TRS2 is a review sheet distributed by post by Jez Higgins and
numerous individuals. The reviews are first housed here, by Andrew Luke and John Robbins
with Richard Barr. All the reviews since February 2000 are archived here along with
various articles and resources from the sheets. A fuller explaination of what TRS2 is
and how to use it is below
December 31, 2001 11:39 AM posted by Andrew Luke
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Windheads Dogs #8 (October)
I?ve often had the idea of absolutely labouring on a piece of art, then having it reduced, so that the readviewer could go to the copyshop, enlarge it and read it. Indeed, the first comic I put out in two years was the same size as this, A6. But nothing, nothing as compared to the compacted quality of this, which somehow managed to have a bimonthly publishing schedule, consistent. With their Hawkfrendz banner ensuring further distribution, I?ve even been persuaded to pick up a Hawkwind CD.
Bob Walker has put absolute grannyflats of work into this, the penultimate part of the ?Ledge Of Darkness? strip serial. Here, clarity is low, and relies on the viewer?s imagination, in line with that of Walker and scribe Mike Butterworth.
Angling around so the panels are placed, with little sense of universal or shared perception. Or perhaps that perspective is the intended. Still, this zine is rooted (however tiny) in an era, amongst contacts of what now makes up the Brit-classic age of comics, case in point, the one-page strip Smokey Bears, by Chester West.
Windhead?s Dogs is just too compact. Still, with my poor eyesight, much of this, I can?t make out. The most translatable comic strips in this booklet are a series of commentaries on Western, and non-Western foreign policy.
Windhead?s Dogs, each issue, is free with SAE (and an extra stamp per each back issue) from
PO Box 6, Liscard, Wallasey, Merseyside, CH45 4SJ
Its A6, 24 pages and the tenth issue is scheduled for January to February For a copy of ?Frendz?, Bob Walker?s work prior to this zine, send a pound to the address above.
The Dust
Like, the above, this is totally unreadable. It?s size, A8 and I still ain?t found my spectacles. On with the viewing though?
With a double page of settlement based on childlike distinctness of form, and wild freedom of line, Karen Rubins, Fauvist/Abstract Expressionist goes ?of natural. The colours grow more explicit in a tale which Jamie Coward kindly informs me is ?a whimsical story about gangster faeries with thick New York accents, vying for control of an attractive flower garden?. Looks about right. There are enough icons typical of a gangster story yet at the sametime managing to be innovative due to the setting. I guess. No I copy, by way of the wonderful High Street copyshops in Bangor (in this case, Steinway Systems, much praise!) It seems Mr. Coward?s description got it jusright. This comic has big heart, good humour and a good look at it is worthwhile. (All made possible by the planting of a free magnifying glass). Don?t miss the bot a nd order this tale of the bodacious herbaceous ? ?2.25 for 10 colour card pages from Karin Rubins, c/o 23a Zetland Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6
For more on Karen, including a preview of dust, check out a really quite impressive website
Howl Movement #1
While title taken of Allen Ginsberg poem, comes this zine from Matt Christenson, a self-professed ?part of the MTV, style-over-substance, point-and-click-and-deliver-it-yesterday generation?. If you have suspicions of this piece after author description, you?re ?specting sensibly.
With subject matter including consumerism, marketing and internet transsexual identity cames to me a series of anecdotes in tone arrogant, caustic, opinionated, funny, and funny. Yes, Matt?s charms of observation make me giggle many and are also quick disposable worthwhile shouldbe fashionable. Uh? I guess what I?m typing is, I recommend this. It has a picture of Santa Claus taking a dump, on the cover and a quote from Bill Waterson inside!
Adults Only
A post-Christmas bargain at $2 PPD (Paper, Printing and Delivering?) from anywhere in the world.
A5, 40 pages w. colour cover
From The Saddest Little Clown, 1536 Dale Street, San Diego, CA 92102, USA or email matt@howlmovement.com
And that?s it. The lot. I?m too loaded with the cold and tired to write my leaving speech, but please pick up something that is up upon here. It?ll be through your door and near the floor before you know it. Have a very good new year, and if you?re already having one? Keep, and share.
