The Comics Interpreter
Encyclopedia
The Comics Interpreter is a zine
of comics
criticism, published and edited by Robert Young. It focuses on alternative comics
, and is characterized by interviews and reviews of greater length and detail than most comics-oriented publications, resembling the long-running Comics Journal in these particulars. Though it has generally low production values, well-known artists have contributed cover art.
& Tomer Hanuka
, Brian Ralph
, Jordan Crane
, Jesse Reklaw
, David Choe
, and even a brief chat with Neil Gaiman
. There have also been lengthy reviews of Frank Miller
's 300, the work of Alex Ross
, and the first reviews of works by Kurt Wolfgang, Kevin Huizenga, and Martin Cendreda.
With issue #6 the magazine went to offset printing for a "Tribute" to The Brothers Hernandez complete with interviews of Jaime Hernandez
and brother Gilbert Hernandez
and commentary from sources as wide-ranging as Nick Abadzis, David Choe, Andi Watson, and Marvel
Publisher Joe Quesada
. Also featured is an interview with British scribe Jamie Delano
focusing on his work with Frank Quitely
on 20/20 Visions.
Following that issue TCI re-emerged after a long layover with TCI #1 Volume 2 featuring a cover by underground cartoonist Hans Rickheit
and an interview with iconoclastic artist Paul Pope
. Subsequent issues have demonstrated the magazine's eclectic interests with essays from former Comics Journal stalwart Gene Phillips, reviews of works ranging from Alan Moore
to obscure minicomics by Jamie Tanner and Dave Shelton, and interviews with George Pratt
, Kozyndan
, James Jean
, David Rees
, Alex Maleev
, and Tak Toyoshima
.
Covers by a who's who of artists who were cutting edge at the time and have subsequently gone on to huge success including David Choe TCI #4 Vol. 1, Tomer Hanuka TCI #5, Nick Abadzis TCI #6, Hans Rickheit #1 Vol. 2, Kozyndan TCI #2, and James Jean TCI #3.
Zine
A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier....
of comics
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
criticism, published and edited by Robert Young. It focuses on alternative comics
Alternative comics
Alternative comics defines a range of American comics that have appeared since the 1980s, following the underground comix movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Alternative comics present an alternative to "mainstream" superhero comics which in the past have dominated the US comic book industry...
, and is characterized by interviews and reviews of greater length and detail than most comics-oriented publications, resembling the long-running Comics Journal in these particulars. Though it has generally low production values, well-known artists have contributed cover art.
Notable Issues
Early issues featured interviews with seminal indy comics creators including brothers AsafAsaf Hanuka
Asaf Hanuka is an Israeli illustrator and comic book artist, notable for his collaborations with his identical twin brother Tomer and his work with Etgar Keret in both Hebrew and English....
& Tomer Hanuka
Tomer Hanuka
Tomer Hanuka is an award-winning Israeli illustrator and cartoonist.At age twenty-two, after completing three years of mandatory Israeli Army service, Hanuka moved to New York City. Following his graduation from the School of Visual Arts, he quickly became a regular contributor to many national...
, Brian Ralph
Brian Ralph
Brian Ralph is a U.S. alternative cartoonist. His illustrations have appeared in Wired and the New York Post. His debut graphic novel Cave-In was nominated for three Harvey Awards, one Eisner Award, and listed as one of the Comics Journals "five best comics of 1999". His second graphic novel...
, Jordan Crane
Jordan Crane
Jordan Crane is an American comics creator.Crane first emerged in 1996 with the anthology NON, which he edited, contributed to, and published. This anthology combines influences from Art Spiegelman’s RAW and newer comics artists...
, Jesse Reklaw
Jesse Reklaw
Jesse Reklaw is an American cartoonist and painter, author of the syndicated dream-based comic strip Slow Wave.-Biography:...
, David Choe
David Choe
David Choe is an American painter, muralist, graffiti artist and graphic novelist of Korean descent. He achieved art world success with his "dirty style" figure paintings—raw, frenetic works which combine themes of desire, degradation, and exaltation...
