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The XII #1 of 5 by Patrick Trahey, Luis Suarez, and Magnus

March 8, 2018 in Reviews

The XII

The XII #1 of 5 https://buff.ly/2CVEcNj is a 40-page, full color, apocalyptic survival comic created and written by Patrick Trahey with art by Luis Suarez and lettering by Magnus. Published by Alterna Comics.

An extended family struggling to survive face the hard reality that the resources of the land can no longer support them. To make matters worse, they also must contend with armed rivals that threaten to raid their dwindling supplies and possibly do bodily harm to members of the family. The only apparent solution is an uncertain and perilous journey across the Dead Roads!

The creative team on The XII paint a bleak picture of a parallel world where people band together in small groups for survival and compete with one another for the precious resources needed to sustain life. Then, to make things even more direr, they introduce a mysterious, faceless group of marauders known as “The Twelve” that prey on those brave or foolish enough to wander from their compounds.

The writing captures the imagination from the very beginning and takes the reader on a suspense filled ride while the art embodies the suffering and desperation of the characters. Take your chances and try to cross the wastelands of The XII at https://buff.ly/2CVEcNj and find more from Alterna Comics at https://www.alternacomics.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/AlternaComics/ and on Twitter @ALTERNACOMICS

The Wicked Righteous #4 of 6 by Terry Mayo, Lucas Romero, Chris Hall, and Brandon DeStefano

March 6, 2018 in Reviews

The Wicked Righteous #4 of 6 https://www.alternacomics.com/wickedrighteous is a 32-page, full color, apocalyptic survival comic written by Terry Mayo with art by Lucas Romero and Chris Hall, and lettering by Brandon DeStefano. Published by Alterna Comics.

Lucas and JC break away from the pack and find some alone time while Berg and Cross make their way back to The Ballpark. Meanwhile JC’s father will use any means necessary to find his daughter, and Lucas has a premonition of bad things to come!

The creative crew responsible for The Wicked Righteous continue to take readers on a high energy, action packed ride full of interesting characters and unsettling situations! The writing remains focused and easy to follow while building anticipation and delivering the unexpected. The art, lettering, and page compositions work great at maintaining the pace of the story and bringing the action to life in a colorful and polished style that’s eye-catching and inviting of closer study!

Join The Wicked Righteous at https://www.alternacomics.com/wickedrighteous and find more from Alterna Comics at http://bit.ly/2jGlxzw

Copy This! #48 by D. Blake Werts with Michael Neno and Verl Holt Bond

March 5, 2018 in Reviews

For Mini-Comic Monday it’s…Copy This! #48. Copy This! #48 is a 40-page, B&W mini comic info zine published by D. Blake Werts! Cover by Verl Holt Bond!

In this issue of Copy This! D. Blake Werts turns the reins over to Michael Neno as he sits down with Verl Holt Bond to dig into some interesting biographical background info! First Michael re-visits a 1992 interview he did with Verl, then he jumps forward and serves up a recent interview. Between the two interviews Michael and Verl discuss when Verl first began drawing, influences and inspirations, E.C. Comics, minicomics, the small press, music, teaching, fine art, projects since the first interview and current projects, the demise of review zines (miss you Factsheet5), and mental illness. Michael concludes the interview with Verl’s contact info so you can correspond with him and get your hands on some Verl Holt Bond comics!

Next, in the community news and info section, we’re treated to offerings from: Carrie McNinch (You Don’t Get There From Here); Ian Shires (Time Trvlr); Dale Martin (Watusi’s Doghouse Funhouse); George Erling (Cartoon Loonacy); Jacob Alvarez (HypnoSpiral Comics Book Reporter); Matt Jones (Silas, Intergalactic Stoner Slug); Lara (Dandelion Daydream); Scott Davis (Minis, Digest, Etc.); and Richard Krauss (The Digest Enthusiast).

To get your hands on Copy This! and for more info contact:

D. Blake Werts
12339 Chesley Drive
Charlotte, NC 28277
or email Blake at: bwerts (at) vnet (dot) net

Alter-Life #s 1-5 by Caleb Thusat and Katrina Kunstmann

March 2, 2018 in Reviews

Alter-Life #s 1-5 https://buff.ly/2BSaf48 are a series of full-color, science fiction adventure comics written and created by Caleb Thusat with art by Katrina Kunstmann. Published by Village Comics.