Lots of love
Andrew Luke
December 30, 2001 12:57 PM posted by Andrew Luke
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Strip For Me
Wow!
Okay, structural review. Issues 3 and 5.
Wows!
Back when I first began to pick up small press books seriously, I was by Patrick Brown's A Virtual Circle. Many a pen scratch, it was filled with what, despite the effort and direction orientation, was first-draught art. (probably) No blue pencil, no script, just laying down those inks in one take. And in number 3 of ?Strip for Me?, Douglas Noble appears to be doing just that. ?Wings, Prayer? is a carnival story (to which Pulp and Nick Cave make excellent soundtracks I might add). It?s also concerned with precognition of horrific events, and is drawn in an almost decipherable style. Where Brown allowed space to form equally, Noble absolutely showers the page forming weather and creating impressions of a disused community in a tale that is made more obscure by the pitiful size of the lettering. Annoying in/s its enticing, a purposeful and clumsy.
In the other issue I?ve been sent, #5 ?diesel? is similar, in affect, quite difficult to turn my eyes from. Noble proves he is no shambolic sketcher, a delec. Set of cubes and curves elegantly glided pen across the panels and some of the most gorgeous. The story is of little happening yet I do ask, ?What is going on??, and there is the point. A central philosophy I?ve had on my voyage from the Marvel Comics world. (back when all marvel comics were shite.) Strip For Me, just like A Virtual Circle has asked me to go with my gut instinct. Whereas my brain says something is badly drawn, my gut or reasoning says, ?hold on, you?re missing something here?. SFM is one of those comics that asks for you to weigh up those judgements and make connections. SFM is quite recommended, of compel.
Strip For Me Issues 1-5 are now available at 50p each plus SAE
A5, 20 pgs approx,
Available from Douglas Noble, 42 Nightingale Walk, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7QY
For more details email douglas-noble@excite.com
December 24, 2001 10:14 AM posted by John Robbins
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GOODBYE CHUNKY LUKE
As of the new year, Andy Luke relinquishes his tenure as the force behind TRS2. He will thank me for posting this appreciation-of-sorts, but only out of a sense of obligation. As for printing it out, laminating it and pinning it to his front door?
Though in the early days I argued that Andy Luke?s reluctance while reviewing to veer toward negativity created its own kind of poker-face and almost rendered redundant opinions expressed, I appreciated the predicament he found himself in.
?Sadly my financial situation blocks my journalistic tendency,? he once wrote in a paper edition of TRS2.
In some respect Andy was forced to don kid gloves in an effort not to hinder his chances of receiving future output from publishers. And in truth, I was thankful for this.
Andy Luke made me happy; his words of praise for my own work left me tingling, and I savoured his favourable comments as if my whole life had been bereft of encouragement ?til then.
Perhaps the fool had got it right, after all: creators need not be confronted with blunt criticism, but rather they should receive the boost required to prompt continued dedication, and ergo the chance to develop at their own pace.
Obviously this reviewing thing was more complicated than I realised.
I remember giving a work colleague a copy of the second short story I?d ever written. Embarrassed at revealing myself, on retrieving the copy I left before the guy had chance to elaborate on his opinion of the thing.
?It?s a bit immobile,? he had said as he handed it back.
That night I mulled over this criticism as I attempted sleep. ?A bit immobile,? I puzzled. ?What the fuck did he mean??
I?d never get to sleep! - the dictionary came out: 1 not moving 2 unable to move or be moved. Fair enough; he found my work to lack emotive qualities. The story is a bit cold, I decided - I accept his criticism.
Then I got to thinking that I had not properly heard the bastard. Perhaps he had said ?moribund? - yes, it had sounded more like moribund; I was sure. The story did lack energy, I conceded. Certainly I had included no scene that offered a semblance of excitement. Fair enough, I thought, I accept his criticism.
