Zine of Bronze #6
Reviewed by R. Krauss
Zine of Bronze #6
Reviewed by R. Krauss
Editor: "Grim" Jm Main
Production Manager: Richard Sullivan
8.5" x 11", with saddle-stitch binding
24 b&w pages, plus color cover
Published by Main Enterprises
Printed by SPA Dime Store Productions
$5.00 postage paid
Website: http://www.mainenterprises.ecrater.com
Publisher Jim Main's tribute zine to Doc Savage continues with its sixth issue. I was initially a little disappointed to note this issue did not include a story by Art Sippo. His original pulp fiction yarns were highlights of the past few issues. However once I settled into the issue, I have to admit that Main and his contributors did a fine job anyway.
The issue kicks off with Main's introduction highlighting its features and the ones already going into the planning process for the next edition.
A three-page letters column follows with comments from readers and contributors on issue #5. Its more fun if you've read issue #5, but there's enough exchange between Main and his readers to hold your attention even if you haven't. Letters are usually few and far between for small press publishers, so it's really a treat to see so much support for ZOB.
The first feature article is Building a Literary Character: Ham Brooks written by Tom Barnett and illustrated by Tim Faurote, who also provides a terrific cover illustration. Barnett explores the biographies of several real life figures and the evidence that collectively they were the inspiration for Lester Dent's supporting character Ham Brooks. Barnett's done a terrific job of researching his subjects and provides an entertaining essay on character development.
Cover to Cover compares covers from the original pulp magazine to the Bantam paperback to the two-part Marvel comic adaptation of Dent's fifth Doc Savage novel, Brand of the Werewolf.
Dennis Kininger returns with another installment of his Super Amalgamations. This time he reviews Doc Savage novels #16-18, Marvel's Two-In-One team-up with The Thing and Doc Savage, and The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont. Kininger provides a great service by highlighting which Savage novels are the best. Of course die hard fans will read them all, but for newcomers it's helpful to know which ones are best in class.
The final feature article is The Secrets of the U-boats by Julián Puga V. Here, Puga reports on two German U-boats that fled to Argentina to eventually surrender to Allied forces after the Nazi surrender in 1945. In the Doc Savage novel, The Polar Treasure, Doc captures a submarine he calls the Helldiver. Puga compares the real U-boats to the fictional Helldiver and pieces together a strong case for the source and several details for Dent's inspiration for Doc's underwater pirate ship.
Like all of Main's zines this one is filled with pin-ups and spot illustrations by a talented crew including Tim Faurote, John Lambert (Chase), Virginia Mills-Barfield, Alvaro Fernandois, and Christian Diaz.
Although I'm not a Doc Savage fanatic, there's plenty of fun and entertainment in this issue. I'd likely enjoy it all the more if I were an ardent fan. As it is, it serves to provide an enjoyable look into the world of the Man of Bronze.
Reviewer Bio
R. Krauss reviews small press and mini comics on Midnight Fiction, Poopsheet Foundation and Comic Related.
Name: Richard Krauss
email: arkay@midnightfiction.com
Been reading comics: since I started reading Marvel comics in Junior High School.
Review Bio: After several years I discovered titles like Zap and Bijou at a headshop and was seduced by the freedom and variety they offered. When the new-wave comix era sprouted from the seeds of the undergrounds, I quickly joined the ranks of other struggling cartoonists with phenomenally low print runs. After almost a decade of small press comix, I retired and made a solemn vow never to return. Several years later the Internet happened and over time many of my favorite new-wave cartoonists got online. The bug bit again and I started exploring the new crop of small press cartoonists. Today's explosion of small press comics is more exciting than any time I've ever seen.
Favorites: Papercutter, Not My Small Diary, Slam Bang, Comic Eye, stuff from Main Enterprises and Weird Muse, to name a few.
Website: MidnightFiction.com
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