Ken Reynolds is back with a new issue of Sliced Quarterly, collecting short comic works for our collective enjoyment.  This issue is stuffed full of moving and intriguing work, with more emphasis on irregular or deconstructed narrative and experimental art.  This issue will make you think, it will make you feel, and it has some really lovely instances of emotional communication.  I’ll briefly cover each one and my reactions to it, as I feel this collection is more about the artistic value and the discussions that could be prompted from the different reactions that they elicit.

“Bingo Bonanza” speaks to me much like the latter Matrix films (I think that they’re better than the original, and I know that my opinion is in the minority, but I promise there’s a reason.), where humanity is faced with the line between making tools that make our lives “easier” and ones that will replace us.  It’s a conundrum that has been a part of the human condition since the legend of John Henry, and as machines are increasing their presence exponentially today, it’s one we still haven’t answered satisfactorily, so this piece is timely and very engaging.

“ypidemi” feels like a British Fuzzy, and that’s about the closest I can come to defining it.  I really dig the character designs, as it reinforces the absurd nature of the dialogue. Fun little series, good for a chuckle.

“His Last Walk” absolutely annihilated me; it’s moving and demands empathy without resorting to heavy handed or manipulative techniques.  It’s a simple setup of the Kuleshov Effect, setting two possibly disparate images next to each other to create emotional resonance, and it’s done in a lovely and simple way.  For me, it has truth in it, and that makes it absolutely beautiful.

“The Condom” is a little more a traditional narrative structure, but it brings with it as much impact as everything else.  The premise is direct and effective, but the undertones of the internal considerations you feel in the final images are deep and resonant.

“Abnormality” made me laugh, and I feel like I should not feel good about that.  It’s a dark, stomach-turning depiction of modern education that is as damning as Pink Floyd’s famous work, and yet the instant destruction inherent in the work cried out for a release.  Guess I went high instead of low, but you’ll certainly have a reaction to this piece.

“Ferquhar Part 3” is the most strictly narrative tale in the issue, but housed among the other work, the noir effects leap from the page, emphasizing the darkness of the atmosphere which lends itself well to the story.

“Le Petit Mort” goes beyond my ability to comprehend.  I’m not sure exactly what is happening in its mélange of images and verse, but it’s endlessly fascinating.  There are so many little images that are buried within it that make the page take on new meaning.  This is as close as I’ve seen to a koan on the page, and it’s a wonderful, little introspection.

Mr. Reynolds continues to impress with his selection and arrangement of material, and the pieces being submitted are of a great quality.  There’s something for everyone in this continuing collection, and you get to check out new artists, writers, and ideas for freesies.  Check it out here.

Share the stories that move you.

Creative Team:  Ken Reynolds (Editor), Sarah Harris (Cover Art)
    “Bingo Bonanza” – Tony Esmond (Writer), Michiru Morikawa (Artist), Michael Phoenix (Colours), Gustavo Gimenez (Flats)
    “ypidemi” – Bob Schroeder
    “His Last Walk” – Tom Slocombe (Writer), J.C. Grande (Artist), Ellie Wright (Colours)
    “The Condom” – Ida Henrich
    “Abnormality” – Kyle Houston (Writer), Rosa Devine (Artist)
    “Farquhar Part 3” – Tara Lucy
    “Small Press Preview” – Le Petit Mort-Marc Flack            
Publisher: Ken Reynolds Design
Click here to read.