The following day I asked my colleague what it was he had said about my story.
?I found it a bit morbid,? he replied.
?Oh,? I said, ?that?s fair enough.?
This criticism too I accepted. However, the guy never saw another of my stories - he had proved himself far too critical!
I guess what I?m trying to say here in my own clumsy, masturbatory way, is that Andy has done a fine job at the helm of TRS2. At this stage the kid gloves have slipped off, but the guy?s reviews retain the empathetic element essential to encouraging small press creators to continue with their endeavour.
Indeed, opinions expressed are balanced and informed; there exists a nice line of humour throughout; and Andy counters the ?negativity? of unfavourable reviews with a constructive criticism and infectious enthusiasm wrapped in Luke-effected text.
While in some way I struggle to make the world in my own image, using the odd review as a means of effecting this change, Andy Luke has sought only to provide a sound service to the small press community through hard work, dedication, and not a little skill. His enthusiasm to promote small press fare, to design, print, then press the paper version of the review sheet into the clammy paws of every potential punter in sight - or to distribute the thing through the postal service, absorbing the brunt of expense that this action entails ? all this should not go unacknowledged. The guy has always given his best, and it has been undeserved.
As he retires to the back-benches of TRS2, I hope he realises that he has not just succeeded in infecting many a person with his love of small press, but that he has managed to somewhat blunt the damaging edges and remove the blinkers of this occasional reviewer and life-loather. His efforts have not gone unappreciated.
Does exactly what it says on the cover. In this case to leave, move from the buzz, the low of the monitor as I enjoy my seat in this tidier room. Yet I yearn for its transformation into a shopping list. Paul Haworth and his chum Louis Harber write a bunch of music reviews, albums and gigs they?ve attended. Now music don?t mean a whole lot to me: it?s there, it?s in the air, it?s in the air. These reviews are written without Kritikal note or commentary in the technical sense. It?s a commentary in the passionate full-spun opinion, with an edge that could get really annoying, but doesn?t. The writing style lacks the bull by a shit image, I found reading this lively as if a marriage is forthcoming. Casual, analytic, social. This zines content? The feelgood factor, permeating, just clicks with me.
Available from Paul Haworth, 22 Knowe Hill Crescent, Lancasater, LA1 4JY, England,
A5, 20 pages, ?1
Zine online at http://www.homelovin.fsnet.co.uk
Heironymous Bush is one a them proud in tradition classic American underground comics. Drawn with all the dimension of a South Park character, constantly looking at the reader, while the body is moving along in another (mostly unguided) direction. James Turek?s central character goes for a walk and hangs out with his frat brothers and dirty-dealing political friends, doing hallucinogens and meeting with mythological creatures. Spotlihting an absurd tour of the American and Dream landscape through a child-like assertiveness, duly apt. The first issue of this is my favourite, although both booklets had me laughing many. Do yourself a favour; purchase of this comic, highly recommended.
$1 (or ?1 using International Reply Coupons)
from James Turek
1105 Glenwood Avenue #2
Atlanta GA 30316
Contact jjturek27@hotmail.com Issues One and two, A5, 32 pages.
Pest Control Issue Zero
Something of a preview issue this, a sampler for the real first issue available in January. Creator Grant Springford places an enigmatic middle-aged women at the centre of odd events, serving as a guide to the reader, collector in the story of other unusual charcaters. A chap observing a something in a cocoon, a battle-scared ex-pilot,a lazy loser and a man in top hat and tails, whose form and style most definitely does not fit with that granted the rest of the individuals. There are many similarities between Grant?s work here and on previous project, THE ABNORMALS. He has a fascinating way with strands and trickles of subconciousness writing, and when he is drawing something abstract, the work is at it?s most concentrated. However, when he allows form to dominate, the piece looks empty, pompous and over-melodramatic. I didn?t enjoy this and in its place as a sampler, can?t recommend it: so similar in tone to the last work. Yet, I do feel safe in the knowledge that should Springford continue to be inventive, he will most definitely turn n a winner. (Anybody up for a collaborations?)
