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SLAB II

($4.00/£2.50/4 EURO from John Miers / Flat 10 / 67 Vallance Rd. / London E1 5BS / ENGLAND. E-mail)

You may remember that the first issue of John Miers' Slab (reviewed here back in January) was drawn with Microsoft's Paint program. Well, this new one is hand-drawn and anyone who felt the artwork was too stiff before should be surprised by the organic fluidity on display here. Seriously. The slab characters are more organic and expressive (if you can imagine) and there seems to be near-constant movement in much of the scenery as well. My favorite story of the three (and the best example of this fluidity) is the first, a sci-fi thing inspired by Flash Gordon and the like (there's even a Ming-inspired slab villain). The second story is a funny (or sad, depending on how you look at it) allegory of human existence, from creation to destruction, and the third piece – another pulp tribute – is a crime noir bit starring "Slab Marlowe". This is fun stuff.

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< comics/x >



SUPER SHORTS #1

($1.00 from Darrel Miller, www.darrelmiller.com)

I was a little disappointed to find that this comic isn't about a pair of super shorts. You know, "I'll save you, but first I must don my super shorts!" Ah, well. What this comic does have is three short stories by Darrel Miller and his pals, all of which (the stories, not his pals) deal with some sort of superhero. The first two stories are inked by someone else, but I prefer the more cartoony look of the one story Darrel inked himself. Plus, it's a cute story.

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< comics/x >

CHAOS COMIX #33

($2.00 from Randy Chaos / 5148 Mary St. / Port Alberni, BC / V94 7H4 / CANADA)

This is fun, cartoony stuff by Randy Chaos and his pals without much point except sheer goofiness. It's a bit what Mike Goetz's comics might be like if he could draw a little better, was in a punk band and dealt more in genitalia. Lots of nutty in-jokes, but there are some real gems, too, and I've gotta admit that I'm a sucker for the rewritten Blondie strips. Not for the easily offended.

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< comics/x >



PLANET NAMED DESIRE #9

($2.00 from Joeman / PO Box 40321 / Tucson, AZ / 85717-0321 USA. Web: www.planetnameddesire.com)

This is a thoughtful collection of moral tales and at least one dream by Joeman that speak to the beauty and simplicity of existence. It's certainly worth checking out if that appeals to you (I hope it does). What impresses me most, though, are the several scratchboard (I think) pieces in this issue, most notably the wraparound cover and inside covers. They're quite striking and – not to cheapen the art – at least one of them ("Skulls all together") would make a great t-shirt design.

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< comics/x >



GABAGOOL! #4

($3.00 from Mike Dawson & Chris Radtke / PO Box 1638 / Radio City Station / New York, NY / 10019 USA. Web: www.mikedawsoncomics.com)

Mike Dawson won me over a couple of years ago with his Cabaret Comics, so I was looking forward to reading this. This current project is produced in collaboration with writer Chris Radtke and it appears to be a successful partnership. Gabagool! stars a group of nerdy friends who, in this issue, are looking for a good way to make use of some newfound wealth. The obvious choice for these lads, of course, is: anything that'll get 'em laid. So they go see the travel agent, who fills their heads with visions of squishy sex, and the trip is planned.

Radtke and Dawson have a knack for creating interesting characters that are funny and distinguishable from one another and that ability was certainly put to the test in this issue's hilarious back-up feature in which the main characters (as teenagers) engage in a captivating game of Dungeons & Dragons. I liked this very much. In fact, I hope I get a chance to read the previous issues just to catch up (although I should note that this issue is a fine starting point for the new reader). Good stuff!

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< zine:think>

THE DIE Vol. 2, #2

(free – donations accepted – from Red Roach Press / PO Box 764 / College Park, MD / 20740 USA. Web: redroachpress.tripod.com)

The Die is always a fascinating read. I'm nowhere near as intelligent or well-read as editor Joe Smith, yet even I deeply appreciate his stated mission of "making you think about things you may not have considered and think twice about the things you take for granted." This issue's focus is split between his reactions to the US invasion of Iraq (much musing on the effect of protest and the Just War Theory) and philosophy (its value as a study and reviews of several books). Recommended, especially to lazy life students like myself.

