbow Orchid, and=20 even a story drawn by Frazer Irving. With over 50=20 pages for =A32.00 this is well worth the price of=20 admission! 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 27 18:00:52 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlXW7-00070Q-00; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 18:00:51 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlXW7-00036C-00 for ; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 18:00:51 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 18:00:50 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #167] The Girly Comic #4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green The Girly Comic #4 by various; Factor Fiction Press; =A31.50 (50p p&p)=20 from 38 Clarkes Road Wigston, Leicester LE18 2BE The highlight of this issue for me is a wonderful=20 non-story about rats, with a scratchy look that=20 is fittingly almost non-art The other stories are=20 all either well drawn, well written, or both=20 ("Seedlings" is a good example of the latter),=20 but unfortunately do not make much of an=20 impression. There is excellent work here, but=20 it's all rather bland 7/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 27 20:47:45 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ala7d-0002Xk-00; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:47:45 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ala7c-00040L-00 for ; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:47:44 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:47:42 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #167] The 0 Men #21 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green The 0 Men #21 by Eden; Ominous Comics; =A31.50 from M. Eden, 19a Trevalyan Rd Tooting, London SW17 9LS Doctor 0 and Anathema chat, and much is revealed=20 Martin Eden writes a very low-key story that=20 nonetheless manages to shock the reader with its=20 revelations and twists. The art isn't up to it's=20 usual quality, but the story is the best yet. Wow. 9/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 27 20:49:52 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ala9g-0002c8-00; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:49:52 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Ala9g-0004HH-00 for ; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:49:52 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:49:49 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #167] Rant! #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards Rant! #1 by Coxhead; =A31.50 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland=20 Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH Almost like a demented version of TV's Room 101,=20 UK creator Andrew Coxhead uses this 22-page black=20 and white anthology to vent his spleen at some of=20 life's annoyances (noisy neighbours, ties), the=20 bizarre (serial killers), and to indulge in his=20 love of saucy sci-fi warrior babes. Although a=20 trifle inconsistent and marred by a lack of=20 backgrounds, the brushwork is clean and competent=20 in an entertaining mini-comic of much potential. 6/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Jan 27 20:52:06 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlaBq-0002d0-00; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:52:06 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AlaBq-0004fr-00 for ; Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:52:06 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:52:04 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #167] Triple Six #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards Triple Six #1 by Fletcher & Ham; =A32 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland=20 Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH The first two serialised strips in this 28-page=20 A5 anthology quickly descend into depraved mass=20 slaughter, while the third - Who Was Jack the=20 Ripper? - is merely depraved. Combining Nazis, zombies, vampires, naked chicks=20 and gore - sometimes within a single panel! - the=20 over-the-top content is explicit but=20 tongue-in-cheek. The highlight, however, is Ham's=20 confident, spontaneous linework, given form by=20 applying grey tones using an ink wash, and which=20 certainly lends a visceral quality to the carnage. 7/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Tue Feb 24 22:23:58 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Avky6-0007bS-00; Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:23:58 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Avky2-0004Wv-00 for ; Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:23:54 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:23:50 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Windy Wilberforce: The Voice of the Wilberforce Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by David Birchall Yes! This is amazing. I sat down to read the first story and was quickly swept off, turned inside out, reduced to my basic chemical formula and reconstituted mostly as water! The stories seem to circle and twist through a world rooted the everyday, but always taking a turn into a hidden passage of phrase and picture that is occasionally sublime... Almost every phrase demands a rereading, I skimmed through, "Here as an Exorcist of words his task is to locate the Harlequin", then stopped and went back, thoughts sparking off everywhere. Is he breaking down the difference between an idea or concept and the representation of that in words? Trying to perceive the clarity of an idea or a thought in its purest form, before words maybe obscure or represent that meaning...? It strikes me at this point that I'm thinking too much about a single panel... but the comic is filled with moments like this; a deceptively simple arrangement of words can suddenly take on a staggering array of meanings and possibilities... Overall it's the kind of work you need to savour as a whole rather than dwell too long on individual incidents. The sum of the parts leaves you thinking on and on - maybe similar to a Herman Hesse novel or something, where it only starts to sink in when you absorb it as a whole.... The drawing has a really free but controlled line that moulds brilliantly with the nature of the constantly evolving insanity of the stories that always remain articulate and lucid... Quite an eye opener. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/wx/votwilberforce.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Feb 25 18:59:33 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aw4Fp-0005dc-00; Wed, 25 Feb 2004 18:59:33 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aw4Fo-0004c1-00 for ; Wed, 25 Feb 2004 18:59:32 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 18:59:26 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Stiro #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Posted by John Robbins Stiro #3 My osmotic take on writer Forstenski as foppish agitator struggling to shake his petit bourgeois mores is not always at odds with the tone and subject matter of the stories featured in Stiro , but read sans-misconception the third issue is infinitely more digestible and thoroughly enjoyable. Again capably aided by Mardou, here the artist mostly adopts an economical, cartoonish approach to the art, and though this retains only a fraction of the detail and character of her Manhole work, it should prove agreeably polished to those with an eye for evidence of a more conventional, developed style. Opening strip 'Marie Antoinette' describes the winding-down of an off-kilter romance between a circus wolf-boy and an elusive character who may or may not be more than a circus-hand with delusions of Royal grandeur. Permeated by a deadpan humour, this two-page tale provides some amusing dialogue and contains the instantly classic line Your naivety is pleasing, wolf-boy . In '33 Sleaford Street', the slacker generation is spotlighted as the ennui of two unemployed flatmates is interrupted by the introduction of a friend's girl to the scene. It's routine slice-of-life stuff, but with adroit characterisation and a wit that isn't too laboured, is well realised. At ten pages the Manga parody 'My Name Is Stiro' accounts for almost half of the publication and, I'm relieved to report, justifies this devotion of space. With ambitious narrative structure it offers glimpses into the animated lives of some pure and true youths as they join forces to battle the analogous Sea-Badger, sixty metres tall and terrorizing Tokyo. A casual deconstruction of the genre adds some weight to the laughs and the art is appropriately Manga-functional. Three short strips end the issue: the slightly indulgent but visually inventive 'Terence Gets Uppity', the Clowes-like 'First Date' (which contains a priceless panel depicting the dating couple occupying the front seats of the '59' double-decker. 'It's just two stops more,' says the bloke) and 'It's a Sickness', a half-hearted frustration with the fact that sex shades our every fibre - which fails to recognise that sex is a biological imperative and is indistinguishable from what we call 'personality'. Stiro #3 is no pseudo-Marxist 'call to arms' or demagogy - I'm obviously not absorbing information like I used to! What it is however is a thematically symbiotic collection of work that abandons sentiment and poignancy for dry wit and a playful edge, and which manages a kind of defective charm fuelled by intellect rather than emotion. It should certainly prove sound enough entertainment for adults, irrespective of class and degree of submission to the ageing process. 24 A4 pages, colour cover, £2.50 from Smallzone . For more info please see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005265.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Feb 25 22:34:21 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aw7bh-0005qi-00; Wed, 25 Feb 2004 22:34:21 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aw7bh-0001Q2-00 for ; Wed, 25 Feb 2004 22:34:21 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 22:34:17 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Coffee is for Grown Ups Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by David Birchall Coffee is for Grown Ups The latest offering from the writer of the excellent "Continuum of Thought" series... There's a great moment halfway through when one of the 'monsters of weakness' (representations of our human fallibility, or so I believe...) starts shouting at the writer to do something different, something else; and she does. It's a really funny and poignant moment; someone dealing openly with the act of creating, and working this into the narrative of the story itself. After this we see a development of styles and ideas come forth; I really like the way comics can explore the internal self and its dialogues and doubts in such a way that can be both amusing and intelligent. I particularly enjoyed the piece that explored a single moment in time from various different perspectives. It made me think of the idea of a sense of community and connection; that what you do effects someone else; that we don't live a in a hermetic bubble and can ignore everyone else with no consequence... Lots of good drawings of hands too, which I myself am struggling to learn to draw properly at the minute, so that's always good to see. Good stuff. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/c/coffeegrownup.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Thu Feb 26 16:10:43 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AwO5z-0008MR-00; Thu, 26 Feb 2004 16:10:43 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AwO5z-0005ve-00 for ; Thu, 26 Feb 2004 16:10:43 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 16:10:38 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] THE Banana/Skin JOKE Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by David Birchall THE Banana/Skin JOKE A curious artifact, the sequence of flashing beams from the light house turning round and round, illuminating a lone banana eater are completely evocative of that feeling of fear and unease at being exposed in the darkness. There's a another sequence that runs like negatives of photographs over and over, trailing off into the distance, endlessly repeating the same joke again and again; the banana skin joke... Something else that reaches out to me from this is how some of the panels and sequences have a real abstract quality to them, which really draws in the eye and had me turning the page around at 360 degrees to try and figure out quite how the image worked. Often these images are resolved into meaningful shapes and objects but occasionally panels remain ambiguous, constantly changing... Hmmm, I'm still not quite sure what to make of this; from an artistic point of view its beautifully drawn and produced; but it seems like there's some deeper idea behind the story, but this is never presented to the reader in any discernible way, leaving you wondering if you missed something. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/b/bananaskin.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Feb 28 23:04:51 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AxDVr-00053o-00; Sat, 28 Feb 2004 23:04:51 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AxDVq-0000Qd-00 for ; Sat, 28 Feb 2004 23:04:50 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 23:04:43 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #168] The 0 Men 22 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green The 0 Men 22 by Eden; Ominous Comics =A31.50 from M. Eden; 19a Trevalyan Road, Tooting London SW17 9LS. As Pathe confronts Doctor 0, the 0 Men face their=20 own considerable problems. Excellent stuff again,=20 with twists and turns aplenty, superb=20 characterisation and some of the best art in the=20 series so far. Absolutely brilliant, and fully=20 deserving of the top score. 9/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sat Feb 28 23:06:43 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AxDXf-00054c-00; Sat, 28 Feb 2004 23:06:43 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AxDXf-0001ik-00 for ; Sat, 28 Feb 2004 23:06:43 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 23:06:41 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #168] Pest Control 4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green Pest Control 4 by Springford; Ominous Comics =A31 from G.=20 Springford, 2 Cawston Court, Highland Road=20 Bromley BR1 4AF. I really have no idea what's going on in this=20 comic, but that really is part of its success.=20 Deep, disturbing mysteries, flawed but likable=20 characters and inventive imagery all together=20 make this a very fresh look at superheroes. A=20 superb cover too. 8/10 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Mar 01 22:05:15 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1AxvXH-0005ju-00; Mon, 01 Mar 2004 22:05:15 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1AxvXD-0000BY-00 for ; Mon, 01 Mar 2004 22:05:11 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 22:05:08 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Louis: Lost on the Moore, Round The World Rug Race Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Mardou Louis: Lost on the Moore, Round The World Rug Race Two stories of Louis by Metaphrog. The first, 'Lost on the Moore' finds Louis stumbled into a dream landscape reverie after buying a jar of strange bibliophile worms. It's Alan Moore-esque and weirdly wordy by intention but the story doesn't do very much. I'm guessing it would have more impact or at least raise a wry chuckle, in its original context (Alan Moore -Portrait of an Extraordinary gentleman) than it does here. As a story, the charm is dolloped on but it's still not much more than an exercise in vague cleverness. 'The Round the World Rug Race' is much more satisfying. Louis and his (mechanical?) pet, FC are plunged into a Herge-worthy minaret studded landscape, searching for the start of the Rug Race in their hot air balloon. As they scratch away at the mystery of their intended quest , the narrative is rudely interrupted by two gleeful plotters, you guess something's decidedly fishy about the affair. Ultimately Louis is duped into a sugar-death filled mall trolley dash and his dreams of hot air balloons and adventure fizzle into wistfulness. It's well-written and beautifully drawn. If you're a fan of Metaphrog this wont disappoint but personally I'm left with the feeling that I'm missing something. Louis for all his supposed lovable-ness leaves me a little cold. He's a little too featureless and blob-like to really tug at my cute strings. It's a problem for me as a reader, whereas with Tin-Tin its more cut and dried. Herge's eye for the void makes Tin-Tin an empty vessel for adventures and it's aimed squarely at children. Metaphrog seem to deliberately veer to the realm of the undefined. Is Louis for children? Judging by the adult route's they're taking (Alan Moore, SPX) I don't think so. As it is Louis comes across as something like a private joke by his creators and that makes me feel a little uncomfortable as a reader. Or is it just me? For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/l/louismoorerug.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Fri Mar 19 21:34:51 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B4Rdj-0003eg-00; Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:34:51 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B4Rdh-0005B3-00 for ; Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:34:49 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:34:45 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] In the Doghouse Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: In the Doghouse Posted by Mardou 'In the Doghouse' by PD at first glance struck me as being done by one of those people who really can't draw and so learn to draw just one thing, as their 'party piece'. It's usually a drawing of a cartoon dog playing the piano, or something like that. Happily 'In the Doghouse' isn't like that at all I discovered. Whilst the 'broken' strips that largely make up this 'zine, do fall under that catagory, the other story featured here 'Xilian' is actually very lovely to look at. Beautifully rendered in pencil and cross-hatching it begins the story of a suicidal young tyke who's attempted self lynching is thwarted by the arrival of a crashing space pod. No more is really given that that but this chapterlet is so nicely done, I'm curious to see how the rest of the tale unfolds. Artist/writer PD has a talent for quirky and unusual layouts that allow the reader's eye to meander across the page rather than follow stories in a traditional panel-to-panel fashion. It's early days and there's plenty I wasn't too crazy about, too much filler for one thing. There's 2 pages of Viz-style advert parodies which I wouldn't necessarily mind if, like the Viz ones, they were actually funny. They're not unfortunately and they give an otherwise muted and endearing comic, an annoying Rag Week vibe. But at a 70p cover price, the minus points are minor ones. A brief but pleasing read. For more info, see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005281.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Fri Mar 19 21:36:48 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B4Rfc-0003fQ-00; Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:36:48 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B4Rfc-0005yS-00 for ; Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:36:48 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:36:45 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Shooting Star Comics Anthology #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Shooting Star Comics Anthology #3 Posted by Mardou Shooting Star Comics Anthology is an American publication with contributors from all over the English speaking world and boy is it 'dynamic'! Having a long-time predilection for all things 'sluggish' this really wasn't my cup of latte at all, but oh well, here goesŠ First out of the bag of verbose and windy titles is an 'Aym Geronimo and the Post-Modern Pioneers' story called 'Aym got Game'. Creators J. Morgan Neal and Todd Fox deliver a breezy, let's introduce all the characters, slick from the lip kind of story that doesn't do very much other than feature action and bad guys and snappy one liners. Y'know, popular stuff. Continuing in the popular vein, I almost choked on my skinny-soy mochaccino as I at first thought that the indie doyen, Jessica Abel had been given a makeover by creators Jon Hook and Sinclair Elliot (like that horrific moment when you see Ally Sheedy preppied up by Molly Ringwald in 'The Breakfast Club). But no! It's just Fey Wilde, a witch P.I. with a badge and a gun, and star of 'Wilde Magick'. It's well drawn with careful attention to keeping the tension and pace going with use of angles and whatever, and it all ends with werewolves and silver bullets. And a cute oneliner. There's more super-vigilant action with stories such as 'Feeling the Sting-part 2', byScott McCullar, which contains action, vendettas and a flashback to seeing God (or is it?) and he looks a lot like Ice Cube. In a similar mindset comes, 'Passing in the Night' by Sean Taylor, Lorraine Sammy and Luis Alonso, a slice of teen power kids, with a night off from fighting crime and a penchant for indulging in some hormonal action. It leaves me sighing, 'Why can't more boys be like the 'guru of gases' Mist Master? Actually, I might think it was actually kind of funny, if it weren't so deadly dull. Shooting Star is one of those small press comics that tries to look as much as a 'real' comic as possible. And I can't argue with that, It's just that it's all so boring. I don't have anything against 'dynamic angles', 'in your face' inking or even computer lettering. It's more to the point that they've tried so hard to make it look professional, they've lost sight of what actually looks attractive. The cover is ugly, seen 'em before action poses in sludgey colours, it just doesn't look nice. There's lots of talent here, that's undeniable, it's just really uninteresting. And so mention must be given here to the one artist who looks completely out of place and was my favourite by far. 'Bedbug' by Scott Rogers looks homegrown, uses genuine pathos to provide a point to the action sequences and veers away from formulaic and overpolished scripting. "What's your name, you look like a Stephanie to me", "Julia.". And it's hand-lettered, a sure fire way to my heart! Well, lots of people are going to disagree with me as this comic will probably find a sizeable, mildy interested audience. For me though, it's just too soulless . For more info, see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005282.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Sun Mar 28 23:02:06 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B7iM2-0003Dh-00; Sun, 28 Mar 2004 23:02:06 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B7iM1-0002tD-00 for ; Sun, 28 Mar 2004 23:02:05 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 23:02:02 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Tommy Toothhead Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by mooncat Tommy Toothhead Here I review two Tommy Toothhead comics: Tommy Toothhead And His Dog & Tommy Toothhead and the Homeless Guy. But hey! These flipbooks are designed to be read in 2 directions to the centre pages. The basic idea is that in one direction you read Good Tommy Toothhead & the other Bad Tommy Toothhead. Egads! - That's 4 comics?! Reading from each side you are presented the same scenario from either the 'good' or 'bad' Tommy Toothhead persona: for instance on the 'Good' cover of the Tommy Toothhead and his Dog, the character is saying, "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice" - an over saccharine sentiment (which would suggest there is a liberal use of irony here). This is countered on the 'Bad' cover with "I made you a shit sandwich"... this is not, presumably a badly made sandwich, but an unpalatable scatological snack. All this sets the tone of these volumes very well. Hmm - talking of 'shit' - it seems somewhat anomalous to mention "shit" on the cover while within the comic the phrase "Beat the snot out of you" is uttered by a menacing Bad Tommy. So what happens in the comics? Do tell. Well - Tommy talks to his dog in the ...And His Dog issue & he chats with a vagrant in the ...And the Homeless Guy issue; so far so self explanatory. These books aren't really about the conveyance of a story or 'The Gripping Adventures of Tommy Saviour of The Universe' & all that. No, these mini comics play with an idea and they have a bit of a laff. One panel a page, the dialogue is played out & reflected in the counter scenario. The cartooning is stylised & seems to be informed with a graphic design sensibility. I suspect that Tommy started out as a doodle with extended spiky hair integrated into the shape of the head, as per Bart Simpson. The shape of the head creates a pleasing three pronged design motif, which sort of resembles a tooth; thus a character is born. Photocopies are used in the production of this comic, or the use of manipulated repeated images. This gives it a feel of stills taken from a cut-out animation sequence. The small changes that are made in each panel create little panel-to-panel/page-to-page variance, but that's not really to the detriment of the comic because this is more about playing with format. Thought has gone into these little comics: from the premise to the presentation, care has been made in their creation; like the selection of a good quality paper stock for the covers with images stuck onto the outer & inner cover by hand. These are little touches; the added ingredients, which add up making the whole: a couple of pleasant & engaging mini comics. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/t/tommytoothhead.