I
had written about my affection for Russell in July, as part of a larger piece
about my love for the U of O comics scene, back in the day:
One
of the great things about that piece is that I heard back from a few of the
other artists, so I am going to put links for their work at the end as well.
I’m
only going to reference Hudson Van Curren’s Infantile Machismo (1990 and
1991) and Panels: UO Cartooning 1991-92, because I doubt you could find
them now. Also, I know a lot of their value for me is nostalgic. I enjoyed the
strips that were collected in them, and I was grateful that they were collected
and I could bring them with me. Everything else is actually something that you
can purchase or find on the internet, so that’s where we’ll focus.
Santa’s Lil’ Gimp: A Book Not For Children,
written by Gregory P. Dorr and Illustrated by Michael E. Russell
I
haven’t seen Bad Santa, but I believe there are some similarities,
including the story of a touching relationship between flawed characters.
Although it says not for children, it doesn’t require the censoring that Bad
Santa would – there is nothing overtly awful, though there are allusions to
some things. However, the main non-childlike aspect of it is the cynical nature
of the ending. It’s interesting anyway.
Cort and Fatboy in The Secret of the Buried Unicorns, all by Russell, except the cover is by Adrian Wallace, who drew Nathan
the Pixie at U of O
This
is probably more obviously not for children, though it is still nothing
intense. My first thought on reading it was how Portland it was, especially
with the cast of characters, and I wondered if anyone not from the area could
enjoy it. However, there is enough in there about making a living in the arts
(actually, not making a living from the arts), especially radio, that there
could indeed be a wider audience.
Beware the Sabre-Toothed Vampire and Sabertooth
Vampire Unleashed, all Russell
It’s
hard to imagine many things more frustrating than being a saber-toothed
vampire. Russell imagines the potential complications thoroughly, and it must
be said, adorably, and lets us know that the sound of this frustration is
“Hrng!”
Beware is Season One, and Unleashed is Season
Two. I was going to say that Season Two seemed to feature longer, more complex
gags, but I’m not sure that’s true. I will say that I really enjoy Renfield in
this. Due to his master’s disadvantages, he seems much more empowered, and
that’s nice for him.
Jaxxon’s 11, by Mike Russell and David Stroup
You
cannot believe how fun this is. Sure, you probably think a send-up of Ocean’s
11 using characters from the expanded and regular Star Wars universe has
some fun potential, but as you enter the world you find it is built on a
foundation of vast knowledge and affection for all of Star Wars,
and science fiction, and life.
When
I say life, I say that because the friend who is married and a parent, and is
now kind of into things he would have mocked before, is something we all relate
to, and has nothing to do with George Lucas. However, if you thought it might
be a Life Day reference, going back to the infamous Star Wars Holiday
Special, well, it does get referenced anyway. Russell and Stroup clearly
have deep knowledge here. I am sure there are references that I am missing, but
it was still so much fun, and clearly a labor of love.
Yeah,
that probably looks like I finished the reviews, and am now linking to the
artist information, but that is only partially true. I need to give kudos to
CulturePulp.
It’s
fun to read and it’s engaging, but also it has brought a lot of enrichment.
That’s how I was introduced to The Breakfast of the Gods, and Stumptown
Comic Fest, and many other things. I have read about picking mushrooms, and
making ravioli, and learned more about Browncoats, Hellboy, and Guillermo del
Toro. I miss the regular comic in the A & E, but it has still played it’s
role, and there’s still stuff out there.
So,
with that web site, you can link to a great deal of information, but I am going
to give additional links, specifically for buying via Big Cartel, and for
reading Jaxxon:
And
now, I will close with some links for other people who appeared in Panels.
Neal
Skorpen: http://nealskorpen.com/
Adrian
Wallace: http://jumbodeluxe.com/
My mind always puts Matt Bors back at U of O with us.
There is no good reason for this. But since I can’t shake it, http://www.mattbors.com/
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