Following an accident that killed his wife and daughter, Jake discovers he cannot die. He can be killed, but he always awakes to find himself in some sort of alternate life. Throughout his numerous dying and resurrections, Jake continues to search for his lost family. Unfortunately the ordeal only seems to bring him closer to his personal demons and regrets while leaving him to question the very essence of existence.

But all is not what Jake perceives it to be. In fact there is a much grander force at work behind the scenes! Will Jake ever escape his many worlds and find the family he thinks he has lost? Who or what is pulling the strings that continue to tangle Jake’s life and why? The answers are revealed across the first four issues of Alter-life!

Support Alter-Life at https://buff.ly/2BSaf48 and find more Alter-Life and Village Comics at https://www.facebook.com/villagecomicbooks/ and http://www.villagecomicbooks.com and follow Caleb Thusat on Twitter @calebthusat

Sonitus #1: Floor One of Three by Cody Sousa, Dan Sheppard, Cecilia Lo Valvo, Dee Cunniffe, and Dezi Sienty

March 1, 2018 in Reviews

Sonitus #1: Floor One of Three https://www.alternacomics.com/product-page/sonitus-1-of-3 and https://t.co/97CkVrL1k8 is a 32-page, B&W, limited horror series written by Cody Sousa, Dan Sheppard with art by Cecilia Lo Valvo, Dee Cunniffe, and letters by Dezi Sienty. Published by Alterna Comics.

A young man led by voices returns to his hometown. Once there he sets out to explore an old dilapidated house that he and his friends had frequently visited. In the decrepit house a mysterious force takes hold of the young man forcing him to face his past…and his greatest fears!

The writing sets the stage for unexpected twists and unforeseen frights. The art cloaks the house in long shadows and fills the rooms and hallways with foreboding darkness! Together the art and story effectively lay the groundwork for an intriguing and frightening mini-series!

You can visit Sonitus at https://www.alternacomics.com/product-page/sonitus-1-of-3 and https://t.co/97CkVrL1k8 and on Twitter @SONITUScomic and find more from Alterna Comics at https://www.alternacomics.com/

The Man in the Gutter: The Collection by Dimitris Zach

February 28, 2018 in Reviews

The Man in the Gutter: The Collection https://www.instagram.com/the.man.in.the.gutter/ is a 24-page, black and white, written and illustrated by Dimitris Zach. Published by Deadhead Comics.

Declan finds himself caught somewhere between being a cartoonist and a cartoonist’s character. In the strange in-between place Declan struggles with what he is to become – the son, the light, the hero, or The Man in the Gutter?!

Dimitris spins an entertaining tale that takes the reader through the fragmented reality of a fragile character. The leaps across the character’s changing worlds keeps the story moving in unanticipated directions with interesting twists and rewarding payoffs! Dimitris’ art perfectly captures the disjointed psyche of the character Declan with bold lines and great drama framed by the balance of black and white spaces! You can join The Man in the Gutter at https://www.instagram.com/the.man.in.the.gutter/

Thonger Dongers #3 by J.T. Yost

February 23, 2018 in Reviews

Thonger Donger #3

Thonger Dongers #3 https://buff.ly/2HyfKFB is a 36-page, Black and White, anthology written mostly by J.T. Yost and illustrated by him too! Published by Birdcage Bottom Books.

In this third edition of Thonger Dongers J.T. Yost gives readers an eclectic collection of comics that touch on a range of subjects. Cat lovers will find urinating felines providing companionship to the lovelorn. Small bladder sufferers will relate to the dreams of a purple bed wetter. For those with a penchant for the darker side of life there’s a story about hitting rock bottom, and for those that like things a little gross there’s a story about accidently drinking unsavory substances. All this plus an imposter dog!