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< comics/x >



JACK RABBIT #1/2, 3

($3.00, $2.00, respectively, from Jeff Zwirek / 5209 W. Montrose / Chicago, IL / 60641 USA. Web: www.jeffscomics.com)

Jack Rabbit tells the story of a detective who finds himself involved in a murder case from the outside and in, only he's unsure about the facts regarding a connection between himself and the victim. Creator Jeff Zwirek has certainly gotten me interested in seeing where this goes. I'm especially curious about what drug dealer/death metal band leader Jezüs Diablo is up to as he's probably the most interesting (and definitely the funniest) character in the series. A puzzling mystery and some good yuks make this a fun read.

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< comics/x >

ALL ABOUT MAKING LOVE

(Josh Simmons, e-mail)

This is actually the 10th and final issue of All About Fuckin', Josh Simmons' deviant anthology about, well, you know. There's quite a collection of contributors in this last hurrah and art-comix fans should definitely be interested in this lowbrow/highbrow concoction. Inside you'll find work by an assload of fine cartoonists, including editor Simmons, sub-zero permafrost, Dave Choe, Mike Diana, Hans Rickheit, Molly Kiely, Jeff Brown, Jennifer Sleepwalker (heh), Robin Bougie, Zack Soto, Thomas Herpich, Hugo and still more. Also included in this issue is a reprint of a Tijuana Bible spoofing George Burns and Gracie Allen and, as usual, sexy fumettis (photo comics, four this time) embellished by Simmons (one stars clowns, so take heed). Some may see this as depraved, but there's no sex-related shame here, something most Americans carry in abundance. If you don't mind your sex a little dirty, I highly recommend this.



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DJUSTINE... SUBISCE ANCORA!

(Enrico Teodorani / Via Ca'Nova 215-S. Andrea in Bagnolo / 47020 Pievesestina de Cesena (FC) / ITALY. Web: digilander.libero.it/mupis/)

Fetish-heavy western/horror comix starring busty cowgirl Djustine. Even though it's all in italian, there's some pretty nice "good girl" art here by Hot Stuff, Morrik, Silvano, Gianluca Pagliarani, Jason Waltrip and others. Be advised, however, that one of the most common kinks is forced sex. The website suggests the Djustine comics represent what happens when you mix spaghetti westerns and the Marquis de Sade. Still, the female hero always wins and gets her revenge, for what that's worth.

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< comics/x >



BROAD APPEAL

(Friends of Lulu, www.friends-lulu.org)

You know what I like about anthologies? Variety. I think a pretty important function of anthologies (especially one such as this) is to introduce readers to artists they may be unfamiliar with. I think it's particularly important in the ghetto that is the American comic book industry and Broad Appeal does a fine job of it. This Friends of Lulu all-ages collection edited by Dave Roman contains work by some old favorites as well as many whose work I'd previously seen little or none of. What's more, a lot of the work is quite good (not that I would necessarily expect otherwise, but you know how anthologies can be).

The cover proudly proclaims this to be "An Anthology of Comics for Everyone!" As such, you can expect the content to be fairly tame and lacking in controversy. I don't consider that a bad thing, but fair warning to those with whom charm and good vibrations only go so far. The most memorable pieces, for me, are those by Sara Varon (a fuzzy five-page wordless piece; I can't wait to read her Sweaterweather), Raina Telgemeier (a touching story about one of her formative comic book reading experiences), Jennifer Feinberg, Ariel Bordeaux/Ellen Forney (a funny collaboration about the social ir/relevance of hairstyles), Kris Dresen (at the least, for the beautiful drawings), Megan Kelso, Lark Pien (clever format) and Elena Steier (I have got to find more of her stuff). There's plenty more interesting work, though, by Missy Kulik, Hellen Jo, Jen Sorensen, Jenny Gonzalez, Abby Denson, Rachel Hartman, Fly, Ellen Lindner... You get the idea. Also included are interviews with several of the artists, a profile of Sequential Tart and helpful contributor bios.

I think this volume would make a fine introduction to comics for many people and, considering it's "suggested for readers 12 & up", might make a fine gift for younger folks, too.

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< comics/x >



ATTIC WIT #4

($1.50 from Matt Dembicki / 3148 Hartwick Ln. / Fairfax, VA / 22031 USA. E-mail)

In this issue Matt Dembicki has collected (and translated) the work of several Polish cartoonists as well as a couple of his own pieces. The contributors, whose work you may or may not have seen in Stripburger, are Marek Turek, Rafal Gosieniecki, Mariuz Zawadzki and Krzysztof Kaluszka. In fact, if you're familiar with the general aesthetics of Stripburger you'll know what to expect here. The stand-out work for me: Gosieniecki's striking front cover, Dembicki's adaptation of a Polish rhyme (using bold brushstrokes that appeal) and everything by the duo of Zawadzki and Kaluszka (funny stuff, especially the several strips about a no-nonsense, tough-guy bus driver). Cheers to Mr. Dembicki for bringing more overseas work to US readers; I wish there was a greater trend to do so.



