Cats As Food (Not Really)

From the 2025 Flywheel Zine Fest.

Title: Cats As Food (Not Really)
Publisher: My Monster Hat
Date: April, 2018
Writer: Anne Thalheimer
Artist: Anne Thalheimer

I picked up a whole pack of cat-themed zines from Anne Thalheimer at the Flywheel Zine Fest this year. This one was inspired by a crew of second-graders in a class on comics that the artist was teaching. The sketches feature the avo-cat-o, the purrito, and everyone's favorite palindrome, the tacocat!

I also like how the cat on the front cover is looking a bit nervous at the title.

Good, silly fun.

Rating: 6.5/10

Nostalgia Whiplash #1

From the 2025 Flywheel Zine Fest in Holyoke Ma USA.

Title: Nostalgia Whiplash
Issue: 1
Date: February 2018
Publisher: Olivia M
Writer: Olivia M
Artist: Olivia M

Mini zine about internet culture in 2005-2007. I always enjoy a bit of geeky history combined with autobiography, and this was a really fascinating look at the teen girl subculture that grew up around early free webhosting sites like Geocities and Matmice. It also has some self-reflection from the author's experiences exploring these sites while part of a fundamentalist Christian household.

The zine is primarily a prose essay, and examples of website graphics from the era it is looking back on.

Although I was aware of some areas adjacent to the cultures described here through my own experiences on Livejournal, most of this was new to me, and it made for a really interesting rabbit hole of a very specific bit of subculture that is mostly scrubbed from the web at this point. I'm glad someone is remembering and recording this.

Rating: 7.5/10

Supergirl: Being Super

Bought at my school's Spring book fair.

Title: Supergirl: Being Super
Date: May, 2018
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Joelle Jones, Sandu Florea
Colorist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Cover: Joelle Jones, Kelly Fitzpatrick
Editor: Paul Kaminski, Andrew Marino, Robin Wildman

Trade paperback collection of Supergirl: Being Super issues #1-4 from 2016-2017.

It feels like rebooted origin stories are getting to the point where they are separated by months, rather than years these days. So I had a bit of trepidation approaching yet another origin reboot (putting aside the question of whether this was main-canon continuity or not; that's also something that's become more and more fuzzy these days).

But this was really good. Not for the plot, necessarily, although the plot did its job adequately. It was the dialogue and supporting cast that really made this work. Kara Danvers of (Smallville stand-in) Midvale, Kansas, turns sixteen years old, having hid the powers that make her different from her peers since childhood, only to have those powers fail her when she needs them most.

In the face of tragedy, Kara begins to question everything about her life, and she uncovers the secrets that will set her on the path to, well, to being super.

Kara's interactions with her friends were interesting enough that I was to some extent disappointed that this is essentially the story of her leaving home to start her hero's journey. I would happily read further adventures of Kara's best friend Dolly, without needing a bit more superhero stuff. And her relationship with her parents was intriguing, and definitely worth further exploration.

The villains introduced here (two new ones and one very familiar one) are likely to be seen again and all of them have plenty of story potential.

Joelle Jones does great work with the art all through the series, ending with an awesome visual on the last page.

This was a great fresh start for a classic character, and I would be happy to have this be the definitive Supergirl origin story moving forward.

Rating: 8/10

Rival Angels Season 3 Volume 2

Part of a Kickstarter reward package.

Title: Rival Angels: Season 3 Volume 2
Date: 2018
Publisher: Rival Angels
Writer: Alan Evans, Justin Riley, Cale Ranots
Artist: Alan Evans, Cale Ranots
Colorist: Aaron Daly, Mabel Lim, Kay King

After 10 years without missing an update, the pro wrestling webcomic Rival Angels wrapped up with a massive cross-promotional storyline, collected in this final trade paperback volume.

Although multiple backstage storylines are wrapped up here, the wrestling really takes center stage, with a classic wrestling angle in the style of Kenny Omega's current cross-promotional reign in AEW, AAA, and Impact.

In the Rival Angels world, this kicks off with all four of the Upstarts buying front-row tickets when Japanese promotion BRA does a Chicago stop on their US tour. This serves to reignite storylines that were left behind when Sabrina Mancini left Japan at the end of Season 2, Volume 1.

A cross-promotional PPV is quickly organized, headlined by Olympic medalist Camille Cote challenging Yvonne Carmichel for the Rival Angels World Championship. And that's just the beginning of the final push that results in the emergence of a powerful new faction, and completes the journey of the Upstarts to the main event level.

The wrestling angles and matches are pretty much spot-on perfect here, and the interactions between Sabrina and Sun are a highlight, although all of the Upstarts get their moments.

There are also a few nice epilogues bits that take a look into the future, as well as a backup story by Cale Ranots that goes into the technical aspects of BJJ and catch wrestling in a training session.

Considering the epic journey of this series, this was a great conclusion that really showcased the creator's love of pro wrestling, and sent the fans home happy.

Rating: 9/10

Spill Zone Book 1

Bought at a book fair at my school in Shanghai, China.

Title: Spill Zone
Issue: Book 1
Date: 2018
Publisher: First Second Books
Writer: Scott Westerfeld
Art: Alex Puvilland
Colorist: Hilary Sycamore

Set in the aftermath of an unexplained incident that has destroyed the city of (lovely) Poughkeepsie, New York, and left it a wasteland ofinexplicable phenomena, the story follows former resident Addison, who lost her parents in the disaster, and whose younger sister has not spoken in the three years since that night.

Addison leads a dangerous life on the outskirts of the Spill Zone, sneaking inside to take photos that she sells to black-market collectors. But her biggest customer has now approached her with an offer too good to pass up, one that will take her right into the heart of the madness.

Meanwhile, the only arrival of a second spill incident, this one in North Korea, has arrived in New York with a mission of his own.

This was a great blend of SF, fantasy, and horror that tells a fast-paced story without giving too much away. Addison is tough, resourceful, and possibly in over her head, but her grief for the loss of her parents and her love for her sister guide her actions. Meanwhile younger sister Lexa has a wonderfully creepy ongoing silent interaction with a ragdoll named Vespertine that is definitely more than it appears.

Bonus story reveals now Lexa and Vespertine survived Spill Night.

In terms of the main plot, not a ton is resolved, but this opening volume still felt satisfying while leaving tons of room for exploration as the story continues.

Rating: 8.5/10

The Crude Knight #1

Review copy from the publisher.

Title: The Crude Knight
Issue: #1 (also includes #2)
Date: 2018
Publisher: Ryan Little (current Kickstarter for Crude Knight #4 is here)
Writer: Ryan Little
Artist: Yusuf Idris
Colorist: Nick Warner
Letterer: Nikki Powers
Editor: Cody Coloumbe

The Arthurian saga plays out in modern times on the Avalon Oil field, where every thirty years the sword Excalibur appears and must be melted down and thrown back into the oil to prevent the forces of Avalon from being unleashed on the world.

The heir to the Avalon oil empire is Jonathan Moore, capable, but a bit of a slacker. He's been kept in the dark about the family secrets, but things escalate quickly once the sword reappears and the first worker who approaches the weapon becomes possessed by the spirit of Merlin Ambrosius.

The concept here is clever, and the pacing of the story is great. Artist Yusuf Idris does a nice job with the action scenes, which quickly take on a zombie-apocalypse vibe as the Avalon oil turns anyone who touches it into a warrior of Avalon.

Jonathan's family has an army of hired mercenaries, but they are being quickly overrun, and Jonathan's friend Maria seems to be the only person capable of holding things together. Jonathan's oil-baron father provides some backstory but little guidance except for wanting Jonathan to pull the sword from the stone.

I would have liked to see more Arthurian lore incorporated into this, but the story still has time for that. This issue, which is really the first two issues of the story as a result of the Kickstarter stretch goal meeting its mark, does an excellent job of getting the story off to a fast start and never letting up on the action.

Rating: 7.5/10

Batman: White Knight

Bought at Boocup, Kerry Place Mall, Shanghai, China in March of 2020.

Title: Batman: White Knight
Date: October, 2018
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Sean Murphy
Artist: Sean Murphy
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Todd Klein
Editor: Scott Nybakken, Maggie Howell
Cover: Sean Murphy, Matt Hollingsworth

The basic idea here is that the Joker is "cured", and, as Jack Napier, embarks on a political and public opinion campaign to turn Gotham City against the Batman. Lots of complications happen, and Gotham's most deadly enemies end up having to work together to save the city.

I found the opening bit problematic to a certain extent, although some of that was the context in which I'm reading it, as opposed to when it was written. Jack Napier is portrayed as "white knighting" to exploit real problems of police brutality against minorities for his cause, but some of the dialogue, particularly Joker's use of "I can't breathe" felt uncomfortably like appropriation on the part of the story itself.

As the story moves away from those themes with the further development of the plot, it becomes a bit more of a traditional (if still alternate-universe) Batman story. The plot twists are great, involving two Harley Quinns, the disappearance of Jason Todd, the Wayne family's connections to Baron Von Fries, and just about every villain in the Batman's rogues gallery. The story also provides a lot of closure and resolution for this universe's version of Gotham City.

