Graphic Traffic
by Ryk McIntyre
Less talk, more Comics, as we offer some shadowy options for readers who, bored with the same-old, are willing to give loner artist a few dollars, just for doing what they do. And, these are The Good Stuff.
Magic Boy and the Word of God (James Kochalka – writer, artist, Super Star). From the sad/sweet, twisted imagination that gave us Little Mr. Man, crawls this tale of a poor little devil, a teenage elf, a girl who “flowers,” a bitter waiter-robot, God, and the spirit of a squirrel. ($3.95 – James Kochalka)
The Comic (Eli Stone – everything). Three short graphic-stories of the “I’m in my own fiction ’cause I can” school of indie books, but with a difference. This rocks. The art is very good, reminiscent of Moebius, or Phil Foglio. Great line-work, with a wide range of expression in faces, and well-drawn hands and feet. “The Birth of Zwib” introduces us to Eli and his vision, and by the time you get to “Time To Shut Up,” a delicious parody of time/space theories, it’s obvious this guy can write well too. Lastly, “The Day I Got All Liquidy” is a wonderful, costumeless story of a guy who acquires an ability just because. ($3.00 – Mail-order from The Comic, 534 Columbus Ave. #21, Boston, Ma. 02118)
Speaking of Godzilla, and speaking of titles facing imminent cancelation, issue #14 was a return to the main plot (if you ask me) of G-Force, and the 300-foot lizard that pretty much sleeps wherever it wants to. At least the dreadful time-travel story wasn’t the final blast. Now this book can go out with some dignity. Yeah, you heard me. Dignity. ($2.95 – Dark Horse)
By next issue, DC will have finished it’s coup of the year with the fourth issue of Kingdom Come, their best mini-series since “The Golden Age.” If you haven’t seen this yet, go now. Even if this isn’t your thing, the painted artwork by Alex Ross is still as gorgeous as always. Hell, this man could paint the telephone book, listing by listing, and I’d buy it.