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< comics/x >



OGNER STUMP'S ONE THOUSAND SORROWS

($9.00 + $2.00 post. from Wonderella Printed / 1204 Neilson St. / Berkeley, CA / 94706 USA or www.wonderella.com)

First of all, I must complain in the strongest possible terms that, while the cover proclaims "One Thousand Sorrows", this book contains only a mere 25. I feel cheated to the tune of 975 sorrows, which is quite a number, my friends.

Ah, well, truth to tell, the 25 sorrows are packed with all of the dreamlike melancholy I could take in one sitting. But seriously, folks.

Andrew Goldfarb's Ogner Stump lives in a world where reality seems to have gone horribly awry yet many of his sorrows are based on life as we know it. Some of the obstacles he faces: a businessman, disease, unemployment, employment, the written word and the mysteries of life. I assure you, however, that our Mr. Stump faces these obstacles in ways that you or I never have. These sorrows, which range from a single panel to eight pages, are often surreal and unwavering in their oddness. Frankly, if you're not familiar with Goldfarb's work I'm not quite sure how to explain it. The reading experience is something akin to much of Jim Woodring's work, only slightly (slightly) more straightforward. And the artwork itself might be described as a cross between Aleksandar Zograf and Richard Sala with, perhaps, a dash of Edward Gorey – if you can imagine such a thing.

I should note that Ogner Stump's sorrows only fill a little over half of this book's 150 pages. The remainder is comprised of miscellaneous short pieces and "Mumbletoes", which appears to be an unpublished children's book. I enjoyed the second half of the book at least as much as – if not more than – the first.

The production on this volume is good – glossy paper stock, several color pages and nicely-designed. If you normally buy books at Amazon, you can find this one there, too.

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< resource >



XEROGRAPHY DEBT #11

($3.00 from Davida Gypsy Breier / PO Box 963 / Havre de Grace, MD / 21078 USA. Web: www.leekinginc.com)

Xerography Debt is billed as "The Review Zine with Perzine Tendencies" and a number of the reviewers take full advantage of that. Contributors include Dan Taylor, Fred Argoff, Bobby Tran Dale, Eric Lyden, Androo Robinson and 14 others. Nearly 20 reviewers in 60 pages adds up to a lot of reviews of zines and comix. There are also several columns: two on the history of zines (Donny Smith on Civilian Public Service newsletters produced during World War II and Cali Ruchala on Mussolini's self-publishing days) and Jeff Somers writes about the futility of bitching about bad reviews. Lots of info here and I recommend it. If you're not a hardcore paper nut you can read most of the issue for free at the website. You should be able to find the print edition at your local Tower Records, too.



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< zine:personal >



ROAD SCHOLAR #2

(Alan Rankin / PO Box 200846 / Arlington, TX / 76006 USA. E-mail)

In spite of the fact that your humble editor makes an appearance (there's a small photo even) in this zine, I think it's a better read than the debut issue. It's focused, engaging and really fits the bill as a zine of travel writing. This issue covers April, May and June of 2002 as Alan roams the countryside. He writes about Cancun and Chichen Itza in Mexico (ancient architecture, tourism, culture clash), a lecture given by art spiegelman, his take on the recent Spider-Man movie, the Texas Hill Country, volunteering at the Chicago stop of the Rolling Thunder Down Home Democracy Tour (Jim Hightower's politically-minded carnival of sorts) and other stuff. This issue's also got a nice selection of color photos to illustrate the journal entries (a real plus, as far as I'm concerned). It's a good read and I'd recommend it to anyone curious about life on the road.

