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Reviews
SIFTING THROUGH: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EDITION
by Shane Patrick Boyle
Alternative Comics Presents 2005 Edition
By various
This is another anthology that has coolness written all over it. It features Graham Annable, Gabrielle Bell, Nick Bertozzi, Allison Cole, Rebecca Dart, Tomer and Asaf Hanuka, Tom Hart, Dean Haspiel, Sam Henderson, Thomas Herpich, Walt Holcombe, Damon Hurd, James Kochalka, David Lasky Jon Lewis, Josh Neufeld, Matt Madden, Joel Orff, Adam Sacks, Jen Sorensen, Rick Smith, Rich Tommaso, Robert Ullman, Sara Varon, Lauren Weinstein, and more somehow packed into 32 pages. This is the only 2005 FCBD comic labeled (in the Previews catalog) for Mature Readers, and you may have trouble finding this one, as many retailers may be choosing not carry it this year.
By now, you have probably heard about the case in Georgia involving last year’s Alternative comics FBCD edition. A retailer in Georgia gave away leftover FCBD comics for Halloween. Alternative Comics #2 was among the comics included in the give-away and it ended up in the hands of a minor whose parents called the police.
The comic carried a mature readers advisory (a voluntary label that is the equivalent of a PG rating). The “controversial” content (from a story by Nick Bertozzi) the parents were offended by was actually very minor (no pun intended) — just a historically accurate depiction of Picasso painting in the nude — but the retailer was arrested and is still facing charges that could result in prison time and/or substantial fines. It is a case that could set dangerous precedents (including the determination of nudity = obscenity) if he is convicted.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is helping with this case, so rather than sidetrack this article any further I will refer you to their website (www.cbldf.org) for information about this case and how you can support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
And if you do see this one on Free Comic Book Day, be sure to pick it up. You will not only be showing that you support your retailers right to carry mature readers comics, you will also be reducing the odds that your retailer may accidentally give this out to a minor.