Free with SAE from Grant Springford
2 Cawston Court, Highland Road, Bromley, BR1 4AF
Email GrantSpringford@excite.co.uk US size, 12 pages
Somewhere in (the vast countryside) of Britland, machines shift and zunk, delivering into the hands of a great big man fluids contained in well-hinged paper forms. ?Trapped within the giant clam this week? appearances by Desmond Bullen, Joao Braganga and Toby Parsons, all accompanying Ralph Kidson on a mission of marine biology exploration and supplementation. Don?t it just sound too yumm?
Top density interpretive skills and body transportation a factor required for this material in contrast to the immediacy accessible in Ralph?s earlier SAD ANIMAL works.
It?s a comic about patience, about not saying anything, and holding out, waiting for the right time, babylon5 quote. As J. Michael Straczynski wrote, ?When the time is right?. And I just know Ralphie is gonna hit me with pies for quoting in relation to him, ?Babylon Cunting 5?
In days of international fever, Ralphie does his best to put things into perspective and to cheer in the sense of well, we need to cheer don?t we. And if a rude word helps somebody keep the chin up or lifting from sad, then Ralphie is prepared to do it. The man has the testicles. While still containing much rough and tumble amusement the Stick & Envelope strips here I?ve found, like recent issues of SA, confusing, I just don?t get it. Perhaps it?ll occur to me a few months from now. The three cartoonists (from England and Portugal) are equally as capable of sharing this Tridacna gigas with Ralphie, and I would suggest that this mini-collection is entirely welcome in your life. Its of great sadness to me that in over two years of reviewing here, I've never been able to do Ralphie's comics justice. This import of hope, should be ordered though. Copies are available from Ralph Kidson, 3 Langridges Close, Newick, East Sussex, BN8 4LZ.
A6, ?1, 24pgs
As Martin Eden steps into the halfway place with his first major storyline, there is a definite building, gathering of all the characters and events past chronicled are firmly upon the board. Is it a superhero book? Is it a slice-of-life book? All is a happening in the first part of new trilogy, 'Reunion', as such this is a good time for new ticket holders to come on in and join the rest of the audience. As for those of you already familiar with ?The O Men?, this installment is one that has long been hinted at: the book release party were the cast is greatly expanded. Although there are other themes in the book which surprisingly are reared and race. Fanboy resonance: this is wholly spiritual, man.
Whilst Martin?s completed style seems to have been pretty much settled on, he is constantly innovating with his page layouts: As the title suggests, this issue encompasses much of everything that has gone before. So, if you ike, why not act on everything you?ve seen written about this book: this photocopied work that has been nominated for an Eagle award two years in a row. Cheques/Pos/well-fixed coins of ?1.50, A5, 32 pgs with free mini-poster! Available from Martin Eden, 35 Woodbury Street, Tooting, London, SW17 9RP.
December 19, 2001 11:32 AM posted by Andrew Luke
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For anybody who would like access to paper TRS2s, Jez Higgins has most of the back issues in stock. Simply send a SAE and details of what you?d like, and Jez will reply just as soon as likely and possible.
Dog Breath#7
DOGBREATH is a Strontium Dog/2000AD fanzine with a heavy emphasis on fan fiction. For those who have had only a passing acquaintance with 2000AD (Rogue Trooper and Durham Red also get mentions here), this fanzine be friendly. I found the mostly text story content to be engrossing reading: Dogbreath works from an unassuming base and demands only what the reader wants to get from it. No whining half-finish here, its all heart. Includes work by feature-hunter Barry Renshaw, the graceful skill of David Morris and Dr.Bob (Amanda Kear), whose text story ?Target? still has me gleefully captive. There?s some comic strip and an interview with Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley also. This leaves me with little more desire to read 2000AD, but I can?t wait to get back to finish the bits I had to skip. Zarjaz! Yeah uh-yeah.