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< comics >



KAMEELMAN #1 & 2

(32pp & 24pp b&w comic, $2.99 from A1 Oregon Publishing / PO Box 1324 / Lake Oswego, OR / 97035 USA. Web: www.kameelman.com)

Review by Alan Rankin

An interesting combination of the conventional with the innovative. Kameelman is a superhero with a fairly standard origin – he’s been genetically engineered with chameleon DNA, so he can assume the appearance of anyone else, including their personality and emotions (implausible, but who cares). It’s what he and his support team does with this ability that’s so unusual. Instead of fighting the standard costumed supervillians, they seek out people who need help in their personal lives, and intervene, Mission: Impossible style. In the first issue, for example, they help a troubled teen cope with the bullies who are making his life miserable. It’s an intriguing concept: in mainstream comics, superheroes rarely help people cope with the challenges of day-to-day life, but in Kameelman it’s central to the story. I’m curious to see how they carry it forward. Issue 1 ends with a textual appeal to the readers, urging them to commit to non-violence in their own lives. When’s the last time you saw that in a mainstream comic?

Issue 2 involves a sky-diving scenario, and while it’s obvious that writer “T-Bone” really did his homework on the techniques and lingo sky-divers use, it’s less of a story than an open-ended scene, a setup for issue 3. Much of it is spent on supporting character “Tiger,” her Asian background and her environmental concerns. It reads like a primer geared for a teenage audience new to such concepts, which is obviously the book’s target audience. But it’s less involving than the first issue’s intriguing concepts; ditto the subplot revolving around Kameelman’s sinister creator.

Another innovation: both stories have full-color “alternate endings” available on the book’s Web site. I’m not sure of the value of such things story-wise, but it’s certainly a new concept to me. Penciller Ron Randall has done much mainstream work, including an issue of Alan Moore’s classic Swamp Thing run; he gets top billing in all credits. All in all, an interesting debut, certainly unlike anything else out there I’ve seen.

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< comics >



AMAZING ADULT FANTASY #21

(free for a stamp from Tim Doyle / 924 E. 40th, #106 / Austin, TX / 78751 USA. Web: lowfashion.com/timdoyle)

Either this issue of Tim Doyle's diary comic is even funnier than usual or my funnybone is overcompensating for the fact that the end is near. Yep, Tim's announced that #25 will be the final issue of this monthly series (sniff). Anyway, I enjoyed this one. Running Funny Papers has been keeping him pretty busy and that's what most of the entries revolve around, but he also writes about guests from out of town, movies, an angry waitress, his diet and his visit to another comic shop. If you like diary comics, I recommend sending a few stamps to get in on the end of this one.

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< zine:comics >



COMIC EFFECT #34

($3.50 from Jim Kingman / PO Box 2188 / Pasadena, CA / 91102-2188 USA. Web: www.comiceffect.com)

Comic Effect is more of an old school fanzine in that its focus is reviews and reminiscences of comics new and old. Writers this issue include editor Jim Kingman, Mike Hall, Dan Beck, Steve Chung and Robert Andres and mainstream titles are discussed (no alternative stuff this time, but you still get a few Vertigo books, war comics, Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon and a Gold Key Star Trek). Having grown up on this sort of stuff, I've always dug where Comic Effect is coming from with its slogan, "Emphasizing the Fun in Reading Comics". As a reader, it allows me to wax nostalgic as well as catch up on comics I hadn't heard about. I really enjoyed this issue's lead article by Mike Hall that details the history of Larry Lieber's failed Atlas Comics line of the mid-'70s since I never knew much about the company itself. Also, a couple of the titles discussed I'd never even seen before, so that's a plus. Another piece (also by Hall, in fact) that stands out for me is a review of Marvel's The Ultimates, another project I knew nothing about but am now curious. As always, cover scans for each comic discussed are provided and those are half the fun. This issue was a bit late, so be advised that #35 has just come out (review forthcoming).

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< resource >



COMIXVILLE #6

(free for a stamp from Comixville / PO Box 697 / Portland, OR / 97207-0697 USA)

After a cover by and short interview with the great Dave Kiersh are short reviews (most with art repros) of around 30 comix. It's a nice little guide to what's coming out. Plus, it only costs you a stamp. How can you go wrong?

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< comics/x >



LITTLE KNOWN SUPERHEROES!

(Alan Rankin / PO Box 200846 / Arlington, TX / 76006 USA. E-mail)

Writer Alan Rankin teams up with a handful of artists to hip you to overlooked superheroes such as the Brachiating Man and Manly Man. It's goofy fun and I enjoyed the two-page introduction that manages to lampoon Stan Lee, comic book neophytes and the industry all at once. Artists in this mini are Mary Copeland, Amber Rollins, Lori Thomson, Lisha Willeng and yours truly. Alan is also currently publishing Road Scholar, his zine of travel writing.

