LUNCH HOUR COMIX #1
by Robert Ullman
($4.95,
Alternative Comics,
Robert Ullman)
Reviewed by Tim O'NeilRobert Ullman presents himself as a capable, if only blandly interesting regular Joe: in other words, a fairly typical "normal" guy. Normalcy is the hallmark of diary comics, perhaps because a more interesting life would not lend itself to bite-size chunks. The challenge is to make the mundane interesting, either through humor or whimsy or profound observations borne out of the prosaic. Obviously, the reigning master of this type of intimate chronicle is James Kochalka, who has managed to turn his contributions to the genre into something of a profound statement. The accumulation of small incidents into large chunks of calendar space is a meaningful process in every life.
Ullman's
Lunch Hour Comix are exactly what they appear to be: diary observations recorded every day, with each strip taking no more than one hour to produce. He's a likeable cartoonist, with an attractive brushstroke and a good eye for faces. The trials and tribulations of his daily life are not particularly the stuff of high drama, but his endearing on-page persona manages to enliven what would be otherwise uninteresting subjects like buying coffee, walking the dog and commuting to work. Of course, "enliven" is a relative term, considering the subject matter and Ullman's generally pleasant attitude.
This is a nice enough booklet, and a good, if not great, example of an idiosyncratic genre. If the pamphlet were any logner or any more expensive, my opinion would probably be harsher, but as it is
Lunch Hour Comix is a perfectly packaged trifle which should satisfy anyone with an interest for the genre. Without any of the more ambitious conceptual leaps you might expect from a more experienced or foolhardy talent, Ullman proves himself a solicitous guide through the hazards of suburbia.
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VAMPSPEW Episode Two
by Steve Feldman
($2.00 from Steve Feldman / 1402 W. Jackman St. / Lancaster, CA / 93534 USA. Web:
www.stevefeldman.com)
Reviewed by Steve KeeterVampspew is the best vampire comic out there, period. There, I said it, a bold statement, to be sure (and I'm including my own
Shadow of Dracula comic... I admit it — Steve Feldman's is the best!), but... here's a book that stands up to the hype. The first issue was riveting, the story of a young adventurer who stumbles upon an ancient castle and is transformed into a vampire. The book reads like literature, not your ordinary run-of-the-mill mindless and disposable culture rot. Editor Feldman is a master of wordplay, as is even more evident in this gripping second issue. Nary a word is spoken the entire book, but the wonderfully descriptive captions inform us of "flesh eating inhabitants [who] drove their vehicles recklessly fast and with needless agression... walked like zombies through the aisles of their supermarkets... their great bodies obstructing the aisles like cholesterol in the encrusted arteries of a saturated fat sucking junky!" Whew, and that's only the first page; it gets better. There is great satire and humor here, as the young vampire finds that his condition is covered by his insurance company, he seeks God but finds strange little Martian guys instead, finds a secret book "behind an elegant painting of Isis wearing a propellor beanie cap"... I mean, this is terrific and original stuff! The art has a great, foggy, surreal quality to it. And check out the front cover, which is virtually identical to that of Episode One, except that the young vampire has begun to... decay. I have a pretty good idea what the cover for #3 is going to look like. If you love great comics, and if you think it's all been done and there's nothing original out there, especially in a scary vampire comic, you owe it to yourself to check out
Vampspew Episode Two.
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CLIP TART #2
by Susan Boren
(Susan Boren / PO Box 66512 / Austin, TX / 78766 USA)
Reviewed by Eric LydenI have to admit, I'm not sure I get this one. I like it and I find it fascinating, but I'm really not sure I truly "get" it. Basically, this zine features collages, clip art, written excerpts from various sources and a few letters, reviews and essays. Amazing production values (including color covers and a few color pages thanks to a mysterious "copy angel") written excerpts that range from the thought-provoking to the just plain weird that at some point becomes a compelling read even though I'm at a loss to explain why exactly it was so compelling. Check it out if only to see how much of a disservice I'm giving this one with my clumsy, awkward, inarticulate review. I promise you won't be sorry. Send at least a few bucks (I don't see any pricing info here).
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