Highlighting some great small press comics criticism being published, as well as other random things that have caught my eye over the past week.



COMICS CRITICISM



* Leon K on Keren Katz’s THE ACADEMIC HOUR, “one that is tender and conflicted and which pushes the material towards a type of whimsical theatricality that favours an exploration of the emotional exchange at the heart of this romance over the foregrounding of the abuse of power.”



* Rob Clough continues his look at the work of SIMON MORETON, this week, focused on Moreton’s self-published SMOO # 8 – 10.



* John Seven reviews THE INTERVIEW by Manuele Fior, which ends with Seven drawing the conclusion that “[t]he human condition becomes a constant quest for meaning, and each time that quest is solved, another one inevitably takes it place, because meaning is not a tangible item you can hold in your hand.”



* Sam Ombiri on SPIDER MONKEY by Austin English and Jesse McManus, “a fantastic read, and it continues to be an even more fantastic comic to keep re-reading.“



* Aimee Levitt unpacks Kristen Radtke’s new book, IMAGINE WANTING ONLY THIS, which “explores the idea of loss.”



* Austin Lanari on 2dcloud’s latest anthology release, MIRROR MIRROR II, “an outright challenge to your own personal space.”



* Greg Hunter takes a look at ON THE CAMINO from Jason, his surprising new autobio comic.



* Philippe LeBlanc reviews THREE COMICS FROM TCAF 2017: Smartphone Comics #1, Baba Yaga’s House, and Slomeau.



* Andy Oliver on DIRTY ROTTEN COMICS #10, an “introductory taster to the fabulous talent of the UK small press scene.”



* Robert Kirby presents an excerpt from SUNBURNING by Keiler Roberts.



WHATNOT



* Dean Steckel interviews EMMA HOUXBOIS, resulting in one of the most erudite and enjoyable reads I’ve had in awhile.



* Chase Magnett on DOCTOR MANHATTAN’S DING-DONG, which features the line, “There’s not a thematically significant point being made in Watchmen about tallywhackers.”



* Kim O’Connor‘s reflections on SPENCERGATE.





* Kieran Shiach‘s IS MARVEL’S FASCIST CAPTAIN AMERICA LOSING COMMAND OF HIS FANS?



* HOW TO GO FREELANCE: NEED-TO-KNOW ADVICE FROM CREATIVES WHO MADE IT.



* Kenneth Steven writes about THE POEM THAT ENDED NORWAY’S CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON JEWS.



* Two FLASH FICTION pieces by Frederick Foote.