A4, 44 pages, postage and packing ?2&70p/$3.50&$1.50 (cheque/po/booklet of stamps)
Thoughts and Words #1
Emotional catharsis? Not a comic but a fanzine about somebody who reads comics and knows people in comics so thereferore its about all that, in a way.
It's a lifesaver.
Matthew Lawrenson's accountings of his life: a personal language, an intimacy that is professional, educating this reader unassumingly, Humble exclamation here is comfortable and deserved of its place. A collection of skilful finder account sheets, filled with anecdotes about the comics fandom, 1950s music, US politics. While fully introspective its laced with a frankness and balance and ability to deliver a many smile (and relativity) as reaction. Informally image forming. For anyone who has ever felt left out of society, or still feels as such, Thoughts and Words is
absolutely essential. Recommended by Pete Ashton and Phil Hall, oh and li?l Andrew Luke.
December 17, 2001 11:27 AM posted by Andrew Luke
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Pride Of An Angel #1-2
by Robert Martin, 12 Palm Tree Close, Eythorne, Dover, Kent,CT15 4BU
From Pantomime Press, the story of a guy who gets killed, and does guy who gets killed kind of things, like meet other dead people and meet family members who are still alive. Quoting lots of JM Barrie, the end result is a s*p*rh*r* piece that goes out of its way to converge upon sentiments of melancholic anxiety and suspect fated treasure for the central symbol. On a wider visual level, Robert Martin doesn?t appear to be afraid to throw down spashes and broad brushes of grey, mixed with a thrash of a slimline pen. There are landscape shapes of documented geographies, quite lovely, and although Martin is sufficiently competent when it comes to head sketches, I wonder why he?s so keen to rely on them for a major percentage of the booklet. ?Pride of an Angel? near neatly returns to the superhero aspect, and I must confess, his Mack and McKean rip-offs are so blatant and poor, were I buyer, I certainly wouldn?t come back for more.
The second issue is quite different. While Martin seems to be taking his time with the story, traipsing through cliched mainstream hack devices?. Well, if there is a coherent story to this that is new, then I am yet to spot it. Visually, Robert Martin continues w. print rearrange yet his style more Marc Hempel, especially particular to Sandman pages. Lines becoming silhouette almost, scrawl to emblem formation with rhombus and inversion. There are some really great pictures in this book, and the marking from an artist who would be foolish very to abandon his work. ?Pride Of An Angel? is staid and monotonous, but the most promising of booklets I?ve seen in a long time. And definiterly ties into some art trend/movement that I don't know the name of.
Available from the address above, these A5 pages, 32/40 in number acording to issue and well-dressed colour covers. The price is approx ?2-?2.50 and if you want any more details than that, email rob_martin@rocketmail.com
December 14, 2001 12:34 PM posted by Andrew Luke
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One from absolutely months and months ago,
Negative Star Comics Faces#4 ~ The reader situationizes is put into the predicament of a celtic immortal with a narrative that goes on and on and on?. For ever! Jesus,. Morrissey, hose this man down! Too many words, needless, wasteful, boring. I slap you with my Sandman #20.
Once the first eight pages are over? this cut-and-paste sketchbook and MS Word with all too visible seams and not enough tippex, the author provides an educational session on the Irish Invasion myths and the legend of Tuan Mac Carell. Some of the sketches are quite good, though it appears primarily as a means for the author to recycle their sketchbook. It does lead to some quite good links, but I spent at least an hour reading it until I felt like I had got anywhere. That?s my opinion. A4, 28 pages available from Negative Star Comics, Flat 1, 68 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2, Rep. Of Ireland
Dr. Ripper's Multiplex is an Adults Only Booklet printed in black and white with some red on the cover: There's some wonderfully expressionist art on the inside, a tale of Cosgrove Hall of Horror. Adults gettin it on duing the screening of a for kids flick, while said child roams the cinema in serach of her 'teddy bwear'. DRM arrives warpped in a baige card cover. No idea of the price but it's available from Richard Nairn, Pantomime Press, 27 Kent Avenue, Minster, Sheppey, Kent, ME12 2DZ or for more details email richnairn@hotmail.com
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me to see me looking back to you (A story from flashbacks with memory) ~ A storyzine I picked up while in Dublin last month, it's the fourth zine put together by a guy called Eugene Dillon. The straight text is accompanied by reproduced and affixed colour photos and a mutlicoloured tassle bind. Its probably reasonable to say this is a limited edition, and it cost me ?2.50 out of Forbidden Planet. Probably a good idea to email Eugene first at openshirts@yahoo.com as I imagine these to be of quite a limited accessibility.
