TABLOIA #573 REVIEW

Mitch Brown · Oct 10, 2004, 03:14 am

Reviewer: Mitch Brown, mitchbrown@comixfan.cjb.net
Story Title: The Lump, Part Two; The Evil Twin Must Die!; Fear The Sex-Crazed Succubi!; Terror Lurks Deep in the Heart of Africa
Quick Rating: Great

True Tabloid Tales for the Sophisticated Psuedo-Intellectual

Writer & Artist: Chris Wisnia
Pin-Ups: Sam Kieth, Irwin Hasen, Bill Sienkiewicz
Editor-in-Chief: Rob Oder
Assistant Editor: Chris Wisnia
Cover and Logo: Damon Thompson
Business Manager: Wayne Jones

Recommended for fans of: Mike Allred, Sam Kieth, Jack Kirby.

Tabloia is a self-published labor of love, written, drawn and produced by Ojo co-artist Chris Wisnia. Tabloia, sub-titled “True Tabloid Tales For The Sophisticated Pseudo-Intellectual” is an absolute gem of an anthology, collecting Wisnia’s off-beat, Jack Kirby-inspired monster tales, book-ended with fantastic pin-ups by industry stars such as Sam Kieth, Bill Sienkiewicz, Gene Colan and the Brothers Hernandez.

Tabloia #573 is actually the second issue in this series, with the numbering system mirroring Tabloia’s mock-tabloid presentation. This issue continues Wosnia’s flagship serial The Lump, along with the continuing adventures of Doris Danger; Dr DeBunko and Dick Hammer: Conservative Republican Private Investigator.

Part Two of The Lump, finds us in the middle of Crude Bay County in Southern California, inspired by Wisnia’s road-side discovery of a mangled corpse on a local highway. “The Lump” refers to the fleshy, barely human remains themselves after having being run over multiple times. Of special note is the abnormal number of arms (three of ‘em!) discovered at the site. This pulp crime story follows the investigation into the “Lump Case”, and its effects on the community of Crude Bay, paying homage to Mad Scientist movies and the early days of Creepy and EC’s horror line.

From the case files of The Conservative Republican Private Investigator Dick Hammer comes The Evil Twin Must Die!, finding Hammer on the hunt for Senator-Elect Pete Alan Duncan Peabody Jr’s evil twin who has usurped his brother’s position. Hammer finds himself knee-deep in their nefarious plot as he continues to keep the world safe from “evil, deranged, sicko commie scumbags”. This timely little comedy really brought a smile to my face, and I’ve got to say that Dick Hammer is now my favorite new character after reading Tabloia. The strip is a good-natured parody of the hard-boiled crime genre, in particular Mickey Spillaine (apparently Dick’s favourite author) and Raymond Chandler, with a heavy dose of political satire.

Next in Tabloia is the story of Randi Shermer, the crusading skeptic hero Dr. DeBunko. DeBunko's character is an amalgamation of renowned skeptic James Randi and fictional “debunkers” such as the gang from Scooby Doo and Scully from The X-Files. This time out DeBunko stars in Fear The Sex-Crazed Succubi, as a small backwards town are “terrorized” by their own ignorance and unacknowledged desires, and only DeBunko can save the day.

Rounding out this pseudo-anthology is Wisnia’s tribute to Jack Kirby – Doris Danger. Doris, a plucky monster-hunting photo journalist confronts robots, pygmies a ridiculously named alien monster straight out of Kirby’s old monster comics. Who needs Fing-Fang-Foom when you can have "I am Scrohtu! I am Vulvoo! I am Poogoo! I am Bungoo! I am Spanko!"?

Tabloia is some of the best comic book fun I’ve had in years. Each lovingly-constructed page is a wonderful tribute to pop culture history from Kirby and Wheatley to Lugosi and Burroughs to Spillaine, and the Wolfman. With Tabloia, Chris Wisnia proves himself as a gifted and engaging writer as well as showcasing his incredibly versatile artistic talents. This book is an A-level effort all-round from the mounting horror of The Lump through the laughter-inducing Dick Hammer. Wisnia’s Salt Peter Press logo claims “We’re Dynamite” on this issue’s cover, and I’m inclined to agree.

ART:

STORY:

OVERALL:

Visit Tabloia Weekly Magazine’s website at http://www.tabloia.com

Dylan McKay · Oct 10, 2004, 04:13 am

That sounds interesting, particularly Dick Hammer. Might be hard to find though

One question, is there an overall tone and feel to the stories or is each different in that regard? And if there is an overall tone, what is it?

Mitch Brown · Oct 10, 2004, 04:57 am

Well, the comic itself is set up to be a psuedo-tabloid. From the beginning, the stories presented have a tabloid-esque, whimsical, pulp feel. We are supposed to be reading a "real" talboid - Tabloia when consuming these stories. Mock letters-pages and editorials are used to continue this premise.
I guess the overall tone is...well, kitsch. Retro/pulp/noir-style fiction that doesn't take itself too seriously and presents a great tribute to the history of comic books.

