Mythography

    (Bardic, 1996-1998)
™ and ©1996 Bardic Press

(From the Slings & Arrows Comic Guide)

With few exceptions imagination is rarely stretched beyond threadbare clichés in fantasy comics. This 64-page anthology, if not exactly breaching genre limitations, offers a modicum of well considered material. The downside is that it comes in small bursts from guest creators, while the regulars seem intent in perpetuating comic fantasy’s poor reputation. “Co-ordinator” Michael Cohen is the worst offender, seemingly having listed every genre cliché and worked out how to incorporate them all into his “Empyrian Tales” strip. He’s also credited for the first issue’s very pleasing cover, but some mistake, surely, as the figures are in proportion for one thing. The best of the regulars is Andrew Pepoy, with short slices of well drawn whimsy “Simone and Ajax.” Artistic contributions of note come from Bill Willingham (#1, with some poor writing in #4) and Mike Hoffman (#2), dinosaur sketches from Steve Bissette (#2, 4), Trina Robbins adapting a Gaelic legend in #3, a good back cover from Bryan Talbot on #3, and an excellent one from Charles Vess on #2. Other contributors or characters with followings include Drew Hayes, who reworks “The Raven” in #1, M’Oak in #2, the Elfquest characters on loan to Carla Speed McNeil for a vomit inducing bonding ceremony in #3, Roberta Gregory in #7, and Scott Morse in most issues. The best single strip so far is a reworking of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl” by Michael O’Connell and Jeff Curtis. Brief and disturbing, its simplicity is a definite strength. ~FP

Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist

#1

  9/1/1996
  $3.95
  $3.25
6 copies available from $0.99 		B&WJimmie Robinson, Charles Brownstein, Amy Crook, Drew Hayes, Michael Cohen, Carla Speed McNeil, Andrew Pepoy, Scott Davis, Steve Brooks, Jimmy GownleyJimmie Robinson, Teri S. Wood, Drew Hayes, Michael Cohen, Carla Speed McNeil, Andrew Pepoy, Steve Brooks, Jimmy Gownley

#2

  2/1/1997
  $3.95
  $3.00
3 copies available from $1.99 		B&WBill Willingham, Carla Speed McNeil, Jimmie Robinson, James Lowder, Mike Hoffman, Michael Cohen, Mark Oakley, Hans Christian Andersen, Michael O’Connell, Andrew PepoyBill Willingham, Carla Speed McNeil, Jimmie Robinson, Jerry Beck, Mike Hoffman, Michael Cohen, Mark Oakley, Jeff Curtis, Andrew Pepoy

#3

  4/1/1997
  $3.95
  $3.50
3 copies available from $3.50 		B&WCarla Speed McNeil, Trina Robbins, Scott Davis, Steve Brooks, Jimmy Gownley, James Lowder, Andrew Pepoy, Michael CohenCarla Speed McNeil, Trina Robbins, Steve Brooks, Jimmy Gownley, Jerry Beck, Andrew Pepoy, Michael Cohen

#4

  6/1/1997
  $4.25
  $4.25
3 copies available from $1.99 		B&WTeri S. Wood, Michael Cohen, Michael O’Connell, Andrew Pepoy, Carla Speed McNeil, Joe Zabel, C. Scott Morse, Bill WillinghamTeri S. Wood, Michael Cohen, Matthew Keating, Andrew Pepoy, Carla Speed McNeil, Joe Zabel, C. Scott Morse, Bill Willingham

#5

  9/1/1997
  $4.25
  $3.75
3 copies available from $3.75 		B&WC. Scott Morse, Michael Cohen, Michael Hoffman, Jenni Gregory, Jeremy McHugh, Andrew Pepoy, Craig A. TailleferC. Scott Morse, Michael Cohen, Michael Hoffman, Jenni Gregory, Jeremy McHugh, Andrew Pepoy, Craig A. Taillefer

#6

  11/1/1997
  $3.95
  $4.75
2 copies available from $4.00 		B&WBill Knapp, Andrew Pepoy, Carla Speed McNeil, Jack Briglio, Donna Barr, David Yurkovich, Michael Cohen, Jimmy GownleyBill Knapp, Andrew Pepoy, Carla Speed McNeil, Alex Szewczuk, Donna Barr, David Yurkovich, Michael Cohen, Jimmy Gownley

#7

  2/1/1998
  $4.25
  $3.00
1 copy available for $3.00 		B&WCraig A. Taillefer, Carla Speed McNeil, Joe Zabel, Malachi, Steve Conley, Roberta Gregory, Andrew Pepoy, Michael Cohen, David TallanCraig A. Taillefer, Carla Speed McNeil, Joe Zabel, Malachi, Steve Conley, Roberta Gregory, Andrew Pepoy, Michael Cohen, Tara Jenkins

#8

  5/1/1998
  $3.95
  $3.25
2 copies available from $3.25 		B&WChris Ryan, Carla Speed McNeil, David Yurkovich, Michael Cohen, C.B. Cebulski, Donna Barr, Jack Briglio, Andrew Pepoy, Roberta Gregory, Steve ConleyBill Knapp, Carla Speed McNeil, David Yurkovich, Michael Cohen, Rob Taylor, Donna Barr, Alex Szewczuk, Andrew Pepoy, Roberta Gregory, Steve Conley