April 3rd, 2006

Subject: Poopsheet Lives, Reviews Die... Eventually Time: 11:04 pm

It's probably apparent to anyone who once followed the posts here at Poopsheet that the regular reviews, news and other items of interest are no more. And this post exists to make that official. An explanation may be found at Poopsheet proper (here's the link for those of you reading this through LiveJournal) but the short of it is that selling comics has become a full-time job for me and it pays the bills, so it's where my focus has to be. My apologies to everyone who's waited so long to see reviews of their publications go up. I'm currently in the process of catching up on what I've got on hand but I can't promise that I'll be able to review everything that's come in. Beginning immediately, however, I'm going to start posting as much as I can as quickly as I can in an effort to get caught up. I'll post another announcement when I'm done to let you know so. Thanks for all of your support and extra special thanks to the great reviewers I've had the pleasure to work with. The regular updates would never have lasted as long as they did without the contributors. You guys are the best. But the show's not over yet. Enjoy all of the catch-up reviews and information I'm about to start posting. Also, I still hope to post the occasional review or news item and I'll still be using this space for updates to the site (content updates, new merch in the Poopsheet Shop, etc.) so you LiveJournal folks who have Poopsheet on your Friends list may leave it there if you so desire. One last thing: If, once I'm caught up and done, you start jonesing for similar info, do yourself a favor and check out ComicsLifestyle and Shawn Hoke's Size Matters and maybe even the New Bodega for some purty pictures. There are certainly other sites worth keeping an eye on, but those three are a good start. Thanks, folks! --Ricko

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April 3rd, 2006

Time: 11:32 pm

CARL IS THE AWESOME Vol. 1 (Marcos Perez, www.clifffacecomics.com) Reviewed by Heath Row This DIY slip-case collection includes four eight-page phototcopied minis featuring Carl, "the Awesome," who appears to be a Godzilla-like cross between a beaver and a turtle. After introducing the character ("I sex like science fiction before its time!"), Perez takes a look at Carl's band the Supersicks, outlines the five opening moves for Sexual Chess, and becomes mayor. The comics are largely throwaway expositions lacking in gags, and while I am quite impressed by how Perez draws women – in a much more mature style – I'm not enamored with Carl as a character. I might check out Perez's other work, but I will probably not return to Carl, regardless of how awesome he might be.

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April 3rd, 2006

Time: 11:38 pm

YOUR NAME IS KRISHANGI by Kaisa Leka (Kaisa Leka. Also available in the Poopsheet Shop.) Reviewed by Mark Campos Can I recommend, in good conscience, a self-proclaimed "graphic novel" by and about a Finnish woman who's a devotee of the teachings of Prabhupada, has prosthetic feet, and draws herself as a mouse with the letter K on her shirt; who, with her new husband (drawn as a duck with the letter L on his shirt) flies to Los Angeles for a honeymoon that involves marching and chanting in a Krshna festival; and includes three pages of teachings from their swami, who is drawn as a cow with horns? Sure I can! It's more of a travel journal than a graphic novel, but it's remarkably charming, and a peep into the type of world you probably don't live in. It's in English so monoglots can de-stress and just enjoy this heartwarmer.

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April 3rd, 2006

Time: 11:45 pm

GET YOURSELF A GOBSTOPPER by John Bagnall (John Bagnall. Also available in the Poopsheet Shop.) Reviewed by Heath Row A misleadingly DIY self-published comic, this 16-page photocopied digest sports a wonderfully colored cover and interiors that could easily presage a longer-form book with Alternative Comics, Top Shelf, or Drawn & Quarterly. At times, Bagnall's artwork reminds me of Richard Sala's by way of Seth, and the six brief pieces collected herein are eminently intriguing. Bagnall shares several "Disappearing Phrases," looks at an odor-driven version of Wire magazine's Listening Test, looks at four tradesmen, and compares cheery and glum company. This is an amazing piece of work and indicates that Bagnall is a talent worth tracking. Get this.

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April 3rd, 2006

Time: 11:51 pm

WITHHELD by Bobby.N (Bobby.N) Reviewed by Mark Campos A man in prison, waiting for release as the end of his sentence nears, mulls over the death of his wife. It's a simple story, told carefully and with flawless pacing (the art betrays a Dave Sim influence), and the O. Henry ending will stop you like a thorazine dart. Very good.

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April 3rd, 2006

Time: 11:54 pm

BRAIN FOOD #11 by Mike Toft (Mike Toft / PO Box 7246 / Minneapolis, MN / 55407 USA. E-mail) Reviewed by Heath Row Toft has been making minicomics since 1996, but this is my first exposure to his work. And it's not my cup of tea, although I don't begrudge him the effort or result. After a page-wasting introduction, Toft focuses on a character named Bob, who goes up against "hipsters," has a bad PowerPoint experience (this nine-page piece approached relevance in its criticism of corporate culture but fell short of being constructive), roasts some puppies with a flamethrower, and pokes fun at veganism. Immature in its humor and shallow in its critique, the comic does include one item of merit: the one-page "How Many Fingers Am I Holding Up?" That alone might be worth a dollar. Then again, maybe not.

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April 3rd, 2006

Time: 11:57 pm

SOMETHING SO FAMILIAR by Alex Cahill (The New Radio) Reviewed by Mark Campos This book, published with the aid of a Xeric grant, tracks the downward spiral of an Everyman who loses everything – family gone, job lost, no hope – and, despairing, decides to take himself out. The story is told mostly without words, through Alex's high-contrast art which works more often than not (sometimes overly theatrical, and in some places confusing – what is the deal with the guy in the beanie hat?). A slight but empowering story, and hopefully not the only thing we'll read from Alex.

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