From: Richard Johnston <[t--i--t] at [ketchup.cts-group.co.uk]>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.info
Subject: Rich's Reviews
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 96 02:30:44 GMT

DC:

Egypt 7, Milligan & Corona + Gascoine
(-) Highly reminiscient of Rogan Gosh, Vincent Me escapes dangers and bland
art to discover truths behind his various lives, and his place in the games
of the gods. Oh, and the bad guy gets his. This series has been a
traditional adventure romp grafted onto Egyptian myth, but its none the
worse for that. (RJJ)

7

Hellblazer 99, Jenkins + Philips

(+) John Constantine takes some friends on a romp to faerieland Abaton, in a
story of tragic destiny, and getting pissed. The disfigurements of Sadie are
reflected in the ugly gashes of the story and art, perfection unattainable
and ultimately undesirable. As ever, everything in Hellblazer has it's
price. (RJJ)

9

Swamp Thing 164, Millar & Hester + DeMulder

(+) Just as the early days with Constanine, Swamp Things finds that the
events of his life are taken out of his hands and manipulated by others,
transforming his very nature. Only this time, he will control the entire
Earth. This tale of hopelessly resisting corruption fits a dark, angular and
sketchy art style, as harsh and bleak as the story itself.

9

Image:

Spawn 40, McFarlane & Daniel + Conrad

(-) Spawn literally falls to bits as the Curse seeks revenge, and gets it. A
sub plot intoduces one of the more ridiculous characters in the Spawn mythos
and the jumble of confusing art styles and over the top colouring does
little to help the reader.

4

Independent:

Asylum 1, Various; Maxium Press

So how do you review a book like this? One one hand there's a simple and
gorgeous Beanworld story, there's passable art from Art Adams and Pop Mhan,
but the rest is without merit. Kind of like having a Wolverine back up strip
in From Hell. So if you feel like spending two quid on four pages of
Beanworld, pick it up. If not, don't bother. (RJJ)

4

Don Simpson's Bizarre Heroes 15, Simpson; Fiasco Comics

(+) Concentrating on character and leaving the splash panels behind, Don
Simpson gives a sense of history and motivation to The Slick, a character
who was previously not more than material for a couble of gags about
ejaculation. (RJJ)

8

Oink 1, Mueller; Kitchen Sink

Combining the world's of Animal Farm and 1984, this particular pig hybrid
rebels against church and state to find his won way. Preferably with a
chainsaw. Vibrant and angry brushes paint the beginning of a journey of
discovery and eventually doom, as Oink determines to bring his own world
down around him.

8

Skeleton Key 5, Watson; Slave Labor/Amaze Ink

(-) Greater fluidity of artwork aids this manga knock-off as Kitsune
explores modern Canada and engages in various juvenile pursuits. A "pause"
issue, nothing much is added to the story, and any characterisation has
already been done in previous issues.

6

UK Titles

Strangehaven 3, Gary Spencer Millidge; Abiogenesis Press

(+) A deeper and darker dip into the increasingly strange village of
Strangehaven, along with the masonic coven's desire to keep the visitor Alex
a permanent part of the village. Comic techniques increase with this issue,
creating an absorbing and dangerous read.

9


2000AD 977, Various; Fleetway

The star of this title at present is "Flesh", and it makes the cover with
this chapter. Gary Erkine's art is strong, vibrant and accurate, backed by
Dan Abnett and Steve White's story about a trapped man climbing up from the
depths of a prehistoric ocean. "Darkness" comes second, a tale of zombies
within rural England. A farrago of sci-fi nonsense fills the rest of the title.

6

Small Press

The Copybook Tales 1-5, 75c ea plus postage, J Torres & Tim Levins, True
Patriot Studios, 305-6 Assinboine Rd, North York, Ontario, M3J 1L3, CANADA

About to be picked up by Slave Labor, this is a sweet slice-of-life comic
about two young would-be superhero comic creators, coming to terms with the
fact that superheroes need not be the be all and end all of comics, along
with vagaries of juvenile tastes, with an irrepresible sense of fun. (RJJ)

8



Richard Johnston
Unemployed copywriter.
Creator and Publisher of Dirtbag and X-Flies as Twist and Shout Comics.
Reviewer and Networks contributor for Comics International, and reviewer for
Indy.
X-Flies Conspiracy is solicited in this month's Previews and Advance Comics