Attack of the Killer Comic Reviews # 1 


This week's haul:

Hellblazer 85 (DC/Vertigo)
Machine 1 preview (Dark Horse)
Manic Panic 6
Omaha the Cat Dancer 3 (Fantagraphics)
Precision Auto 1 (Vinylsaurus)
Prince Valiant 2 (Marvel)
Sandman Mystery Theatre 22 (DC/Vertigo)
Shaman's Tears 3 (Image)
Stinz: Old Man Out (Mu)


Hellblazer 86 

This is the first issue of Eddie Campbell's four issue run writing the
book. He's taking his cues from Delano and Ellis, but it's got a witty
charm all it's own (especially the in-joke about Jack the Ripper). But
what I'd really like to see Campbell *draw* an issue. ($1.95, DC/Vertigo)


Machine 1 preview 

This is the latest debut from Dark Horse's "Comics' Greatest World"
universe. The title character is a government-created man/machine hybrid
with bizarre powers and great strength. The book has an interesting sense
of mystery and some inventive panel layouts, but it's marred by a lengthy
and largely pointless fight scene. The CGW books generally started off
strong but lost steam, but it's too early to tell how this title will turn
out. (Dark Horse)


Manic Panic 6 

One of the characters comments that she "dreamed of drawing comics and
making an Archie type book about my life". It occurs to me that that's
exactly what Manic Panic is, except it's about cheating boyfriends and keg
parties. It reminds me of Mary Fleener, not the art, but the style of
storytelling. The art is good too, and the splash page of the party whose
attendees include Bill Clinton, Barney, Scooby Doo, and the Energizer
Bunny is worth the price of admission. ($1.50 cash, Kate Van Zyl, 816 NW
1st Pl. Apt. A, Gainesville, FL 32602. Issues 1-5 are also available for
$2.00 cash each)


Omaha the Cat Dancer(vol.2) 3

I'm still suffering from I-don't-know-who-all-these-people-are-itis, but
I'm enjoying this book anyway. The sex scenes aren't gratuitous(well, not
much), quite an accomplishment in itself, and the characterization is well
done, even if I'm still a bit lost. ($2.50, Fantagraphics, 7563 Lake City
Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115)


Precision Auto 1

When I first heard of this, I thought the name was rather goofy, but now I
think it's inspired after seeing the book and its kitschy covers. (I'll
take '50s kitsch over '70s kitsch any day.) This is a great anthology of
comix from regulars here on the internet. The stories are short, but not
weightless. The highlights of the book are the pieces from editor Scott
Faulkner, especially his hilarious "Hey, Jim!" Woodring strip. ($2.00,
Scott Faulkner, 323 Broadway Ave. East #711, Seattle, WA 98102)


Prince Valiant 2

This ain't your father's Prince Valiant, but my dad, a long time PV fan,
liked it anyway. It's traditional enough to please the strip's fans, but
it doesn't have the slower than molasses pace that makes the strip
sometimes frustrating to read. It takes place far ahead of the strip,
after the death of King Arthur and the fall of Camelot. Charles Vess has
enough sense to realize that a comic book is a different animal from a
comic strip, and John Ridegway's fantastic art is enough to make me forget
that Vess isn't drawing it. ($3.95, Marvel)


Sandman Mystery Theatre 22 

Dian has proved herself smarter than that dumb Lois Lane ever was (some
reporter, eh?) by discovering that her beau Wes is the Sandman. But how to
prove it? Meanwhile, Wes is hunting a killer and ignoring poor Dian. This
is one of my favorite books, and I will be %+@#*&! pissed if it gets
cancelled, as some rumors are saying. ($1.95, DC/Vertigo)


Shaman's Tears 3

First Wetworks, and now this. Hell *has* frozen over. Nothing new or
groundbreaking here, but it is well done, with fine writing and art by
Mike Grell. It is nice to see Native American lore featured as more than
ornamentation or window dressing. ($1.95, Image)


Stinz: Old Man Out

I've never read anything by Donna Barr before, so I figured this one-shot
was as good a jumping-on point as any. This is a charming story about a
harvest race in a valley of centaurs. I was impressed, and I'll be
searching for more of her work. I hear she's got a book about a gay Nazi.
Frank Miller would be proud. ($2.95, Mu Press, 5014-D Roosevelt Way NE,
Seattle, WA 98105. Why does Mu have the same address as Aeon?)



Attack of the Killer Comic Reviews is posted on rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.arts.comics.info, and Comics-L whenever I feel like it. An abridged version is posted to  the comix mailing list and alt.comics.alternative(which doesn't appear at my site, so vote yes for raca!). Feedback is welcome and encouraged.

I also publish a print fanzine called Stick Figures which is in need of submissions and subscriptions. (Hint, hint) Comics and stuff sent to me will be reviewed here and possibly in Stick Figures.