MINI-COMIC BOOK REVIEWS

by David Hedgecock

For those not in the know, mini comics are comics produced by creators who don'tnecessarily have the time or budget to produce a full scale project. The books are similar to what larger companies call "ashcans" in appearance but in many instances are of a much better quality and price. Alright, let's see what we have this issue...

Title: Time's Up #6, the Yellow Kid
Publisher: Airik Lee Productions
Creator: Patrick J. Lee
Price: $1.00

This enjoyable series produced by Patrick reaches a new height with this issue.
The YELLOW KID (TIME'S UP #6) is a revealing look at aspects of growing up
"other." As a Chinese-American, Patrick depicts with subtle yet intense clarity
some of the stigmas which he had to endure during his youth while at the same
time perpetuating those myths which he feels are true. This series is usually
full of a variety of stories from auto-biographical such as this issue to pure
fantasy as seen in issue #4. The format seems to suit this intelligent creator
who obviously has alot to discuss with his audience.

Patrick's only drawback in previous issues was his lack of drawing skill but I
must say that in this issue he has made HUGE strides in this area. He even goes
so far as to depict a fight between himself and the school bully which is done
with great care and drama.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in thoughtful, well-paced
stories.

Patrick can be reached at the following address:
Patrick Lee
280 N. Florence St.
Burbank, CA 91505-3618
Send him a dollar and let him know that David and the Comic Club sent you!

Title: Southern Fried #2
Publisher: none (too pretentious)
Creator: Jerry Smith
Price: $1.00 (?)

If you only order one book from these reviews, make sure this is the one! Jerry
is also doing an auto biographical story but his viewpoint is that of a young
man growing up poor in the deep south. The reader is exposed to some very
personal and entertaining depictions of life in this issue titled "Summer of
75", everything from smoking gasoline out of a milk jug to watching Jerry's step
father relive Vietnam while drunk. The closing scene in which Jerry revisits his
child hood home LITERALLY gave me goose bumps.

With men like Harvey Pekar and Joe Matt writing into the books as fans, how can
you go wrong?

You can order from Jerry at:
Jerry Smith
3344 Horner Dr.
Morristown, TN. 37814
Jerry doesn't list a price for this book but if you send him a dollar or two,
I'm sure he will be happy. Let him know that David from the Comic Club sent you!

Title: Axel -n- Alex #3
Publisher: Daddy O Press
Creator: Terry Flippo
Price: $1.50

Just to show you that not ALL mini comics aren't personal narrative, here's Axel
-n- Alex #3! Terry's book was reviewed recently in the now defunct FAN magazine
(gosh there seems to be alot of that going around lately) as one of a few up and
coming mini comics to watch.

The story revolves around the exploits of a young boy, Alex, and his recently
come to Earth robot, Axel. It seems that Alex is a very important figure in
Earth's future, Axel has been sent through space/time to ensure that the boy
gets old enough to become that important person. The concept sounds a little
like "Terminator" but reads alot more like "Calvin and Hobbes".

This light, enjoyable book would definitely sit well with fans of "Akiko" and
"Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot". With artwork that mixes John Byrne and
Japanese Manga, this book is a visual treat as well.

You can order Terry's book from:
Daddy-O Press
c/o 205 Breezewood Ct.
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
As always, tell him that David and the Comic Club sent you!

If you've got a mini comic and you would like to have it reviewed in the Comic Club, send your mini along with a note saying "for review in CC" to:

David Hedgecock
P.O. Box 91426
San Diego CA 92169
Now go read the rest of this issue!