Reviews - Illustrated Fiction 12

This is the kind of small press gem I love to run across at comic and zine fests. The low-budget production values and non-descript cover of this small press comic may not have engaged me at first, but Psaltis had the original art of the interior pages on display at the Olympia Comics Fest and they immediately grabbed my attention. The artwork was wonderful. I love the cartoony style and the rich, textured crosshatching.

The story was a nice surprise too. There's nothing autobiographical inside this self-published mini comic. It's a well-constructed, entertaining fable about a farmer and the uninvited guests that keep eating his crops. There's no dialogue whatsoever. The story is told entirely through Psaltis' pithy narration and charming artwork.

I liked the page layouts and the pacing of the storytelling too. Psaltis' pages provide a visually interesting mix of panels and viewing angles. The panel arrangements, artwork, and narration boxes all work together, nicely guiding your eyes across the page and through the story.

Big Game Theory is printed on legal-size paper and folded in half. It's 14 b&w pages, including the cover, and is stapled 2X along the binding edge. It looks like these were made up just for the Fest, but Psaltis may have a few copies left. You can contact him through his website. You can also read the whole story online and be sure to check out his other works—paintings and photographs—that are well worth the extra clicks.

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Rufus the Black Cat
by Saab Lofton

Activist, author, and cartoonist Lofton published a collection of Rufus comics for the 2008 Olympia Comics Festival this June. Set in the 14th century, white men are killing off all the cats, who are blamed for spreading the plague. Rufus tries to organize the other cats to put the blame where it belongs, on the rats. He's able to gather his brethren to listen to his ideas, but moving them to action is another matter entirely. Their excuses are funny and biting.

Lofton writes consistently clever dialogue, with vernacular straight from the street, as Rufus seeks truth, catnip, and love in the Dark Ages. This small press comic features a nice mix of one- and two-page episodes, but I like the longer adventures the best. One has Rufus meeting the world's most famous cartoon cats and another has him time traveling to the 21st century where cats rule.

Rufus the Black Cat is 12 b&w pages, including the self cover, 8.5 x 11, with saddle-stitch binding. Priced at $2, you can contact Lofton at his website to order. Note: Rufus the Black Cat includes some Adults Only language.

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Covington Detour #1
by Aerick "Duckhugger" Mackintosh

Here's more proof that the Evergreen State College continues its grand tradition of supporting and developing cartoonists amid the douglas firs of the Pacific Northwest. Part one of the Covington Detour was developed under their Independent Contract process. It's an intriguing mix of mystery, nightmares, and suspense.

Each page is packed with well written narrative and engaging cartoony artwork. A college freshman decides to visit his eccentric Uncle over the summer on his way to his new university. (Hence the detour to Covington.) When he arrives, he finds little more than a key to his Uncle's house and is left to unravel the mystery in a peculiar environment that seems to grow more unusual by the minute.

Part one is an outstanding start to a terrific small press comic that left me anxiously awaiting part two. I bought the digest-sized Covington Detour #1 from Duckhugger at the Olympia Comics Festival for $3.50. I wasn't able to find it for sale online, but you can grab Duckhugger's email off his website, and I'm sure you'll be able to work things out. Covington Detour #1 is 20 b&w pages, plus a full color cover.

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Ten Foot Rule Jan 2008
by Shawn Granton

The latest issue of Granton's long-running Ten Foot Rule is another example of an interesting journal-style mini comic. Filled mostly with daily entries, TFR provides a glimpse into Granton's life earlier this year. The content is a blending of autobiography, personal commentary, Pacific Northwest fun factoids, bohemian lifestyle, and cycling as both recreation and serious transportation.

Many of the pages are composed of full page cartoons with commentary. Some are diagrams with callouts. A few are muti-paneled, recapping moments or conversations. The centerpiece features a clever foldout with a more traditional two-page comic story about New Year's resolutions. I enjoyed everything, but the appeal of reading this more complete piece tucked inside all the one-pagers made me want more story and less "one-offs".

