Hey Folks,
Hope you are having a great week? I’m back on my feet and have returned to spending far too much on comics. Some good and some dogshit as you will see later on this electronic page.
Not only did I pick up my weekly pull list at Gosh Comics (see above, that exchange rate doesn’t feel right does it!), but I also got to drive over to Strange Apparitions in Spalding to pick up a boot load of comics and books. This is a massive comics and toys shop in, of all things, a garden centre. The owner is Alex who knows comics and is always both extremely good at showing me comics I don’t need/must have but also is a jolly good laugh to talk with. Find them yourself right here at their website.
They’ve also got a load of Doctor Who books, comics and toys at the moment. I took the above photo for a buddy. More coming soon on what I bought.
Over at the ACP this week we concentrated on the role and responsibilities of the sole comics creator. These saint-like/self-flagellating figures who take it all on from inception to marketing. We were joined in the early part of the episode by Richard McCrae (from the Silverback webcomic) and then the three of us adopted the Socratic Method to dive a little deeper into our sole souls. In a comics world of people who seemingly can never change opinions I’m proud of my dudes! Have a listen and let us know your thoughts.
In a sadder area of the comics world I have been shocked and stunned at the silence of UK and US comics websites over the numerous sexual assault allegations levelled at Neil Gaiman. If witnesses are to be believed there is also a good chance that there are a number of other victims out there alone with their pain – one account has it as many as thirteen more. Why this silence? Especially from a group of websites happy to point fingers at comics people on lesser and often not even criminal allegations. It has also not gone unnoticed by myself and others that there seems to be an unusual level of positive and unrelated posts regarding Gaiman on social media. Many talking about his inspirational quotes or other media he is involved with. Some suspect the work of a Crisis PR firm. Now, is that really is a creation of some Gaimanesque dark magic?
I would never wish to have the role of someone on a ‘Crisis PR Firm’. Sounds all too cloak and dagger. But if I was to advise them, and they do exist, I would immediately question their policy of absolute silence and this transparent love-bombing of platforms like Twitter/X. Comics is a series of networks. Whether we like to admit it or not. And those networks are talking and investigating, even the ones who are shamelessly being outwardly quiet. This will only go to increase the discourse and send the gossiping off in all different directions. Not only causing the obvious problems but also possibly affecting a criminal investigation. They are, I’m sure, intelligent and highly paid. They must know this. It doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
Back to the task at hand.
I apologise for being such a Doggie Downer.
Small Press Comic of the Week.
I grabbed the first two issues of this series when I was in Bristol earlier this year and this is another improvement in content and print quality. Although, if I was being a little picky it is a little too much of a Clowes homage. Treading that ground that we also see from PeePee PooPoo in the US. But, I’d say it’s better done than the Caroline Cash version, albeit a little too similar in packaging. Funnier, weirder, more to read and a stronger use of ink. I think this Ethan Llewellyn is going places.
Tops.
Easy one this week. Stan Sakai has got to be up there with those creators who put out consistently great comics for decade after decade.
This was such a joy to read. I’ve just finished it. The last in the short ‘The Crow’ arc this ends with the expected battle but also with a moment that might change your mind on a character. Stan makes you think one thing and then confronts you with your own stupidity and prejudice by showing how someone can be a good person beyond your small-minded world view/s. Who amongst us can’t say we are innocent of that trait? This series is a such an easy recommend. Start anywhere, just get on the rabbit ronin path.
Now, since my particular path lays in the Good and the Bad – I cannot apologise more for what you are about to see.
Bottoms.
Not a bad cover, not my cuppa but there are worse. It’s only when you get inside and witness the lack of real story, the just plain bizarre use of colour and the realisation that Richard Ayoade has strayed into this comic and is massively punching! (Even he, as a fellow St. Jo’s boy, will probably agree with me on that one).
More next week.
And remember, get yourself off the hamster wheel of social media. Read a comic. That will improve your day. (Beware, I’m back to running every morning, so I’ll probably begin to bore you with that again soon dear friends).
Many thanks for reading.
Never Iron Anything - The Comics Review Website 