Chase #1-4
Reviewed by R. Krauss
Writer/Creator: Jim Main
Artist/Letterer: John Lambert
Production: Dan W. Taylor
Main Enterprises, 2008
About $1.75 each (includes postage)
Main Enterprises Website: http://mainenterprises.ecrater.com/
Dan W. Taylor Website: http://weirdmuse.ecrater.com
Small press comic creators are hard pressed to pull off a continuing series. There are so many obstacles to self-publishing, many titles don't get past their second issue. But the creative team behind Chase are longtime veterans of small press with a solid track record for success. With four issues under their belts and the fifth in production, they're off to a terrific start.
Chase is a 4.5' x 5.5', b&w mini comic that features a continuing adventure story. The series was conceived and is written by publisher 'Grim' Jim Main. Main started collecting comics in the sixties and has been involved in self-publishing for decades. His experience shows in his storytelling and dialogue. Although each individual issue of Chase is relatively short (usually 12 pages) he still manages to include plenty of action, characterization, and build tension as the plot moves forward.
John Lambert is one of my favorite artists who regularly contributes artwork to Main Enterprises publications. In the past I've seen mostly spot illustrations and pin-ups from him, so it's wonderful to see him doing a comic story. His artwork is excellent and his work in Chase is some of his best yet.
The production work by Dan W. Taylor is also top-notch. Taylor adds the grey tones to Lambert's artwork, preps the pages, and I believe manages the printing as well. His experience specing paper and ensuring the reproduction is high-quality contribute to the overall quality feel of this excellent mini comic series.
If you enjoy crime adventure stories with plenty of action, you'll love Chase.
Take A Look Inside
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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