In some sense, the examination of the Batman's relationship with the Joker was the weakest part of this, covering little in the way of new ground, and with some of Joker's dialogue coming off as closer to the version of the Joker from The Lego Batman Movie than the author probably intended.

That being said, the handling of Harley Quinn was awesome, as was the relationship between Bruce, Barbara, Dick, and Alfred. Commissioner Gordon also had a great role, conflicted by the compromises he has made allowing the Batman to operate outside the law, but with unofficial police sanction.

The author's focus on the various Batmobiles was a nice bit of fanservice, and a light touch in a book that did a good job of being serious, but not to the point of excess.

After the shaky start, this won me over in the end with good storytelling.

Rating: 7.5/10

Amulet Book Eight: Supernova

I bought this for the Kiddo at Boocup in the Kerry Place Mall in the Jingan Temple neighborhood of Shanghai, China.

Title: Amulet Book Eight: Supernova
Publisher: Scholastic / Graphix
Date: 2018
Writer: Kazu Kibuishi
Artist: Kazu Kibuishi
Editor: Cassandra Pelham Fulton

Something of a transitional chapter in the story, this volume focuses on Emily's struggle to regain control over her powers and her identity. It also serves to wrap up several plot details, and expands on the worldbuilding, extending the story into outer space and to other planets.

Emily's internal struggle is central to the ongoing plot, and there are a couple of surprising revelations. But what really stands out in this volume are the interactions between Aly and Navin, who are on a mission to a planet where they make some new friends, but end up having to make a harrowing escape down a narrow mountain path on bikes. Aly and Navin are great in this story, and it's good to see them get some of the spotlight even as Emily is coming into her own as a stonekeeper.

Rating: 8.5/10

The Flutter Collection

Title: The Flutter Collection
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Date: 2018
Writer: Jennie Wood
Artist: Jeff McComsey
Colorist: Chris Goodwin, Jeff McComsey
Letterer: Jeff McClelland, Jeff McComsey
Editor: Jeff McComsey, Dave Marshall

The story of a girl with shapeshifting powers who becomes a boy to get the girl she's fallen in love with. And things proceed to escalate quickly.

This story is full of twists as it morphs from high school drama to science fiction political thriller, with bits of horror and superhero flavor along with way.

The characters are complex, and the story manages to constantly go in directions that are unexpected, but at the same time are logical repercussions of the (often bad) decisions by the characters.

Writer Jennie Wood tackles a a range of current political issues, especially as the story reaches its climax, and handles them without going astray from the strong character-driven narrative.

Rating: 9/10

Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal

Bought at the Eslite main store, Taipei, Taiwan, June 2019.

Title: Ms. Marvel
Issue: Volume 1: No Normal
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Date: 2018
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Colorist: Ian Herring
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Editor: Sana Amanat, Devin Lewis

Jersey City teenager Kamala Khan gains a set of shapeshifting powers and begins figuring out the whole superhero thing.

This is, in many ways, a fairly straightforward superhero origin story, with Kamala Khan as an updated Peter Parker, trying to do good in the world while she deals with the consequences of her new abilities and her sudden status as the mysterious neighborhood hero.

It's the details that make this work. The multifaceted supporting cast is terrific, and the main character is relatable. There are plenty of interesting bits of dialogue and interactions taking place between the super-heroics, and the book has a sly sense of humor and self-awareness. Having worked in Jersey City for four years, I also appreciated the use of the setting.

The only area I felt could have been a bit stronger in this volume was the villain, but he will hopefully get some more development as the story continues.

Rating: 8.5/10

Shanghai Red #1

I believe this is the last of a stack of comics bought at Double Midnight in Manchester NH over Christmas break last December.

Title: Shanghai Red
Issue: 1
Date: June 2018
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Christopher Sebela
Artist: Joshua Hixson
Colorist: Joshua Hixson
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Editor: Andrea Shockling

A ship crewed by "Shanghaied" conscripts suffers a bloody mutiny, carried out by Red, a woman who had been living disguised among the rats in the bilges as she plotted her revenge. Now, she has set sail for the Pacific Northwest, where the trail of retribution will continue.

Red is a great character, and the plot twists and bits of background are intriguing.

I will admit that I bought this solely because of "Shanghai" in the title (and the ship arrives just off the coast of Shanghai and doesn't actually ever arrive there), but it exceeded expectations as a story.

This was a good start and I'd be interested in reading more.