In terms of that almost unquantifable "feel" of the book - I'd say its pretty close to something like Madman or X-Statix - in black & white and without the superheroes.

As far as the individual stories go, they are all different but maintain Chris's enthusiasm for his influences. The Lump is shaping up to be a complex little crime fiction (with a dash of Mad Scientist horror), while Dick Hammer for example, is just pure comedy (making fun of both right and left). But it doesn't feel disjointed at all - each tale fits in nicely with the "Tabloid" theme.

James Groves · Oct 10, 2004, 05:57 am

Sounds right up my alley.

I didnt see this at my shop though, so i think i'm gonna have to order it.

The crime fiction story sounds v interesting, so i'll give this a go.

Mitch Brown · Oct 10, 2004, 06:48 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Groves

I didnt see this at my shop though, so i think i'm gonna have to order it.

I got my copies (of both issues) straight from the source itself - via Alex Groff - for review purposes. It is definitely available via Previews though, even if your store doesn't carry it.

Alex Groff · Oct 11, 2004, 09:37 pm

So, a funny, pointless story. I was up in New York when I met Chris and his wife. Chris was out getting a bottle of water or a soda or something, and his wife was alone in the booth with this crazy guy talking to her in cartoon voices. He had apparently walked up to her and just started talking, and wouldn't go away. The other booths nearby had tried to distract him, but to no avail. So when I came up, she said "Oh, I have to talk to this customer, goodbye," and walked away. The guy finally took the hint and left. How bizarre is that?

Anyway, Chris and his wife (who told me her name, but wore a nametag that said "Donna Danger" so I've since forgotten) are neat people, and the Dick Hammer stories are absolutely hilarious. And the Sam Kieth pin-up? Beautiful.

James Groves · Oct 12, 2004, 04:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch Brown

I got my copies (of both issues) straight from the source itself - via Alex Groff - for review purposes. It is definitely available via Previews though, even if your store doesn't carry it.

Cheers.

I'm gonna order it off the previews as i dont think my shop will have it in, although my shop is like a pandoras box, so u never know.

SAm Keith is quality, so cant wait to check that out

Oct 10, 2004, 04:13 am	#2
Dylan McKay Jedi Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: British Columbia Country: Posts: 2,591	Re: TABLOIA #573 REVIEW That sounds interesting, particularly Dick Hammer. Might be hard to find though One question, is there an overall tone and feel to the stories or is each different in that regard? And if there is an overall tone, what is it? __________________ "Well I've always said, There's nothing an agnostic can't do if he really doesn't know whether he believes in anything or not."

Oct 10, 2004, 04:57 am	#3
Mitch Brown Mutant Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Country: Posts: 490	Re: TABLOIA #573 REVIEW Well, the comic itself is set up to be a psuedo-tabloid. From the beginning, the stories presented have a tabloid-esque, whimsical, pulp feel. We are supposed to be reading a "real" talboid - Tabloia when consuming these stories. Mock letters-pages and editorials are used to continue this premise. I guess the overall tone is...well, kitsch. Retro/pulp/noir-style fiction that doesn't take itself too seriously and presents a great tribute to the history of comic books. In terms of that almost unquantifable "feel" of the book - I'd say its pretty close to something like Madman or X-Statix - in black & white and without the superheroes. As far as the individual stories go, they are all different but maintain Chris's enthusiasm for his influences. The Lump is shaping up to be a complex little crime fiction (with a dash of Mad Scientist horror), while Dick Hammer for example, is just pure comedy (making fun of both right and left). But it doesn't feel disjointed at all - each tale fits in nicely with the "Tabloid" theme. __________________ We made gods and jailers because we felt small and ashamed and alone...we let them try us and judge us and, like sheep to slaughter, we allowed ourselves to be...sentenced. See! Now! Our sentence is up. - The Invisibles Vol. 3 #1 "Glitterdammerung"

Oct 10, 2004, 05:57 am	#4
James Groves Jedi Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: England Country: Posts: 3,777	Re: TABLOIA #573 REVIEW Sounds right up my alley. I didnt see this at my shop though, so i think i'm gonna have to order it. The crime fiction story sounds v interesting, so i'll give this a go.

Oct 11, 2004, 09:37 pm	#6
Alex Groff Slayer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: in hiding Country: Posts: 1,103	Re: TABLOIA #573 REVIEW So, a funny, pointless story. I was up in New York when I met Chris and his wife. Chris was out getting a bottle of water or a soda or something, and his wife was alone in the booth with this crazy guy talking to her in cartoon voices. He had apparently walked up to her and just started talking, and wouldn't go away. The other booths nearby had tried to distract him, but to no avail. So when I came up, she said "Oh, I have to talk to this customer, goodbye," and walked away. The guy finally took the hint and left. How bizarre is that? Anyway, Chris and his wife (who told me her name, but wore a nametag that said "Donna Danger" so I've since forgotten) are neat people, and the Dick Hammer stories are absolutely hilarious. And the Sam Kieth pin-up? Beautiful.

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