J.T.’s art and storytelling abilities are always a winning combination. He manages to spin the embarrassing, the sad, and the outlandish all into an enjoyable and moving piece of sequential art. You can delve into this collection of true stories about hitting rock-bottom, extreme embarrassment, and mysterious occurrences and support Birdcage Bottom Books and get Thonger Donger #3 at https://buff.ly/2HyfKFB and get a glimpse of the book at https://issuu.com/birdcagebottombooks/docs/td3_excerpt and find more from Birdcage Bottom Books at https://birdcage-bottom-books.myshopify.com/

In The Future We Are Dead by Eva Müller. Published by Birdcage Bottom Books

February 9, 2018 in Reviews

In the Future We Are Dead

In the Future We Are Dead https://buff.ly/2FVHhiu is a 160-page, perfect-bound comic with full-color covers and interior written and illustrated by Eva Müller. Published by Birdcage Bottom Books.

This is the story of Eva’s journey through life from early childhood to old age. Through a string of short stories she explores her courtship with death. Early on Eva has an experience that leaves her with the realization life is finite. From this a close and personal relationship with death develops and a lifelong dance with the idea of loss follows.

As a young girl Eva is indoctrinated into Catholicism and drawn to the death and suffering that is such an important part of the faith. Later, as she matures, she discovers the benefits of yoga, but once again finds it too is connected to death through its corpse pose. At every turn of life Eva seems to focus on the shadow of death that falls over her path, always attracted by morbid curiosity to the fragility of life and what it means to be mortal. Her passage through life recounts growing up in a household with a younger brother and arguing parents. As she and her brother grow apart and their parents fighting escalates, Eva eventually leaves home. On her own Eva continues to encounter death through others she meets until death itself reunites her with her estranged brother.

In, In the Future We Are Dead, Eva’s fascination with death goes well beyond the natural acceptance of one’s own mortality and begins to take on the dynamics of a struggle. She and death wrestle as Eva doesn’t want to leave the party but death consistently tightens its grip and pulls her toward the door with reminders the party must end.

You can pre-order In the Future We Are Dead and support Birdcage Bottom Books’ Kickstarter Campaign at https://buff.ly/2FVHhiu and find more from Eva Müller at https://www.facebook.com/eva.zeichnet and http://evamueller.org/ and more from Birdcage Bottom Books at https://birdcage-bottom-books.myshopify.com/

Goat Song by Larkin Ford

February 8, 2018 in Reviews

Goat Song

Goat Song https://buff.ly/2nJByVs is a B&W comic by Larkin Ford. Published by Birdcage Bottom Books.

I was fortunate enough to get an early glimpse at Larkin Ford’s very original Goat Song and I must say, this is one weird comic! It starts with an older man developing a nasty spot on his leg that won’t get better. Eventually, after home remedies fail and he receives some encouragement, the man goes to the doctor. What follows is a strange twist that promises to take the man and those he cares about on a most unusual journey!

The artwork is absolutely awesome! The characters are drawn like real people with physical flaws and bodies in need of exercise. Backgrounds are all realistic with plenty of clutter strewn about in untidy rooms. And one panel in particular of a skinned animal being gutted and its entrails tossed aside, well it captures a realism that’s rarely found in comics!

You can get your hands dirty with Goat Song and others by supporting the Birdcage Bottom Books 2018 comics’ publications at their Kickstarter Campaign at https://buff.ly/2nJByVs and find more from Larkin Ford at http://www.larkinford.com/ and more from Birdcage Bottom Books at https://birdcage-bottom-books.myshopify.com/

A Lone Deer at the End of the World by D. Bradford Gambles

February 7, 2018 in Reviews

A Lone Deer at the End of the World

A Lone Deer at the End of the World https://buff.ly/2nJByVs is a 28-page, full color, mostly silent comic written and illustrated by D. Bradford Gambles. Published by Birdcage Bottom Books.

D. Bradford Gambles beautifully illustrates a world devoid of humans as seen through the eyes of a deer. As the deer explores its world it wanders into an abandoned shopping mall where the remnants of humanity are still visible. As the deer passes through the shops and walkways we’re treated to the faded visages of a superficial culture that, with all of its technologies and comforts, was unable to survive.

D. Bradford Gambles subtle method of showing us the end of the world through the eyes of a silent animal is a powerful and effective storytelling technique. With very little text, exquisite art, and a great eye for composition and design, A Lone Deer at the End of the World delivers a moving and enjoyable read that will stay with you long after you finish the book!