Rating: 8/10

Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy Part 1

Gynn picked this up for the Kiddo when she was in the USA recently.

Title: Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets (Full Color Edition)
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2018
Writer: Dav Pilkey
Artist: Dav Pilkey
Colorist: Jose Garibbaldi

This is the full-color edition of the sixth book in Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants series. Like the rest of the series, it's a mix of comics and prose (plus the occasional Flip-o-Rama!).

Class nerd Melvin Sneedly vows revenge after George and Harold subject him to a series of pranks, including writing him into one of their comics making fun of his tattletale tendencies. He attempts to use his Combine-o-Tron machine to make himself into an invincible cyborg, but an ill-timed sneeze results in a revolting combination of boy, robot, and boogers.

I can't say I'm a big fan of gross-out humor, which is the main theme of this installment, although here it is decidedly gross-out humor of the over-the-top silly variety.

As usual, Pilkey manages great timing, and scatters in a few really brilliant jokes, but this installment was a tad too sticky and slimy to be a favorite of mine. The Kiddo certainly enjoyed it. It ends on a cliffhanger (as the "Part 1" in the title implies), so the snot-related jokes are only just getting started.

I will also point out that the color really enhances the artwork for this story, providing some perfect booger-green for the action scenes.

Rating: 5.5/10

Tall Tails: Tears of the Mother #4

Fourth of a set of issues bought from the creators' Kickstarter.

Title: Tall Tails: Tears of the Mother
Issue: 4
Date: 2018
Publisher: Dreamweaver Press
Writer: Jose Calderon
Artist: Daphne Lage

Review of the previous issue is here.

Ravenwood continues his preparations to enter the labyrinth while Ellision's demon creature begins its campaign against the guerilla forces of Seem.

This issue did a nice job mixing action with intrigue while advancing multiple plotlines. Some good backstory was provided along with a bit more insight about just how dangerous the labyrinth is.

Solid issue that kept me interested in the story.

Rating: 7/10

Tall Tails: Tears of the Mother #3

Third of a set of issues bought from the creators' Kickstarter.


Title: Tall Tails: Tears of the Mother
Issue: 3
Date: 2018
Publisher: Dreamweaver Press
Writer: Jose Calderon
Artist: Daphne Lage

Review of the previous issue is here.

Ravenwood continues to plan his expedition into the labyrinth while the Kalizarian forces prepare for their assault on Garrison Hadge with a new plan in place to deal with Seen and his troops, who have so far prevented every attempt at landing. And Cromwell finds Silvermain, who is deathly ill with the plague.

After what I felt was an issue that became a bit hard to follow in places, this one did a lot to improve the focus, even while continuing to juggle a large number of plotlines. This issue had some strong moments, and it built tension toward some major confrontations and revelations to come.

Rating: 7/10

Sleepless #7

Bought at Double Midnight in Manchester NH over Christmas break.

Title: Sleepless
Issue: 7
Date: September 2018
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Sarah Vaughn
Artist: Leila Del Duca
Colorist: Alissa Sallah, Gabe Fischer
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Editor: Alissa Sallah

I loved the beautiful cover on this issue, and bought it knowing nothing about the series. Good choice.Lady Pyppenia, illegitimate daughter of the dead King must keep a delicate balance of obligations and intrigues in a court where many would have preferred to see her ascend to the throne, and just as many would see her dead.

This had a lot going on, and there were some really interesting character interactions. The story has a big cast, and jumping is at the seventh issue doesn't give a full grasp of the story, but the pieces in play here were all excellent. There was really great attention to detail in the political intrigue.

The artwork is lovely, and there is plenty of space given to tell the story visually in between the scenes that are more heavy on dialogue.

This is definitely a story I am eager to read more of.

Rating: 8/10

We Won't Be Erased

Ordered from the artist's Etsy site and picked up over the Holidays when we visited the USA.

Title: We Won't Be Erased
Date: 2018
Publisher: Assigned Male Comics
Writer: Sophie LaBelle
Artist: Sophie LaBelle

This collection of the Assigned Male webcomic has three segments. The first is a conversation between Stephie and Frank during an evening, as they discuss a whole range of issues faced by LGBT kids. In addition to some really thought-provoking dialogue, the segment does a great job with using the backgrounds to show the passage of time as the conversation goes on.

The second segment is another conversation, this time between Stephie and her mom. Again, really great dialogue that hits a bunch of the kinds of issues faced by transgender youth while deepening the personalities of the characters.

Finally, a two page scene with Stephie and Ciel as they weave a spell of protection for trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse folks. Uplifting and heartbreaking all at once, with all of the artist's usual wit and charm.

