Week of 1/6/2024 Sunday Edition

On this Sunday edition of the Sam's Studios newsletter, I review Kitchen Sink Press's Smile #1 (1971) and talk about my second day attending CXC.

Smile #1 Review

Sorry kiddos, this has nothing to do with Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel, but lighten up (which I mean in both ways if you’re mellowing to the jive) because this underground comic book from 1971 might also make you smile. A one-man anthology, the author Jim Mitchell has had quite an adventurous life which I’d recount, but Comix Joint (the most extensive underground comix reviewer I know) already did so in a more fascinating way than I probably would, so I’m diving straight to the comics.

Smile — Throughout the book, there’s this nameless ovular person who I would consider the series mascot (there were three issues of this) who stars in two self-titled comics and cameos in another. There isn’t a main conflict present beyond the character going about their normal routine. The distinctive minimalism beckons a wholesome, whimsical quality reminiscent of one of those John and Faith Hubley animated segments you’d see on a 70s Sesame Street or Electric Company segment albeit with a tinge of scatological humor.

Fang — A couple dogsit a friend’s pet for a few hours who exhibits the same dominating traits as its owner Diane, a staunch Women’s Lib activist. The point being conveyed is emphasized in the last two pages showcasing the similarities between pets and their owners. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard this sentiment from somewhere before but amusing comic regardless. Mitchell can sure draw character poses!

Be it Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like a Rocky Fest! — Disorienting title sequence aside, this apparently autobio comic follows Mitchell and friends as they attend a rock festival. The dialogue and art are on point, but the narration is strangely jejune in a way that makes very little sense even within a juxtapositioned context.

The Making of a Hipster —A straight-laced fellow needs to learn how to be hip with the ladies. I dig the effort despite the hilariously literalist results.

Wouldn’t it be Nice if Everyone Were Children Again… — In this short two-page (three if you count the title page) comic, Mitchell waxes poetically about the problems that would be eliminated if everyone were children. William Golding would like to beg to differ on Mitchell’s utopia and so would I, but I’m sure a part of all of us yearns for that feeling of innocence and insoucience associated with childhood.

…Spiro T. Agnew — If you think I’m writing down that mouthful of that 27-word title, then you’ve got another thing coming for ya, bub! And I thought Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood was a long-ass title. Anyway, this one had a clever punchline alluding to Richard Nixon’s nickname Tricky Dicky which made me chuckle.

Comics Ranked:

1. Wouldn’t it be Nice If Everyone Were Children Again

2. Smile

3. The Making of a Hipster

4. …Spiro T. Agnew

5. Fang

6. Be it Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like a Rocky Fest!

Overall, Smile #1 was a pretty decent offering from Kitchen Sink Press. My top two rankings were above average, the middle two good, and the latter two ok. It’s probably not going to blow your mind, but it’s fun and safe enough to share with someone you’d want to introduce to an underground comic if you’re trying to avoid anything too controversial. The Internet Archive has all three Smile issues.

CXC Day 2 Overview