From: Richard Johnston <[t--i--t] at [ketchup.cts-group.co.uk]>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.info
Subject: Rich's Reviews
Date: Mon, 04 Dec 95 01:47:33 GMT

Dark Horse:

American Splendor: Windfall 2
by Pekar + Brabner & Gilbert + Neufeld + Sacco + Stack

(+ -) This writer-driven comic ties in to previous stories, the aftermath of
his cancer and reaction to his book, as well as examining the mind of one of
comic book's true troopers. The art is mixed, but each moment lives.
Compared to previous Pekar, there is a growing sense of optimism. (RJJ)

7

DC:

Goddess 7
by Ennis & Winslade

(+) The most artistically detailed book in the Vertigo stable sees mayhem
and murder increase, to the extent that it is getting blase and mundane.
Steadfastly refusing to come to terms with the consequences of the
characters' actions, this book continues to offend throughout, until a
surprisingly beautiful climax. (RJJ)

6

The Horrorist 1
by Delano & Lloyd

John Constantine is in one of his moods, and it takes a ghostly, magical
creature to drag him out of his complacency. The Horrorist is responsible
for atrocities, the cause is in her past. Vivid, fast plot accompanied with
painted art that brings delight and then horror. Nasty, very nasty. (RJJ)

9

Industrial Gothic 1
by McKeever

A horrific future where beauty is standard and rejects are rejected. Ted
McKeever uses his dark style to paint a depressing picture, but not one
without hope. We are introduced to the main players as they attempt to break
out from their prison to join society. Combined with the poetic prose, this
needs work to read, but is well worth the struggle. (RJJ)

9

Millenium Fever 3
by Abadzis & Fegredo

(+ -) Frighteningly reminiscient of Milestone's Static, Jerome is trying to
come to terms with his increasingly surreal girlfriend and life. Jerome gets
some revelations about life but is having to pay for the consequences. The
art remains vivid and spectacular, realistic, but able to explode into
madness when required. (RJJ)

8

Swamp Thing 161
by Millar & Hester + DeMulder

(+) Abby returns, or seems to, and wants reconciliation with Swampy. But, as
a hurt lover, a rejects her, as his priorities change. But Swamp Thing in
under attack from more than just his emotions, and the entire town is
affected. Scratchy, dark art reflects the changes of Swamp Thing and the
changes yet to come. Things look grim for our grim elemental. (RJJ)

8

Image:

Kurt Busiek's Astro City 4
by Busiek & Anderson

(-) Despite the superheroic element of this book, this issue is the least
"realistic" so far, introducing a supernatural section of the city. A fairly
predictable plot, with superior, realistically ambiguous art aside, the
beauty of this book is in the details. Sharp-eyed readers can piece together
history and deduce future plots effectively. Still, there are enough
interesting concepts to keep this truly different superhero comic afloat. (RJJ)

7

Spawn 36
by McFarlane & Capullo + McFarlane

Friends fight, and friends fight nastily as Spawn hits out at Fitzgerald, as
Sam and Twitch continue to pursue their own agenda. While the writing leads
to  gagging, the art looks better than ever. Leaving Todd McFarlane to add
his inking flourish over Capullo's funky pencils is one of the better
decisions in this flawed book. (RJJ)

4

Marvel:

The All New Exiles 1
by Kavanagh & Lashley + Wyman

Contrived plots lead to predictable fight scenes, with repellent art- the
artist can't decide which Image artist to poorly rip off, from one panel to
the next. You've read this comic many times before, but Tom DeFalco did it
better. It's ironic that one of the better Malibu books, Ultraforce 1 is
reprinted in the back.(RJJ)

2

Independent:

Cerebus 200
by Sim + Gerhard; Aardvark-Vanaheim

A genuine comics milestone, sees Cerebus overcome personality faults,
resolve past history to a new future, in an unclear view from the
artistboard. Visually unparalleled, this is an example of a comic book
actually doing something "new" in the medium. Only a hundred to go... (RJJ)

9

Neil Gaiman's Teknophage 8
by Jenkins & Davison + Klein + McKie

The Teknophage reveals his role in Earth's first piece of history, in a
story about tested faith and the nature of evil. While the art is
occasionally inconsistent, each panel is full of life and death, letting
vibrant colour shine through. and there's a free copy of Lost Universe which
has a nice back cover. (RJJ)

8

UK Titles

Body Guard 1
by Massop & Massop + Ogantade + Hart + Griffiths + Wajenge + Foster; London
Publishing House

If Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) were superheroes... a psychic in a coma is
teamed with a violent bruiser. Let down by art slips, unerased pencils and
speech balloons, this book has enough surprises to entertain, despite the
premise sounding like a rejected Glen Larsen TV series. The quality of this
series will depend upon the continued execution. (RJJ)

6

Other-Media:

Birth Caul: A shamanism of childhood.
By Alan Moore, David J, Tim Perkins
Performance Art

A breathtaking encapsulation of the contrast between mundane and profane
modern life, and the primal voice and void of our origins and future.
Messing with time, relationships and attitudes, this combination of magic
and mystery owes more to Philip Larkin than the dark arts. The lights, music
and bizarre appearance of the "recorder" create a stunning experience. Some
may view it as pretentious bilge, but a willingness to involve yourself with
the message leads to an unparalleled experience. (RJJ)

10
Richard Johnston
Advertising copywriter for Buckfield Lord and Co.
Creator and Publisher of Dirtbag and X-Flies as Twist and Shout Comics
Networks Columnist for Comics International, and writer for Indy.