ICYMI -- Small Press Comics Criticism and Whatnot for 7/10/16 to 7/17/16

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

* Hillary Brown on Noah Van Sciver's new Fantagraphics release DISQUIET. She claims it "isn't unrelenting in its quest to make you uncomfortable" -- which is, perhaps, an encapsulation of Van Sciver's entire oeuvre.

* Rebecca Fulleylove on Beni Bischoff's "bonkers new book" titled RAMBO. Is it art? Is it comics? Is it both? Does it matter? It's bonkers! 

* Annie Mok on Lisa Hanawalt's HOT DOG TASTE TEST that is "best enjoyed in little sips, perhaps on the toilet"  which may be my new favorite way to write about comics.

* Alex Hoffman reviews 1944 by Hanneriina Moisseinen, part of the mini-kus! line from the Latvian publisher, Kus!

* Alenka Figa reviews Sage Coffey's zine IF IT WERE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE which seems like one of those slow-builds that pull you in and then gut-punches you with a reality check.

* Mike Sterling has been looking back at GOOD COMICS FROM THE BLACK AND WHITE BOOM which is a part of comics history that really deserves a lot more attention and exploration, especially in terms of how it worked in the marketplace and how these books relate to what is going on in the current small press scene. 

* J.A. Micheline's IN DEFENSE OF THE 10/10 REVIEW

WHATNOT 

* Tom Spurgeon re-ran his 2013 interview with GENEVIÈVE CASTRÉE who passed away earlier this week. 

* You can also read Naomi Fry's interview with CASTREE. 

* Finally, Rob Clough's remembrance of GENEVIÈVE CASTRÉE best sums up why we will all mourn her loss. 

* Women Write About Comics is launching its own ZINE, Secrets of the Goat People, and is looking for submissions of fiction, prose, and comics from women and non-binary people. If they use the same editorial standards that they do for their site, then this is sure to be pretty spectacular. Deadline for submission is August 6th

* Joseph Kyle Schmidt talks to JANELLE ASSELIN about romance comics, the direct market, Kickstarter, and being a publisher. Also, they talk about The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia!

* Sarah Mirk talks to MAGDALENE VISAGGIO about Kim and Kim, inspiration, and LGBTQ representation in print comics 

* SARAH HORROCKS talks about becoming a great comic writer and artist and crushing your enemies. All of these things she does pretty impressively.

* Andy Oliver's SMALL PRESS DAY 2016 -- Looking back on a glorious day celebrating self-publishing, micropublishing, and DIY culture in the UK and Ireland. My hope is that it has continued success throughout the years and, perhaps, takes on a life of its own over here in the States.

* Chase Magnett talks about the pleasures and pitfalls of AUTOBIO COMICS and the bravery it takes to offer the world a slice of your life. It's an idea that I've been kicking around in my head for a number of years: Even if a comic is crap, you still have to respect the temerity it takes to undertake the endeavor. Most of us aren't even close to being that brave.

* A.D. Andrew's EVEN DOING ACADEMIC RESEARCH ON VIDEO GAMES PUTS ME AT RISK 

* Armin Rosen ponders the experience of BOB DYLAN's recent live performance in Queens. 

* THREE POEMS by Allison Cobb