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Stick Figures Put the Story First by Michael Vance

In an art contest between Charles Schultz and Joel Priddy, maybe Schultz would have the upper hand. Maybe.

Ironhide Tom. It can't get much less than this and still be called a comic book.

"Why not?" you might question in your ignorance.

Certainly, a price can't be less than free and that's what The Preposterous Voyages of IronHide Tom cost during the recent, annual "Free Comic Book Day" honored by thousands of comic books shops across America.

In addition, anything less than stick-figure doodles would be prose, not art. And IronHide is stick figures from a tiny IronHide Tom atop a submerged monster on the front cover to the final panel of a despondent Tom stranded on some alien planet.

Therefore, knowing the preferences of your beloved (or not) reviewer, you are now prepared for nothing less than a rip-roaring criticism of this comic book from AdHouse Books.

IronHide Tom is nothing less than fun, fun, fun. Why?

Who wouldn't love the wild adventures of this crusty old sailor who rubs shoulders with mermaids, marries a tornado, is tossed about by two Cyclops, and discovers the great beasts that actually hold up our flat earth.

Tom's tales are told is the grand old tradition of lies SO big (wink, wink) that no one believes them but everyone enjoys them anyway.

But what about ye old reviewer's axiom that great comics are a perfect wedding of art and word with neither element overshadowing the other? Huh! What about that old axiom thing?

Er. Uh. Charles Schultz couldn't really draw well either.

Recommended. Really. MV

The Preposterous Voyages of Iron-Hide Tom/30 pages/words & art by Joel Priddy/available at www.adhouse.com.

MINIVIEW: Skyscrapers of the Midwest #3 [AdHouse]. From the 'life is worthless' philosophy and drawn in a scratchy, impressionistic style, teen-aged, nasty, anthropomorphic cats (I think; it's hard to tell) treat each other like crap in what may be Middle School. A giant, unexplained robot stumbles around.

Ho-hum. -- MV

Order Vance's history of the American Comics Group in Alter Ego #61 at www.twomorrows.com.

Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to fourcolorcommentary.blogspot.com/Shudder at Michael Vance's "Light's End" audiotapes narrated by legendary actor William Windom. Star of 18 Broadway plays, 200 TV shows (Murder She Wrote, Star Trek, etc) & 50 movies, Windom will chill you as Vance's prose curdles your blood! Light's End #1: "A Change of Heart" and "Cross Purposes" or #2: "Fall Guy" and "The Zoo" plus the song "The World Roars On". $10 unsigned. $20 signed by Windom and Vance. Cassette or CD from: Vance, 1427 S. Delaware Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74104, or www.starbase21OK.com!

ABOUT OUR WRITERS

Disgruntled Dan
Old Danny Boy is not happy. Not happy at all. The state of comics, movies and video games is falling way short of his expectations. Check out Disgruntled Dan's
Letters of Discontent here — new letters every month.

Afro Thunder
A man with crazy Kung-Fu abilities and even crazier hair. But please, don't confuse yourself into thinking he's Jewish, or Arabian, or anything other than a curly-haired, half white, half mexican ninja. He also gives the whole low-down on games and movies, but avoids reviewing comics (he's loves 'em, but can't tell you what he thinks of 'em).

Mike-oh
Mike-oh works for an advertising agency which explains his need for all of the escapism he uses to soak up his spare time. At least he spends some of that time sharing his thoughts with us on his various distractions.

Michael Vance
Vance’s weekly comics review column, Suspended Animation, has been continuously published for more than fifteen years, currently reaching more than 2.25 million readers in fanzines, newspapers, and in over eighty websites. We are pleased to publish his articles here at PositiveBrand.