Rating: 9/10

Steven Universe #14

Another of the recent batch of comics purchased at Double Midnight in Manchester NH over Christmas break.

Title: Steven Universe
Issue: #14
Date: March, 2018
Publisher: Kaboom!
Writer: Grace Craft
Artist: Rii Abrego
Colorist: Whitney Cogar
Letterer: Mike Fiorentino
Cover: Missy Pena
Editor: Michael Moccio, Whitney Leopard

When looking for some supplies at the car wash, Steven finds a box of CDs from his Dad's days as a musician. He decides to organize a concert for his Dad to perform, and recruits the Gems to build a stage on the beach while he makes flyers to advertise the show. Both plans go wrong, as the Gems have to deal with a corrupted Gem in the area, and Steven puts the wrong date on the flyers.

After some frantic attempts to salvage the show, an alternate plan emerges.

This was fun, and I liked the bit of background that it added to Mr. Universe. The events of the story felt a bit rushed, but it had a nice feel-good ending.

Rating: 7/10

Circadia #4

From the creator's Kickstarter.

Title: Circadia
Issue: 4
Date: 2018
Publisher: 36 Plums
Writer: Jennifer Dugan
Art: Sarah Simes
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Cover: J. Kiakas

Previous reviews of this series: issue #1, issue #2, issue #3.

Trapped on Earth with a horde of monsters in pursuit, Zara and Aderes seek out the mysterious fortune teller who has been watching Zara. The confrontation unravels more of the tragic events that left Zara caught between two worlds. When the monsters close in, a sacrifice must be made, setting up the next issue's climactic confrontation with the demonic Smoake.

The change in art styles felt a bit off at first (each issue of Circadia has a different artist), but Sarah Simes' renditions of the characters grew on me as the book progressed.

There was a bit too much of Aderes yelling at Zara to run, something that felt like it had been sorted out in the previous chapter, but there were also a lot of really intriguing revelations from the fortune teller, and some nice building of tension as Zara struggles with her devotion to Aderes and her fight for her own agency.

As far as I can tell, the fifth and final issue is not yet available, but I am very much looking forward to seeing how this all wraps up.

Rating: 7/10

The Walking Dead #175

Bought at Double Midnight in Manchester NH over Christmas break.

Title: The Walking Dead
Issue: 175
Date: 2018
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler: Charlie Adlard
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Gray Tones: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover: Charlie Adlard, Dave Stewart
Editor: Sean Mackiewicz

Eugene, Michonne, and their group finally meet up with the community that Eugene has been in contact with by radio. But the welcome is not exactly a warm one.

It's been a long time since I've read any Walking Dead. I never bought very many individual issues, and always meant to follow it through the trade paperback volumes, of which I did read a few of the early ones.

I was impressed by how well the quality of the writing has held up over 175 issues. The tension and distrust as the two groups meet was palpable, and the questioning that Michonne and company had to go through before being allowed close to the Ohio community was logical even as it was infuriating.

This is the beginning of the "New World Order" storyline, showing a different kind of survivor community than the series has explored before, and it caps off the good dialogue and worldbuilding with a major plot twist that should make for some interesting drama.

If you're intimidated by the whole 175 issues thing, this is a reasonable jumping-on point.

Rating: 8.5/10

Circadia #3

Third issue of a set of four that I got from the creator's Kickstarter.

Title: Circadia
Issue: 3
Date: 2018
Publisher: 36 Plums
Writer: Jennifer Dugan
Art: Jey Pawlik
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Cover: Olivia Stephens

My review of the first issue is here, and my review of the second issue is here.

Tara's dream lover from the dimension of Circadia has been transported back to Earth, and all they want to do is to get back to Circadia where the palace is under attack by the monstrous forces of Smoake.

But when Zara tries to transport them back, she discovers that it may be too late, and Smoake has sent some of his creatures back to attack them on Earth.

This chapter does a nice job of moving through Aderes' stranger-in-strange-land experiences and launching right back into the action.

Zara gets in a bunch of great lines here while Aderes does a lot of standing around wide-eyed. Fortunately the direction of the plot becomes more clear by the end of this issue.

The rotating artists used in the series can be a bit odd-seeming at first, but issue three artist Jey Pawlik is very quick to develop and really fun style for Zara. Aderes felt like a bit more of a departure from the previous issues, but by the end of this I was enjoying their look as well.

I would like to get a bit more insight into the villain as the series approaches its climax, but the interaction between Zara and Aderes continues to be a lot of fun.

Rating: 7.5/10