, and even a brief chat with Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
. There have also been lengthy reviews of Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
's 300, the work of Alex Ross
Alex Ross
Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross is an American comic book painter, illustrator, and plotter. He is praised for his realistic, human depictions of classic comic book characters. Since the 1990s he has done work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an...
, and the first reviews of works by Kurt Wolfgang, Kevin Huizenga, and Martin Cendreda.
With issue #6 the magazine went to offset printing for a "Tribute" to The Brothers Hernandez complete with interviews of Jaime Hernandez
Jaime Hernandez
Jaime Hernandez is the co-creator of the black & white independent comic book Love and Rockets .-Early life:...
and brother Gilbert Hernandez
Gilbert Hernandez
Gilberto Hernández, born February 1, 1957, in Oxnard, California, usually credited as Gilbert Hernandez and also known by the nickname Beto , is an American comics writer/artist...
and commentary from sources as wide-ranging as Nick Abadzis, David Choe, Andi Watson, and Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Publisher Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
. Also featured is an interview with British scribe Jamie Delano
Jamie Delano
Jamie Delano is a British comics writer. He was part of the first post-Alan Moore "British Invasion" of writers. Best known as the first writer of the comic book series Hellblazer, starring John Constantine.- Biography :...
focusing on his work with Frank Quitely
Frank Quitely
Vincent Deighan, better known by the pen name Frank Quitely, is a Scottish comic book artist. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with Grant Morrison on titles such as New X-Men, We3, All-Star Superman, and Batman and Robin, as well as his work with Mark Millar on The...
on 20/20 Visions.
Following that issue TCI re-emerged after a long layover with TCI #1 Volume 2 featuring a cover by underground cartoonist Hans Rickheit
Hans Rickheit
-Profile:Rickheit was originally a resident of Ashburnham, Massachusetts. He originally self-published minicomics which presented dark vignettes and short stories, many of them directly inspired by dreams. He also produced short films....
and an interview with iconoclastic artist Paul Pope
Paul Pope
Paul Pope is an American alternative comic book artist. Influenced by Ray Bradbury and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Pope's stories evoke poignant, under-explored aspects of youth culture...
. Subsequent issues have demonstrated the magazine's eclectic interests with essays from former Comics Journal stalwart Gene Phillips, reviews of works ranging from Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
to obscure minicomics by Jamie Tanner and Dave Shelton, and interviews with George Pratt
George Pratt (artist)
George Pratt is an American painter and illustrator known for his work in the comic book field.-Biography:...
, Kozyndan
Kozyndan
Kozyndan is the joint pseudonym of Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife illustrator team Kozue and Dan Kitchens, known in particular for their whimsical and occasionally absurd illustrations of modern cityscapes.-Education and background:...
, James Jean
James Jean
James Jean is a Taiwanese-American visual artist, known for both his commercial work and fine art gallery work. He is known in the American comics industry as a cover artist for various books published by DC Comics, as well as for his work for Prada, ESPN and Atlantic Records...
, David Rees
David Rees
David Rees may refer to:* David Rees , British children's author* David Rees , American cartoonist* David Rees , British pure mathematician...
, Alex Maleev
Alex Maleev
Alex Maleev is a Bulgarian-born comic book illustrator, best known for the Marvel Comics' series Daredevil , collaborating with writer Brian Michael Bendis.-Career:...
, and Tak Toyoshima
Tak Toyoshima
Tak Toyoshima is an Asian American art director with the Weekly Dig and the author of the comic strip Secret Asian Man....
.
Covers by a who's who of artists who were cutting edge at the time and have subsequently gone on to huge success including David Choe TCI #4 Vol. 1, Tomer Hanuka TCI #5, Nick Abadzis TCI #6, Hans Rickheit #1 Vol. 2, Kozyndan TCI #2, and James Jean TCI #3.
Notable Contributors
- R. Young (publisher/editor)
- Gene Phillips (essayist)
- Chad Parenteau (interviews)
- Hans Rickheit (cover),
- Tomer Hanuka (cover)
- David Choe (cover and articles)
- Nick Abadzis (cover and articles)
- James Jean (cover)
- Kozyndan (cover)
- Mark Staff BrandlMark Staff BrandlMark Staff Brandl is an American-born artist, art historian and art critic now living primarily in Switzerland.-History:...
(theoretical article)