Ten Foot Rule Jan. 2008 is 32 b&w pages (including the foldout pages), plus the cover which is printed on heavier blue paper. For $2 this is another great mini comic value. I picked this up from Granton at the Olympia Comics Festival. I couldn't find this particular issue online, but Microcosm lists most of his publishing empire, or your can contact him directly. Besides publishing TFR zines, Granton also publishes a blog called the Urban Adventure League.

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Funny Times
edited by Susan Wolpert & Raymond Lesser

It feels like a newspaper. It's tabloid, printed on newsprint, and newsy. But it's monthly, folds up to 8.5" x 11", and reads like a magazine. Whatever it is, the unique Funny Times is a breath of fresh air in today's media-manic world. As the lead-in states: We're Living In . . . Funny Times, and this humor zine provides welcome satirical commentary on all things political, pop cultural, and contemporary.

Funny Times unfolds to tabloid-size (like an old issue of Rolling Stone), and is literally packed with stories and cartoons by the best humorists in the country. Stories by Jon Winokur, Garrison Keillor, Lenore Skenazy, Dave Barry, Bil Lepp, Andy Borowitz, Greg Tamblyn, Brandon Daynorowicz, and Ray Lesser. Cartoons by Lynda Barry, Bill Griffith, Matt Groening, Nicole Hollander, Keith Knight, Harvey Pekar, Scott Nickel, Dan Pararo, Ted Rall, Jen Sorensen, Tom Toles, Dan Wasserman, and at least two dozen more.

At 24 tabloid pages, it's really 48 pages of magazine-size content for a mere $2.95 off the rack, or incredibly, $2.08 an issue via subscription. Check out their website for more information and don't miss their eCard page or the cartoon playground.

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Tim Corrigan's
Comics & Stories #21-23

Longtime small press comikers Larned Justin and Larry Blake teamed with Corrigan to create a fun-loving, slapstick western series that spans three issues of TC's Comics & Stories. Justin and Blake wrote the story and Corrigan drafted the artwork and lettering.

A group of traveling country western minstrels mosey into Melodyville and soon find themselves smack dab in the middle of a bank job. The yarn is packed with goofy characters, rip roaring one-liners, and a stampede of miscommunication that keeps the story twisting and tumbling in new directions.

All told, it's an entertaining 27-page saga of screwball cowboy logic rounded up by a veteran team of small press comic creators. Corrigan's artwork shines and is consistently strong throughout the series. A couple of issues include backup features written and drawn by Corrigan: A 2-page Marvin Ferble (#21) and a 4-page Mightyguy (#23).

Tim Corrigan's Comics & Stories #21-23 are 12 pages each with b&w interiors and full color covers. The covers are printed on slightly whiter paper than the inside pages. Single issues are $1.50 each, 12-issue subscriptions are $15 and delivered monthly. Corrigan is also available for hire at the value-packed rates of $10/page for cartoon style and $15/page for full figure style. Drop him an email for more information.

Send your orders to:
Tim Corrigan
PO Box 25
Houghton, NY 14744

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Stay Tooned #1
edited by John Read

Stay Tooned Magazine is a new journal devoted to syndicated cartoonists—pros, aspiring, and fans. Editor Read is well-connected to the industry and well positioned to make his new venture a success.

The premier issue is packed with interviews Read conducted with working cartoonists. Each one is loaded with artwork. Many are finished pieces but there's also a nice mix of photos and short tutorials that begin with rough thumbnail sketches and evolve through finished, inked artwork.

I like Read's approach to interviewing too. He asks serious questions, but he also brings warm and humor to each session. His relaxed style makes it feel like you're listening into a conversation between two good friends. I also liked that he selected a few questions that he asked everyone. It's really fun to see the different perspectives that each cartoonist brings to their reply.

