The zines and comics in this roundup are on loan from the RoosterCow Store where they are available for purchase. They are also available from the individual publishers and/or creators. So, without further ado, here’s the Comic & Zine Round-up #1:
Comics by Brandon Lehmann
If you follow Brandon Lehmann on Instagram, you’re probably familiar with the themes of existential dread found in his mini-comics. For example, in his book True Cat Confessions, a feline protagonist must find a place to poop in an unfamiliar environment. No easy task it seems. In Zombie’s First Time, a newbie undead man deals with a moral quandary as he contemplates consuming human flesh. We’ve all been there.
I’ve read several of Brandon Lehmann’s comics in the past year or so. They appeal to me for several reasons. I like the art because it’s neat and clean. It suggests order, sanity even. However, the subject matter is anything but. You can usually depend on Brandon to deliver a slightly disturbing theme and a twisty, if not outright twisted, ending.
For example, in Dog Restuarant, we wonder who the patrons of this themed restaurant are and what or who is on the menu. The resulting tension builds throughout the comic until the eventual big reveal (No spoilers here).
Other titles, such as Some Random Guy Falls into an Abstract Nihilistic Misery Hole deal with the theme of falling into an abstract nihilistic hole, as many of us have at some point in our lives.
The collaboration with Marc Palm, Florida Man, is a quick tale of the titular character’s efforts to sell tickets to heaven so he can access drugs in space.
You’ll find the titles mentioned above, and several more comics by Brandon Lehmann in the RoosterCow store.
Zines by David Hankins
Dave Hankins makes interesting zines about interesting subjects. He’s created information-packed zines about Vincent van Gogh, elephant-shaped buildings, movies starring gorillas, and the ‘66 Batmobile, to name a few.
Dave also has a series of mini zines called 13 Facts for which he researches, then presents a baker’s dozen truths about persons such as Dolly Partin and Eddie Cochran and the movie Repo Man.
I find Dave’s zines, both the minis and the longer titles, to be welcome distractions. They are mood elevators, much more than any social media post of a puppy or kitten could be. Well, maybe not much more, but it’s better than doom-scrolling social media. That’s my point.
Hankins also makes linocuts, rubber stamps, stickers, postcards, children’s books, comic strips, cartoons, and punk music, much of which he sells through his online store LazerAttack.com. You can also find zines by Dave Hankins in the RoosterCow Store.
Lucky Scout Cap Comic by O. Stevens
I love the color of this book from Olivia Stevens. The whole thing is straight-up eye candy. In fact, it’s a bit like staring into a big bowl of jelly beans. Like many titles from Silver Sprocket, the book includes a sticker sheet that you shouldn’t eat, but you’ll want to.
Lucky Scout Caps are collectible toy dolls, by the way. They are the kind of tchotchke that serves no practical purpose except to be gazed upon as they sit on your desk or bedside table. That said, these particular collectibles aren’t so static. They become animated and are prone to accidents and mischief-making and that’s the story. Read Lucky Cap Scouts by O. Stevens
Skin Deep Comic by Flo Woolley
Flo Woolley is a comics artist and illustrator living in Leeds, England, UK. She creates art that centers on fantastical worlds and characters. She often explores themes of queerness in her work, usually with a touch of the post-apocalyptic and futuristic. Her recent comic book (published by Silver Sprocket) is a 32-pager set in a nocturnal dance house. While it is full-color, most of the colors are shades of green and gray. It’s eerie and cool. Buy Skin Deep by Flow Woolley from the RoosterCow Store.
Read the Reglar Wiglar interview with Flo Woolley.
Moral Fiber #20 – The Movie Comic by Chris Pernula
Issue number 20 of Chris Pernula’s Moral Fiber comic (or is it a zine?) is a 56-page sketchbook done in full color. While the full title of this issue is Moral Fiber, The Movie (Novelization) there’s no discernable plot line that I can tell. Instead, the book is filled with portraits of odd and sometimes monstrous characters.
This is the first issue of Chris’s zine I’ve read so I couldn’t tell you if the rest are of a similar ilk. I’m guessing they are at least as bizarre and it’s a bargain at three bucks. Order Moral Fiber from the RoosterCow Store.
American Nature Presents #1
American Nature Presents #1 is a newsprint publication showcasing comics the publishers think you should know about. It’s done in collaboration with the Santos Sisters crew of Greg & Fake, and Marc Koprinarov (read an interview with those cats here).
In the premier issues, readers will find a new Santos Sisters adventure, plus work from Josh Pettinger, Rich Tommaso, and Stefano Fortis. Also included are articles by various contributors and an interview with Elias Ortiz on the state of comics in Mexico. This isn’t a highbrow criticism of comics ala the Comics Journal. Nothin’ like that. It is, however, a celebration of comics and it’s only six bucks for criminy’s sake. Order a copy of American Nature #1 from the RoosterCow Store.