Any trash kulture connoisseur worth their salt knows that comic books are as much a part of the endless quest for kicks as any great rock n roll record, old boss tv show, or any B to Z grade film. Reading The Fantastic Four's Galactus Trilogy could be just as mind expanding as listening to Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Digging the doom patrol could be as essential of an experience as listening to Sun Ra. Gorging on the EC horror/sci-fi/crime comics can be just as stimulating as listening to Darby Crash and the Germs.
Comic books from their birth were pretty much created to be disposable, cheap thrills. By the time the '50s rolled around they symbolized juvenile delinquency and a terrifying youth culture just as much as the black leather jacket and the switchblade. Thus came the Comics Code Authority, and although comics were in some ways tamed, in my opinion they continued to be great up until the late '70s and early '80s. At that point in time comics took a nose dive, especially the big guys Marvel and DC.
There were some bright spots and some of the smaller publishers had some pretty good stuff coming out, but for the most part It was starting to look a bit desolate. The '90s were even worse and things just kept going down hill. Oh well there were still the old books around and you could always try and lay your hands on some reprints. I had pretty much given up on any new stuff except for a few things here and there.
Then one day I saw it. Rockin' Bones Issue #1. The cover had a girl looking at some three eyed alien (looking like one of those creatures from Invasion of the Saucer Men) who looked like he was just about ready to cop a feel, as a band of skeletons played in the background. Under the picture it proclaimed Monsters! Aliens! Rock n Roll! How could I not end up getting this?
I took it home and immediately read it. And then I read it again. Oh man this stuff was good.
It was like Archie Comics on acid. I found issue #2 and #3. I then found the Xmas special. But that was it. No more. Of course, once again I came onto something I found so life affirming and I was too late to the party. Story of my life. If you don't believe me how many other people do you know are still trying to join The Munsters Fan Club?
Well that was it. Great run but it was over. That is until the badass gang at Nix Comics Quarterly came on the scene.
Okay yeah, I was still late to the game but at least these guys are still around and I hope they stay a long, long, time. Darren Marinuk who did Rockin' Bones is here as well providing some pretty boss art to the comic. The comic itself is the brainchild of Ken Eppstein. Good stuff. No, I'm sorry, great stuff. Rock n roll horror comics with some humor thrown in for good measure. If The Cramps were a comic book, they would be this comic book.
Believe me when I tell you, that these comics are as essential to your garage/punk kicks as all the Back From The Grave records. Just lay your eyes on the art of Ryan Brinkerhoff, Rich Trask, Dave Pickard, and Micheal Neno, King Merinuk, and all the others. If you like comic books, get this. If you like rock n roll, get this. If you hate both of those things get this and transform yourself into one of the cool kids. Lots of great stuff here. You get Monsters, guitars, the Devil's record collection, the vicar, a garage rockin' creature killer (think '60s Sky Saxon on a Van Helsing jag), Bus Stop Ned, and more, more, more. If you choose only one way to rot your brain this year, choose this.
Nuff Said True Believer!
N/p: Randy Luck: "I Was A Teen -Age Cave Man"
Here comes the bride, all bagged and tied! - The Penguin
Walter Anderson's two Claims to Fame: Inventing the hamburger bun and opening White Castle.
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