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Mar 29 23:17:29 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B854T-0006gn-00; Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:17:29 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B854S-0003qT-00 for ; Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:17:28 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:17:24 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Conversations From Space Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by mooncat Conversations From Space No paper - just a disc - a CD. Technology moves and we utilise it as we can. From the vestigial details and .db files left in each directory's chapter of the story. This edition of the CD would appear to have been burnt using an application called Nero. Whether there would be more features - such as the "cover 2 cfs.ncd" would be available when using Nero, I could not say, but as the images themselves are in the pretty much universal format of jpeg, then most personal computers should be able to view them (I use a Mac). If you have a large screen that has the facility to display images at the resolution of 1280 x1024 then all the better - as you will be able to view the whole width of the image without the need to scroll: these are large images. I feel I have to get these pedantic technological concerns off my chest - as this is what they essentially are. My mentioning of them may cause you some concern and granted, they do not make the reading of the comic any easier if you have a low spec computer with a small screen, but don't let this put you off - this is a very good comic!! Richard's art has always been a visual treat. He is an intense cartoonist - someone who does not flinch at painstakingly depicting the ugly side of life in all its malevolent beauty. He also seems to have enjoyed packing his work with a density of detail that makes me marvel at his patience and tenacity. Background details like a mouse/rat being decapitated in a trap (first page of chapter 2) litter the background. The mob attacking a house is depicted scathingly in a childish style to empasise the disdain of the mob mentality, but that does not stop him pouring lavish detail into their scenes. He draws well, and you get the feeling that he really enjoys drawing, to the extent that there is a slightly obsessional aspect to the draughtsmanship - the general level of detail and the work applied to all the hatching and shading is very involved. All this adds to the general heightened intensity that the comic delivers. Richard has his polemical side, and is scathing of society, but not in a tired and hackneyed way. The presentation is fresh and the cynicism is wrapped up with a lot of homour. Although he is often scornful and condemning, he is also humane; the characters often travel in circles of hell, but they are not condemned - he allows characters to condemn themselves. It's a well plotted tale; cohesively planned and written, even down to the title. The chapters and recurring themes within would work a treat serialised over a number of months. The fact that there is no viable alternative comics anthology in this country that might be able to bring this work to he wider public makes me dispirited all over again... For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/t/tommytoothhead.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Mon Mar 29 23:19:49 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B856j-0006l2-00; Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:19:49 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=yahoo.co.uk) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B856j-0003r5-00 for ; Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:19:49 +0100 Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:19:47 +0100 Subject: Re: [review] [ZUM!] Conversations From Space Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v553) To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In-Reply-To: Message-Id: <3016DF0D-81CF-11D8-AED3-000A277D970E@yahoo.co.uk> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.553) From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: On Monday, March 29, 2004, at 11:17 pm, reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info wrote: > For more info please see: > http://www.zumcomics.info/t/tommytoothhead.html erratum: that URL should be http://www.zumcomics.info/c/conversationsfs.html sorry - shouldn't be sending to a mailing list when this tired... ZUM! boy From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Mar 31 22:57:34 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B8niI-0003dz-00; Wed, 31 Mar 2004 22:57:34 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B8niH-0007wf-00 for ; Wed, 31 Mar 2004 22:57:33 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 22:57:30 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Seer Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Seer Posted by Mardou A one-shot story from Engine Comics , 'Seer' is the tale of an urban witch doctor called in to solve murder cases in his own unique way. Jonathan Parkes, the witch doctor in question can 'see' the last thing a murder victim sees at the point of death. The only drawback is, he has to taste the victim's eyeballs to share the vision. Nice. He's an uncanny 'Cracker' if you will, and the TV show comparison bears up in other ways - the strength of the writing, the pacing of plot twists, the believable characters. One thing that is missing from the story however, is women. The absence is strongly felt as so much in the story relies on the protagonist's relationship to his wife, it's not enough that we are just told about her. We need to see her too, and this omission dents the credibility of the final line alluding to a sexual throb (though I'm trying not to include spoilers here)! Gary Simpson's writing is accompanied by deft artwork. From the opening foggy outline of Manchester, to the intricate lab scenes, to the brick fortresses of rows of terraced houses, Lee O'Connor's artwork isn't short on detail. Added to this, the more abstract art depicting the 'vision' scenes, fuses really well with the more gritty reality. What lets the artwork down is the inking. It's too spidery-thin and mechanical looking for such a chunky story about humanity in all its gross, indigestible glory. My favourite thing about 'Seer', is that it's so ugly - and I mean that as a compliment! This is professional looking stuff, yet no attempt has been made to slicken or prettify. The characters are ordinary blokes with weight problems, and this is so refreshing to see in a medium where chiseled jaws and manly brows still rule the roost. All in all then, 'Seer' sets a high standard for small press crime fiction and is well worth the read. For more info, please see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005295.html From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Thu Apr 01 22:37:24 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99sK-0002ux-00; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:37:24 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99sJ-0004Np-00 for ; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:37:24 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 22:37:22 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #169] Manhole #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by John Edwards Manhole #1 by Mardou; =A32.50 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH A slice-of-life 28-page anthology in the vein of=20 Daniel Clowes' work. The reflective=20 mother-daughter conversation Esme's Door is=20 subtly touching. But it is the main strip, George=20 Best - the life and loves of an unfulfilled young=20 woman - that is the highlight here. While the=20 artwork is not quite as cleanly executed as it=20 could be, this is nevertheless a well-written,=20 sophisticated title of inherent wit. 8 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Thu Apr 01 22:38:48 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99tg-0003B2-00; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:38:48 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99tg-0004jp-00 for ; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:38:48 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 22:38:46 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #169] Paradise Lost 2: My Father's Son Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by John Edwards Paradise Lost 2: My Father's Son by Bonney & Stanford + McColm; =A31.50 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH It may feel a tad dated, but writer Jay Bonney's=20 ongoing superhero saga - recalling the late-=20 1980s post-Watchmen era - focuses on the moral=20 and political ramifications facing a=20 Superman-styled hero. Although chapter two's=20 artist Michael McColm lacks the finesse of=20 traditional main illustrator Colin Stanford, the=20 cracking script surprises, the story's resolution=20 is unexpected, and at 64 pages this A5 book=20 represents great value for money. 8 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Thu Apr 01 22:39:58 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99uo-0003BY-00; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:39:58 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99uo-0005TC-00 for ; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:39:58 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 22:39:56 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #169] Pest Control 5 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Kelvin Green Pest Control 5 by Grant Springford; Ominous Comics =A31 from G. Springford 2 Cawston Court, Highland Road Bromley BR1 4AF Another excellent cover, and another excellent=20 issue, as we are treated to the origin of Penny=20 Dreadful. The writing is full of great ideas=20 conveyed with considerable skill, and the art in=20 this issue is undoubtedly Grant Springford's best=20 yet. A serious rival to The 0 Men's dominance in=20 the small press superhero field. 8 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Thu Apr 01 22:44:03 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99yl-0004XR-00; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:44:03 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1B99yl-0007cz-00 for ; Thu, 01 Apr 2004 22:44:03 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 22:44:02 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #169] Watching Days Become Years Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by John Edwards Watching Days Become Years by LeVine; =A32.50 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford,=20 Shropshire TF6 6AH in the UK or=20 http://www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com/ elswhere. Begging comparison with Harvey Pekar's seminal=20 American Splendor, this 40-page title acts as a=20 diary chronicling five years in the life of US=20 creator Jeff LeVine, capturing the perceived=20 mundanity of an ordinary Joe settling into a=20 dead-end job. LeVine's mostly minimalist artwork=20 matures as the book progresses, encompassing a=20 variety of assured styles from tight=20 illustrations to abstract loose brush and wash=20 tones. Stark, contemplative and understated, yet not without humour, the highlight is perhaps No Second Acts - a series of bold panels depicting=20 wonderfully detailed scenes of the author's route=20 from work to home. 9 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From rickbradford@austin.rr.com Wed Feb 11 16:06:49 2004 Received: from ms-smtp-01.texas.rr.com (ms-smtp-01-eri0.texas.rr.com) [24.93.47.40] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aqwsy-0004kP-00; Wed, 11 Feb 2004 16:06:48 +0000 Received: from RickBradford (cs679167-77.austin.rr.com [67.9.167.77]) by ms-smtp-01-eri0.texas.rr.com (8.12.10/8.12.7) with SMTP id i1BG6cLc025205 for ; Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:06:45 -0600 (CST) Message-ID: <00b201c3f0b8$f061dd20$4da70943@austin.rr.com> To: "group: reviews \(P.Schroeder\)" Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:05:52 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 X-MIMEOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 X-Virus-Scanned: Symantec AntiVirus Scan Engine From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] BLUNDERING POP #1 & 2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: BLUNDERING POP #1 & 2 Review by Rick Bradford You want extreme comix? This is extreme comix. SS-Sunda's work in BLUNDERING POP should appeal to fans of the Mike Diana school of art. In other words, it's ultra-violent, sexually graphic, defiantly perverse and downright bizarre. I'm sure this stuff would fit right in the pages of SICK PUPPY/ATOMISER (R.I.P.) or THANK GOD IT'S UGLY (although I'm guessing on that one as I haven't seen an actual issue). Unfortunately, for me, it's entirely in Italian. Still, it's not to difficult to get the gist. The main storyline (which runs in both issues) concerns a large group of freaks (as in the sideshow variety) seeking retribution of some sort ("The Fucking Freaks Revenge"). The second story in each issue focuses on different (apparently) masked wrestlers and their otherwise freakish companions. If you haven't read much of this sort of thing then prepare to be shocked. If you happen to have a freak fetish you've probably already got money shoved in an envelope, but the uninitiated should be warned: the cover is only a small taste of what awaits inside. For more info please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ From rickbradford@austin.rr.com Wed Feb 11 16:11:44 2004 Received: from ms-smtp-01.texas.rr.com (ms-smtp-01-eri0.texas.rr.com) [24.93.47.40] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aqwxk-000627-00; Wed, 11 Feb 2004 16:11:44 +0000 Received: from RickBradford (cs679167-77.austin.rr.com [67.9.167.77]) by ms-smtp-01-eri0.texas.rr.com (8.12.10/8.12.7) with SMTP id i1BGBeLc002608 for ; Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:11:43 -0600 (CST) Message-ID: <00c601c3f0b9$a1d1c0c0$4da70943@austin.rr.com> To: "group: reviews \(P.Schroeder\)" Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:10:53 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 X-MIMEOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] THE COMICS INTERPRETER Vol. 2, #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: THE COMICS INTERPRETER Vol. 2, #1 Review by Rick Bradford Have you seen this magazine yet? Any reader of THE COMICS JOURNAL or the recently-relaunched INDY Magazine should give this one a try. Interviews comprise the bulk of TCI, this time with Hans Rickheit, Paul Pope and Glenn Fabry. The interviews were conducted via e-mail and I think they suffer for it (just a personal prejudice, you understand), but the quality of questions and knowledge of the interviewers (Chad Parenteau, Robert Young) make up for it. And it's obvious from the back-and-forth discussion that these aren't simple Q&As. Still, they don't have the natural flow that in-person or phone interviews often produce. That said, my favorite is with Glenn Fabry, an artist whose work I enjoy but haven't seen all that much of. All three interviews succeed at being interesting and examining the subjects both as artists and as people. Other features in the issue include a number of indepth reviews (of alternative and related mainstream work), Gene Phillips' "Defining the Superhero", a Q&A with Alex Pardee (an artist/self-publisher who's apparently been pretty successful even without Diamond's help), "The Most Interesting Person in Comics?" (a bunch of industry folks offer their picks) and reviews of zines and mini-comics. All of this comes wrapped in an attractive cover by Rickheit. If you haven't seen this in your local comics shop, check with Tower Records (or buy it directly from the TCI website). For more info please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com From zumcomics@yahoo.co.uk Wed Apr 07 22:31:46 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BBKeA-0006dp-00; Wed, 07 Apr 2004 22:31:46 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BBKeA-0007gb-00 for ; Wed, 07 Apr 2004 22:31:46 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 22:31:33 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] King Cat #56 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Dave Golding King Cat #56 This is an A5 mini-comic on white paper in black and white. The first thing that caught me about this title is the number of issues it seems to have had. This issue is number 56, which if you're a self published comic book collector or you do a title yourself, you will know is a pretty good accomplishment. I would like to have had a look at past issues as it may have made this title more coherent to read. The art is a little James Kochalka -esq, which is not a bad thing, but the lack of detail in the backgrounds makes it hard to see where the characters are and what they are doing.The story seems to follow a group of high school friends in some suburb of America and the things that happen to them over a couple of days. One couple listens to the 'Beatles White Album' and then they go on to a local fair. Then a couple gets dressed up for Halloween and two other people get into a fight. All these little events are broken up by spontaneous games of American Football in the street, but to be honest it was a little hard to tell which characters were which. To me the most important part of any comic book is the ability to tell a story: to move the characters from A to B to C. Yet with this issue the characters and situations just jump around way too much and it left me feeling more than a little confused. There are 22 pages of the main story then after that a letters column called 'Catcalls' . From reading the letters they seem to be more about what the writer of the letter did the other day, for example "I went for a walk" and "I listened to that album." Nothing really to do with past issues, or anything for that matter. Which leads me to think they were probably written by a friend of John Porcellino rather than by an actual fan of the comic. The real treat of this comic however is a one page strip on the inside back cover about a bee called Busy Bee which is also written by John Porcellino . I thought this was great, really sweet and really simple, and the art was a lot better than in the main story. It's a shame that the main story isn't has good as the simple little bee story in the back. King-Cat and Other Stories is worth checking out if only for the bee story. For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/t/tommytoothhead.html From rickbradford@austin.rr.com Wed Feb 25 18:18:59 2004 Received: from ms-smtp-02.texas.rr.com (ms-smtp-02-eri0.texas.rr.com) [24.93.47.41] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Aw3cZ-0002Mq-00; Wed, 25 Feb 2004 18:18:59 +0000 Received: from RickBradford (cs679167-113.austin.rr.com [67.9.167.113]) by ms-smtp-02-eri0.texas.rr.com (8.12.10/8.12.7) with SMTP id i1PIItvV018368 for ; Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:18:56 -0600 (CST) Message-ID: <005d01c3fbcb$ad13e180$71a70943@austin.rr.com> To: "Zum Reviews list" Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:17:47 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 X-MIMEOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 X-Virus-Scanned: Symantec AntiVirus Scan Engine From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [Poopsheet] THE AMAZING CYNICALMAN Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: THE AMAZING CYNICALMAN Review by Rick Bradford I've been reading Matt Feazell's comics for - oh, my - nearly 20 years now and I'm still enjoying them. They're not what I would call "cutting edge" (whatever that really means) but they're fun and make me laugh. Feazell's timing, humor and draftsmanship have all improved over the years but the truth is he had mastered the stick-figure form by the time I first saw his work sometime in 1985. This paperback collects the entire run of the "Amazing Cynicalman" weekly strips that originally ran in several Michigan newspapers. What you get is mostly family-friendly humor that includes the occasional commentary on local topics or politics. Cynicalman, of course, is the primary character but not always the star. He shares the page with such aptly-named characters as Antisocialman, Stupid Boy, CuteGirl and Mr. Know-it-all. I know, I know... If you've never read the stuff before it all sounds like something out of a fifth-grader's notebook (okay, junior high then). Well, I suppose that's part of the gag. The characters are basically as shallow as their names would suggest but it doesn't matter because they're only vehicles for the artist's jokes. Scenarios I find really funny for one reason or another include Dr. Pweent (a mad scientist) turning the modern-day world back to 1900, most anything with Waldo Brakefluid (philosopher) and the Cynicalman versions of the American Revolution and 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. If you're put off by the concept of stick figures and haven't read any of Feazell's work I encourage you to look past your prejudice and check it out. You may find that it's not your cup of tea but I think you'll also realize that the guy knows what he's doing. For more info please see: http://poopsheet.blogspot.com/ From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri Apr 09 22:54:37 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BC3xN-0002Up-00; Fri, 09 Apr 2004 22:54:37 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BC3xM-0004dq-00 for ; Fri, 09 Apr 2004 22:54:36 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 22:54:32 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] King Cat #60 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Lucy King Cat #60 Issue sixty? Where have I been? How does Porcellino find the time to knock out sixty of these little treats? I think it's a front for a zine sweat shop scandal. Anyway, yeah; this is a collection of sweet little moments that make getting out of bed bearable. It has a rustic and rural charm, a Top 40 (I like lists) and a neat little story about finding a tree. Overall a fragmented collection of quietly significant and personal moments. It made me smile warmly for a good hour afterwards For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/k/kingcat.html#60 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Apr 11 19:12:46 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BCjRm-0001Qk-00; Sun, 11 Apr 2004 19:12:46 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BCjRm-00029s-00 for ; Sun, 11 Apr 2004 19:12:46 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 19:12:44 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Cha Cha Sketchbook #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Cha Cha Sketchbook #1 review by Lucy Some fantastic doodles - a nice non-liniar window into a slightly eccentric mind. Wonderfully lacking in narrative; pictures for the sake of pictures, in the best possible way. Un petite homage de la Shultz thrown into the melting pot. It's like when you first wake up and try to piece together your dreams: there are loose connections but overall you are left with a malleable feeling rather than a definite article... if that makes sense? For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/c/chachasketchbook.html discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=194&sid=833ee5ccee58f2391f9060f3e2f9a485 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri Apr 16 23:09:56 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BEbX2-0004pk-00; Fri, 16 Apr 2004 23:09:56 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BEbX1-0008Kg-00 for ; Fri, 16 Apr 2004 23:09:56 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 23:09:50 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Compendium of Compendiums Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by mooncat Compendium of Compendiums Around the middle of this comic you turn the page to be confronted by the author; not an uncommon comics trick: breaching the Third Wall. In 4 panels she explains the title of the book (or the individual titles from whence this was collated) 'A Compendium of thoughts' Comparing it to the old, "board game collections you could get: A Compendium of Games" that boasted six or seven different games, "And the box looks okay, but when you take it apart... ...you realise it's just Tidily Winks & Pick Up Sticks...." This 'Compendium' is obverse; it is more than the sum of its parts. It is scrappily rendered; that is the first hurdle to negotiate as a reader - it is neither slick nor flash. Lucy would not appear to be a product of extensive artistic training, but comic creation is not just about surface - it's creating a world & communicating. Annie Lawson's stick figures comics may have been crude & scrappy, but they made an impact on the UK cultural zeitgeist more than almost any small press comic. This comic is all the stronger for the 'world' it creates is well realsied: Lucy knows how to communicate well in her 'comics world'. She has an understanding of the subtleties of body language & uses this to good effect in her strips. It lends the pages an intimacy that many comic artists fail to infuse into their work. Each comic strip is only a few pages long & many of them are about heartache, unrequited love & loneliness. At times it feels like this might be the visual equivalent of the Emo music genre (or whatever the current equivalent may be): heartrending vignettes rendered in a punky fashion - hard & soft combined. There's an honesty that comes over in the work. It doesn't reference the approaches other artists might use in this subject matter. It seems isolated from any 'comics scene', maybe provincial, but not in a parochial way. There just seems to be a need to communicate & share. Some of the strips approach the subject directly or in reflection, some are intended to be fun & others are oblique - I especially liked the 2 page silent strip with layered panels that just seemed to evoke events in a street; moments of passing lives. Cynicism may look on this form of introspective comic as 'self help therapy' & it would be hard to deny that in the way that it meditates on moments of longing & loss there could well be a level of catharsis in its creation. This does not mean that the comic is one long irritating whine - far from it, it's a very personable comic. Beneath the pessimistic black on black covers & bleak longings there seems to be an inner warmth & strength - nay, even contentment. Annie Lawson: http://www.hostedshops.com/cnb/shop/the_womens_stand?listPos=&op=catalogue-products&prodCategoryID=6 For more info please see: http://www.zumcomics.info/c/compendiumof.