From: don@tse.uucp (Don Marks)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
Subject: Beguiled Bothered Bewildered Reviews
Date: 5 Nov 92 14:57:18 GMT
Reply-To: don@tse.UUCP (Don Marks)
Organization: Toronto Stock Exchange


   B E G U I L E D   B O T H E R E D   B E W I L D E R E D   R E V I E W S

Reviewed here :
     Real Smut # 1-2
     Angryman # 2
     Rubber Blanket # 2 
     Invisible People # 3 : Mortal Combat
     Fast Forward # 1 : Phobias

Spoilers could be lurking ...

Real Smut # 1-2   Dennis Eichhorn and various artists   (Eros)

This is similar to Denny's _Real Stuff_ series of autobio comix, but with 
sex being a major factor in each story.  Its not the whole focus of each
story, though; sex is seen as a part of life (albeit Denny's wild and
crazy life).  Its hardly an original concept, but one that most porn comix 
miss.  On the other hand, you won't find much titillation here.  Denny and 
his artists don't hold back at showing how unerotic sex can be.

Angryman # 2   Eric Haven   (Iconografix)

Strange, meandering slice of life is the order of the day as Ned and 
Tatalia go out for wine, mind games, and ... more?  But the absolute 
highlight of the issue is a gruesomely hilarious backup featuring an 
alternate version of the Fantastic Four origin.  This is not a superhero 
book, but it does seem to be playing at drawing parallels between normal 
people and superheroes (check out the cover and the last panel of the 
first story).

Rubber Blanket # 2   (Rubber Blanket)

David Mazzuchelli's yearly anthology return with an issue that I found 
more accessible than last.  In fact, "Discovering America" is downright 
brilliant.  Gorgeous in two-tone colour, the story is that of a man trying 
to make sense of the world through map-making.  When he tries to apply 
his techniques to make sense of his romantic relationship, however, he
is not successful.  The rest varies from the funny Mope & Grope strips 
to some stuff that I couldn't get into -- just too arty and obscure for 
my liking.

Invisible People # 3 : Mortal Combat   Will Eisner   (Kitchen Sink)

The story is a little melodramatic, but this is the only issue of Eisner's
latest that I REALLY liked.  Being a city dweller, I'm well aware of the
cloak of invisibility most people put on.  Exploring this premise, the
story of an "invisible" man caught between two strong wills hit home.

Fast Forward # 1 : Phobias   (Piranha)

This is Piranha's attempt at a mature comix anthology, with most of the 
stories in this issue being first person monologues dealing with fear.
Grant Morrisson and Dave McKean contribute the lead story, "A Glass Of
Water", in which a middle-aged woman reminisces about her life.  Its
both sad and funny, but with a powerful ending that took me by surprise;
I had no idea where the story was heading.  McKean's photo-realist art
carries the mood perfectly, abstracting or coming into focus as needed
to underline the impact of the words.  Also good is "Arona" by David
Quinn and Gil Ashby, the story of an agoraphobic turning her fear into
resentment.

Miscellania :

Hate #10 (Peter Bagge, Fantagraphics) is waycool as usual and features the
winner of the Buddy Bradley lookalike contest ... Dark Horse Presents #66 
has two one page Alec strips by Eddie Campbell ... Metropol A.D. (#1-3,
Ted McKeever, Epic) finishes the series for the time being.  And thank
goodness.  I really liked the first 6 issues of the first volume, but
after that it degenerated into a badly written apocalyptic superhero story 
... with Cerebus #153 (Dave Sim, A-V), we appear to be heading toward a
meatier section of the Mothers & Daughters storyline.  Astoria's and Cirin's
political tracts make interesting reading and the sendup of daytime talk
shows is hilarious ... Cages #6 (Dave McKean, Tundra) is great as usual.
Sometimes its a mystery, sometimes its a comedy, but its always an 
exploration of life and creativity.

===============================================================================
Don Marks                                    "I comb my hair, I shine my shoes
don@tse.UUCP                       But it's all a stupid joke I confess to you" 
geac!tse!don                                                --- House of Freaks
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc