FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

FEMFORCE #199: HEROINES WANTED

AC's all-color Femforce #199 presents double-the-cover-villainy, thanks to the kinky duo, Pirate Girl and Madame Boa, signaling that our sultry superheroines, led by the towering, jungle-girl Tara Fremont, are wanted in the worst way possible!

In truth, it's the Vincent Price-homaging Vernon Fell, rough-and-tumble Ironhead McGinty and (above all) the splotchy, time-tripping Shimmerer who usher Femforce toward eradication. The statue-esque Alizarin Crimson then takes the reins from the boys, leading a vexing rogues gallery against our virtuous saviors, with good ol' Paragon and Black Commando making brawny, guest appearances. 

Yep, "A Gathering of Evil" holds quite a to-die-for cast, though our marvelous team won't tolerate extinction, no matter how many baddies are hurled its way. 

The story and artwork by Bill Black, Eric Coile and Mark & Stephanie Heike make this package extra-energetic, as it takes sagacious flights and revived vendettas to the highest, scintillating levels. 

Be sure to purchase Femforce #199 from your favorite comic-book shop or online source. I procured mine at Steve's Comic Relief at Quakerbridge Road, Village Square, Lawrenceville, NJ: an incomparable hub for every superheroic need.

And remember, folks, Femforce #200 is right around the historic bend, and if its wraparound cover is any indication, this one's gonna be off the action-packed charts.  

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: STEED & PEEL '98 (AVENGERS REMADE)

CARTOON CUTIES: VIEWER REVIEW

I recently shared an essay detailing my appreciation of Rock Baker's Cartoon Cuties with Rock's collaborator, Mark Holmes. Mark decided to make it the first of a new YouTube spot called Viewer Views. For the sake of "bizarrechats" (and to further promote Cartoon Cuties), I thought it might be nice to share the episode's "letter" portion here: 

Hello, I'm Michael Housel, a writer who has contributed reviews on Rock Baker's Cartoon Cuties. 

Cartoon Cuties means a lot to me and reflects the reading and viewing material of my childhood and teenage years. On this basis, I believe the content works on several, nostalgic levels, as I'll now explain: 

Rock's work features sweet characters--the Annies--who are a cartoon hybrid of critters and humans, while existing in a class all their own. These characters are curvaceous and often wear bikinis. They're easy on the eyes, that is, no matter which perception one throws upon them: a swell combination of innocence and sex appeal, if ever there was. 

Contrary to the concept's carefree surface, the Annie world, as it plays out in lovely Creek Bend, is an intricate and deep one. The characters have relationships, some of an amorous sort and others based on basic, heartfelt friendships. The Annies, therefore, aren't far removed from the people we know--the people we care about and love.

In this respect, it's easy to identify with them, and when they engage in something silly, they make us laugh, for we may have found ourselves in similar situations at one time or another. 

All of Rock's ladies are special and nuanced. Crissy Carrots is their alluring lead. I hold her in high regard, but Minerva Mallen is my favorite of the bevy. To say the least, her construction is unique. She holds skunk attributes, of all things, but embodies the best traits of classic, Hollywood actresses.

Then again, all of the Annies have old-time Hollywood charms: each dignified and attractive in the best pin-up way. They don't cuss or indulge in horrifying villainy. Again, they spring from a simpler time and place and are here now (thanks to Rock's creative generosity and Mark Holmes' deft assistance) to remind us of the way things once were--and should still be. 

I'm happy as a lark to see Cartoon Cuties sway from its comic-book and short-story roots to the Static-Mation shorts featured on YouTube. That's progression, all right, with another foundation established that (fingers crossed) will lead to another and another after that. 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Rock's mythology is history in the making. There's no way to come away from his work without being moved. In other words, there's no way to come away from Cartoon Cuties without having become a fan. Watch the samples on this fine channel and dare tell me I'm wrong. 

Enjoy Mark's presentation at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6JMjdAOBVE&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3iZGEJPgiOOX1H6z8lccEmQlwL1IPy37LH2G6I5NJyaSV19L23Hy29DJk