You can help get this comic and others printed at https://buff.ly/2nJByVs and find more from D. Bradford Gambles at http://foodhatesyou.biz/ and more from Birdcage Bottom Books at https://birdcage-bottom-books.myshopify.com/

Not My Small Diary by Delaine Derry Green with cover art by John Porcellino

February 2, 2018 in Reviews

Not My Small Diary

Not My Small Diary #19 (Unexplained Events) https://buff.ly/2nm3BLu and https://buff.ly/2nw9c1M is a 104-page, B&W anthology edited by Delaine Derry Green with cover art by John Porcellino and illustrated contributions from 43 artists!

What a great collection of spooky and weird stories all artfully illustrated by a bunch of talented people! Now, I’ll state this right up front, I am a huge skeptic of anything supernatural. I love scary stories, horror movies, and a good fright, but I just can’t bring myself to believe in anything that seemingly violates the laws of nature. However, with that said, I did thoroughly enjoy Not My Small Diary #19 (Unexplained Events)! The stories cover all sorts of strange occurrences from mysterious sounds, to doors opening by themselves, to actual sightings of unexplained things! The great variety of topics (aliens, ghosts, curses, and more) and illustration styles make this a fun read no matter what you personally think about the subject of “unexplained events.”

The contributors to this issue are really a who’s who of the small press comics world too. Gracing the pages of Not My Small Diary #19 are: Carrie McNinch, Peter Conrad, Noel Franklin, David Lasky, Jason Martin, Kelly Froh, Jenny Zervakis, Donna Barr, Max Clotfelter, Andrew Goldfarb, Colleen Frakes, Mark Campos, Rob Kirby, Ben Horak, Joe Decie, Asher Craw, Missy Kulik, Misun Oh, Rachel Scheer, Simon Mackie, Charles Brubaker, Graeme McNee, George Erling, Elmore Buzzizyk, Chad Woody, Brad Foster, Lee J. Green, Jason Young, Liz Prince, J.T. Yost, Andrew Willmore, Jim Siergey, Patty Leidy, Pete Wentzell, James Burns, Fafá Jaepelt, John Porcellino, Micah Liesenfeld, MariNaomi, Kevin Van Hyning, Roberta Gregory, Mike Kraiger, and Adam Pasion! All this talent bundled together in over 100 pages of weird, bizarre, and strange stories is almost too good to be believed!

You can venture into Not My Small Diary #19 (Unexplained Events) at https://buff.ly/2nm3BLu and https://buff.ly/2nw9c1M and find more from Delaine Derry Green at http://mysmallwebpage.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/32561454731 and follow her on Twitter at @HumanPanther

Mooz Boosh by Sam Spina

February 1, 2018 in Reviews

Mooz Boosh

Mooz Boosh https://buff.ly/2nvmnzj is an 84-page, B&W diary comic with color covers written and illustrated by Sam Spina. Published by Kilgore Books.

At the end of his twenty’s Sam documents his final year before crossing the thirty-something threshold in this collection of diary comics! Between the daily entries Sam also slips in a few sketch pages here and there that were also created during his farewell to youth testimonial. As the pages turn we learn Sam spent his year helping out kids, saving cats from gravity, spending time with the in-laws, and working at Cartoon Network. In addition to those things Sam spent a lot of time drinking beer, listening to metal, playing video games, and even touching dogs in the snow and making little girls pee! Somehow through it all Sam managed to keep his wife Samantha by his side, which was a smart move on his part because she’s the one that knows how to pay the bills.

Each page of Mooz Boosh is filled with wit and cartoony renderings that are certain to tickle your funny bone and make you feel all warm and squishy inside! You can find Mooz Boosh at https://buff.ly/2nvmnzj and find more from Kilgore Books at http://www.kilgorebooks.com/ and more from Sam Spina at http://spinadoodles.tumblr.com/ and on Twitter at @Spinadoodles

The Big Me Book by Tom Van Deusen

January 31, 2018 in Reviews

The Big Me Book

The Big Me Book https://buff.ly/2EooWem is a 28-page, B&W with color covers, autobiographical comic written and illustrated by Tom Van Deusen’s id and published by Kilgore Books.