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< zine/resource >

OUT OF THE BLUE #15

($3.00 from Larned Justin / PO Box 471 / House Springs, MO / 63051 USA. Web: http://candidcartoons.com)

This new issue of Out of the Blue contains columns by Steve Skeates (tales of the comic book industry), Joseph Shea (about a batty neighbor) and Christoph Meyer (funny anecdotes about his young son); an autobio piece by Matt Holdaway about his first crush; an interview with cartoonist Yul Tolbert; comix/art by Kel Crum, Tolbert, Meyer, Joel Orff, Andy Nukes and others; and 17 reviews of comics and zines (with cover/art repros). Larned says the next issue will be all comics and stories.

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< zine:music >

RIOT! issue 2+2

(Liz Worth / 157 Delta St. / Toronto, ON / M8W 4E4 / CANADA. E-mail)

Riot! is a music zine with a few other tidbits thrown in for good measure. In this one: interviews with hip hop artist Admiral Crumple and punk band Bankrupt, tips on making a cat toy, a few pages about the My Little Pony line of toys (probably my favorite bit, based purely on the nostalgic geek factor), a bit of poetry, a bad trip, a personal account of a Jello Biafra performance and several pages of show and CD reviews. My copy came with a hand-drawn (in crayon!) cover, too, which is a nice touch.

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< comics/x >



SYNTHETIC UNIVERSE #3

($3.95 US/$5.95 CAN ppd from Hardcut Publishing / PO Box 291700 / Los Angeles, CA / 90029 USA. Web: www.hardcutpublishing.com. For Mature Readers)

Have you seen the Hi-Horse comix anthology? It occurs to me that Alison Elizabeth Taylor's work would be right at home in its pages. I'm not exactly sure why except that much of this issue is fairly surreal, looks at the human experience and her artwork is something of a cross between Andrice Arp and Bishakh Som (two of that anthology's primary contributors).

For me, the standout stories in this issue are: "Killing Time" (written by Andrew Hunter) because it has a nice twist ending and is about a sideshow troupe of freaks (or Very Special People, if you prefer); and "Bad Made Good Happen", an amusing take on the Fall of Man and how Eve actually did us all a favor. It's certainly no more far-fetched than the Bible itself.

The book itself is nicely-designed and both covers feature striking paintings that incorporate Taylor's unique and unusual wood-panel technique (the front cover moreso than the back), more of which may be found on the Hardcut website. If you're reading this and wondering where you've heard the name, you may have seen her her mini-comics such as The Perfect Job or her contributions to The Advocate, Bust or the Expo anthology. Although I enjoyed more than the covers and the two stories referenced above, those are certainly worth the price of admission.

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< zine:resource >



THE FREE PRESS DEATH SHIP #3

(free – donations accepted – from Violet Jones / PO Box 55336 / Hayward, CA / 94545 USA)

The central focus of the Death Ship is individual freedom. To that end editor Violet Jones includes in this issue an essay on the power of the printed word; much discussion and background regarding ISBN numbers; excerpts from B. Traven's The Brickburner; an enthralling letters section (this zine offers much for discussion); an interview with Fred Woodworth of the Anarchist zine, The Match!; an introduction to mail art by Ken Miller and Vittore Baroni; an inspiring description of the process of and equipment used to produce this zine (no computers); and over 200 reviews of zines of all types (plus smart excerpts from several of them). My copy also came with a separate booklet, a reprinting of I.R. Ybarra's Rent: An Injustice, originally published by The Match!. The Death Ship is a fascinating read (some of it even astonishing) and I give it my highest recommendation. Violet charges nothing for subscriptions, but accepts donations and by "standard" zine pricing (based on size, page count, added color, etc.) , I'd put this one at four bucks, easy. So send what you can. If any of the above description interests you, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[ My computer has bitten the dust – in fact, the only reason I'm able to post this is because I'm out of town at the moment – so thanks to Clint Marsh of Wonderella for providing the cover scan. Please forgive any uneven posting over the next couple of weeks or so until I get my computer woes resolved. I'll either have to pay to have it fixed or buy a new one. Donations to the cause would be humbly accepted. ]

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< video >



NOVEL AMUSEMENTS #3

($5.00 ppd from Jim Munroe / 10 Trellanock Ave. / Toronto, ON / M1C 5B5 / CANADA. Web: www.novelamusements.org)

We don't currently have cable tv in our house and one of the benefits/downsides to living in the country is that we only have three local channels to choose from (on which there's rarely anything worth watching). So tonight I watched the 16 short films and animations that comprise this edition of Novel Amusements. And, as with the previous one, I really enjoyed it.

