As this year comes to a close I look at all the comics I’ve reviewed, and the ones I didn’t. Some comics go unreviewed because I got them for free and don’t like them, others because the quality is very poor, and others because I don’t want to read them. But anthology comics get passed on for review because they contain too many short stories from an assortment of creators so a review wouldn’t do it justice and might mislead you. So I’m gonna talk about em here! And this isn’t a professional review like the others, this is really just me talking about these compilations I spent my hard earned money on.
Editor’s Note: Because I now do these anthology round-ups differently I have decided to update this one to the newer style by improving the original paragraph and by asking those four standard questions plus a bonus one.
4 Pages 16 Bars: A Visual Mixtape Volume 6: The Feel
4 Pages 16 Bars: A Visual Mixtape Volume 6: The Feel is a collection of articles, prints, and comic snippets from primarily black creators. Some of the stories take place in the real world, some are science fiction, and others take place in far off lands. Most of them act as samples to bigger works. The art varies heavily from cartoonish and heavily stylized to realistic with the prints looking like something you’d have as a poster in your room. There are some hard hits and occasional blood and gore.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Samurai Senorita.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Sorghum & Spear.
“How many stories are there?”
There are two articles and fourteen different comics usually ranging from 4-8 pages with one being 12 pages long. Full page art is frequently on display.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“I always love coming to graveyards, especially ones I helped build.”
“So this is the first crowdfunded anthology you’ve read?”
Yup!
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4-pages-16-bars/4-pages-16-bars-a-visual-mixtape/description
Tales of the 399
Tales of the 399 is an anthology brought to us by students at Monrovian College. These stories are personal, introspective, vulnerable, and will cause you to think. The art styles vary greatly from rough and rudimentary to stylized and they do a good job of conveying the feeling of the different tales. There isn’t any violence or blood here.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The Art Kids and Luke 15:20.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Same Old New Year’s.
“How many stories are there?”
Eight, all four pages long save one that is five.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Eventually, I wandered outside to join them.”
“If you drew a comic, how would it look?”
Terrible.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeffmcclelland/tales-of-the-399/description
Black Stories Matter
Black Stories Matter is an anthology that tells stories with the black community and its people being the central theme. The tales deal with current(at the time) events and discourse as well as life stories and history lessons. There are supernatural and science fiction elements with some horror. There is some bloody violence here and rare but heavy gore.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Legend of David Fagen.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Blind Spot.
“How many stories are there?”
Eleven, ranging from 1-6 pages.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Surprised? You just revealed your prejudice.”
“Do you read a lot of comics made by black people?”
I read a good amount, but not nearly enough.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ramongil/black-stories-matter/description
4 Pages 16 Bars: A Visual Mixtape Volume 7: Mass Appeal
4 Pages 16 Bars: A Visual Mixtape Volume 7: Mass Appeal is an anthology that is created for and by mostly black people that has articles, comics, and displays of art. Some of these stories are science fiction, others are supernatural, and some are just straight up superhero tales. They can get violent with some blood and heavy but rare gore.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Shield of the Interceptor and Crescent City Monsters.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Crescent City Monsters.
“How many stories are there?”
One article, ten stories ranging from 4-8 pages, and plenty of art on display.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Your name is spoken in room you’ve never entered.”
“What is the point of these mixtapes?”
To give you a taste of comics and artists that might be up your alley.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4-pages-16-bars/4-pages-16-bars-a-visual-mixtape-vol-07/description
A Taste of Home: A Cooking Anthology
A Taste of Home: A Cooking Anthology is a collection of stories that are all about making food. The overall vibe seems to be about showing the way food impacts, blends, and comes from different cultures and people. There are dishes here from Mongolia, Russia, China, Ireland, and other places. There even some makeable recipes here! The stress of preparing, the anxiety of presenting, and the joy felt when others taste what you’ve made are just some of the feelings conveyed here. The art is black-and-white but the style varies and fits the different stories perfectly. There isn’t any violence or gore.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Lucky Dumpling and Cook Quest.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Hands and Meal for a Dragon.
“How many stories are there?”
There are sixteen stories, all four pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Is there anything normal to eat here?”
“What is your favorite dish to cook?”
Vegetarian meat made from gluten flour.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/levelgroundcomics/a-taste-of-home-a-cooking-anthology?ref=profile_created
The Greatest Hits: A Comics Mixtape
The Greatest Hits: A Comics Mixtape is an anthology all about music. From the creation of it to the way it makes people feel these stories touch on all the ways sounds can affect the world around us. Some of these tales have music as the soundtrack, some use tunes to get a message across, while others like to analyze the lyrics and melodies of their favorite song. There are real life stories here along with some that have a science fiction or supernatural theme. There isn’t much violence and there is no blood or gore. Near the end of this comic book there is a playlist of real songs you can listen to while reading the individual stories!
“Which story was your favorite?”
Over and Over, A Song for the Range, and Puppet Hell.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Transposition and Puppet Hell.
“How many stories are there?”
There are sixteen stories, all four pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“This is the most PUNK thing I’ve ever drawn!”
“Do you make music?”
I have been known to rap from time to time.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/levelgroundcomics/the-greatest-hits-a-comics-mixtape/description
Southern Gothic Volume 1
Southern Gothic Volume 1 is a collection of fairy tales with southern, gothic horror, and sexy influences. Some of the famous stories altered here are Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Three Little Pigs. Regardless of the horror, horny, or comedic level nearly all these tales are dripping in Southernness from the clothing to the architecture to the environment. There is plenty of nudity and sexual situations here along with(but unrelated to) bloody and gory violence.
“Which story was your favorite?”
La Bruja.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Riding Red.
“How many stories are there?”
Ten, from 1-10 pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Isn’t there something you can do to help me?”
“So why exactly did you buy this?”
Because it was Southern! And Gothic!
“And those were the only reasons?”
You aren’t allowed to ask this many questions!
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bendunn-silvercross/southern-gothic-vol1/description
