Comix Reading List #74-75: The Gutter Review 1 and 2

                               "Eisner denied" -listing for The Gutter Review 2

74. NEVER MIND THE COMICS JOURNAL, HERE'S THE GUTTER REVIEW #1 (The Gutter Review) Gumroad

75. NEVER MIND THE COMICS JOURNAL, HERE'S THE GUTTER REVIEW #2 (The Gutter Review) Gumroad

Chloe Maveal is the editor and (so far, only) writer of the newest iteration of The Gutter Review, the much beloved kick in the crotch to online comics criticism since 2020 that is now in print form.

Naming THE COMICS JOURNAL in the title of the print version serves the purpose of letting readers know that this is a different direction for comics criticism, perhaps less snark and well-worn pretentiousness towards mainstream comics and possibly new angles of thought applied to the sacred cows of independent, underground, or otherwise alternative comix.

The first issue gets off to a good start with Chloe Maveal wrangling an interview out of Simon Bisley. It's a bit of a wild ride and not terribly history heavy, but I think it portrays his PERSONALITY to greater effect than a conventional conversation. The second issue features a similar conversation with Howard Chaykin, where to lesser effect persona wins out over person. Neither interview is interminable which is a triumph in itself.

The highlight of the first issue is an overview of Peter Milligan and Brendan McCarthy's infamous SKIN. I've not read the story yet, and even though it sounds like a typical EC revenge story everything described by the reviewer points to a graphic story that transcends genre entirely. Anyone that wants to read the story, it is still available to purchase digitally from Dark Horse in their BEST OF MILLIGAN & McCARTHY collection.

The best piece of the second issue is "Black and White & Gray All Over: Where Binary Teaching Fails the History of American Underground Comix". It puts forth some logical and innovative ways to look at teaching the very problematic underground comics of the 60s and 70s to a new generation without demonizing the former or trivializing the latter's viewpoint. I personally think underground comix need to to be taken as they are and not erased from history or put on a pedestal to suit a nebulous generation's perspective or convictions.

If you've enjoyed or been enraged by the online Gutter Review in the past, check these out.