Under the Microscope

Free Comic Book Day: String 2018

By Patti Martinson
June 4, 2018

Today I'm taking look at the Free Comic Book Day issue of string, which includes excerpts of comics by independent creators. String is published by 7000 BC, a Northern New Mexico-based organization for comics writers and artists.

The Big Bitch (excerpt) by Turner Mark-Jacobs.
Set in Zoo York City in a country called Animerica, this excerpt focuses on an unnamed lion, who is also our narrator. He gives a rundown of the people and places of Zoo York, as he searches for a place to crash. This obviously reminds me of Zootopia, but this seems to be a more straight-up, adult take on an anthromorphic city. While the narration hits upon a some cliches, I found the artwork a real pleasure. The animals and city are very well rendered and interesting.

"A Woman and A Bear" (excerpt), by Holly Wood, is pretty simple: a woman falls of a cruise ship, gets rescued by dolphins, and winds up on a beach. I'm not sure where the story is going, but two tiny panels had me immediately interested: one panel has a bear paw on the woman's head, and the other had the bear appear to nuzzle the woman. I want to see more.

"Alcheringa" (excerpt) written by Stephanie Alia , art by Adam Frank.
Madelyn is in her therapist's office, listening to him drone on. He writes off a prescription for her insomnia and hallucinations and tells her to she should see alternative treatments. Madelyn simply agrees, but when she attempts to go to sleep, she again dreams she is in a cave, in a river with a tentacled monster in the background. We don't know much about Madelyn, but she is immediately sympathetic. What struck me most about this comic is that I felt there was a perfect balance to the art and the words / dialogue. Each one enhances the other exceptionally well. I found this well-written and beautifully drawn.

"No Wonder You Drink" (excerpt), by Jennie Cooley, is a bit oddball. Three panels with a simple, pithy statement, with rather strange drawings that feel like they riff of pop culture in some way. I can't say I like it or dislike it, but it is different.

"Cletus the Defeatist" by Michael Ellis, which is described by Michael as comic strip of dark humor and sardonic wit. I can't say I am a fan of the character of Cletus or the story, but it does feel like this particular excerpt is a pretty good metaphor on what people do.

"Horrifica, Queen of Mars" (excerpt) by Robert Brudos. The title pretty says it all. There are eight different stories here, although they vary considerably in quality of the story and art. I'm not sure if these particular excerpts are all of one story, but I do like the humor here and Horrifica herself interests me.

Treat Me Mean and Cruel (excerpt) written by Martin Hayes with
art by Michael Ellis. The main character resembles Elvis so much I almost think it is him. The story is very film noir, but set in a Vegas-like city. Bright sun and dark seediness are conveyed very well here, the setting and mood are the strengths of this comic. I'm on the fence about the character, who seems a bit more sadistic than warrented.

World of the Crystal Spirits (excerpt) by Haku. More manga that comic, there isn't much to say about it. The backgrounds are very photorealistic, which kind of jars with the manga-like characters. Not an excerpt that really inspires me to see more, although the art and dialogue are all fine.

The Free Comic Book Day string has far more good than bad, and a great way to discover more comic creators.

7000 BC — Official Website