Comix Reading List #12: The Swords of Heaven, The Flowers of Hell

 12. THE MICHAEL MOORCOCK LIBRARY: THE SWORDS OF HEAVEN, THE FLOWERS OF HELL (OOP) Hoopla

Not a lot to say about this one, it was fun to have the opportunity to see what passed for graphic novels in 1979. The painting by Howard Chaykin looks back to the classic illustrators of the first half of the twentieth century, while still keeping a modern sensibility (his trademark sex and violence). 

New Alternative and Small Press Comix Arrivals (January Week 5)

 Special bluesky edition, for the fifth week...

1. We don't like to single out publishers or creators as better, in the small press world we explore everyone is putting their personal visions out into the world. However, kus! deserves special recognition as a publisher who help creators with VERY personal visions get their work delivered in the highest quality packages. The entire 2023 lineup from the Latvian publisher is still available as a bundle:

2.  Hudson, NY bookstore Pure Folly Books has posted several alternative comics in stock recently, including CLAMP #5 and Alessa Kreger and Jordan Jeffries. A real sight is there selection of small press comics:

Go to their profile page and call or email if you see anything you want to order!

3. Floating World Comics to collect Josh Pettinger's GOITER releasing April 23, 2024. Available for pre-order now...

4. Speaking of Floating World Comics, Harry Nordlinger has copies of NIGHT CRUISING in his shop, along with several issues of VACUUM DECAY and this new mini-comic...

5. Ies[tyn] Or No Zines was a longtime follow on twitter BE, his unique sometimes abstract drawings are much missed. They've been posting a few actual comics pages on their bluesky timeline lately. Here's a detail...

Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

6. We can't go a week without highlighting a new arrival to Domino Books. The surprise of the month may be Neoglyphic Media publishing Matthew Thurber...

7-10: Ines Estrada updated her already stacked gatoshop.mx store on 1/25 with numerous cool objects, plus these comics:

Estrada is running quite a few sales, bundling multiple items at hard-to-resist prices. Next update scheduled for 2/24.

Comix Reading List #11: The Other Sides of Howard Cruse

 11. THE OTHER SIDES OF HOWARD CRUSE (OOP) Hoopla

I have to admit to being turned off by the "bigfoot" style of Howard Cruse in the past, so it was a perfect opportunity to be able to immerse myself in the complete "Barefootz" saga in this book. Appearances are definitely deceiving with this Cruse series, the supporting cast alone is peopled with a nymphomaniac, roach roommates, Lovecraftian monster, and a starving artist. The art is equally surprising with the look of a typical newspaper gag strip, however interspersed throughout is some underground comic worthy surrealism (page 20, 21, 44, 74, 75, 78, 85). There are quite a few other books collecting Howard Cruse's work, but I think this "Barefootz" and miscellaneous strip collection is a good bridge to his more well-known work.

Comix Reading List #7-#10: Nicole Rodrigues X 4

NICOLE RODRIGUES Biography/Photo

7. SIMULATION (2019) Partners and Son

An early effort, but that cover is definitely a sign of things to come.

8.FLOWING PATH (2020) Partners and Son 

A big leap forward for Rodrigues, this is compellingly printed in reds and greens. They weave an ecological message through surrealism, body horror, and some well-done visual metaphors.

9. BLANK FRAMES 2nd Edition (2023) Partners and Son (sold out from where I bought a copy, try the link in title)

Even more ambitious than FLOWING PATH, this is my favorite of the four. Nicole Rodrigues explores multiple planes of existence and parallel world theories. The writing is strongest in this one with many poetic passages. Nicole Rodrigues really makes some dense pages visually without sacrificing storytelling (brilliant purple and orange color printing in this second edition, as well).

10. MEASURE OF PERCEPTION (2023) Partners and Son 

I read this one twice and still couldn't figure out what their focus was in this comic, turns out there are several shorter pieces from the REPTILE HOUSE anthology throughout this book! The printing on this one is incredible, experimenting with different techniques and paper stocks. Highly recommended if you like their longer form stories.