This is my last month on the TRShift, and as it be the month 'tis, I'm going to speedthrough the books I've gotten,
Jason Lynne has sent me copies of the last two issues of Topaz, a compendium of tricks and whizzes which feature works by, amongst others, Italian Claudio Parentales, who regularly produces a lovely slim-line which circles and turns too, like graffiti with purpose: the page contains it with honesty. Jason Lynne has his own contribution, which reminds me of Shaky Kane's stuff. (Jack Kirby with a fast food fetish?) A lot of fun to look at. Mal Earl , Craig, Andy Brown too are also names from the olden days of Topaz amongst others. Like SUNBURN, Topaz host is a good range of artists, a very good range of artists, stylistically and geographically. This is a thoroughly recommendable, qualiity dependable comic, each issue with a theme. That works. Issue 19 is sub-titled 'Cults', and Issue 20 the link for strips is 'Underground'.
Topaz is now A5 size, 24-32 pgs, costing two quid. Copies are available from Jason Lynne (Aladdin), 15 Brazwick Avenue, North Bersted, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 5DZ.
Anybody interested in contributing, Jason is accepting with the theme of the next issue, "Graffiti Art".
Not so long ago, Johnny Robbins was ranting about Toby Tripp's 'The Best Kind Of Comedy?' Well, I've gotten through 3/5 of Toby's 'Welcome To Slightly Grubby Heaven' and let me tell you, there are times when being a comics reviewer is the best thing there is JUST FOR THE FREEBIE. Of course 'Welcome To' is so good that I just have to send the money out of Religion-Other guilt. It really is a treat. Plenty of one-at-a-time mini-panel pages each facing some photo art based around a similar theme and introspective tones (lettering). Jolly side-by-side w. anxiety: as antonym yet complimentary. Don't you just love paradoxes? Don't you just love Toby Tripp's 'Welcome To Slightly Grubby Heaven'?
Parental Discretion is advised. apparently
Tripp, Toby
Welcome To Slighty Grubby Heaven
ISBN 1-903793-03-3.
Size A6, 60 pages, price ?2.75
"nothing if not funny.......if you mix the cynicism of Joseph Heller with the lunacy of Spike Milligan, then add a dash of David Shrigley, the result is Toby Tripp."
-Francesca Gavin (Dazed and Confused/Time Out journalist) Also recommended by Billy Childish, Jefferson Hack, Pete Ashton, Liz Farrelly(pop theorist) and Matt V. Evans (chum to Mr. Tripp). For details make the effort and contact Toby at feelwelcome@hotmail.com
Past Reviews May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 January 2002 December 2001 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 How to use TRS2To order
First off check how old the review is. If it's quite old it might be worth checking first before
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Please mention TRS2 when ordering. It makes us feel loved.
To get a review in TRS2
Send a sample copy of your comic to Jez Higgins, 26 Sandon Road,
Edgbaston, Birmingham, B17 8DS. You will receive a copy of TRS2 when it's ready.
To get a free copy of TRS2 on paper
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If you're already reviewed on this site:
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Who's responsible? Andy Luke worded many of the reviews on TRS2 and published
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Richard Barrhelp out with reviews and day to day works.
Jez Higgins distributes the paper version.