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Apr 21 06:02:17 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BG9sH-00009s-00; Wed, 21 Apr 2004 06:02:17 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BG9sG-00022A-00 for ; Wed, 21 Apr 2004 06:02:16 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 06:02:12 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Phobias Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Phobias Review by Pete Doreé Accent UK is a small press collective I have a lot of time for. Producers of the excellent 'Black Harvest Moon', their books are always interesting. Phobia is an anthology, and like all anthologies, It's a mixed bag. Going with the same minimalist cover style as Black Harvest Moon and their previous anthology 'Remembrance Days' is a good idea, as it defines a house style. Inside, each story is named after the particular phobia it depicts, which is a little confining to the writers, however: We start with the best piece, with Dave Hitchcock's tale of an ageing & despairing vampire. Dave's pencil artwork is stunning, slightly reminiscent of Rick Veitch, and his sense of design is second to none; an excellent opener. Chris Doherty's story of a creeepy children's entertainer, (what other kind is there?) is also well done, tho' his drawing style needs tightening up slightly, the pacing is spot on. Dave West's 'Dissecting My Fear' is next. It's ok. His 'web' design works well, tho' his figure work isn't that great; interesting ending. Leon Hewitt's 'Socio-Phobic's Guide To Job Hunting' follows, and it's a fun story, with an unpredictable ending, but the art really needs work. Leon has an appealing style, but here it's obvious he's just coasting. The same could also be said for Leonie O'Moore's 'Fear Of Birds' where perfect facial expressions jostle uneasily with rushed spotting. A shame, as, like the previous strip, this artist has the basics, she just needs to tighten up. Uh oh, 'The Super Powered Coward' is up next, not another superhero spoof! Actually, this one's helped immeasurably by Jeff Borneman's manga-esque art, and the premise isn't that bad. Another interesting premise (a Christie-lite murder mystery) for 'Fear Flies The Coop' is ruined by a ridiculous ending that's utterly at odds with what's gone before, and, although the artwork is technically brilliant, It suffers from a real sense of 'life' and dull camera angles. The reverse is true in 'Bad Blood' which comes with great design, an interesting story, and, I'm sorry to say, ugly, flat art. Monophobia ends the book with the best story, with potentially great art, unfortunately ruined by the same insensitive inking that marred Black Harvest Moon. In all, this is an anthology that starts well, but tails off toward the middle. The problem is, I think, good writers unwilling to give their scripts to better artists. If most of the tales here had been illustrated by artists of the calibre of Hitchock or Borneman... the whole thing would've worked much better. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/pq/phobias.html discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=208 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Apr 21 21:29:44 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGOLo-00086R-00; Wed, 21 Apr 2004 21:29:44 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGOLo-00089L-00 for ; Wed, 21 Apr 2004 21:29:44 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 21:29:42 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Warning; This is Propaganda #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Warning; This is Propaganda #3 review by Lucy OK, so firstly this is not my usual cup of tea, I guess I find such political statements slightly crass (no pun intended). I agree with some of the political content, i enjoyed the variety of illustrative styles it has to offer and to it's credit it offers this, but, ...I dunno, narrative wise it seemed very much like a one trick pony; the title says it all. If this kind of homage de viz floats your boat then I guess this is a neat little ferry. For more details see: http://www.zumcomics.info/wx/warningtip.html#3 discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=209 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Apr 22 05:51:09 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGWB3-0007DL-00; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 05:51:09 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGWB2-0000cI-00 for ; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 05:51:09 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 05:51:05 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hope For The Future #4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Hope For The Future #4 review by Pete Doreé A sort of 'shared world' anthology, this; reminiscent of the late, great Duckdale Express. Writer/artist Simon Perrins produces the 'framing story' of Hannah, Lee & Greg: three students out on the town telling each other Halloween stories. His drawing style is semi-realist, making his characters moderately likeable (well, they are students). The first proper strip is 'Rock Club of The Damned', and it's the weakest here, although John Lycett Smith's art is interesting and very like Simon Gane in places. I prefer his prologue that opens the book, as it seems more finished. In a similar stylistic vein is 'Greg's Psychedelic Breakfast', but Richard J Smith's art is even more rushed; particularly on the 2nd page, but he does juxtapose art & narration perfectly, making the story funnier. In both cases, these two artists have good, fun styles; there's just not enough finish. This is something you can't say about John Welding's 'Stones Holes & Dogs. Like a more detailed Denny Derbyshire this is an atmospheric tour de force, particularly as we follow Hannah into a mysterious cave. On the whole, this is a good comic. The only real drawback is that Simon seems to have a problem with endings. None of the featured stories finishes successfully, and the 'framing story's' end is far too obvious. He is however quite good at characterization and pacing and like his artists has an interesting, appealing style. It all just needs tightening up. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/hopeferfuture.html#4 discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=210 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Apr 22 19:01:32 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGiVw-0001qE-00; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 19:01:32 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGiVv-0002wK-00 for ; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 19:01:32 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 19:01:30 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hercule Presente Wreckshow Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Hercule Presente Wreckshow Review by Pete Doreé To start with, Hercule is an extremely good cartoonist. He's developed his own reality, peopled by surreal, ugly but visually compelling characters that, thanks to his expert line work, just leap off the page. Unfortunately, he's nowhere near as good a writer. None of the strips here really work convincingly, and some aren't really strips at all, more stream of consciousness pages of unconnected panels. Worse; too much of this book is filler, with pages of spoof articles that just aren't funny enough to engage. But there are instances when Hercule's weird style works: The 50's style letters page, the 'official signals', the rappers telling us the revolution has already been televised (while you were watching Eastenders). This is all good stuff, but there just ain't enough of it. I wanted to like this, as I really do like the art, but unfortunately, it just doesn't have enough focus. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/wx/wreckshow.html discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=211 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Apr 22 23:24:08 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGmc4-0003UU-00; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 23:24:08 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BGmc0-0007dO-00 for ; Thu, 22 Apr 2004 23:24:04 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 23:24:01 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Attempted Not Known #3&4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Attempted Not Known#3 review by Mardou Accomplished artwork and stories of all American lives; Attempted Not Known is an intriguing little comic by Peter S. Conrad. The drawing is particularly fine and the material consists of well pace short stories and little vignettes capturing workaday and mundane situations. Conrad executes these perfectly yet beneath the surface of the expertly inked pages you sense the bend sinister, the horrors we turn our minds away from, uncomfortable situations. You get the sense that Conrad's scratching away at America's underbelly with his disciplined nib. The third instalment of Attempted Not Known mainly consists of a short story in progress. Peter, a young man in a baseball cap (the young artist?) who's getting by doing office work, finds himself unexpectedly sacked. This leads him to him finding companionship in an unlikely acquaintance named Jim, an aged beaded stoner mechanic. They smoke a bowl, fix up a machine and the whole point of the scene comes at the height of nothing, Peter stoned and crying with laughter at his unemployed status. It's weirdly uncomfortable for the reader and pitch perfect- the silent inked laughter on the page excluding the reader forever, the characters frozen in time. It's creepy as hell and the sensation follows you through the comic. There's 'American Encounters', one page stories, overheard conversations, dealings with kooky shop assistants, that leave you feeling like a spy in suburbia, half entertained, half uncomfortable, and 'Weird Real Dreams' which again are self-explanatory. The interaction between reader and artist seems to be something that Conrad's particularly interested in, asking on the contacts page, "Do you have an interesting story to tell? Are you in prison?" The material here seems to confirm the suspicion that the first story maybe isn't biography at all, maybe it's something he's been told or sent. It's an interesting experiment considering the theme seems to be 'American-ness'. Using dreams and real life stories from the world at large, Conrad's chronicling both the waking life and the unconscious of his country and its inmates. At any rate, the artist seems to reduce himself to lurker status in this comic, and the result is a slice of life cut with a dubiously dirty cake slice. Enjoy! for more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/ANK.html#3 Attempted Not Known #4 review by Mardou For most of 'Attempted Not Known # 4' the story of Peter and his oddball friend is continued from the previous issue (although the story meanders well enough on it's own as a read alone piece). Not much happens once again, they smoke cigaraettes, drive to see Kenny, an ex-crack addict, sing hill-billy songs. The sequences flit between the people (America personified?) and the landscape from the car window 'real America'. Peter S Conrad is a particularly gifted inker and I think the rendering of the scenes using light and dark to create mood and suggest sub-surface tension, is particularly well done. He manages to never over-draw and uses enough hatching and tones to make each panel evocative. Although nothing much is happening in the story, you can read the faces in each panel to panel, and a subtext seems to emerge from their expression. Despair, bewilderment or anguish all seem to be suggested by each line or wrinkle, frozen stare or open mouth. Conrad has a remarkable talent for this. Other stories here include 'The Four Hundred Dollar Apartment' (story contributed by Ben Seaman) - a group of friends check out an empty apartment going cheap and discover it to be full of fascist memorabilia from the deceased previous occupier. The friendship winds down as one of the guys gets a real kick out of the Nazi stuff and takes it to further and further extremes. The story isn't delivered with much gusto but rather seems like an overheard story in a pub, though perhaps that's the idea. Artistically, this and the rest of the material her (more 'Weird Real Dreams') are delivered to the usual high standard. I don't want to unequivocally praise Attempted Not Known for as talented as Peter S Conrad is, he seems a little fixated with the dark side of life and there's no warmth or humour to provide relief. As much as admire Conrad's artistic talents, the writing and material are just too cold and negative to make me want to check out further issues. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/ANK.html#4 discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=213 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri Apr 23 23:19:59 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BH91b-0003ny-00; Fri, 23 Apr 2004 23:19:59 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BH91W-0004h9-00 for ; Fri, 23 Apr 2004 23:19:54 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 23:19:50 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] A Life in Comics #2&3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: A Life in Comics #2&3 review by Heather Middleton A Life in Comics (#2 and 3 reviewed here) are A6 mini-adventures featuring Dave and his friends, small but fierce South Park-like avatars that wobble but don't fall down. In issue #2, Dave's short day starts with a threesome with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Carmen Electra and ends in a cinema smelling of fish. #3 details the perils of trying to send letters when your local postmistress is Jabba the Hutt. Amusing autobiographical quickies from an accomplished artist with a keen sense of comic pacing. for more details see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/alifeincomics.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=214 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Apr 26 17:14:47 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BI8kp-00070x-00; Mon, 26 Apr 2004 17:14:47 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BI8kp-0003Im-00 for ; Mon, 26 Apr 2004 17:14:47 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 17:14:44 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Coffee is for Grown Ups Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Coffee is for Grown Ups Posted by Mardou Coffee is for Grown Ups comes to you courtesy of Lucy and her inner voice Ebil, as the artist (the ink on paper version) tries to collect her thoughts in sequential story form. The story begins as an allegory between a loveshy boy 'n' girl and the "monsters of weakness that plague us all". You know the monsters, apathy, indifference , no confidence and all their scaly friends. It's not exactly an original premise, and the comic itself, personified by Ebil, knows it and demands a better story from Lucy. This incident sets the tone for the comic and this emerging voice is what keeps me interested. The fine line between knowingness and modesty tapers through the pages and the result is an odd, strangely pleasing comic. It also seems a little familiar and I think the external influence of Craig Thompson and the TopShelf school of comix-making is as strong as the coffee spurring the artist on from within. Coffee is for Grown Ups, with it's cast of scrawly-eyed monsters, simply drawn yet expressive people, slobbering dogs, stray leaves and cola cans is very likeable and though as a read, there's not a great deal to keep me occupied, it's got me hankering for a refill. And you get a free cute badge on the cover. For more of info, please see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005314.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Apr 26 19:07:40 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BIAW4-0000VR-00; Mon, 26 Apr 2004 19:07:40 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BIAW3-0003HX-00 for ; Mon, 26 Apr 2004 19:07:39 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 19:07:37 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Extricate #4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Extricate #4 Review by Heather Middleton In his intro, creator Dave worries about the personal nature of issue 4, which he fears may be seen as self indulgent, before defending it because he's pleased with it aesthetically. I assume a couple of melancholic cartoons about a recent breakup are what's meant here, though by the standards of Mighty Joe Matt, there's no self-revelation that should raise a blush. Nor is there, at first glance, anything to shout about graphically. However what appears to be a rather roughly drawn, hasty zine, turns out on closer reading to be something more sophisticated, dreamy and poetic, with images and symbols running through different stories like a river. A prelude shows scenes of a diseased city, swollen with bureaucracy, where time passes without meaning. 'Thoughts Walking Home' follows, a meditation on reading 'Joan Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem', her collection of essays about sixties counterculture, while Dave is feverish in a squat and, at one point, interrupted by a police visit. The story eventually whites out into a desert sun on a horizon - Didion's California, but also an icon repeated elsewhere through the zine including the cover. Turning the page, the sun becomes the uppermost bubble in a thought balloon of a tiny figure slouching home through a rainy cityscape. Panel transitions like this, from blazing desert heat to downpour, are why Dave should keep making comics. The desert sun appears again in 'The Adventures of Johnny and Doodlebug' where panel one informs us Doodlebug has abandoned his own strip in disgust at its pretension - leaving Johnny to mercilessly rip into the rest of his creator's efforts. Another strip starts with a panel of a setting sun then pulls back to show Dave drawing it, wondering about it for a few panels before abandoning the strip. Yet there's something mesmerising about a strip in which you the reader watch an artist watching what he's drawing. As well as the comics, there are some random bits and pieces including a very funny description of a self harming German performance artist, bread making tips, and some excellent 'Great Moments in History'. My final mental image of Dave is of a slightly damaged idealist wearing a Nietzsche T-shirt and a gentle smile. Extricate #4 is an atmospheric zine that rewards closer attention than its appearance might at first seem to merit. Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=215 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri May 14 22:26:01 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BOkBt-0005dv-00; Fri, 14 May 2004 22:26:01 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BOkBs-0001Mw-00 for ; Fri, 14 May 2004 22:26:01 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 22:25:58 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Spinster Nemesis Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Spinster Nemesis Review by Mardou Yurt's 'Spinster Nemesis' is one of my favourite discoveries of the year so far. Post Riot Grrl Yurt tale, (who though male must surely figure as an honorary Riot Grrl) Spinster Nemesis tells of one Jennifer Snappy Snatch, who shunned by her post-feminist girlfriends (led by the infamous Crabbity Annie Nora) goes off on a solitary mission to rediscover herself, rest up and think up some ideas for her next 'Zine. She makes it as far as Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she's taken under the reluctant wing of feminist icon, Harriet Keller, "the lady who once taught Crabbity to sing and swing". Things don't go two smoothly between the two anti-machos in this very funny and sharp yarn of tongue in cheek gurl love. The story is rich with in-jokes and dialogue snappier than Jennifer's proverbial snatch. It's matched with slimy and amphibious artwork (read it and see what I mean) which gets better and freakier as the comic reaches it's clambake climax. The only thing that lets Spinster Nemesis down for me, is the lettering and panel layouts. Whilst perfectly functional, they're messy looking and rambling. It didn't put me off and I was rewarded with an excellent read, but I think it would put some readers off at surface level, which I think is a shame. All should read. Especially Dave Sim. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/s/spinemesis.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=223 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri May 14 22:28:23 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BOkEB-0005iR-00; Fri, 14 May 2004 22:28:23 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BOkEB-0001oa-00 for ; Fri, 14 May 2004 22:28:23 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 22:28:18 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Remembrance Days Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Remembrance Days Posted by Mardou Published by the Accent UK collective , Remembrance Days is an anthology of war stories by British small press talent. With a distinctive two tone cover, the red on white becoming a signature of this comics collective, the comic has a quality feel. The artwork within doesn't always hit the mark but on the whole I was impressed by the standard of the writing. Highlights include Baz Renshaw's 'By So Many', a near wordless comic using iconography of war and memorabilia so familiar that we often don't consider what's signified. A series of stills form the comic - bullets hitting home, a Belsen-emaciated face, a POW cell, a burning church; the images follow through to the inevitable conclusion- a single cenotaph, countless graves. It's well drawn, unsentimental and the whole effect is more powerful than two minutes silence. The next story is John Gallagher's 'Desperate Glory'. At first, the juxtaposition of this with 'By So Many' seems a little in bad taste. 'Desperate Glory' is at first glance a Superhero yarn that, by now, you're not in the mood for. However the story takes an unexpected twist, Captain Glory's sidekick is killed in action. Breaking generic convention, the Boy Wonder is all too human. Blown to pieces on the battlefield, Captain Glory can't save him, only retrieve the boys' dismembered body. Other stories here include 'The Day Everything Stopped' by Dave West. The story is told through a child's perspective, which translates the events of war into fantasy. It's an interesting idea but doesn't work hard enough towards a satisfying conclusion. Craig Fenton's artwork on the story is striking and bold, but again, seems to blur and make the setting vague leaving you unsure as to whether this is past or future. 'Occupied Territory' by Leon is the story of a wartime cat escaping the fate of it's young mistress. A soldier later finds the cat, mewing over a broken picture of its lost owner, leading the Nazi to ponder what became of the rest of the family. It's a simple idea but doesn't work hard enough in terms of writing or artwork to earn its place alongside the other stories here. The comic closes with 'Smokes' by Colin Mathieson. A modern day setting, a young man, of the hanging around street corners kind, demonstrates to his fellow scallies how he connives cigarette money off an old codger. 'It's me Charlie, Danny, I need your help to get some smokes'. In Charlie's dim mind, events from half a century ago are replayed as on the field he watches Danny crawl across a minefield to take cigarettes from a dead soldier's pocket. As the young scally in modern day trigger's this memory, we watch the face of the old veteran fall mournful. The trick pays off and the old man hands over cigarette money. It's well written and it's drawn with simple clarity. The artwork isn't wholly consistent, but sometimes Mathieson captures the events and poignancy perfectly. The story however is strong enough and fluently told for this not to matter. It forms a fitting climax to the comic, bringing you historically to the present day, the here and now. A mixed package then, but well presented, at times excellent but always thought provoking. for more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005321.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Tue May 18 22:43:56 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BQCNQ-0008UK-00; Tue, 18 May 2004 22:43:56 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BQCNP-0001Fo-00 for ; Tue, 18 May 2004 22:43:55 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 22:43:53 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Kartoon Cuts Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Kartoon Cuts Review by Mardou Darkly humorous and very British satire, Kartoon Cuts is an accomplished debut from Richard Cowdry. At times reminiscent of early Peter Bagge, there's a lot of Neat Stuff style mini-stories and strips that together form a consistent whole. The themes are familiar enough - student life, kidult culture and nostalgia fads, the post-student bedsit experience and accompanying alienation and poverty. If it all sounds too depressing for words, it actually isn't. Whilst Cowdry makes fun of a lot of stuff, it's backed up with a generosity of spirit and a genuine empathy, which as a reader, you can't help but warm to. And also it's funny, which helps a lot! The short strips and pieces that make up the bulk of the comic are cut with a few longer stories (How to Live in a Bedsit and No Way Out) provide room for reflection and even instruction. Altogether Kartoon Cuts is smart, stylish and very re-readable. Art work influences seem to be very old school, Robert Crumb, George Herriman, Raw. Whilst there are lots of different styles in evidence, there's a pleasing fluidity to most of the comics here. Managing to bypass the stiffness usually prevalent in debut comics, Cowdry seems comfortable using the style that best suits the tone of the tale or joke he's telling. Though it's hard to say which of these styles, if any, Cowdry will really make his own, its always fun and engaging. You get a sense that the artist has really enjoyed putting this work together (even if under damp bedsit conditions). Dig? Dug. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/k/kartooncuts.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=227 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat May 29 17:44:24 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BU6wa-0004Ho-00; Sat, 29 May 2004 17:44:24 +0100 Received: from cumulonimbus.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.40.51] helo=zumcomics.info) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BU6wa-0007Qx-00 for ; Sat, 29 May 2004 17:44:24 +0100 Received: from happy.zumcomics.info [194.247.42.195] by zumcomics.info with ESMTP (SMTPD32-7.15) id ADE698B0074; Sat, 29 May 2004 17:44:22 +0100 Message-Id: <6.1.1.1.0.20040529174153.021f9640@mail.zetnet.co.uk> X-Sender: zumhq@zumcomics.info@imail.zetnet.co.uk X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.1.1.1 Date: Sat, 29 May 2004 17:44:20 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] Space Opera (#11: Fall) & (#12: Festival of Lights) Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Space Opera #11: Fall Space Opera #12: Festival of Lights review by Maurice Wakeman I have before me two volumes of what is apparently a twelve volume epic=20 called Space Opera. I have only read these two sections, parts eleven and=20 twelve. Fortunately included in the package is an A4 sheet outlining the=20 story as it has unfolded in the previous ten issues. The story tells the=20 legend of forgotten superheroes, the Cosmic Crusaders as told by Mike=20 Weller from writings and drawings left him by their creator, Edward Mogil.= =20 I don't intend to make any attempt to summarise the summary. Suffice it to= =20 say by the time volume 11 commences God is arguing with Lucifer before=20 casting him out to the City of Dis. Satan then creates various characters=20 who "have powers to stupefy, dummify and invisibilize". At this stage Cap=20 Stelling, aka Mike Weller, draws a sixties recreation of the Cosmic=20 Crusaders, called the Teenbeat Marvelettes. The story then continues in the= =20 form of a film treatment entitled Abyss of Darkness. In a postscript the=20 creations of Satan confront Cliff Richard and we move on to volume 12,=20 where, if anything it all becomes less clear. This is not just a comic. It includes text and comics and full page=20 illustrations. It actually does make a certain sort of sense when you read= =20 it and no doubt anyone who has invested =A324 in the whole magnum opus will= =20 be prepared to study it carefully to get something coherent out of it. It's= =20 apparently partly autobiographical, with Mike Weller not only the creator=20 but several characters within the story (I think). The artistic style is=20 much like the Weller we know and love from The Firm and Cozmic Comics in=20 the seventies and is a sort of cross between Dennis the Menace, Salvador=20 Dali and Alan Aldridge (well this bit is set in the sixties). I'm not sure= =20 if it is possible to read meanings into the text - does the devil represent= =20 popular capitalism and the City of Dis the modern urban landscape? Maybe=20 not. These volumes were produced in the 1990's and some of the references=20 date them, which just goes to show how difficult it is to create stories=20 out of their time. "Click. Shut down". For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info= /s/spaceopera.html#11_12=20 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=3D232=20 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon May 31 22:53:07 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BUuiR-0002pT-00; Mon, 31 May 2004 22:53:07 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BUuiQ-0007Tf-00 for ; Mon, 31 May 2004 22:53:07 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 22:53:02 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Extricate #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Extricate #2 review my Maurice Wakeman The introduction to this comic, issue 2, tells us that the creator, let's call him Dave, has tried to learn to draw since he produced issue 1. Well he's still got a way to go but a variety of approaches are on display and the enthusiasm, or is it anger?, with which this apparently semi-autobiographical zine was produced seems to shine through. There are six or seven separate stories though it's sometimes hard to tell where one starts and the next ends. We have skiving, Leeds, emotional break-ups, reality TV, and more. Some bits are funny, some are thoughtful and we learn a little about the author and his state of mind when it was produced, or at least maybe I think we do. It's A5 and the author says he's produced another zine called War is death and oppression , about which we are told nothing. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/e/extricate.html#2 Discuss: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=215 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Jun 02 22:16:12 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BVd5o-0006Iu-00; Wed, 02 Jun 2004 22:16:12 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BVd5n-00059g-00 for ; Wed, 02 Jun 2004 22:16:12 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 22:16:08 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] In The Doghouse Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: In The Doghouse review by Maurice Wakeman In the Doghouse is an A5 comic with a glossy card cover. Number one features five one page strips titled Broken featuring a dog and a little boy which you might find amusing. Also included is a picture strip called Xilian . It's 'to be continued' and so far it could be the opening part of War of the Worlds, but obviously isn't. The whole package is nicely drawn and produced, probably in 2003 but there's no date, and someone's obviously thought about what they're doing. It's by pd, whoever they are... For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/i/inthedoghouse.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=243 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Jun 09 22:43:02 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYAqc-0008Dt-00; Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:43:02 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYAqb-00023q-00 for ; Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:43:01 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 22:42:56 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #170] Halloween-man: It Came from Texas Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by (LO) Halloween-man: It Came from Texas by Edwards + Parr & various; $4.50 (plus p&p from the US) www.halloweenman.com US-based indie with a strong web presence. This 100-page black and white reproduction collects together an assortment of Halloween-man stories. Bringing together a love of horror comics and movies, this comic may be of interest to other horror fans, with its many references and tributes. There are some unique and interesting ideas, but occasionally it leans too heavily on cliches. A marked improvement in art and writing as the stories progress, this is an enjoyable collection of stories. 7 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Jun 09 22:44:56 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYAsS-0008IW-00; Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:44:56 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYAsS-0002WE-00 for ; Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:44:56 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 22:44:54 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #170] Phobias Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by (AS) Phobias by various; Accent UK; =A32.50 from www.devacomics.com A nicely produced black and white anthology=20 showcasing some of the most talented UK small=20 press artists. It's always interesting to see=20 what gets pulled out of the bag when a theme is=20 used in an anthology, and Phobias is a great=20 example of its kind. The standard of work is=20 consistent and every take on the phobias theme is=20 unique. Inspiring. 8 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Jun 09 22:46:35 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYAu3-0008Jo-00; Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:46:35 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYAu2-0002xd-00 for ; Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:46:34 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 22:46:31 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #170] Really Old Newts Special Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by (AS) Really Old Newts Special by Smith; =A31 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH More of what you would expect from Richard J.=20 Smith, simple uncluttered line work and slapstick=20 heavy parody from the creator of Cheronna. What=20 makes this title interesting is it's a step back=20 in time, showing Smith's earlier work, abandoned=20 ideas and story arcs and preliminary sketches.=20 Smith has come a long way and some of this stuff=20 really hasn't stood the test of time.=20 Nevertheless this is interesting and entertaining=20 stuff. 6 http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Jun 10 23:06:21 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYXgj-0000u6-00; Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:06:21 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYXgi-0007Yg-00 for ; Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:06:21 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:06:16 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Lovebomb #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Lovebomb #1 review by mooncat For such a deserving comic, this has been in the 'ZUM! pot' for far too long . I came across it digging about in the 'pot' where the comics listed in the catalogue reside, but once stumbled upon I could not resist having another little read of the comic, because - well - it contains one of the funniest pages of comics I have ever come across. I will not spoil things by going into any detail here - but this particular 'Janet Street Monkey' strip is set up over a couple of pages, & then you turn the page for a simple, perfect gag. It still succeeds in making me chuckle (even rereading it for this review). Janet Street Monkey is not the main character in the book; after all, limiting a comic to a character with a vocabulary limited to, "OO!" might not exactly make for a comic with deep intellectual gravitas (although... theoretically it might be fun to create an exercise with such restrictions...). The main strips in this comic feature a young schoolboy by the name of Dorset Gore. They follow him & his friends around Kurious Middle, to which Dorset has just moved up from junior school. Speaking from personal experience - having moved to a good few 'new schools' as my parents moved - I can vouch that the tone of the strips has a satisfying level of verisimilitude; all the settings seem to have more realism than, say, Grange Hill (which I always hated). Kurious Middle however, is no mere 'schooly' comic strip. Paul B Rainy (gosh - you have to wonder what imaginative nicknames his 'school friends' came up with) uses the material of the settings to weave some pleasantly skewed tapestries. There are fantastical elements thrown into these stories: The Idcorder (does what it's name suggests) & Teetoo, a character who helps Dorset to 'go out' with Baby Spice (um... sort of). These elements distort the normality to fantasy, but without shattering the inherent believability of the characters & settings that have been set out; it's a neat trick & left me impressed with Paul B Rainey's storytelling abilities. I can only apologise to the readers of ZUM! (& Paul) that I have not brought this fine comic to your attentions sooner; if I were to take time literally, Dorset Gore would not only have left Middle school, but also Senior school by now. He seems a bright lad - perhaps he's perusing further education nowadays... or maybe he's a struggling small press cartoonist supplementing art by working in an open plan office making a big Book Of Lists . Still, there is one benefit my tardiness... this comic is actually still available; (at the time of writing the review) more than that, Paul would appear to have an abundance of stock & perhaps little room to store stock, thus is willing to part with copies for the mere price of you sending he an envelope & stamps. So, I urge you to have a look at his website without delay, check the details, seize the moment, send of for this comic! Do it now! For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/l/lovebomb.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=249 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri Jun 11 06:12:28 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYeL6-0000x6-00; Fri, 11 Jun 2004 06:12:28 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BYeL5-0000iC-00 for ; Fri, 11 Jun 2004 06:12:27 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 06:12:25 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Scribe Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Scribe Posted by Mardou By David Baillie David Baillie's short story Scribe, tells of a maimed and unnamed Super villain in retirement, wrestling with his new career as a novelist. The failed 'Red Herring', a caped bank robber recounts his experiences from childhood to villainy and explains the accident that cost him his left arm and his freedom, 'I got five years'. With the loss of his arm he discovers that he does have a superpower after all and wasn't the total fraudster he felt himself to be. However little really changed for the glum hero. Failure or perhaps fear of failure is the worse fate, which the Red Herring is stuck with unless he can redeem his true self (a storyteller) and write himself out of his void. Scribe is a follow up to the more autobiographical 'Awkward Fascination' and is much more writerly, as the title would suggest. A lot of the same themes persist- self-aggrandizing pitched with introspection and accompanying horror, worldly success matched with internal failure. The stuff that Baillie eloquently writes about in both comics is the stuff that most people (especially those with artistic ambition) can relate to. However there is a change of tone over the two comics. At the end of Awkward Fascination the artist pictures himself naked and trapped in tall, unscalable brick walls. At the start of Scribe the author rather snottily tells us 'we had better appreciate it' as the comic took a lot of time and effort. It sets this reader off on the wrong foot and Baillie succeeds more in revealing his own blind spot than invoking admiration. It' ,at moments, difficult to separate the fictional Scribe with his author Baillie. His hero, though capable of cheap success (just as Baillie tells us he himself is in Awkward Fascination) really hankers after making his mark, creating something 'so special, so perfect'. DB's hero can see the big picture, see what it is that he wants but somehow can't grasp. And he misses the details completely, and the details are where God resides, or so I gather. The character bemoans that he has no real contact with anyone and goes days without speaking to anyone except the checkout girl. His only interest is his own void. The attention to detail is inherent on a technical level also. The hero wants to be like Kerouac but Baillie can't be even be bother to spell Kerouac's name properly. It's a flawed comic, but flaws are okay so long as it's interesting, and on this count, Scribe succeeds. The artwork functions but only just. It looks like Baillie's searching for an identifiable style but isn't equipped as a draughtsman to carry it through. Bailie's definitely a talented storyteller capable of creating convincing and well-realised worlds. I'd be interested in seeing him work in partnership with an artist, it has to be said, but for his writing alone I'm interested in seeing future stories. For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005349.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Jun 14 06:09:11 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BZjiZ-0007XF-00; Mon, 14 Jun 2004 06:09:11 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BZjiZ-00040n-00 for ; Mon, 14 Jun 2004 06:09:11 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 06:09:10 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Boobytrap#2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Posted by Boobytrap#2 By Jon Chandler In Boobytrap#1 we find the creator Ripper the Fuckin' Elephant (a.k.a. ink stud, Jon Chandler) mauled and abused by his many creations: Pussyfoot and Johnny Claws from the 'Anti-Bad league', Larry Fearnes and Particle Man. Y'see Ripper loves and needs these cartoon friends (even Black Metal Claws, the dork) even though they'll violently turn on him if he tries to ever write them out of future comics. So when I discover that the hero of Boobytrap#2 is Bob Log, a musical legend who rides an oversized trike and wears a helmet with a telephone 'trunk' affixed to it, I was inclined to think him another of Jon Chandler's creations. But no, it seems I missed out on this musical phenomena, something that must be remedied . Bob Log by cartoon standards alone fucking rocks! Over 32 pages Bob Log rides and slides through aquatic and desert adventures encountering many of Chandler's plucky characters (including Black Metal Claws who stabs Bob in the back and then goes home to watch Magnum whilst waiting for the cops!) and various bitey reptiles. Amongst the japery is a 4 page autobiographical story relating how Jon/Ripper came to discover the music of 'Doo Rag' and Bob Log. By turns eerily realistic (I now realize that the ex-boyfriend I'd wryly observe taping and then eternally re-editing his Peel Session tapes off the radio, was just one scrappy soldier in a whole army of stay-home, obscure music fan-boysŠsigh!) and hilarious: The magic of Ripper shyly approaching his hero wielding a copy of Boobytrap#1, then accidentally slapping Bob Log's backside, isn't lost on this reader. Chandler employs multiple drawing styles over the course of the comic. We get detailed and fluid Bob Log adventures to the looser and more energetic Ripper the Fuckin' Elephant autobiography. At times it's reminiscent of Dan Clowes' Lloyd Llewellyn cube-y style, and then sometimes just helmet-wearing stick figures. The artist knows what he's doing with each style and for the reader, each one is as enjoyable as the next. And throughout most of the drawing here there's a kind of musculature that is too hard to describe without using the term 'penis wielder', so I'll move on. What can I say? This is a great, great comic. Chandler's a pure cartoonist and Boobytrap#2 seems so effortless it belies the effort and practice it takes to get this good. It's really exciting to find underground talent like this as Chandler is ahead of his peers. The only apt comparison would be Ireland's Bob Byrne and his comic 'Mbleh', in terms of writing, accomplished art and unique worldview that's both mystifying and engaging. More, dammit! For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005351.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Jul 22 05:56:37 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BnVdF-0002rk-00; Thu, 22 Jul 2004 05:56:37 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BnVdD-0002IK-00 for ; Thu, 22 Jul 2004 05:56:35 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 05:56:31 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Blink#1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Blink#1 Posted by Mardou Blink#1 is the beginning of a strange and very ambitious graphic novel by Dennis Lo. Three characters are introduced: Marty, a middle aged butcher, Cassie, an unorthodox scientist and Dion, a young misogynist porn star. Issue 1 sees the main focus on the relationship between Marty and Cassie. Marty, as well as a butcher and abbatoir worker, is something of a storyteller himself, opening the novel with an Eastern tale of love and humiliation (establishing the themes of the novel? Maybe, but it's a little early to tell). Cassie, a failing scientist losing the respect of her faculty as she becomes more and more absorbed in her 'scientific' analysis of the occult, relies on Marty for animal subjects for her experiments (though exactly what they are isn't clear). Dion is brought into the story as a subplot in this installment, and what is hinted about him, is neatly juxtaposed as a TV news story, next to the news item of baffled police finding the remains of Cassie's dismembered cows.A strange and complex story is set in motion, and left on a cliffhanger ending. Whislt Lo seems technicallly adept and creating characters and creating a story arc (or part of one), he's less successful in telling his story sequentially. The artwork is very detailed and intricately shaded. Overly so actually. The artwork doesn't quite work for a number of reasons. Whilst I like Lo's distinctive rendering of people (they're both knotty and fleshy), there's way too much going on in each panel. The action is murky and your eye is hampered as you read. Another problem is that Lo allows all the action and detail to slide to the centre of the panel. Everything's surrounded by so much dead space and the end result is very disconcerting. It's almost like looking at a long series of badly composed stills instead of a comic. The lettering is also a real cause for concern. Both narration and dialogue is typed and stuck on. It's so tiny and speech bubbles are tightly cut around the words, there's no room for the writing to breathe and exist as an organic part of the comic. And considering how much dead space is left in most panels, it's confusing that this should be the case. Ironically, the thing I feel I ought to be complimenting Blink for - that it doesn't look like anything else I've read - the story has some depth, there's oodles of time and work evident here - is the thing that lets it down. This just isn't enough like a comic for me to enjoy. Lo needs to learn the rules of sequential narration, they'd help guide him towards a book that's technically sound enough to warrant his ambition and talent. As it is, Blink is stuck somewhere between Dennis Lo's word processor and a series of odd, evocotive, but somewhat askew, paintings. $3.95 (US)/UK ?? For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005370.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Jul 22 05:59:07 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BnVff-0002wE-00; Thu, 22 Jul 2004 05:59:07 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BnVff-0003Z5-00 for ; Thu, 22 Jul 2004 05:59:07 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 05:59:03 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Matter: Summer Special #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Matter: Summer Special #1 Posted by John Robbins When the local wacky-backy supply runs dry and the chopped-up grilled skin-of-banana still refuses to smoke right, the world of Cheech & Chongers Whitey White and Sean Brown becomes all hard-edged and distinct. Worse still: their sex-drives are returning! In desperation the duo respond to a small-ad cypher and soon receive the kind of imbibation capable of transporting them through an interdimensional lesion and embroiling them in a covert corporate struggle for monopoly of this transporting/embroiling substance. Add to the joint a Ruskie hitman tamed by love, an out-of-this-world romance and a finale in which a friendship is saved with the aid of diseased skin and a mullet, and readers may find that they have long passed the five leaves left stage! 'Serious Gear' (being the title of this Coen-like story) is of course a trip itself. Creator Philip Barrett sheds the frame structure in favour of open panels and a thinking outside the box, adopts doodling-brush to complementary effect, and achieves a breezy, fluid reading experience that floats along with a kind of measured drift - an approach which enhances some inventively surreal sequences. Vaguely resembling a Health Board booklet designed to surreptitiously educate the masses, this little book of blow is a fun, funny read. Passive smoking, gentle reader, has never been safer! A6, two-colour card cover, 80 pages - email aunty_matter@hotmail.com for ordering details and/or check the Jinx! website. For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005376.