ComicKkrakK discusses SIMULATION, FLOWING PATH, and BLANK FRAMES at the 4:20 mark of this video. Thanks to Terence for introducing us to these books!

New Alternative and Small Press Comix Arrivals (January Week 4)

 1. John Porcellino's Spit and a Half store has been around longer than the internet! I'm not sure if I had a copy of the print catalog back in the day (I was more into the OTHER Colorado distributor, Fandom House), but luckily Rick Bradford has a cover archived at Poopsheet Foundation:

I'm certain Jeff Zenick's classic travel diary zines were well represented in those print catalogs, and sure enough here Mr. Zenick is represented by a comic in Porcellino's online iteration of Spit and a Half:

2. The origins of the Wow Cool online store go way back. According to their site, "Wow Cool was founded by Marc Arsenault, Sam Henderson, and Tom Hart in January 1988 in New York City". They were all students at the School of Visual Arts in New York at, or around, that time. Here's a very early Wow Cool publication from July 1988 (cover and information from Rick Bradford's Poopsheet Foundation)...

Continuing our impromptu journey through the oldest alternative comics distributors, what better example than a piece of history: a Jeff Zenick travel diary from close to when I first discovered his comics, MODERN HISTORICALITY #1 (1992)...

3. Outside of Domino Books I've never seen any COWBOY HENK imports, until All The Old Poisons  posted this one...

4. A Swedish translation of a book originally published in France with a separate English translation included, that's TIDENS ANLETEN by Sammy Stein from our favorite Italian online store, Just Indie Comics:

5. VERITE #3 is an anthology of "Indian comics and Japanese alternative manga". Features by Paul Gravett and Ryan Holmberg. Fat Bottom Books has all three issues of this Comix India series...

6. CRUX #2 by Vigil Warren published by Dead Crow (TINFOIL) available from Silver Sprocket...

7. Set of LA TRANCHEE RACINE #3 #4 #5 tabloid format anthologies by Stephane Blanquet's United Dead Artists (find contents of each here), available from The Secret Headquarters...

8. I like Jake Machen's comics. If you're in London, Gosh Comics has a lot of his work available now...

9. DEXTROSA #1 is a Mexican comics anthology out of Monterrey, another great find by Ines Estrada available from her Gatoshop...

10. Jake Turnbull is a veteran self-publisher his latest, THE LEGEND OF DEERSKIN DAN, is available from Domino Books...

EVENT: MADE IN NEW YORK exhibition at The Society of Illustrators

BREAKING NEWS:

I just received the first issue of Larry Reid's newsletter of Seattle comix history, COMIXITY. It's got an exclusive interview with Peter Bagge and reviews by Colin (CANON) Blanchette and Kelly (Short Run Comix Festval) Froh. Other staff include Associate Editor Bella Rowland-Reid and masthead design by Marc Palm. No ordering information, but trythe Fantagraphics Bookstore. Nice work by all!

Comix Reading List #6: SOCIAL FICTION

6. SOCIAL FICTION by Chantal Montellier (New York Review Comics) Library

"1996" by Chantal Montellier was serialized beginning in one of the most well-known magazines of the 70s, HEAVY METAL #1 (April 1977), although unlike Moebius, Druillet, and Corben (all three appeared alongside her in HM #1) she did not go on to become a comic book version of a household name in the U.S.! 

"Wonder City"

This book probably won't rectify that oversight entirely, but translator Geoffrey Brock gives Montellier's original vision a better chance to be experienced, at least.

"Shelter"

Three graphic novels by Montellier are newly translated and gathered together to great effect. I love the art style very much, but it's the gravity of the stories that really impress here.

"1996: So Fast In Their Shiny Metal Cars"

Montellier's dystopian vision of the future is now familiar in our everyday lives. Her work is very brutal in depicting a surveillance state that manipulates, controls, and disposes of indiscriminately it's poor, minority, and politically disenfranchised citizens. This last illustration is from a segment of "1996" that is particularly powerful in depicting systemic racism, the final page of the segment is way beyond a shock ending.

