FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
CARTOONIST: Johnny Ryan
48 pp., B&W, $4.95
The tenth issue of Johnny Ryan’s ANGRY YOUTH COMIX is an all gag cartoon issue. Although Ryan can write funny narrative comix, his true talent lies in gags and single panel cartoons. Most of these are too racy even for Playboy, but would be right at home in Hustler. Ryan comes closest to anyone with R. Crumb’s sensibilities towards social humor since Peter Bagge. What that means in humor comix is material that many readers (mostly casual or those who come upon it accidentally) will find racist, bigoted, misogynist, sexist, cruel, mean-spirited, gross, horrifying, troubling, pornographic, obscene, and to some, maybe even criminal.
Klansman, office workers, animals (even pets), criminals, husbands, housewives, psychopathic murderers, Jesus Christ, robots, overweight people, rapists, perverts, and (God help us) even children and infants are all characters in Ryan’s cartoons. Sex, sexual assault, alcoholism, infidelity, bodily functions, toilet humor (literally), and lots of excrement are just the tip of iceberg in terms of subject matter. Who knew the KKK could be so funny? If you can take Hustler cartoons, you’ll love this because it sure is funny.
Ball Peen Hammer
A dark, depressing, grim and grimy, post-apocalyptic, and intelligent graphic novel by novelist, playwright, screen writer, film maker and Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Adam Rapp.
Beasts of Burden #1
It stars puppies, supernatural investigative puppies. It's as bad as it sounds.
Transformers – All Hail Megatron # 15
This issue, Prowl shares his inner turmoil and plans to have the Autobots defeat their opponents the Decepticons by planting the seed of order in the midst of the Autobots
Athena #1
The Ancient Greek Goddess of Wisdom, War, The Arts, Industry, Justice, and Skill is reborn in the modern world.
