‘Misnomer’ issue 1.
Aka - ‘The Crow Funeral: Carry on Carrion’.
Created by Reid Psaltis.
Published by Alternative Comics in August 2014.
69 pence (on ComiXology) - 28 pages - Black and White.
The Story - ‘Misnomer is the personal comics anthology of Reid Psaltis, collecting his smaller works under one title. Issue one includes the comics "Carry On, Carrion: A Crow Funeral," "The Malaise Trap" and a pin-up gallery featuring illustrations by Michael Manomivibul, Farel Dalrymple, Angela Rizza, Abby Diamond, Francois Vingeault and Ezra Butt.’
The Review - This is one from a few years ago that I stumbled across on ComiXology this week and gave me a break from reviewing comics sent in after that rant I posted. Just something short and clean that my eyes would enjoy.
First off I have to say that I loved the cover. A gold frame surrounds the dressed up crows and looks like the kind of painting you’d get in a 1970s Bognor retirement bungalow.
Here are a few more details.
A crow is killed in a suburban garden. His friends and relatives gather for the funeral.
The Crow Priest begins his eulogy:
‘To mourn the passing of our dear friend Cornelius D. Corbell. A devoted father. A loyal husband and a dedicated collector of all things shiny.’
This funeral would go on to remind me of a few that I’ve been to over the years. Family members and friends speak of what a great guy (crow) Cornelius had been. Then the deceased brother, drunk as a skunk (crow) starts shouting his mouth (beak) off and demanding that they take revenge on the cat that did this terrible crime. It’s pointed out that any revenge may involve fling straight into a window and therefore becoming another victim.
The congregation (murder) then head off for the wake and the buffet that comprises of a dead hedgehog with tyre tracks over it’s back that they all feast upon. Sadly the crow wake takes place in the middle of the road and more danger (and shiny things) are in their crow futures.
This is a great short story full of insightful observations and funny character moments from the cast (murder). The art makes superb use of the black and white format. The black ink it heavily delivered in a way that maybe Charles Burns lays it on the page.
I would at this point in the review bemoan that the book is far too short and I wanted more drama and crow deaths but it was only a mere 69 pence so I am hardly in the position to complain.
Plus - ‘Carry on Carrion’?! How great is that title?
There’s also a back up piece included that takes the form of a hybrid between a comic and an illustrated story as well as some great pin-ups by guest artist.
You can find out more about the creator by visiting https://www.reidpsaltis.com/about or following him on Instagram @trimetrodon
Many thanks for reading.
Now back to the review pile.
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