I Like Comics

Kim Deitch is one of the most inventive American cartoonists of the late twentieth century. For my in-depth introduction to his works, read my long review of Boulevard of Broken Dreams. This page contains reviews of his other works, which are numerous, and all generally of the same high quality; it’s hard to recommend one over the other.

No Business Like Show Business.

Ray Zone, 1988.
Availability: FBI still lists it in its catalog. Also, try the online comics stores or calling indy-friendly stores. Cover price $2.50.
Book information: Board cover, b&w insides, paper is medium-low thickness and maybe one notch above newsprint in quality. 32pp.

This is an amazing comic book! From the introduction by Ray Zone: “With No Business Like Show Business, Kim has created a new form of visual storytelling that combines Circus posters, children’s book illustration and comics in a whimsical tale of a legendary flying pig named Toby.” This story is composed of full-page panels and text, a device that for most other artists would amount to a page of “pin-ups”; not our man Deitch! He uses every device available to 1890’s graphic designers and speaks volumes in the border to each panel. The story itself has a delightful old-timey feel, taking place mostly at the “Ledicker Three-Way Oil Show.” This story is part of the Ledicker saga; see Shadowland and “The Road to Rana Poona” in Raw v.2n.2. The story itself is straight Deitch, incorporating his love for pigs (as highly intelligent animals), false-nostalgia for the minstrel era and sideshows, and wily, larger-than-life characters. I have to say that this little book might have the best Deitch art I’ve ever seen, just because of the compositional possibilities inherent in full-page illustration. Also: don’t miss the hand-drawn stereograms!

Shadowland 1-2.

2 vols. (32 pages each, newsprint.) FBI, Oct-Dec 1989.
This, like all other Deitch stories, is a beautifully done, complex, nostalgic, fun story. This one is about the Ledickers (also in Raw vol.2 no.1.) Lots of action, crazy characters, aliens (”the gray ones”), and midgets (including a midget cop!). This mini-series is a little racier than Deitch’s average books, and the only of his works I’ve found that include a recommendation “for mature readers.” It is as good as Deitch’s other works and you owe it to yourself to look for it!

A Shroud For Waldo.

Fantagraphics, 1992. Availability: In print, can be found anywhere. Original price $8. Book information: 8 1/8″ high by 11″ wide. Plain glossy wraps with nice, normal white paper stock. Glue binding. 58 pages.

This is an awesome, awesome book. But why should you believe me? The back cover is pretty damn impressive:

“Kim Deitch is the best-kept secret in the avant-comix world. His work is astounding. It keeps reaching new heights and depths.” - Art Spiegelman
“All of Deitch’s work is bristling with fun, fun that sometimes flows in a current so thick it seems like terror. He is one of the best cartoonists who ever lived.” - Jim Woodring

This is a Waldo tale in the grand tradition — not a Mishkin story, but a ballsy romp through the world of Deitch’s imagination and Waldo’s night life. I always think of there being two different Waldos — the underground comics version from the 60’s, and the other one, the more realistic, restrained, 90’s version, in the Boulevard of Broken Dreams “universe.” You’ll need to understand that before reading this kickass comic book. Like Hollywoodland, it was originally serialized in the L.A. Weekly, so we get the widescreen serial experience. Over his career, Deitch has steadily improved as an artist and designer, so you can expect this story to be extremly well-drawn, and the layouts are incredible. Like REALLY incredible. Even for him.

The Stuff of Dreams #1.

FBI, May 2002. This comic is in print. Thick glossy covers, thick sturdy white interiors. 32pp.

Just what the doctor ordered: A book-length seafaring Waldo story! What’s special about this one is it’s also a story about Kim and his wife Pam! At a flea market, they found a doll in the image of Waldo, and the salesman told them the story which is mostly told in double-flashback. It delightfully confuses the world of Waldo with the real world. There’s a cameo by Nate Mishkin from Boulevard. A printing problem made the lines heavier than they should’ve been, but Kim’s art and layouts shine through beautifully. The story is delightfully insane and convoluted, but even so, it conveys a certain relaxed feeling from the tropical island scenes and the bookend scenes of Kim Deitch and his wife in their home. Could it be Kim Deitch is finally mellowing out after nearly forty years of crazy nuttiness? Nah… Anyway, Kim definitely still has the touch, and this book is yet another winner.

All Waldo Comics

review coming…

Beyond the Pale!

review coming…