Within the pages of The Big Me Book Tom laments over his comics’ lack of social media praise, meets a magic cat that indulges in his Nazi and public sodomy fantasies, and develops a serious condition that threatens his ability to hide his true feelings (and sell comics). He also offends plenty of people and disrespects his parents while berating them for not doing more for him. Yeah, Tom’s kinda an asshole. No, Tom is an asshole, and that’s what makes this comic (and his previous ones) such a fun read!

Tom gives us a totally appealing character that says and does things that are appalling and leaves us wanting to read and see more! This 2D version of Tom lacks even the most basic of social graces, decency, and tact. He is pure, unrestricted aggression and driven by primitive desire. And that combined with Tom’s loose and flowing drawing style makes The Big Me Book a perverse pleasure!

You can find The Big Me Book at https://buff.ly/2EooWem and find more from Kilgore Books at http://www.kilgorebooks.com and more from Tom at http://www.tomvandeusn.com and follow Tom on Twitter at @tvandeusen

Copy This! #47, the All Art Issue! By D. Blake Werts and Various Artists

January 29, 2018 in Reviews

Copy This #47

For Mini-Comic Monday it’s…Copy This! #47. This issue is a 48-page, B&W All Art mini comic special published by D. Blake Werts! Cover by Gary Fields!

This is the fifth All Art issue of Copy This! and this issue is dedicated to the memory of mini-comic extraordinaire Joe Wehrle Jr! Fittingly enough the issue starts off with four of Joe’s Night Radio strips and ends with a nice self-portrait. Between are a bunch of great mini-comic art pieces! That means no interviews, no community news, no nothing, just ART! And the groovy graphics gracing the pages of Copy This! #47 come from: Gary Fielsd; Joe Wehrle Jr.; Andy Nukes; R. Hendricks; Carl Alessi; Doug Holverson; Brad W. Foster; Aaron Poliwoda; Michael Kraiger; Verl Holt Bond; Dale Martin; Bob Vojtko; Artie Romero; Adam Yeater; Tom Motley; Billy McKay; Bruce Chrislip; Kel Crum; Marc Myers; Nate McDonough; Larry Tisch; David Robertson; Buzz Buzzizyk; Brian Buniak; Charles Brubaker; Jim Siergey; Tom Brinkman; David Miller; Brian Leonard; Bob X; and RC Harvey.

To get your hands on Copy This! and for more info contact:

D. Blake Werts
12339 Chesley Drive
Charlotte, NC 28277
or email Blake at: bwerts (at) vnet (dot) net

Wow! Retracted by David Robertson with various Guest Artists

January 25, 2018 in Reviews

Wow! Retracted

Wow! Retracted https://buff.ly/2E2snHA is a 110-page, B&W / color, anthology created, written and drawn by David Robertson with guest artwork by Eileen Budd, Marc Casilli, Zu Dominiak, Damon Herd, Olivia Hicks, Rebecca Horner, Paddy Johnston, Tim Kelly, Neil Paterson, Ludi Price, and Pam Wye. Published by Fred Egg Comics.

In this large, perfect bound collection of comic stories David and friends deliver an assortment of stories that really cover a range of subjects. The collection starts off with a tale about survival that involves cannibalism and ends with a tale about an out of this world pesky insect! In between those two are all sorts of fun and interesting short stories that take the reader to alien planets, battles between giant monsters and robots, peeks into lives of cat owners, slice-of-life vignettes, and much more! There are just so many different types of stories gathered together here it’s almost impossible to mention them all! In addition to the variety of topics covered, the art styles also cover a tremendous breadth! Everything from cartoony to realism can be found in these pages. There’s even a page where photos are incorporated into the story! Color is also injected in various spots throughout the anthology giving it an even more dynamic look!

Get yourself wowed with Wow! Retracted at https://buff.ly/2E2snHA and find more at  http://www.fredeggcomics.com/ and http://fredeggcomics.blogspot.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/david.robertson.18488169 and http://fredeggcomics.tumblr.com/ and on TWITTER @fredeggcomics

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