Week of 8/12/2024
This week, Close Endeavors of the Bob Kind comes to close on The Shapes, I bring forth some major announcements, and review a new comic book by Jenn Woodall.
The Shapes
Close Endeavors of the Bob Kind 23-24
And that’s a wrap for Bob’s introductory exploits. To all the new readers experiencing this story arc for the first time, please share your thoughts and opinions! The Shapes season 2 will return from hiatus on September 7 with a Q&A storyline to celebrate the series 2nd anniversary filled with irreverent 4th wall jokes, insightful answers, and a few surprises! Until then, the newsletter will be on a two-week break so I can focus on other pressing duties and plans.
News
Shopify Storefront
Those of you who’ve been following me for a while (the span of over 4 months) are probably already aware of when I announced I would be putting my online shop on hold as I made the move from Squarespace due to its lack of manual customization features for shipping. At last, the wait is over and my Shopify storefront is now open featuring more efficient product pages with drop-down menus of the different versions of each item and much less taxing shipping automation. This also means you international fans can finally order from my shop!
If you’re experiencing any issues with ordering, please contact me at samuel.edme@outlook.com.
Les Shapes Tome 1
Remember how I had a handful of secret projects under my belt while I was abroad in the Congos? Well, this was one of them as I was working on getting a French translation collecting The Shapes #1 and #2 which is finally done and available both in print and digitally to purchase on my online store!
And if you’re in Paris, you can find Les Shapes Tome 1 at Aaapoum Bapoum, which is the only comic book shop in the world. Stay tuned for more announcements!
Sammy the Critic
Dumbass #1 Review
Premiering at this year’s Toronto Comics Art Festival (TCAF), Jenn Woodall’s newest comic book is a risograph-printed compilation of previously unreleased material, mostly autobio or autobio-influenced, a genre I’m all too familiar with.
Most of the comics here aren’t breaking new ground thematically and, upon a cursory glance, conform to “relatable” memoir comics themes of self-consciousness and financial volatility. However, Woodall does approach these elements with an intersectional contemplativeness that displays a range between matter-of-factly and absurdist stream-of-consciousness yet entirely sincere. The former quality is seen in the opener and closer “Failure Part 1” and “Part 2” respectively in which she ruminates the connection between capitalism and her artistic self-worth or when she talks about the “successful” artist trap.
When Woodall does dip into absurdism to articulate her thought process, it’s often in the form of interplay between her and her emotional alter egos to humorous effect, the most exemplary of which is when an alter ego berates and pummels her for spending free time instead of working on art.
While introspection is a common thread binding the book together, we’re also treated to a few pleasant deviations that lean more towards being fun and silly including a brain dewormer drug ad spoof and an anecdote about the author’s adolescent days “ghost-riding.”
Overall, Dumbass #1 is an interesting solo anthology that’s worth buying if thoughtful and somewhat droll comics are up your alley. Copies are still available at Secret Planet’s online shop. Personally though, I hope Jenny does another comic book like Magical Beatdown. The closest thing here is the fantasy shown of her crushing two catcalling men with a giant bike.