My favorite piece is "My Trip to Liberty City" by editor Jim Munroe. It's sort of a travelogue that utilizes footage from the Grand Theft Auto computer game. It's narrated in a deadpan style that amuses me greatly and I enjoyed the tour of the game's environment. Clearly, absurdity goes a long way with me. Others I like quite a lot include Amy Lockhart's "Walk for Walk" featuring creepy animated characters (that voice!) drawn with a very Fort Thunder sort of aesthetic (Marc Bell's Paul character makes an appearance, too); Susan Bustos' "Beverly Dolls", a goofy animation starring Beverly Hills 90210 paper dolls; "Hoodies" by Sandy Plotnikoff, which is just an odd video collage of this guy with an endless supply of hoodies in a variety of amusing and striking photographs; and "Salsa Crisis" by Patricio Davila, an interesting look at gender roles, salsa dancing and how they relate to one another.

I don't remember if I said this the last time I reviewed Novel Amusements, but it's a bit like a video version of the radio show This American Life, only a little edgier maybe. It's essentially a collection of stories and performance art that serves to remind us (well, me) that life is what we make of it. Recommended.

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< zine:personal >



FUN FACTS

($2.00 or trade from Eric Lyden / 224 Moraine St. / Brockton, MA / 02301-3664 USA. E-mail)

"Fun Facts" about Eric Lyden have been a semi-regular feature in his zine, Fish with Legs. People seemed to enjoy reading them so he decided to publish a zine full of fun facts from other zinesters. It's a pretty good collection and should appeal to anyone who likes that quirky, perzine sort of thing (I do). Contributors such as Delaine (who also drew the cover), Olivia Pepper, A.j. Michel, Jason Koivu, Androo Robinson, Maria Goodman, Anne Thalheimer (her page is drawn), Matt Holdaway and 15 others spill the beans about whose grandmother had a lobotomy, who's friendly with a Playboy Playmate, who owns 12 pair of corduroy pants, who was arrested for not paying a 50¢ toll and who won second prize in an amateur stripping contest. No, I'm not going to tell you who did what. Buy the thing and see for yourself!

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< comics/x >



GULK 13

(Tim Hofmann, e-mail)

This is a collection of drawings, doodles and comix by Tim Hofmann, many of which are a bit nihilistic or just plain ol' unhinged. Crazy stuff, but there are some nice drawings and funny jokes (some dark, some not so). A lot of this stuff looks like it's straight out of his sketchbook (which is attractive to me). Take a look at this site to get an idea of what this guy does.

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< comics/x >



NERVE BOMB #0

(www.nervebomb.com)

James Baker's Nerve Bomb stars two superheroes of sorts, Rocket Rabbit (a robot) and the Professor (his cute crimefighting partner). The concept here is something like a futuristic superhero story with lots of jokes. Not a whole lot happens in this introductory issue, but they do battle a giant granny who's terrorizing the city and we get brief glimpses of lots of other heroes (Kid Kalimari, Seamus O'Possum) and villains (the Doctopus, the Reverend) in this universe. The nicely grey-toned artwork is quite reminiscent of what seems to be a European school of cartooning, particularly in the female lead, who looks similar to practically any given cartoony, female character published in Europe (not that that's a bad thing). With some funny gags, nice cartooning and interesting character designs (Big Suit, the boss, being one of my favorites), I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes. This issue was actually published in 2001, but James says it will continue as a quarterly beginning in August.

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< zine:personal >

FISH WITH LEGS: THE BOOTLEG EDITION

($1.00 + a stamp or trade from Eric Lyden / 224 Moraine St. / Brockton, MA / 02301-3664 USA. E-mail)

This issue of Eric's perzine is modeled after Jay Koivu's Mr. Peebody's Soiled Trousers and Other Delights and features nearly-daily entries for January and February 2003. He writes about things that happened to him and whatever else is on his mind. The entries themselves range from just thinking out loud (so to speak) to introspective to dead-on funny and, occasionally, even profound. Among other things, Eric writes about dreams, a "punk" kid unfamiliar with Joe Strummer, getting a haircut (hey, it'd been over two years), how his zine has never gotten him laid, the sadness of comic book stores and psychiatry. And he even throws in a few reviews for good measure.

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