Awakening Comics #1

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Awakening Comics
Issue: 1
Date: Summer, 1997
Publisher: Awakening Comics
Writer: Steve Peters
Artist: Steve Peters, Doug Sheaff, Dave Sim, Paul Pope, Mark Oakley, Matt Feazell, Scott Roberts, Steve Remen, Greg Hyland, Joe Chiappetta, Rick Veitch, James Kochalka, Sam Henderson, Oscar Stern, Rob Walton, Jimmy Gownley, David Nowell

This is an anthology comic that is mostly Steve Peters' solo work, but also includes a jam scection featuring a big cast of guest artists.

The stories cover a range of mystical and surreal topics, including a dreamer visiting an island and joining a battle against invading lobsters, a Hindu afterlife tale that takes a turn in the Norse direction, and a discussion of a long-abandoned roleplaying game campaign.

There is also an alternate dimension of super-powered kids, and a man trapped in a Circus of Heaven.

These were all prtetty interesting, and I especially enjoyed the discussion of what happens to the gaming worlds we invent after we stop playing.

The jam segment in Circus of Heaven was a bit choppy, but that is the nature of jams, and it featured a pretty stellar list of contributors.

Rating: 8.5/10

Spongebob Freestyle Funnies 2014

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics by way of Free Comic Book Day 2014.

Title: Spongebob Freestyle Funnies 2014
Publisher: United Plankton Pictures
Date: February, 2014
Writer: Graham Annable, Sam Henderson, Maris Wicks, Gregg Schigiel, Corey Barba, James Kochalka
Artist: Jacob Chabot, Sam Henderson, Maris Wicks, Gregg Schigiel, Corey Barba, James Kochalka
Colorist: Rick Neilsen, Mike Lapinski
Letterer: Comicraft
Cover: Graham Annable, Jacob Chabot, Rick Neilsen

This is the Free Comic Book Day offering for Spongebob Squarepants from 2014. It includes three main stories, plus some one-page gag strips, and activity page, and even an educational feature about marine life.

The first full story involves Squidward activating the "Relocate" feature on his house in an attempt to get away from annoying neighbors Spongebob and Patrick. Unfortunately, their houses also come equipped with the same feature. This was funny, and definitely in the flavor of the show, and it never wore out its welcome.

The other two main stories are aimed more at the geeky crowd.

There is a cute parody of Silver-Age (and 1960s TV) Batman/Batgirl featuring Mermaid Man and his sidekick Barnacle Boy as they battle Octopus Doctor, with some help from the mysterious Mermaid Girl. This did a nice job of mirroring Batgirl's debut, and featured some amusing action bits.

Finally, Underswimming Comics was a parody of Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics, which was one of those things that I'm surprised no one thought to parody before this. It didn't completely hit the mark, but it was still good for a few laughs, and the overall flavor of it worked really well.

I liked all of the shorter features in this book as well, which is a pretty good achievement when so many elements have to come together to make a book like this. This was fun all around with plenty of appeal for younger readers as well as serious comic fans.

Rating: 7/10

Owly and Friends Free Comic Book Day 2008

From the stack of unread comics, here's another Free Comic Book Day issue.

Title: Owly and Friends
Date: 2008
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Writer: Andy Runton, Christian Slade, James Kochalka, Corey Barba
Artist: Andy Runton, Christian Slade, James Kochalka, Corey Barba
Editor: Chris Staros

This 2008 Free Comic Book Day collection features Andy Runton's Owly as the main feature, with stories from three other all-ages comics.

Owly, an owl character whose dialogue consists of small pictures and symbols, is always cute and fun. In this installment, Owly is trying to find time to assemble a new picnic table in time for a picnic lunch with friends, but events keep getting in the way. The story is cute, although a bit long compared to other Owly comics I've read, and I have found that the shorter stories work better in Owly's format.

James Kochalka's Johnny Boo is the only story to use words as dialogue in this collection, and the story is a simple and funny one that was good for a few laughs.

Corey Barba's Yam had four different short stories in the book. Yam is more surreal than the others here, and I found it a bit hit-or-miss, although it had some very clever moments.

Finally, the highlight of the book for me was Christian Slade's "Bath Time" featuring Korgi, which was a beautifully illustrated and simple treat of a story. Especially recommended for dog-lovers!

I read this to my seven-year-old son, who enjoyed the book and seemed to get the most out of Johnny Boo.

This was fun and a nice look at some good kid-friendly titles that I might not have discovered otherwise.

Rating: 6.5/10