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Jul 22 06:07:19 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BnVnb-0004Ba-00; Thu, 22 Jul 2004 06:07:19 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BnVnb-0000zl-00 for ; Thu, 22 Jul 2004 06:07:19 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 06:07:16 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Beowulf Cartoon Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Beowulf Cartoon Posted by John Robbins Mike Weller, acclaimed creator of Space Opera, Fanzine Fiction and Madeline My Love In Death And Fancy, turns his attention to 1000 a.d. (ish) poem Beowulf and conjures a matter-of-fact prose retelling, suffused with suspense and intrigue. Present are those elements of 'high culture' that lend greater legitimacy to the superhero genre - which we all enjoy - and a sense of foreboding integral to the effectiveness of good horror - which again, we all enjoy. As Bill Griffiths puts it in his introduction, 'what better than - a book of Beowulf!' Hideous swamp giant Grendel, a half-man half-god cast out of Asgard by Odin and Frigor, wreaks havoc nightly on Danmark's great banqueting hall, Heorot. When women, minstrels and poets alike refuse to enter Heorot for fear of Grendel's thirst for human prey, and when all that remains of heroes in the morning light are bloodstains on benches and tables, once-great king Hrothgar is reduced to prisoner of his own kingdom. Enter: Beowulf - champion swimmer, Scandanavian-famed as the youth whose hands have the strength of 30 men; rumoured bed-wetter and same-sex fancier. Can he and his 14 loyal kinsmen be the first men in 12 years to stay in the banqueting hall after dark? And what of the hushed stories of a second unearthly creature, woman-shaped and giant? Our hero, it seems, has his work cut out. Presumably what sets this production of Beowulf apart from others is Weller's bloody mindedness in attempting to capture a visually lyrical quality befitting a story originally created for an oral tradition. Practically the whole of the book's 176 pages is imaginatively hand-lettered, mostly in bubble-style, with illustrations used sparingly but to affecting consequence. It is either the startling work of a madman, or of one who understands the conditions of the world and who has found his own tranquillity and order. Either way, here Weller entertains with tales of long long before. £15, payable to Visual Associations, c/o 3 Queen Adelaide Court, Queen Adelaide Road, London SE20 7DZ, UK. For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005378.html http://www.comix.org.uk/visualassociations/ From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Jul 24 10:40:44 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BoJ1H-0006oz-00; Sat, 24 Jul 2004 10:40:43 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BoJ1G-0004dW-00 for ; Sat, 24 Jul 2004 10:40:42 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2004 10:40:41 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Lovebomb #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Mardou Within it's badly photo-shopped cover, Get in the Ring devotes 26 pages to strips and stories featuring Peter Doree's favoured axe-wielding members of 'Rock Royalty' in imaginary scenarios. There's 'Let's Go Hunting with James Hetfield and Ted Nugent', 'Breakfast Time with Iron Maiden' and 'Living Life on the EdgeŠ.with Rush'. Its lowbrow comedy stuff, leave your brain behind when reading and if possible, seal all windows and doors, so that the smell of unlaundered Donnington 'Monsters of Rock' T-shirts best compliments the thin throb of testosterone at work in the pages you're holding. Don't get me wrong. I like Rawk music. I even like 'Rockumentaries'. It's just that reading stories about Bruce Dickinson taking a pee are plain unfunny. And tiresome. The artwork functions passably. Peter Doree draws well enough so you at least recognise who the characters are meant to be, but the portraits are let down by clunky action and some of the bizarrest foreshortening I've ever seen. What is this, a comic about celebrity mutants? That might well have been a funnier premise for a comic than the stuff on display here. In a nutshell? Unnecessary. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/g/getinthering.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=268 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Jul 24 10:44:56 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BoJ5M-000888-00; Sat, 24 Jul 2004 10:44:56 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BoJ5M-0000yg-00 for ; Sat, 24 Jul 2004 10:44:56 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2004 10:44:54 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Lovebomb #1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Mardou This last one was a review for Pete Doree's 'Get In The Ring' - error in subject line - sorry about that. paul From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:47:03 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo1X-0002EZ-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:47:03 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo1V-0007En-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:47:01 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:46:41 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Astonishing Adventures of Julius Chancer: The Black Orchid 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Jon Edwards Astonishing Adventures of Julius Chancer: The Black Orchid 1 by Ewing; King Rat Press =A32.50 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH Young Julius Chancer, assistant to historian Sir=20 Alfred Catesby-Grey, is unwittingly drawn into a=20 globetrotting quest for the mythical Black=20 Orchid. Opening in 19205 London, this captivating=20 38-page mystery thriller is meticulous in its=20 textual and visual detail. Influenced by European=20 illustrators, notably Herge, yet with echoes of=20 Moebius, Manara and even James Robinson and Paul=20 Smith's Leave It to Chance, major talent Garen=20 Ewing captures the spirit of classic Tintin, but=20 provides a deeper story with broader influences &=20 a memorable cast. Supremely realised. Fantastic=20 value. Book of the month. (9) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:48:42 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo38-0002F6-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:48:42 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo38-0002HL-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:48:42 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:48:28 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Dark 3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Chris E Bunting Dark 3 by Rubins & Rubins; =A33.50 from A. Rubins 50 Hillside Grove, Southgate London N14 6HE Helen returns home with Michael to find that=20 Sunflower has thrown a party and reverted to her=20 old ways. With intelligent use of structure,=20 writing and art, the creative team of Anna and=20 Karen Rubins have crafted an absorbing and=20 ambitious small press comic. (7) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:51:00 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo5M-0002JA-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:51:00 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo5M-00035m-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:51:00 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:50:46 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Don't Tread on My Rosaries Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Jon Edwards Don't Tread on My Rosaries by Bagnall; =A39 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH Like the thinking man's Beryl Cook, John=20 Bagnall's distinctive cartooning displays a=20 uniquely British flavour, his eccentric scripts=20 (observations on life, religion and David Bowie)=20 occasionally bearing a hint of nostalgia, and=20 executed with wit and economy. This handsome=20 80-page softcover features a selection of=20 Bagnall's work from 1987 to the present, and=20 although the few shorter strips here are perhaps=20 the weakest, the most recent showcase Bagnall's=20 detailed, woodcut-styled illustration at their=20 boldest and most refined. (9) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:52:43 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo71-0002Jc-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:52:43 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo71-0003tJ-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:52:43 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:52:31 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Dormitory 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Jon Edwards Dormitory 1 by Browne & Browne; =A31.90 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH Heavily influenced by Japanese manga (even=20 including the use of Japanese names for its=20 American characters) this US-created title=20 follows the antics of a group of high school=20 girls beginning university life. Despite nicely=20 realised character visuals, the grey tones and=20 basic backgrounds - seemingly applied using=20 digital techniques - lend a stiffness to the=20 layouts, while the storytelling occasionally=20 lacks clarity. Negatives aside, the book's soap=20 opera charm could potentially engage as the=20 series develops. (7) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:54:46 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo90-0003XX-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:54:46 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Boo8y-0007SG-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:54:44 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:54:29 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Gone Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Jon Edwards Gone by Auchterloune; =A36.99 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH Paradoxes abound and reality unravels as=20 time-traveller Janet meddles with the past in a=20 desperate attempt to make her cheating boyfriend=20 remain faithful. This professionally packaged=20 softcover - boasting the quirky atmosphere of=20 Donnie Darko and a raw, pseudo-cartoon style not=20 unlike that of British creator Nick Abadzis - is=20 a unique 76-page romantic thriller, offering a=20 dark, amusing charm that renders the mild absence=20 of polish forgivable. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:56:17 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BooAS-0003Y3-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:56:16 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BooAS-00014g-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:56:16 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:56:00 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Manhole 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Jon Edwards Manhole 1 by Mardou; =A32.50 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH A slice-of-life 28-page anthology in the vein of=20 Daniel Clowes' work. The reflective=20 mother-daughter conversation, Esme's Door, is=20 subtly touching, but it is the main strip, George=20 Best - the life and loves of an unfulfilled young=20 woman - is the highlight here. While the artwork=20 is not quite as cleanly executed as it could be,=20 this is nevertheless a well-written,=20 sophisticated title of inherent wit. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jul 25 19:57:35 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BooBj-0003YS-00; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:57:35 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BooBj-0001UM-00 for ; Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:57:35 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:57:29 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] The 0 Men 23 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Reviewed by Kelvin Green The 0 Men 23 by Eden; Ominous Comics =A31.50 from M. Eden 19a Trevalyan Road, Tooting London SW17 9LS Grace confronts her husband Stu, while Scarlet=20 has a chat with Anathema and Rob starts to=20 realise that something is wrong. The writing is=20 again excellent, with some audacious twists that=20 surprisingly do work, and characterisation that's=20 unparalleled in quality. The only flaw is that=20 the art isn't quite as strong as it usually is. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Aug 16 21:57:29 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BwoXp-0007Et-00; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:57:29 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BwoXo-00017d-00 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:57:29 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:57:25 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] It Lives Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: It Lives Posted by Mardou 'It Lives' is a collection of old and new comics by US talent Ted May. It's one of those lesser spotted hybrids which though really belonging with alt-comix, betrays an unsanitary amount of superhero culture festering around the fringes. Which in this case is no bad thing. Mixing American slacker culture (immortal lines from a departing reject, ejected from a band audition, "my brother's a DJ...in case you care.") with troublesome tiny toilet-battling superheroes. One of the troll-faced crusaders shouts "Coupon! 50% off your face!", to which his turd-fisted enemy replies, "Library! You in history book, me in POWER book". It's Golden (shower) Era, classic stuff! The sharp, if a little meandering, writing is matched with energetic artwork, a little sloppy at times but you can see all the elements are there in Ted May's technique and you can only expect to see him getting better and better. A funny and endearing little comic book, with plenty of punk spirit, nicely printed by Sparkplug comics. For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005416.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Aug 16 22:09:44 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwojg-0008PB-00; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:09:44 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwojf-0002Tz-00 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:09:43 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:09:41 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] The Confessional Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Pete Doreé Wow! Wow wow wow with a big side order of wow. Oh, and when you're finished, a fresh round of wow right over here. The Confessional? Yeah, it's alright... An intelligent, beautifully illustrated, multi-layered, stunningly printed mini epic with a genuinely surprising ending, This gives us The Devil Himself in the confession booth, about to lay a million years of misery and pain on one understandably less than willing priest. To go into what happens next would be to spoil the surprises, suffice to say that Chris McCay's script is fast, furious, clever and not even remotely didactic, while Lee O'Conner's art is beautiful and ugly all at once, expertly paced ( even having the confidence to leave great swathes of black and silence as they are ), and simply the best thing I've seen in ages. If I had to pick on anything, it'd be the preponderence of gray and shadows over actual detail, as some of the faces seem unfinished, but that's overcome by scenes like the visit to Heaven, which is genuinely gorgeous, with computer enhanced artwork helping the story, rather than hindering it as so often in mainstream comics. (Anyone seen the abortion they made of Barry Smith's Conan?) But it's the story that really sticks with you, particularly if you don't simply take the ending at face value, and realize that it, in fact, casts doubt on everything you've just read. Extremely clever writing, and a definite must buy. Remind me again, why aren't these guys working professionally? For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/c/confessional.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=274 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Aug 16 22:09:36 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1BwojY-0008P5-00; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:09:36 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1BwojY-0002Tr-00 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:09:36 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:09:24 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Whores Of Mensa Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Whores Of Mensa Posted by John Robbins Probably fuelled by a fug of Bacardi Breezer and Marlboro Light, this flirty, giggly anthology of strips comes courtesy of libidinous cartoonists Jeremy Dennis, Mardou and Lucy Sweet. Comprising work created individually but with (mostly) symbiotic intent, the collection manages a cohesive, light-hearted whole, coloured by muted sophistication. Dennis offers 'The Palimpsest Pro', an amusing, character-driven piece which describes an interruption to the cartoonist's discipline and art-time by lusting literary sorts of yore, amongst them: John Keats, Aubrey Beardsley and Aphra Behn. (No, me neither.) Kind of lacking direction, and consequently impetus, this erotically charged strip is best savoured for its spellbindingly fluid cartooning of the clean-line variety, which dances oh-so-seductively from panel to panel with pic-teasing allure. The Sweet section opens wide with double entendre-strewn 'Justin Timberlake Laid My Laminate!' - "Ooh! You are awful!" indeed! - then frantically follows with short, punchy strips which mostly revel in the excesses of fad-informed life. Occasionally shooting blanks script-wise, but always with endearing Carrie Bradshaw-like exuberance, Sweet's sound design sense and delightfully earthy cartooning prove an irresistibly lovable combination. Appealing goofballery abounds in 'Dojo My Love' as Mardou beckons with a sequentially indulgent reworking-of-sorts of also-featured 1-page gem 'Sillitoe's Baby' - both of which are sexually concerned with The Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi, among others! With Mardou's artistic effort seemingly diverted towards achieving a visual polish at the expense of detail and textural nuance, her cartooning is mostly reduced to role of functional support. No bad thing this when final strip 'Fahrenheit 50/50' offers a clever script and fitting climax as it adapts book/movie 'Fahrenheit 451' for a comics audience - to hilarious and slightly unsettling consequence. Whores Of Mensa? You'll not find intellectual experiences peddled here. No, these whores are faking it. However, if you yearn for a bit of frothy, lip-glossed entertainment that tolerates little emotion and eloquently says nothing, this is the trick for you. It's the perfect book-buddy! For More Info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005421.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Aug 16 22:11:55 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwoln-0008QB-00; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:11:55 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwoln-0002g7-00 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:11:55 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:11:43 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Pin Drop Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Pete Doreé This is bit of a mixed bag actually.'Silent' cartoons by Reinder Dijkhuis, the book improves as you get farther into it. The first strip here is the weakest (and luckily the oldest), as we follow Reinder (at least I assume it's him) going through a typical day with everything going wrong around him. 'Camera angles' are good, and you can see the first gropings towards an appealing style, but there's no real pace to the thing, skritchy-skratchy linework, and no real ending, just a kind of stop. Happily things improve almost immediately. When we had tails... is a retelling of the Eden story that works well, with much improved art, that doesn't overstay it's welcome. Sponge is also pretty good, with a real style developing. Seedy Sunset, next , is a real odd one about Reinder's trip to a nudist beach, and an encounter with a flasher, that stopped me in my tracks a little bit ( Hey, British sexual repression! C'mon in! ). The best thing here is the last piece, Crossroads an excellent fable about the journey through life that's witty, pithy, and not at all preachy, as well as being brilliantly drawn. Silent strips are probably the hardest thing to do, (I say 'probably' as I've never had the guts to try it) as you really have to get your body language and facial expressions spot on. Reinder manages it here, and although I'd like to see heavier linework which would bring out his extremely appealing style better, that's really just nitpicking. A good artist developing in the right way. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/pq/pindrop.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=276 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Aug 16 22:14:02 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwonq-0000FJ-00; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:14:02 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwono-0002n5-00 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:14:02 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:13:58 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] A Life in Comics #7, 8 & 9 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by Pete Doreé A Life In Comics by David Golding is a mini-marvel (hyuk hyuk). A pocket-sized 8 page bundle of fun where Dave's cartoon alter ego let's us in on the events of his chaotic life. Issue 7 is pretty good, as Dave intoduces us to his friend who's having some serious girlfriend problems. So serious, in fact, that he cannot be identified in the comic, so appears with a bag over his head (His name's Paul, by the way). The dialogue is sharp and funny, (there's a killer Spidey gag I'm dying to steal) while the art is cool and lively, helped immensely by the fact the characters look like Weebles (wobble but they don't fall down). This is really a stand-up routine in comic book form, at least as good as Captain Dolphin, but better drawn (sorry, Ralph!) Issues 8 & 9 are even better, as Dave regales us with the tale of his ex-girlfriend Sarah, who, "had a black heart that pumped satan's bile through her twisted body". As long as you're not bitter about it, Dave, that's the important thing... This really is quality stuff, individualistic, funny and smart. The only real drawback is that there's not enough of it. I'd say to Dave, spend the money, put all the issues into a book on decent paper, and it'd really fly. The material's worth it. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/alifeincomics.html#7_8_9 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=214 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Mon Aug 16 22:16:10 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwopu-0002hy-00; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:16:10 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1Bwopt-00031F-00 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:16:09 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:16:07 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Zulu: Water Cart Rescue Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by mooncat That great classic film Zulu is responsible for capturing the imagination of a lot of people. I know of at least one friend who rates it very highly, & I would imagine that Colin Mathieson would rate this as one of his all time favourite films. Since seeing it in his youth he has nursed an interest in the Boer conflicts & this particular episode in those wars seems to have lit his young imagination. The fire of that interest still seems to burn keenly from evidence of the text & editorial pages accompanying this comic. And there's the comic itself: a heartfelt desire to tell a story drawn from his specialist knowledge. Comics are a great medium in this respect, allowing the creator to tell a living, breathing story with little outlay. Until there is some way to get the images directly out of your brain & into a moving image format, then comics is the closest that you are likely to get to fulfilling those dreams. The story itself is all very Boys Own Adventures - all heroics & near death scrapes. It focuses on the events at the expense of the people, thus the people lack any real depth. I don't meant to belittle the subject matter, as this may well be based on actual events, but my views on the actuality of history are clouded by the fact that if you ask a dozen people witnessing the same things an hour ago what actually happened, then you may get a consensus - but you may well not get the truth. History is conjecture & consensus, thus this may well be real, but it's still just a story. The artwork may be a weak point. Colin shows signs that he has little in the way of prolonged formal art training. This does not mean that the whole thing is a hash - no - Colin also has, as stated, a love for the subject matter, so although I have no knowledge of the uniforms of the soldiers, for instance, I am satisfied that his everything is present & correct. This love for the subject, I suspect will not allow his pride to be besmirched by making any errors, so - while the penmanship does not exactly flow, it has life; while the human proportions may look wrong on occasion, the whole comic is constant in its presentation, thus the read is comfortable enough. It's in some of the less specific areas that I feel occasionally confused: is that a large rocky hill in the background, or smoke? I suspect the former, as I seem to recall images of memorials to fallen soldiers atop rock strewn hills in the sunset in documentaries I've watched in the past, but it's these little things, that when reading he comic in detail, I find disconcerting. That is reading thing in detail for the purpose of critiqueŠ when reading this comic at leisure I found it fluent enough, & would certainly recommend it to those with a passing interest in the area of war & comics. Although rough at the edges, this is professionally produced, packaged which adds to its aura of authority. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/yz/zuluwatercart.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=283 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Fri Aug 27 06:32:01 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1C0ZLF-0003VU-00; Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:32:01 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1C0ZLF-0002nO-00 for ; Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:32:01 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:31:54 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Do-It-Yourself Silkscreening (or How to turn your home into a T-Shirt Factory) Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: review by mooncat I wanted to review this particular comic because I wanted to keep it for future reference (one of the few perks for a ZUM! reviewer is that you keep the comix you review). Whether I will get to try out the instructions herein I do not know; I fantasise that I might - but the reality of home life may dictate otherwise. Still, one of the achievements of this comic is that it makes you believe that you might easily follow the instructions therein. It has an infectious gleeful enthusiasm for the subject which sweeps you along, making you want to join in... Ah - would that I had at least the beginnings of the equipment involved, the inertia it creates might actually carry through to reality. The cartooning, although clear & energetic is also a little plagued by insecure crosshatching: distracting the eye to incidental detail & filling areas that might separate better with a little white space or more dynamic lines. This hatching is sound enough in execution but often runs counter to the flow of reading or action. More assuredness & flow in the line work usually develop as a natural part of a cartoonist's evolution, so I would imagine that with this level of enthusiasm Jon Issacson could well be someone we will see more in the future. For now, the brimming excitement at the practical interest such a subject matter creates in the reader (I can imagine a few small press comic artists really getting to grips with all this) make this a coveted item for me. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/d/diysilkscreening.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=289 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Aug 28 23:17:08 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1C1BVU-0003W1-00; Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:17:08 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1C1BVT-0002RS-00 for ; Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:17:07 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:17:04 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] The Ralphie Diaries Volume 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: The Ralphie Diaries Volume 1 review by David Golding When I first picked this issue up I was surprised at what a simple and great idea this is; the format is that of a diary with each page as a page from a real dairy with drawings and thoughts that Ralphie had on that day... and its very funny: I laughed out loud more than a few times. You can tell that the jokes come from someone with a left of centre sense of humour; the 'cloud of midges' drawings are comedy genius. The art is very simple and done to great effect in a doodle style. If the art was super sharp it just wouldn't have worked as well. The point is you're meant to think this is a real diary...and maybe it is... There's a rant about the abuse of mobile phones and how he would like to abuse the person using it, there's a rant about picking the right comedy birthday card, (does anyone really buy the talking cards anyways), and the state of morning TV. It's fun and it's simple and that's what's so great about it. The only thing I would ask is that Ralphie puts more on the page; there's a couple of days where there's no entries at all, and this to me is a waste of space, which could have been filled very easily. So, give fatty Bridget Jones the boot and give Adrian Mole a slap - check out Ralphie! For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/r/ralphiediaries.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=290 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Sep 02 21:44:40 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1C2yRk-00048q-00; Thu, 02 Sep 2004 21:44:40 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1C2yRj-0005ij-00 for ; Thu, 02 Sep 2004 21:44:40 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 21:44:37 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Black Harvest Moon Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Black Harvest Moon Posted by Mardou By Terry Stock and Colin Stanford Black Harvest Moon picks up five months after demons have taken over LA. Joining the floods of human refugees fleeing into the surrounding states, the tales focuses on Bobby and Lisa, a long term couple coming to terms with the new balance of power in the relationship. That is, Lisa being vampire and Bobby, her punishment-reward meal ticket. Torn between loyalty to his fellow humans, huddling together and farmed by demons, and his still strong sexual desire for what's left of Lisa, the story charts Bobby's descent into the darker and degraded depths of his human nature. It's very well written. Terry Stock though guilty of a few too many word embellishments in places, tells the story tautly, gives you just enough information to jump from scene to scene and never lets things get dull. The script is also full of flashes of tenderness, reminders of a gentler humanity that the remaining humans are rapidly losing. When Bobby admits a plot against the vampires, Lisa's revenge is exacting. The leaders are executed and at the burial, the other humans acknowledge Bobby's betrayal without judgement: "They told me it was alright and all it took was a simple nod". Bobby goes on to reflect that there was more compassion in that exchange than in the last four months with Lisa. There's also some humour. Bobby muses on the first vampire he ever saw, a university professor with a tan, hocking his new book on a talk show. Black Harvest Moon is an interesting exploration of an idea where vampires are not the shadowy enemy of many generic stories, but instead the blatant governors of a terrified populace. Terry Stock's script is matched with accomplished looking artwork from Colin Stanford. It's clean and dramatic, Stanford's obviously learnt his craft but at times it misses it's mission of storytelling and lags behind the script. The opening page being a prime example of this; Stanford decides against using flashback imagery and depicting the demon take over, instead showing us derelict and empty streets. I'm curious as to the motivation for this. Stanford's too talented to take the easy option (hell, I wouldn't fancy drawing a demon invasion either but I'm pretty sure that Stanford could if he tried). It's a curiously blank opening then, and I don't think it works. Flat and visually boring, it's only the writing hat encourages you to carry on. That said, it does pick up and the rest of the comic is steered capably to its fitting conclusion. The story is followed by the inclusion of a sketchbook and preliminary layouts, which I wasn't too keen on. I think the work deserves to retain its mystery a little, anything more strike you as merely filler. A shame, as it's detracts from an otherwise strong piece of work. Available from Smallzone and Engine Comics . For more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005441.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Oct 02 09:00:30 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CDeog-0006yc-00; Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:00:30 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CDeof-0001OQ-00 for ; Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:00:29 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 09:00:27 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Two to Beam Up #3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Two to Beam Up #3 review by David Birchall I was a bit confused with this one; I guess because it's mostly set around a comics convention, and I've never been to one of those gatherings, so there's some context missing on my part. There are some really funny bits looking at some of the curious people found at these things; pie eating, people constantly sniggering about jokes they've forgotten, my favourite bit was the return of Alan Moore from, "Psychogeographically exploring NCP carparks in Nuneaton" for a brief period. There's also various outbursts of obscenity that break up the comic in a rather intriguing manner. The drawing is fairly loose, but conveys the violent mood swings, traumas, and nuances of the characters with a certain clarity. I tend to enjoy this kind of minimal, scratchy drawing, probably because its something I do! Another amusing element is the apparently crazed relationship between the two writers. I've no idea whether this is for dramatic effect or if they do really shout "gayboy" with vicious malice down the phone at each other. There are moments where you feel kind of uncomfortable and ponder if the writers are actually nuts or whether it's just a big joke.... I found this comic slightly befuddling most of the time, although there are some very funny bits, I'd imagine a lot of this would make more sense if you'd read 2000 AD regularly or went to comic conventions, but then perhaps not. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/t/2tobeam.html#2tobeam3 discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=301 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Oct 02 09:03:29 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CDerZ-0006zj-00; Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:03:29 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CDerZ-0001gV-00 for ; Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:03:29 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 09:03:27 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Little Demons Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Little Demons Posted by Mardou Curiously pedantic beyond his almost seven years of age, Tim Odlum narrates this tale of inner demons that (literally) seem to lurk behind the tonsils. An illustrated short story by John Robbins it falls into that category of children's literature where adults too can enjoy the proceedings as the wry humour throughout it keeps escaping Tim's funny bone and is for the reader's benefit. It's a very soundly told story. The story opens with the slightly 'mard arse' Tim (I'm sorry, I can't think of a better adjective!) shying away from a large promotional Barney the Dinosaur in the street, disgusted that he can see 'another' Barney inside the costumed mouth. This inspires Tim's overactive imagination to convince himself that he can see people's inner demons in the same way. Starting with the school Bully, 'Big Bum', his daily tormentor, soon all the kids in class are paying attention to Tim's special powers and the story escalates to it's funny and poignant ending. Although told in the first person narrative, the reader is given room to identify with the exasperated and disinterested adults around the narrator. Although the adult level is undeniable it manages to stay true to the child's point of view due to a playfulness in the language. A matter of some curly-wurgency to the author, evidently. The story is coupled with pen and ink illustrations, which despite being quite expressive and match the tone of the story, aren't of the same quality as the writing. Having said that, Little Demons is very good and easily the equivalent of lots of currently published, short format kid's books. For more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005459.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Oct 02 09:14:09 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CDf1t-0001MI-00; Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:14:09 +0100 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CDf1s-0002B8-00 for ; Sat, 02 Oct 2004 09:14:09 +0100 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 09:14:07 +0100 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Honeypears #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Honeypears #2 review by David Birchall I think I first saw this zine at Ladyfest Manchester and spent a happy few minutes trying to read as much as possible. I spent considerable chunks of the day looking at really cool stuff with no money (boo hoo). They had a really excellent comic gallery too, which I think some of the work from this zine was in. Anyway, this is a mixture of beautifully drawn and inked cartoons and a few articles on various subjects. The stories have a pleasantly circular and evasive quality about them, you have a feeling they might be telling you everything you need to know, without ever making it explicit. Perhaps he answer to an important, burning question, but you forgot what he question was. The story 'To Catch a Bishop' reveals to us a few snaps of someone's life, (maybe a secret agent of some sort, it seems to imply) but leaves you pondering not just what this person is actually up to, but maybe what we're all up to. The line, "A pawn? To catch a bishop? Is that all I am to you?" has echoes of relationships falling apart and to end, as well as the realisation of the valuation of human relations in a hierarchy within a spy ring. Another story, 'After The Trial' continues the idea of writing around something without ever revealing what it is. It traces the life of a woman 'after her trial' giving you glimpses of her life, never telling you what she was tried and acquitted for, murder, poison and foul play are all hinted at, but the narrative shifts around, always slightly out of view. There's a really interesting article about girls comics of the 60's and 70's published by DC Thomson, which follows histories of writers, artists and particular comics in some detail, and then the falling market for girls comics in the 80s. It was also interesting to hear that DC Thomson have archived and saved a lot work going back to the 30's. They'll also show you round if you ask nicely as the author of this zine did. The other piece of writing is an interview with Glasgow artist Kenny Hunter. There's some fascinating insights, Kenny works mostly as a sculptor, but draws on comics and music/pop culture as a strong influence, as well as classical high art. The piece discussed mostly here is a public sculpture of an anonymous fireman outside Glasgow train station, which actually seems to be enjoyed by people as a piece of public art that anyone can relate to. It makes a refreshing change from the horrible corporate sponsored cow sculptures in the centre of Manchester at the moment, which are allegedly 'public art', even though I still can't figure out how they could possible be relevant or of interest to anyone other than for a momentary, "Oh, how weird". There's an awesome woodprint of two skeletons getting married on the back cover, which I think is by the early 20 Century Mexican woodcut guy whose name I can't remember right now. Anyway, he did whole series of these skeletons doing everyday stuff, something to do with the Day of The Dead I think, the prints themselves are totally unnerving and beautiful at the same time. This zine is ace. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/honeypears.html discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=303 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 06:13:13 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJ45-0001sr-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:13:13 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJ44-0003ej-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:13:12 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:13:07 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Welcome To Your New Life Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Welcome To Your New Life review by mooncat 'Welcome To Your New Life' creates caricatures of parts of a newly constructed personality for you... just you... no one else. Each separate facet that is detailed in this 'personality' has its own name & speaks about it's role in your life. They are grotesques, portrayed in fine pen lines, distorted & twisted to extreme. That's basically it, really... a page for each persona. Yes, the writing in the word balloons is rather teeny-tiny, but hey, it's readable, delightfully acidic & sometimes cutting. Yes, the drawings are a bit shaky here & there, but they distortion & experimentation with line is rather wonderful to behold. Yes, it is sort of stuck together in a seemingly haphazard way... the paper part of the book glued into the card cover. But really, this just all adds to the 'intimate' nature of the book - It's patently handmade - someone has spent quite a laborious time putting all this together for your enjoyment - for you. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/wx/welcometynl.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=324 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 06:23:58 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJEU-00021a-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:23:58 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJET-00046M-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:23:58 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:23:54 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Pirates Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Pirates Posted by Mardou It says 13 swashbuckling tales on the back cover though I'm counting 14 here. Another themed anthology from Accent UK, pulling together new names and older faces from the UK small press scene. Packaged in the usual stylish black white and red artwork-with-a-twist and printed to the usual quality as previous anthologies (Phobias, Remembrance Days) it looks good on the outside. But when you pull together young and inexperienced artists with more established talent it's always going to be a mixed bag. A flick through confirms this. You have to ask is theme enough to hold together so many different artists of varying ability? Well, veering towards the more professional- looking end of the spectrum, Garen Ewing (best known for the luscious Rainbow Orchid) presents 'Seadog', scripted by Jason Cobley (BAM). A young servant boy on a merchant ship witnesses his master's slaughter by pirates and awaits his own fate, only to be rescued by Cap'n Endurance Bulldog. I'm not really a fan of BAM and the story serves more as a showcase for the talents of Ewing whose artwork oozes with confidence and matter-of-fact style. Of a similar leaning is 'A Rose for Burke' by Angela Ong and Sheldon Goh. Visually this reaches a standard that I think a lot of the potential audience for this comic (young lads) will expect, and this won't disappoint them. But story wise, again, it's slight and veers more towards vignette as do many of the stories here. Interestingly, it's the more rough and ready looking stories in this anthology that are the most entertaining. 'All that Glistens is Not Gold' by Elgo is one of the funniest and most original stories here. Using Lego men as protagonists, it's a toyshop version of a pirate yarn, with a punch line that made me chuckle. Likewise Colin Mathieson's 'Tale of Two Maps' delivers a punchy little story, told with gusto. As an artist, Mathieson's got a long way to go, but he creates an easy to follow layout and the drawings have a pleasing energy, I liked it. Other contributors include Chris Doherty (Six and Two Threes) in a trouser busting tale of wenches on the high seas. A bit of teen fantasy undoubtedly, but too winsome to offend. Chris Bunting and Jeff Boneman collaborate on 'To be a Pirate Queen'. An opportunity to draw a pneumatic looking manga Beyonce, bursting out of a cropped shirt, eh? Always a target audience pleaser, but again, it's cute enough to raise another chuckle if only for their brazenness. Overall I enjoyed this comic a lot more than I thought I was going to. In the previous anthologies I'd read by Accent UK the contributors were given quite open-ended themes (such as Phobias) but that isn't the case here. As the classic Pirate story has such strong generic conventions I think a lot of the artists here have been hampered into delivering just that - generic stories that don't do anything too original or new. It's a tricky one. Overall a success as I did enjoy reading it, but a little more room for the unexpected would be welcome in future anthologies. For more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005473.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 06:28:31 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJIt-0002Df-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:28:31 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJIt-0004N2-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:28:31 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:28:28 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] The Girly Comic # 6 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: The Girly Comic # 6 Posted by Mardou The editorial ethos of the Girly Comic resides in the arena of the inoffensive. I really shouldn't have a problem with inoffensive but being a such a contrary creature I find it preferable to be stirred into dislike rather than left with a sense of blandness. And indifferent is how previous issues of the Girly Comic have left me. Actually the Girly Comic number 6 is by far the best I've read. Perhaps this is because the issue is lifted by a 7-page short story by Lee Kennedy. It's an autobiographical piece about a pious childhood in a New York convent school that hits the mark on every level. Humour and pathos abound, it's actually a deeply tragic story about the crushing of a childhood spirit, but delivered with a wry shrug of the shoulders, avoiding sentiment. And the cartoony artwork, familiar to fans of Lee Kennedy's work, matches the tone perfectly. The rest of the stories in this anthology pale into comparison on the surface. Interesting actually as Kennedy's the only artist who's stuck to pen and ink, the rest of the stories suffer from an over-computerized samey-ness. One story here, 'Sylvia's Path' is actually credited as being 'designed' by Toby Ford. The term 'designed' makes me shudder and yearn for a little craft, instead. I do lament this age of computer-glossed artwork. It prevents me enjoying otherwise very enjoyable stories. 'A Diamond in the Rough' (by Des Taylor and Peter Zappia) is perhaps the most successful of the slick bunch It actually comes off looking a lot like 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' which suits the tongue-in-cheek, lip-glossed tone of the story pretty well. It's cute. Another story, 'The Witches Place' (by Jonathan Shewry and Tim Keable) is a mildly spooky yarn that reminds me of those Jinty/Nikki comics stories for girls. Again, the modern computer font does nothing for me and has me wishing they'd gone for something a little more old fashioned and type-writerish. It's not just me being a Luddite here, if the emphasis is going to be on design rather than craft, I just wish a little eye for design could actually be developed. Maybe I'm just not 'girly ' enough for the Girly Comic. For me the epitome of 'girly' is going to sleep in your make-up. This comic's way too hygenic for that. Still you could take her home to meet your mother. Which is something. For more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005459.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 06:47:14 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJb0-0002V6-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:47:14 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUJaz-0005T1-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:47:13 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:47:11 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Draw or Die # 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Draw or Die # 1 Posted by Mardou By Jon Chandler Here we have 'Then The good Comes' in which Jon Chandler's alter ego 'Ripper the Fuckin' Elephant' is tattooed into existence for another adventure. Ripper joins his buddy Particle Man who seemingly has the answer to Ripper's agonies over creating comics - a Smokester Machine' . The Smokester extracts the perfect comic strip cleanly and mathematically directly from the brain, no messing around with ink required. It's something of a philosophical musing on what it means to be a 'parody of an underground comics artist'. And it's very funny! Ripper sets to work with the Smokester (or the Smokester sets to work on him) and sure enough the perfect comic 'Devil Watch' is extracted from poor old Ripper who's quickly reduced to neutrinos. In part two of the comic, Chandler gives us 'Devil Watch' and it's laughably crap. Intentionally so. It makes 'Draw or Die' a little gem and a worthy addition to the Boobytrap canon. His is really an original voice and he has a fully realized mini-universe, a cast of characters and inventions who seem to represent his world view - silliness, sci-fi possibilities, philosophical ambling on the nature of life, death and creating comics. It's pitched in a playful tone that's impossible not to admire. And of course it's really well drawn. Chandler uses the small format (it's square, man) ingeniously. Many pages can be read in a circle. My favourite thing about his artwork is the elliptical quality. He dispenses with backgrounds and yet the drawings are perfectly balanced and well composed. Everything suggests the warp world they inhabit yet in reality all we're given is just a doorway or a shadow. Not easy to achieve but excellently executed. For more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/005495.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 22:27:01 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYGT-00074a-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:27:01 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYGT-0002tp-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:27:01 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:26:58 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #171] Armageddon Patrol 7 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Chris E Bunting Armageddon Patrol 7 by Short & Prestwood; Alchemy Texts, 20 Grants Avenue Boumemouth BH1 4NR <-> The decision to reveal the early days of Maiden America and her not-so-merry men brings much-needed insight into the ensemble cast. On guest art there's Stephen (Darkzone) Prestwood. A solid job, but one that would benefit from an increase in the ante. (6) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 22:29:04 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYIS-00075A-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:29:04 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYIR-0003Al-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:29:03 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:29:01 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #173] Armageddon Patrol: First Mission 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Alex Thompson Armageddon Patrol: First Mission 1 by Short & Prestwood; Alchemy Texts, 20 Grants Avenue Bournemouth BH1 4NR After various standalone specials, John A. Short begins the ongoing adventures of his mutants in the 'Nam series. Although again full of liberally used swear words, the fuller format allows for a little more depth to his previously shallow characters. Unfortunately, the comic is still hampered by the somewhat stiff composition and heavy linework of Stephen Prestwood. Still, next issue's previews look more promising. (6 ) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 22:31:28 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYKm-00075m-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:31:28 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYKm-0003XR-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:31:28 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:31:25 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #173] Dusk 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Andy Smith Dusk 1 by Starzecki + Richmond & Margetts; =A34.99 from: Dead by Dawn, 21 Balfour Road, Bristol B53 2AF This looks to be about to put the fear of God=20 into its competition. For a first issue, it is=20 nicely produced, and you get a lot of pages for=20 your money. It comes as no surprise, really, when=20 you look at the creators involved: artists who've=20 teased us with contributions to anthologies and=20 exceptional convention sketches for years.