Here's a list of the folks interviewed:
(The editorial cartoonists are all syndicated nationally)
Greg Cravens, The Buckets
Marcus Hamilton, Dennis the Menace
Steve Kelley, The Times-Picayune
Steven Butler, Archie Comics (Sonic, Betty & Veronica)
John Rose, Snuffy Smith
Marshall Ramsey, The Clarion-Ledger
John Deaton, The Toon Factory, Deaton Design, CarToons
Scott Stantis, The Birmingham News, Pickly City, The Buckets

My Life as a Syndicated Cartoonist by Norm Feuti is a wonderful article highlighting his path to syndication that includes samples of his early efforts and the advice he received from Jay Kennedy about some of them. This two page article alone is worth the price of admission!

Tom Richmond from Mad Magazine provides scintillating commentary complete with illustrations to address a few of the best questions submitted by his minions of readers and fans.

Funny Farrago by R.C. Harvey includes a recap of the Festival of Cartoon Art sponsored by Ohio State University, with illustrations by Rob Smith Jr. He also provides commentary and reportage on industry venues like Parade Magazine, The New Yorker, and The Chicago Tribune. Great stuff!

Rob Corley traces his animation career from his early training at the Ringling School to Disney in Orlando to partnering with long-time friend and animator Tom Bancroft to open their own studio Funny Pages Productions.

The issue wraps with commentary from Daryl Cagle, Brad Fitzpatrick, David Fitzsimmons, and Richard Thompson.

Stay Tooned is a welcome addition to the ranks of professional cartooning magazines and well worth supporting. Stay Tooned #1 is 88 b&w pages, plus full color cover. A single copy is $10, but the real deal is a 5-issue subscription for $40. Order via PayPal of money order here.

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Flung #2 by G. Fling

There's plenty of sex, drugs, and rock and roll in this small press comic from Seattle's "G. Fling" guy — with the emphasis in that order. There's nothing explicit in the cartoons, but the language and narrative provide enough mature content to earn a Mature Readers label.

The main feature is about a group of late twenty-something buddies out on the town checking out chicks and hoping for what might happen. As they migrate from one hotspot to the next they encounter a pair of women that seem unusually interested in getting together with them to party and have a really good time.

The self-published zine also includes a two-pager about a lame drug deal at a convenience store, a letters page, and a plug-page for G. Fling's other projects.

G. Fling's stories are comic moments inspired from real life events. The artwork is simple but engaging. The writing is clever and authentic. Every story is told almost entirely through dialogue, with a few thought balloons bridging the silences. The approach is ideal and keeps the action moving and the timing snappy. Overall this is an entertaining, funny auto-bio comic that's ahead of the pack.

Flung #2 is 7" x 8.5", 24 b&w pages, plus a b&w cover on heavy-weight stock. It's available from G. Fling for $3 (plus $1.25 pack & post) on his website. Check out his samples, music, and other wares while you're there.

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Last of the Chickenheads #1
by Tony Wicks

Despite an over-the-top leading man and title, Last of the Chickenheads is a well produced comic book from every angle. Set in a post-disaster timeslot, the only remaining mutant of the chicken persuasion battles an evil government and bands of bio-techno enhanced hordes in a struggle to be left alone to live his life in peace.

In its essence this isn't a unique concept and the chicken-as-hero seems a bit of an odd choice for a storyline that takes itself seriously in every other way. That said, the adage "It's not what you say, it's how you say it," certainly applies here. Creator Wicks has produced an entertaining, heroic comic book that is well thought out, well written, and well drawn. His pacing keeps the action going at a comfortable clip. His story introduces mysteries and raises questions that are promptly answered, with motivations revealed, in a natural, smooth flow of narration, dialogue, and backstory. His solid drawing ability and creative layouts provide consistently interesting visuals with moments of occasional brilliance. In short, it's a fun ride for fans of heroic comics with an off-beat twist.

