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MUMBO #2 & 3
($2.00 ea. from
David Tosh)
Review by Ricko
If you were reading mini-comics in the '80s (especially if you lived in Texas) you probably remember comics by D. Tosh, creator of Scratchface Doodlehead, publisher of
Hey!, co-publisher of Steve Willis tribute
Heir of the Dog, among others. Well, Dave had dropped out of the scene sometime in the '90s but has recently resurfaced with
Mumbo, a zine about Davo and his interests. Both of these issues are entertaining reads, well-designed and left me wanting more.
The colorful second issue is dedicated to his late father and includes several pages from his dad's wartime journal from 1943 (written while stationed in the Russell Islands). It's a fascinating, sobering account of the war experience and one I'm sure that's echoed by many stationed in Iraq and elsewhere today. On a lighter note, Dave's something of a nostalgia nut and we readers reap the benefits of that particular obsession; adorning the journal pages are many WWII-era ads and cartoons. Fun stuff! This issue should be of interest, as well, to any mini-comics history buffs out there as it also contains a three-page article about the mini-comics workshops Dave used to lead at the Dallas Fantasy Fairs in the mid- to late '80s. And, on a related note, he reprints a Harvey Kurtzman tribute comic he did with Mark Stokes that originally saw print in a Fantasy Fair program book.
The primary feature in issue three is Dave's look at his obsession with the Bowery Boys film series, including what you need to know about the Boys, which films are available and lots of lobby cards and stills (scanned from his collection). Also in this issue: a rundown of recommended obscure videos (most fit right in with
Mumbo's nostalgia theme) and a reprinted Tosh comic about the best bottle of soda pop he ever tasted (and his quest to find it again).
It was a real thrill for me to learn that Dave has been publishing again and I quite enjoyed these issues of
Mumbo. I really hope he keeps it up – and maybe if we pester him enough he'll publish some new comics, too.
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