=20 Although each of the three strips is radically=20 different, the art and writing is mature and=20 intelligent in every case. The highlight is=20 Richard Starzecki's Dreamless Sleep. There are=20 rough edges, of course, but for a first issue=20 they are few and far between. There's a lot of=20 potential here, and I hope this title lives up to=20 its tantalising promise! (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 22:33:39 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYMt-0007AF-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:33:39 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYMt-00048r-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:33:39 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:33:36 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #173] The 0 Men 24 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green The 0 Men 24 by Eden; Ominous Comics, =A31.50 from: M Eden, 19a Trevalyan Road, Tooting, London SW17 9LS <=3D> We take a break from the main plotline as we=20 drop in on the USAviors. This bold narrative=20 choice so late in the game works surprisingly=20 well, with Martin Eden using the more flashy=20 American team to satirise superhero genre=20 conventions. There's some title character work=20 and a couple of chilling moments to accompany all=20 the fun. Eden's art is a little scrappier this=20 issue, but still tells the story well. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Wed Nov 17 22:37:23 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYQV-0007GF-00; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:37:23 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUYQV-0004Nc-00 for ; Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:37:23 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 22:37:21 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #173] Spring heeled Jack 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Spring heeled Jack 1 by Hitchcock; Black Boar Press Gunhills Farm Gunhills Lane, Windley DE56 2LR Review by Ian Murphy Jack Rackham, sole confidante of Dr Jeckyll, desperately tries to tracks down Springheeled Jack, a demonic creature who abducted his wife. David Hitchcock's detailed art beautifully renders these dangerous Victorian streets; his images of foggy foreboding building on the powerful images of his previous Victoriana, Whitechapel Freak. His introduction to the central characters is crisply written - a feast for lovers of historical and mystery fiction - and though the plot may feel a little slow it is a strong, character-based set up for what should be a memorable series. (7) Review by Alex Thompson Hitchcock moves from one staple of Victorian pulp fiction to another, with his take on the renowned exploits of the light-heeled character. An obsessive recluse has designs on the kidnapper of his beloved wife, but may there be something more disturbing to the spate of disappearances than the ramblings of an unhinged mind? Hitchcock's unnervingly angled and detailed panels reveal he is as skillful a draftsman as inventive a writer for this impressive debut issue. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:07:48 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuRQ-00026H-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:07:48 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuRP-0006PX-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:07:47 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:07:43 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Armageddon Patrol: First Mission 2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Alex Thompson Armageddon Patrol: First Mission 2 by Short & Paterson; Alchemy Texts, 20 Grants Avenue, Bournemouth, BH1 4NR. <+> After the improved - but still lacking-first issue of John A Short's ongoing series about mutants in 'Nam, the latest sees a 100% visual improvement. New artist Alex Paterson contributes his finely rendered linework to the book, a style that wouldn't look out of place in a professional comic. Storywise, Short expands on his characters' backgrounds, but the series' done-to-death setting continues to be its downfall. (7) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:10:48 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuUK-00027c-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:10:48 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuUK-00070b-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:10:48 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:10:43 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Bad Dog 2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Bad Dog 2 by Northfield; www.stupidmonsters.blogspot.com Review by Leonie O'Moore Another short but perfect collection of bad dog stories from Gary Northfield. Very funny. Succinct and simple but packed with energy and originality. (8) Review by Andy Smith An exquisitely presented handmade mini-comic by the ever-entertaining Northfield following the adventures of the bad dog and his owner. Northfield's art oozes confidence and cannot be faulted; while the story is simple yet utterly enjoyable. A real find. (9) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:12:50 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuWI-0002CL-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:12:50 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuWI-0007j4-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:12:50 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:12:43 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Badly-Drawn Comics For Dummeez 7 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards Badly-Drawn Comics For Dummeez 7 by Keavney; =A32 from Smallzone, 10 Cleveland Avenue, High=20 Ercall Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6AH. The cover is a spot-on pastiche of the=20 once-popular, ubiquitous self-help manuals, and=20 perfectly sets the tone as wry US creator Martha=20 Keavney vents the frustrations of her life using=20 self-deprecatory wit and irony. This anthology's=20 highlight is the farcical rom-com parody The Mix=20 Up, and what the simplistic cartooning sometimes=20 lacks in finesse is gained in personality and=20 charm. (7) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:14:42 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuY6-0002Cn-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:14:42 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuY6-0007wM-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:14:42 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:14:28 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] The Black Flag 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards The Black Flag 1 by Wood; =A32 from Smallzone, 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire= TF6 6AH Set in a dystopian near future, female urban=20 renegade and people's saviour, The Black Flag,=20 wages war against a corrupt British government.=20 The highly promising illustrative artwork is raw and inconsistent, printed direct=20 from creator Chaz Wood's somewhat flatly rendered=20 pencils, while the awkward storytelling and=20 stodgy script construe to make the intelligent,=20 ambitious plot a trifle fussy. Minus the rough=20 edges, the series has great potential. (5) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:19:48 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUud2-0002I0-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:19:48 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUud0-0000nE-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:19:48 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:19:37 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Devilchild Volume II: Freakshow Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Kelvin Green Devilchild Volume II: Freakshow by Winter & various; =A36.99 from Moonface Press, PO Box 5593, Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 2WY. <+> The story of the reluctant Antichrist=20 continues, and a number of shorter stories thrill=20 and chill. This is good, occasionally excellent=20 work, with a darker edge than the previous=20 volume, and improvement shown in both writing and=20 art. A must for fans of both horror and humour. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:21:00 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUueC-0002IT-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:21:00 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUueC-0000nt-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:21:00 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:20:56 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] The Outer Realms 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards The Outer Realms 1 by Willacy; =A3 1.25 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High=20 Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH Earth is the battleground in a hidden war between=20 opposing forces from parallel dimensions. Despite=20 this 20-page A5 book's blatant influences and the=20 threat of collapsing under the weight of too many=20 ideas, the script is pleasingly upfront and pacy,=20 handling the multiple narrative threads=20 confidently. The stylistic artwork - akin to that=20 of Humberto Ramos - has plenty of character,=20 although more consistent use of spot-blacks might=20 be beneficial (5) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:23:56 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuh2-0002NL-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:23:56 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuh2-0001Q9-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:23:56 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:23:51 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Thrud 3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Andy Smith Thrud 3 by Critchlow; =A32 from C. Critchlow, PO Box 371, Southport, PR8 6YE Issue 3 really did have a lot to live up to. Carl=20 Critchlow's revival of the drunken uber -goon=20 Thrud has been a welcome breath of fresh air, and=20 with #3 Critchlow has managed to keep up the=20 pace, quality and consistency effortlessly.=20 Incredible artwork and subtle colouring top off a=20 strip that contains some of the best examples of=20 slapstick comedy timing I've ever read. This=20 isn't highbrow, but Thrud will rock your socks=20 off! (9) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:23:02 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUugA-0002My-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:23:02 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUug8-000139-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:23:00 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:22:48 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Spring heeled Jack 2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Andy Smith Spring heeled Jack 2 by Hitchcock; Blackboar Press; =A32.50 from Hitchcock_99|At|yah00.DOTc0m(un-mung) An eagerly awaited second issue with a great deal=20 going for it. High standard (if occasionally=20 static) artwork nicely illustrates a gripping=20 tale of consuming revenge, madness and mutation=20 in an atmospheric Jack-the-Ripper era London.=20 Well paced with a quality cliff-hanger ending=20 that leaves you with a great deal of anticipation=20 of #3. One to watch. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:25:15 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuiJ-0002OQ-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:25:15 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuiI-0001cC-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:25:15 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:25:07 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Warning: This is Propaganda 3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards Warning: This is Propaganda 3 by various; =A32 from Smallzone, 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire= TF6 6AH Don't be put off by the strapline, "The Comic=20 Book for Working Class Radicals & Left Wing=20 Intellectuals". Mixing humour with political=20 commentary (akin to the books and films of=20 Michael Moore) and executed with gusto, this is=20 one of the freshest, wittiest satirical small=20 press titles around. Amongst the genuinely=20 amusing cartoon strips, such as The Champagne=20 Socialists and The Consumer, is a revealing strip=20 adaptation of Robert Tressell's The Money Trick=20 and a smattering of succinct, eminently readable,=20 insightful articles. (8) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Thu Nov 18 22:26:05 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuj6-0002Op-00; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:26:04 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CUuj6-0001rX-00 for ; Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:26:04 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:25:59 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #174] Zip Gun Presents: Chimera Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Leonie O'Moore Zip Gun Presents: Chimera by various; =A32.50 from 34 Banner Street Wavertree, Liverpool L 15 OHQ Anthology centred on the theme "Chimera". Strong=20 on art - weak on story. A great mix of well=20 developed artistic styles. Overall the writing is=20 too ambitious for the space provided, resulting=20 in synopsis rather full stories. In general, some=20 nice ideas that struggle to come to fruition,=20 most could do with being fleshed out more. And=20 (as usual) contains some reprinted materiaL (6) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 21 22:40:42 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0Nu-00056M-00; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:40:42 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0Nu-0003aI-00 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:40:42 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:40:39 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #176] Armagedon Patrol: First Mission 3 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Alex Thompson. Armagedon Patrol: First Mission 3 by Short & Askham; Alchemy Texts, 20 Grants Avenue Bournemouth BH1 4NR <-> John A Short brings the first mini-series of=20 the adventures of his 'Nam mutant soldiers to a=20 close, as the team investigate Vietcong tunnels=20 and discover some uncomfortable truths about=20 their powers and each other. Short brings some=20 ambiguity after the gungho nature of previous=20 issues, but still doesn't move beyond the usual=20 clich=E9s of the Vietnam conflict. Unfortunately,=20 the series takes a further fall artistically as=20 another loose and sketchy artist is employed to=20 illustrate the story. (6) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 21 22:42:19 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0PT-0005Af-00; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:42:19 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0PS-0004LQ-00 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:42:19 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:42:15 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #176] Eagle Flies Again 10 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Chris E Bunting Eagle Flies Again 10 by various; =A32 from I. Wheeler 54 Hartwith Drive Harrogate HG3 2UY This really isn't half bad. With very impressive=20 design throughout (Red Eye Magazine take note!),=20 it's an A4-sized black and white fanzine that=20 covers the '80s Eagle along with other British=20 comics. There's a feature on Grant Morrison's Dan=20 Dare, and interviews with Alan Grant and somebody=20 called Dez Skinn. All this plus a fun Dan Barton=20 strip by John Freeman and Andrew Chiu. (7) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 21 22:43:33 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0Qf-0005BA-00; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:43:33 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0Qf-0004to-00 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:43:33 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:43:31 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #176] Future Quake 1 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Review by Jon Edwards =46uture Quake 1 by various; =A33 from Smallzone 10 Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall Telford, Shropshire TF6 6AH A collection of six twist-in-the-tale short=20 strips in the vein of 2000AD's Future Shocks. The=20 stories in this well-presented anthology are a=20 tad hit and miss, their overall execution=20 traditional, old-skool Fleetway. And while all=20 the visuals are mostly top-notch, of particular=20 merit is Adrain Bamforth's crisp, confident=20 linework and Matt Timson's dark, impressively=20 individualistic style (7) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within=20 the format of the magazine & are thus designed to=20 fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 21 22:49:27 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0WN-0005G3-00; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:49:27 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0WN-0007BC-00 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:49:27 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:49:25 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [CI #176] The Kaboom Review 10 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: .Review by Jon Edwards The Kaboom Review 10 by various; free from www.thekaboomreview.co.uk <-> A photo of sour-faced TV coroner Quincy stares earnestly out of the cover. Carefully holding up a microscope slide, he's saying, "On closer inspection you can see right up her smootchies". If that kind of wit floats your boat, you'll enjoy the ribald student humour from the self-styled Fanboy's Guide to Comics, Sleaze & Stuff. Despite reservations, this 16-page AS book is genuinely funny and fresh -like Loaded meets B0'Selecta!. And it's free. (6) http://www.comics-international.com/Reviews/small_press.html Comics International reviews first appear within the format of the magazine & are thus designed to fit the constraint of being within 50 words. From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Nov 21 22:54:13 2004 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0az-0005Lc-00; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:54:13 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CW0az-00085A-00 for ; Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:54:13 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 22:54:10 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Albedo One #29 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Albedo One #29 Posted by: John Robbins Often the published short story will read like a between-books workout for writers intent on maintaining a style, or as means of urging creative juices to again flow. Usually the flimsiness is hidden beneath a polished formula, which lulls the reader into reluctant appreciation. During its 10-plus years of publication, the speculative fiction of anthology Albedo One has at times prompted just such appreciation in me. However, this most recent square-bound issue with full-colour cover is a particularly sound addition to its award-winning back-catalogue. Seven short stories feature. There's Sara Berniker's elusively allegorical A Boy Needs A Dog and DJ Cockburn's erotically charged Summer Holidays - both well crafted tales which share umbilical-tied boy protagonists who idealise absent fathers and are desperate for a semblance of control in their oppressed lives. In the comical Classroom Dynamics by D. Harlan Wilson, Professor Beebody is not a big fan of killing his students (even those with 'mongoloid intellects'), but with Dean Dinglewigger favouring a minor killing spree over the Robin Williams approach to teaching, Beebody has little option but to up his murder rate. If Battle Royale-like fantasy-for-teachers is not your thing, there's metaphysics in the cosmic surrealism of Russell Miles' clever Red-shift Days; there's dense, wordy, flourish-fluent prose in the impressively realised Code 46-like future of Martin Taulbut's Hide And Seek With Angels; and there's spicy adventure conjured in Dev Agarwal's evocative City Of Palaces as an Englishman on-the-run from the Thugee Cult must depart a Calcutta desperate to throw-off the shackles of British colonialism. Splendidly wrapping things up is Davin Ireland's Dirt, a Tales Of The Unexpected told with disarming verve, which echoes the Fortean-inspired opening to PT Anderson's Magnolia and mixes suspense and humour to thoroughly entertaining, gleefully evil effect. Also on offer is sublime cover art by Matthew Hansel, a world affairs talk with Alan Dean Foster, a brief brush with history via Norman Spinrad, a letters column, reviews and amusing, philosophical comment in the form of the Severian sermon. A money-off coupon for kitchen sinks may well feature next issue, but meanwhile, if you're flatulently full with the fluffer shorts of pedestrian writers going through the motions, a dose of Albedo One #29 is the perfect antidote. See website for ordering details. for more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/04/11/19/albedo_one_29.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:41:43 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEPv-0003vn-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:41:43 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEPu-0007w5-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:41:43 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:41:27 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Attempted Not Known #8 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Attempted Not Known #8 Review by Mardou Well, never say never! Where as I found previous ANK's a little cold in tone, number 8 delivers all the missing elements, namely humour and warmth. A collection of shorts by a more mature Peter S Conrad, among the stand out material here is a piece called Oh the Joys. In this story, Conrad employs a split level page layout, where he talks about the pressures of buying up and renovating a house that was more of a 'fixer-upper' than he or his girlfriend anticipated. In the top-panels, the domestic squabbles are played out, a circular soap opera of bickering and compromise, "I hate this place as much as you! But I'm trying to be a happy person!" Peter snaps to his stressed out companion. In the lower panels; the cellar of the house, there's reflection and rumination on the past as an older neighbour helps Peter fix the joists and tells him about the past. The strip ends on a hopeful note, on both levels of the story, and it's a particularly satisfying short, rendered in a more cartoony style than usual. It reminds me a little of Ivan Brunetti or Steve Weissman, but its all Conrad's own, suited to the tale and to his confident penmanship. Circulation is my favourite piece here. Conrad writes about a workmate: Phil, who has died. We get to meet Phil, through his tastes in books, the stories that he told, stories about Phil told by relatives at his funeral, and through the story here, which Conrad is telling us about him; where this workmate and friend fit into his own world. There are many layers: Conrad uses visual echoes throughout the piece, and the elements of storytelling, stories within stories, to relate a little echo of this man: Phil. At Phil's funeral, his books are laid out for guests to take. Conrad poignantly reflects that the books could have belonged to an older version of himself, so similar are his tastes. The story is begun and wound up in a library, a building full of stories, we are pushed to consider, and a book from the funeral, which wasn't Phil's but the library's, is returned by Conrad, put back into circulation. Just as the story of a man's death, is told from the point of view of people living, so Phil's presence is kept in circulation, by the layers of stories, which make up a man's life. It's a quietly powerful piece, its nuances are subtle but it rewards re-reading. The artwork is simple, taut and does its job of story telling perfectly here. By putting more of himself into the stories, Attempted Not Known has become truly his own: a really strong issue. Highly recommended. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/a/ANK.html#8 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=374 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:43:02 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClERC-0003wN-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:43:02 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClERB-0008F4-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:43:02 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:42:57 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] The Last Sane Cowboy Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: The Last Sane Cowboy Review by Mardou There's a sense of coming full circle with Daniel Merlin Goodbrey's comics. Best known for his innovation in web and 'hypercomics', Goodbrey uses his clip-arty style in the folded and stapled paper format; and it's really good! A simple but hugely quirky tale of a crazy young Cowgirl who, "Intends to get sane" before she gets old, on a mission to rescue her brother (who's a goldfish) from his kooky captors: the inmates of a Wild West town named Insanity. (Ah, that's what you get when you go messing around with your older sister's special mescal!) Though there's nothing hand-drawn about the book, which is where my tastes are firmly rooted, there's something really likable about Goodbrey's pixellated artwork. He keeps it simple for one thing: using black, white and grey-tone, and good balance with pictures that are well composed and dramatic: there's a strong design sense here. The main thing which makes the project work so well, is the strength of the writing, something that will always win out in a comic book as far as I'm concerned. Razor-sharp, it's uber-cool without trying too hard and there's an affectionate lilt to the ending which stops the cool being too superficial. It's also laugh-out-loud funny in a couple of places, a slapstick sensibility which I really like; reminiscent of the film making of Hal Hartley or (though I'm loathe to say it) Tarantino. Ah, the Web-Wizard now trumps the world of papery small press too, by making this near-perfect little gem of a comic book. The bar's been raised, this is great stuff. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/l/lastsanecowboy.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=375 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:44:06 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClESE-0003wn-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:44:06 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClESD-0008JI-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:44:06 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:43:58 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Whitby Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Whitby Review by mooncat Silly me... that old song, "Only a Prawn in Whitby" rattles through my head... I guess that might be one of the reasons I picked this comic up at Caption... Whitby's creator, Gavin Ross does proclaim his interest in music in the comic, but not C86 indie music; he runs a Marc Bolan fanzine, so whether he would even have a passing likeness for Cud is highly debatable. The point is moot; this comic has nothing to do with music. In the editorial Gavin mentions that he saw the film American Splendour detailing Harvey Pekar's ordinary life, & the idea impressed him greatly. From this I would also surmise that Gavin is not heavily involved with the alternate comics scene, as 'whittering about self' is an alternative comix mainstay. This lack of artifice is also apparent in the artwork; Gavin has a quite conventional realist art style. In a way it is quite plain & would not look out of place in a mainstream magazine: an asset to the comic as a whole. Unfortunately this means that it is a little plain & functional; there is no bold experimentation with the line or style. But then, this might only serve to distract from the story telling. There are 2 stories in the book & both are satisfying reads. The first, Whitby is thus called because this is the destination of Gavin & his pal Martin as they set out to celebrate Martin's birthday with a 'night on the town'. The story is in the telling - this is presumably as close to real life as Gavin feels he can make it, but it strikes me that there may be little in the way of planning & forethought involved in the creation the comic itself. It starts off at a leisurely pace but there are a couple of points where the panel to panel layout gets a little confusing, (at one point he resorts to 'directional' arrows) & the final page seems somewhat cramped (it would have worked better as 2 pages, even if the final panel filed half the page). To counter, it also has to pointed out that Gavin is an accomplished comics artist, as the art sample that accompanies this review should testify - he is quite capable of putting together a very good page of comic art (i.e. compostion & flow). The second story details a visit to see his father, but as his father is in prison at the time, it details the getting there rather than the encounter itself. The actual meeting; the point where they meet in a fond family hug is just the denouement to the process of 'visiting'. I am fond of these stories as they appeal to my comics sensibility - the understated nature focusing on the moments of life that are mundane, yet magic which life throws up all the time if you care to look. Although autobiographical comics are not uncommon, this sort of impartial documentation of the everyday is less common. It might also be considered voyeuristic, but it is also informative - it reflects directly the lives of people in a way that is rarely seen. So much of modern life is reflected poorly in the media in general. Soap Operas engender a rational that something 'dramatic' must happen all the time. Life is challenging enough without the desire to insert a cliché ridden 30 minute story arc with a cliff-hanger ending to every situation. This is what makes Whitby a refreshing change. In a way the lack of "planning & forethought" is a strength - Gavin knows what happened - it is his view of what happened & he has committed it to the pages of this entertaining comic. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/wx/whitby.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=376 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:46:18 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEUM-00041j-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:46:18 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEUM-000130-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:46:18 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:46:12 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Dishes #8 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Dishes #8 review by mooncat On the first page of this comic there's a declaration of contents: Dishes: Humanist Gazette of Dots & Scratching Dishes: "Art" project with no deadline of grade Dishes: Fashionably late adolescence Dishes: An apologetic insert in every overdue letter Dishes: A way of cleaning out my room (in preparation for moving house) of scraps of paper of ideas and half-ideas. Printed extra small because that's all it deserves. Magnifying Glass not included. "Is it a comic is it a zine or something that's in between" There you go - thoughtful, erudite & ultimately self deprecating; very British. Get the immolation in before the critics get to you. So, as you'd gather this, is a little bit of a hodge-podge: little ideas firing off & sometimes sparkling, & sometimes sort of fizzling out & not really doing much at all. Overall though, it has charm: something which I value deeply. Ian is a talented artist. I recall Dishes #3 fondly with it's artistic (if messy) flair & ambition. The flair is still evident in parts here, but in the diminished size restrictions of this booklet it has little room to really flow. 'The Monsters in the Cupboard' strip is the worst afflicted by the confines & it's sort of difficult to see what's happening in a couple of panels, but a little extra thought makes it work out (or is it my rationalisation of ambiguity). Because of the sporadic nature of the comic and the format it's not something that you can really demand great intellectual prowess from. However, there are some thoughtful strips, like 'Georgio - Historian In The Information Age' which also, like others shares the theme of disaffection with mainstream culture. This flip flopping from insightful & throwaway moments gives the comic a kind of conversation feel: like a slightly inebriated chat down the pub with an good friend; it has that kind of ingratiating intimacy. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/d/dishes.html#8 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=377 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:48:10 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEW9-00042C-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:48:09 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEW9-0001SF-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:48:09 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:47:54 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Hope For The Future #6 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Hope For The Future #6 Review by Matthew Badham I should hate Hope for the Future (HFTF). It should come across as puerile Buffy-lite. It doesn't however, mainly because of high quality writing and art from Simon Perrins (script and pencils) and Andrew Livesey (inks). HFTF follows the exploits of Hannah, Greg and Lee, three monster-busting slackers whose world, though packed with all manner of spooks and ghouls, is very like our own. In this edition they take on a demonic Santa Claus and a town that's gone unexpectedly pagan and severely sex-mad. HFTF 6 is the second of a two-part story, but fortunately the inside front cover gives a story-so-far rundown of previous issues, which makes the action pretty easy to follow. HFTF is a quality product. Perrins' pencils remind me of Simon Fraser's, circa Fraser's collaboration with Martin Millar on 'Lux And Alby Sign On And Save The Universe'. His script doesn't disappoint either: it's light and funny, with characters that are well drawn and dialogue that sparkles. HFTF has a great 'real people dealing with extraordinary events' feeling and, in that way, echoes 'Skizz' or 'Wired World'. Livesey's inking is impressive too, with a clean line that serves rather than swamps Perrins' art. Livesey also contributes a one-page pin-up to HFTF 6, a good piece of work that's slightly reminiscent of Jamie Hewlett. On this evidence, I would like to see more complete art from Livesey. My feeling is that his work is of the standard that could easily sustain a whole comic. HFTF is a little gem, a page-turner that, while not rocking your world with profundity, will make an otherwise dull half-hour fly. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/h/hopeferfuture.html#6 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=378 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:51:20 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEZE-00046J-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:51:20 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEZE-0002M3-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:51:20 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:51:07 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Louis: The Clown's Last Words Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Louis: The Clown's Last Words Review by David Birchall I guess the most obvious comparison to Louis is Orwell's 1984: updated and twisted ever so slightly to fit something resembling a more modern world. The constant barrage of "digital entertainment (sponsored by Mort)" like Orwell's ever present TV screens and omnipresent Big Brother (it always amused me that we ended up watching BIg Brother...), people seen as numbers, anonymous buildings, uniformity of life and interrogation with cheese, all seem to have obvious resonances of Orwell and the of the state becoming ever more invasive. The story itself follows Louis' return from 'The Bee Farm' (or somewhere). I think this story is part of a series, but it seems to stand on its own as well. We see the build up to an obligatory 'Fun Day Out' for all the inhabitants of Louis' town, with Louis designing a game for a competition; the prize for which will be given out at this 'Fun Day Out'. Louis also potters about his daily business and occasionally gets tortured with cheese. Underneath all this is some kind of simmering conspiracy, climaxing in various twists at the 'Fun Day Out'. The book is beautifully produced, drawn in a style that reminds of kids TV animations, but I'm not sure quite what; maybe Postman Pat coloured in complimenting water coloury pastels. Later on there's a brilliant page where the registration of the colours is slightly mismatched to give a feeling of fear/speed/pandemonium. How language is used in the book also really interested me here, the Metaphrog team has a good grasp of different voices and characters and obviously enjoy language. The use of childlike alliterations, "frenzy of fruit" and Louis' bird named, "Formulaic Companion" give a sense of play and occasional tweeness, but in a good kind of way. The phrase from the TV that is echoed by several characters, "this is almost the beautiful house we Quidnuics deserve" makes an interesting point concerning the need to consume and create consumers, there's always something newer and shiner to buy that we probably don't need (like camera phones, maybe I'm getting old but I really don't see the point!). The frog character whose voice shifts in and out of audibility is also fascinating, leaving the reader grasping for what they might have missed, imagining, moments where you see something moving out of view to left, off in the bushes; the comic as a whole has this feel to it: moments left unexplained, unsaid, the vast conspiracy theory underlying the plot that is never quite fully revealed, and leaves you with the feeling that the story we're reading is actually circling and weaving around the real story. On a first reading I loved this aspect of the story, you're left feeling like you've just watched a David Lynch film, trying to piece together if any of what you just saw made sense, dragging meaning and understanding from what you've been presented with into a coherent form. However, the more times I read the story, the less I liked it for precisely this reason, it started to feel like the reader was stumbling along, trying to figure what is really going on and starting to get the feeling that maybe there might not be that much underneath the semantic tricks. It reminds me of the Fugazi song Waiting Room, waiting to get to the point; for a feeling of functionality and it never quite arriving, leaving you in confusion. I'm not quite sure why didn't work for me in the end, as I said before I often tend to thoroughly enjoy stuff that is willfully obscure. Maybe because it took so long trying to write this review, I just got put off in the end. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/l/louisclown.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=380 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:52:12 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEa4-00046p-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:52:12 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEa3-0002zN-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:52:11 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:52:06 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Pirates Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Pirates Review by David Miles Golding This is a very professional looking product excellently printed with 13 short stories about... well, pirates. The stories are from different creative teams and as such are of varying quality. Printed in black and white each story is 3 or 4 pages long; some drawn in pencil and brush others in black ink. Some are good and some very bad; same goes for the stories. My personal favourite 'All that Glisten is not Gold' is a 3 page tale using only Lego pirate play sets and figures, which I though was very clever and very funny. Altogether a very well put together effort, I'm not sure if it's worth the cover price of £3.50, but I'm sure it's that high only to cover the printing costs. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/pq/pirates.html Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=381 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:53:11 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEb1-00049i-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:53:11 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEb0-00036U-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:53:10 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:53:06 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Pet Static #4 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Pet Static #4 Review by David Golding What can I say about this comic... WOW! This thing should be called Dazed and Confused... It's the closest thing to an acid trip on paper as you can get. The art is very trippy ... reminiscent of the American underground comics of the 60s and 70s. Story wise I have no idea what was happening. There was something going on but I didn't know what it was, but I don't mean that in a bad way. Every page is full of energy and imagery, and at times is a little scary looking. I don't think its every ones cup of tea... I don't know if its my cup of tea... but in a perverse way I think it's wonderful and well worth checking out. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/pq/petstatic.html#4 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=382 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:54:10 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEby-0004AY-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:54:10 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEby-0003ek-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:54:10 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:54:07 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Coffee is for Grown Ups #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Coffee is for Grown Ups #2 Review by David Golding This is a great little comic, a autobiographical account of the making of this issue and the things that go through the creators head as she writes and draws, wonderfully written and very heart felt, you can tell that the writer, Lucy has talent. There are recollections about her parents divorcing and how this has affected her as a person. I imagine that it's very therapeutic for the writer to put this on paper. With a strong sense of story telling she gets her point across and makes you want to read more. Art wise its not the best in the world a little simple but used to great effect, I personally loved the little demon like character she uses to symbolise her conscience...it kind of looks like a Pokemon with a drinking problem. All in all a great little comic... a little hard going due to the subject matter but well worth your time. For more info see: http://www.zumcomics.info/c/coffeegrownup.html#2 Discussion: http://forums.pauljholden.com/viewtopic.php?t=383 From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:56:42 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEeQ-0004Ec-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:56:42 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEeP-0004hj-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:56:42 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:56:36 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] Fragments #2 Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Fragments #2 Posted by: John Robbins The will for things to be right with the world is commendable subject matter for creative endeavour. Fragments #2 is pretty much beyond reproach in this respect. However, in terms of the application of craft and imagination in realising a satisfying, engaging whole, this title is somewhat lacking. Certainly in its current not-quite-there state, it's more document-driven than 'arty'. Much like the rudimentary narrative of Fragments #1, the pieces in this second issue are made symbiotic by the obvious, inherent 'voice' of author Christine Harper and by esoteric subtext. Among the offerings is comic strip 'Nazi Sock Puppets', juxtaposed dialogue/poem/illustration 'The Tragedie Of Richard The Turd', and text piece 'Room 101'. Though there exists an inconsistency of cartooning style, the shared polish and bold clarity of the visuals provide the required cohesion, and the work just about hangs together as a curiously shorthand whole. That it resembles some form of ethics instruction booklet (with no hint of parody) cut & pasted to appeal to attention-deficient children, is unfortunate; but with some design-tweaking, subsequent issues could achieve the less free-form, more adult delivery of Totem/Icon Books' Introducing/For Beginners series. As the recent wealth of cinema-released documentaries suggest, there is an audience for pressing, universal issues discussed/raised with personality and intelligence. In this respect (and though no 'The Corporation'), the brief soapboxery of Fragments #2 won't disappoint. It's a didactic, mostly relevant tuppence-worth. Check ordering details and Fragments Online at Chez Chrissie. for more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/04/11/29/fragments_2.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sun Jan 02 22:58:10 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEfp-0004F4-00; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:58:09 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1ClEfp-00050F-00 for ; Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:58:09 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 22:58:05 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [TRS] The Ex Revenge Project Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: The Ex Revenge Project Posted by: John Robbins Cinema Sewer creator Robin Bougie mines the=20 bilious online-subculture of jilted males bent on=20 the humiliation of ex-partners by means of=20 pushing once private knowledge into the public=20 domain, both through written description and=20 photographic evidence. With names withheld and=20 pornographic snaps converted to pen & ink=20 drawings, Bougie's oblique reproduction of the=20 pathogenic effect of break-ups is agreeably=20 sanitised and succeeds in absolving the reader of=20 indirect involvement in the abuse - that is,=20 beyond the reader-as-consumer responsibility for=20 maintaining this residual market. The Ex Revenge Project offers eighteen=20 illustrations accompanied by inherently depraved=20 accounts of sexual activities as detailed by an=20 assortment of vengeful males intent on the=20 promotion of their own sexual proclivity through=20 the profound embarrassment of ex-girlfriends.=20 There's no Heathcliff or Mr Darcy here; expect no=20 semblance of punishment as prompted by moral=20 outrage at transgressed values. No, here=20 civilised society takes a backseat with Vaughan=20 from Ballard's Crash, and Bougie doesn't need to=20 tilt the rear-view mirror much to allow us an=20 eyeful of sexual displacement, psychological=20 disinhibition and a dismantling of repression. Repulsive and compelling, and with well-directed=20 restraint, The Ex Revenge Project captures=20 confused emotion pervaded by a sexuality gone=20 sour. You'll mourn the loss of our biologic=20 'mating season' regulation; you'll wince at the=20 emergence of a taboo-breaking, confessional=20 society; and you'll embrace asexuality with a=20 gnawing despair. Look away, S. Clay Wilson - this=20 is dynamite! In the pages of The Ex Revenge=20 Project, man will delight you not, no, nor women=20 neither=8Anor women neither. Available at Atomic Books. for more info see: http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/04/12/12/the_ex_revenge_project.html From zumhq@zumcomics.info Sat Jan 15 22:59:47 2005 Received: from mailout.zetnet.co.uk [194.247.47.231] by list.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.35 #1 (Debian)) id 1CpwtX-0006bv-00; Sat, 15 Jan 2005 22:59:47 +0000 Received: from paulsch.adsl.zetnet.co.uk ([194.247.42.228] helo=[192.168.1.3]) by mailout.zetnet.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 1CpwtX-0000ZJ-00 for ; Sat, 15 Jan 2005 22:59:47 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: `sdv@sd (Unverified) Message-Id: Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 22:59:44 +0000 To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" From: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Reply-To: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info Subject: [review] [ZUM!] Pirate Monkeys: The Curse of the Black Banana Sender: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info Errors-To: reviews-admin@lists.zumcomics.info X-BeenThere: reviews@lists.zumcomics.info X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13 Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: ZUM!'s comix review distribution list List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , List-Archive: Pirate Monkeys: The Curse of the Black Banana review my mooncat Now here's something of a novelty: a full colour small press comic. It doesn't look 'printed' per se, and it's not produced on an Inkjet... so the nerd in me is interested in how this was manufactured; the production method involved and how others might be able to make use of it... I suspect that there some form of colourcopier involved, but whether that's a 'home', 'office' (ahem) or 'shop' variety, I'm unsure. There's a distinct possibility of the latter as it's a little pricey, but whatever the circumstances Richard deserves a hearty slap on the back (the intensity of said may indicate your level of jealousy) for pulling this off. Richard J Smith is making a good name for himself in the UK Small Press. His prolific levels of productivity, his nifty cartooning and overall high 'funnies' level have seen to that. This particular comic matches most all his previous output on these criteria; it's a good wee comic and there are a few good chuckles to be had on the way and I recommend it to you on this basis. But... oh, that accursed reviewer's but (butt?)... There's something that's just 'not quite there'. Richard's cartooning is full of life - the lines have energy and the gags are well played but... It could 'read' better. Now, I don't mean that the panels do not follow one another, I don't mean that in some way the story is unclear... all these things are good and work fine - it's more to do with construction and composition. On the whole there are set 'scenes' within the comic, each lasting a few pages. These are framed with scene changes and the occasional 'splash panel' but generally, all the action takes place within page