Wicks, along with his partner, Martin Buxton, have launched an ambitious and entertaining line of titles. Their imprint UK-based, Comics to Die For (C2D4), is worth keeping an eye on. For more on their complete line and ordering info visit their website. Last of the Chickenheads #1 is 48 b&w pages, plus full color covers.

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Candy or Medicine #3
edited by Josh Blair

Josh Blair continues his nicely produced mini comic anthology with its third issue. Candy or Medicine actively solicits contributions from all skill levels, so the contents represent a diverse cross-section of small press cartoonists from beginners to veterans. The production values are excellent and Blair includes short bios on each of his contributors. It's an excellent value at $1 a copy and a great sampler for readers that showcases a wide variety of indie comikers.

This time out there are a couple of 1-pagers by Russ Walton and Molly Mullen. These folks are still learning and seeing their work in print will hopefully motivate and encourage them to continue refining their writing and drawing skills.

The 4-page Eternal Soup by Colin Tedford, is a well conceived and executed story. It's a great example of what mini comics are all about.

Erik Dauplaise & Chris Noel contribute an Office Surprise strip that looks more like a webcomic than a print comic. Fortunately the reproduction of this zine is excellent, so the photographic treatment inserted amongst traditional pen and ink pages provides a nice contrast. You can see more OS strips on the creator's website.

Kostis Tzortzakasis provides two beautiful 1-page wordless gag comics featuring Piranha Jack. His cartoons remind me of one of my favorite newave cartoonists, George Erling.

Eric Myers provides a surreal 4-pager in the art comic vein. He also does a webcomic called SMS, which can be seen here.

The back cover by small press veteran Dan W. Taylor closes out this issue on a high note. Great cartooning, rendered with just the right amount of detail and balanced greyscale reproduces beautifully at mini comic-size. Check out Taylor's website Weird Muse Productions for more of his great work.

I should also mention, Blair created a special edition of Candy or Medicine for this year's Free Comic Book day. You can still download the free PDF from his website.

Candy or Medicine #3 is a 16-page mini comic, printed on very nice paper, and is available for $1 (plus postage) from the CorM website.

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Reviews - Illustrated Fiction 12

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Direct link by author:

Big Game Theory by Reid Psaltis

Rufus the Black Cat
by Saab Lofton

Covington Detour #1
by Aerick "Duckhugger" Mackintosh

Ten Foot Rule Jan 2008
by Shawn Granton

Funny Times
edited by Susan Wolpert & Raymond Lesser

Tim Corrigan's
Comics & Stories #21-23

Stay Tooned #1
edited by John Read

Flung #2 by G. Fling

Last of the Chickenheads #1
by Tony Wicks

Candy or Medicine #3
edited by Josh Blair

More MF Reviews

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Reviews - Illustrated Fiction 12

Browse by page:

Direct link by author:

Big Game Theory by Reid Psaltis

Rufus the Black Cat by Saab Lofton

Covington Detour #1 by Aerick "Duckhugger" Mackintosh

Ten Foot Rule Jan 2008 by Shawn Granton

Funny Times edited by Susan Wolpert & Raymond Lesser

Tim Corrigan's Comics & Stories #21-23

Stay Tooned #1 edited by John Read

Flung #2 by G. Fling

Last of the Chickenheads #1 by Tony Wicks

Candy or Medicine #3 edited by Josh Blair

More MF Reviews

Mini Comic Reviews

Other Reviews Sites

Review Zines

Rufus the Black Cat
by Saab Lofton

Covington Detour #1
by Aerick "Duckhugger" Mackintosh

Ten Foot Rule Jan 2008
by Shawn Granton

Funny Times
edited by Susan Wolpert & Raymond Lesser

Tim Corrigan's
Comics & Stories #21-23

Stay Tooned #1
edited by John Read

Last of the Chickenheads #1
by Tony Wicks

Candy or Medicine #3
edited by Josh Blair