Tops & Bottoms – 23rd July 2025.

Back once again. 

I’d considered renaming this weekly thing. It’s become something a little more ranty. But, who cares in all honesty. Let’s stick with this catchy, click-hungry, monstrously non-monetised, more internet BS title for the moment. I’d actually written something a little longer about whether or not I buy a comic based on who the character/s featured are or who the writer and/or artist is working on it. Turns out it is both. But it was too much of a ramble so I deleted it and save you that torture.

This week over at the ACP we had writer and editor Aaron Sparrow on for a chat. He shared an early copy of his crowdfunded comic ‘Kneel Before Doomface’ with us and chatted about this new release and some of his experiences working in mainstream comics. Not all good. You may know him better as the writer of ‘Darkwing Duck’. Well worth a listen. 

I had most of Friday off from work so ripped through the older read pile alongside some recent arrivals. Overall it was a pretty decent experience. There was a little competition for the top title for a change.

Let’s get on with the task at hand.

Small Press Comic of the Week.

‘Reluctant Sadist’ – Refreshingly strange with an instinctual style both in art and narratives. It’s good to have Hal Weaver back in the mix. Listen out for more from him in the coming week. I also love a postcard, so that Sreve Austin themed extra made my day. 

Tops. 

An impulse buy from the Forbidden Planet mail order site. I spotted this and ordered it sight unseen. Written and Drawn by Jodis Mertens. Oversized and hard of back this is another piece of proof that France and Belgium make the best comics. First published as ‘Bleekwater’ by Oogachtend in Belgium in 2022 we get a lovely translation from Jonathan Cape/PRH this year.

The narrative isn’t complicated. But the art is glorious. Reminding me of my walks through Paris and especially the area around Rue Dante in the last 30 years. It goes from the silent wandering of the titular ‘Dry Cleane(r)’ as we get to know and feel a little sorry for him, to a noir style tension twist. 

Jumping from multi-panel to splash page and double-page visions! 

Bottoms.

Honestly. What is this garbage. Issue 1 looked like a blind person drew it.

Then issue 2 looks like a computer drew it whilst simultaneously burning down the rain forest!

Many thanks for reading.

I’ll leave you with a thought for the week.

‘The problem of seeing perfection in a first attempt leads to uncontrollable narcissism. A belief that they have magic flowing from their fingertips. Be careful with praise it can ruin someone early. Change them. For the worse’ – Barry Cheeseman (1894).