Comix Reading List #5: Dave Sheridan Biography

 5. Dave Sheridan: Life With Dealer McDope, Leather Nun, and The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers (Fantagraphics Underground) Hoopla

It turns out Dave Sheridan drew part of the very first underground I owned, FREAK BROTHERS #4, although I didn't know that 35 years ago. This book collects all his best known work as far as I know. Like other Fantagraphics underground cartoonist collections this seems to be reproduced from the original art, which makes a big difference with the extremely detailed ink work of Dave Sheridan (and collaborator Fred Schrier), that reminds me of illustrators from the turn of the last century. This is definitely a wild ride, Sheridan may be remembered best for his Freak Brothers work but the surreal streak running through his other works is what I love the most about his work. I don't have any samples to share so you may want to check out this huge selection of original art offered by Galerie Laqua. Stunning.

FREAK BROTHERS #4 cover by Gilbert Shelton and Dave Sheridan (GCD):

Comix Reading List #4: The Best of Archie Comics Book Two

4. THE BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS BOOK TWO (Archie Comics) Libby app

There's so much to like across the long history of Archie Comics, be it the animated style of Harry Lucey and the Kennedy Brothers, or the GGA of Dan DeCarlo and Dan Parent. All can be found in this collection divided up into decades. You either drink the Archie Kool Aid, or you don't, no matter to me. But, I do think the work of Al Fagaly on SUPER DUCK is worth consideration by anyone interested in comics art or history. At first glance, Super Duck's design is influenced by the Carl Barks Ducks of the time. However, Fagaly takes the Good Duck Art of Barks, and turns up the ugly and angry knob almost to underground comix levels. The energy that Fagaly brings to his storytelling is unprecedented, there's so much running, fighting, yelling, and pranking going on. If you have any prejudices towards the usual formulaic Archie fare, i hope you put those aside and give outlier Al Fagaly a shot.

Anger

Violence

Sex

New Alternative and Small Press Comix Arrivals (January Week 3)

1. Domino Books is going on hiatus from regular updates until tentatively this Summer, all orders placed during this time will still be fulfilled by owner Austin English. (Source: Domino Newsletter #15)

With permission, here's the first part of the press release from Domino Newsletter #15:

Remember, keep those orders coming folks!

2. For the moment, new stuff is still coming into Domino, including this Le Dernier Cri gem imported from France...

3. Loading the Canon has been making a lot of videos lately, of particular interest is this one showcasing art books by Simon Hanselmann and Portuguese artist Ze Burnay...

4. Another beautiful anthology of Mexican cartoonists from Gatoshop is EL TARANTULA #4...

5. Did you know Dutch publisher Scratch Books released a nice hardcover collection of all six issues of CHAD IN AMSTERDAM? (Gosh Comics London)

6. SPREAD LOVE COMIX #22 another issue of the international anthology (Aroha Trave sighting!) found at Atomic Books...

7. The long-running Mel Stringer series, FLOWERY, makes it's way to Ireland and Little Deer Comics...

8. Second Edition of Michael Furler's BARK BARK GIRL out from Peow (bluesky)

9. Forn De Calc #3 anthology from Spain edited by Marc Charles. 2nd edition with English translation included, I believe. (bluesky)

10. Veteran Comics YouTuber ComicKkrakk interviews artist Nate Doyle (CROOKED TEETH, DUNGEON MAGE)...

Nate Doyle links:

store CROOKED TEETH 6-9 in stock

site

Strangers DUNGEON MAGE #1. (or ask at your LCS that is serviced by Lunar)

Domino JAYWALK #3

BONUS: Ebay find sold by mostlygraphicnovels for $99.99 is David Lasky's OM #1 from 1995. Your favorite blogger's centerspread is buried under an avalanche of actual talent including: Jim Woodring, Roberta Gregory, John Porcellino, Jeff Zenick, Aleksandar Zograf, Steve Leach, and D.R. Boyle. (photos by eBay seller)

me (and Charles Schulz), reprinted by editor Lasky from my first-published mini-comic...