What are your top 5 comics EVER?
Freddie Crocheron is a Columbus-based cartoonist who is best known for his stickers, animations, comics, and fine arts exhibitions. His work pays homage to a blend of underground comics and cartoons from the 80s and 90s while embracing his love for hip hop and black culture. He is currently the head of programming for ROY G BIV gallery in Franklinton. You can find his work on Instagram @freddie.crocheron.
5). MEGAHEX
Simon Hansleman / Fantagraphics Books
Megahex is a collection of webcomic strips that follows four friends, Megg, Mogg, Owl, and Werewolf Jones. Initially, it presents itself as an adult stoner comedy with talking animals and witches. However, Megahex explores many topics like drug abuse, sex, mental health, and unstable friendships. It’s a really funny book and Simon has a talent for writing comedic narratives that usually take a turn. Megahex was recommended to me by a good friend of mine, Khaila Carr, who is a local illustrator, animator, and mural painter.
4). BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS
Frank Miller / DC Comic
The Dark Knight Returns is a four issue miniseries written and illustrated by Frank Miller, partially illustrated by Klaus Janson, and colored by Lynn Varley. The plot follows an older Bruce Wayne, who returns to crime-fighting after retirement to put a stop to a new generation of villains in Gotham. I love this series! This version of Batman is old and vulnerable while somehow he’s twice his original size, making him appear more boorish and stocky. He’s an anti-hero in this series, eventually becoming a target for both the American government and Superman.
3). BERSERK
Kentaro Miura / Hakusensha
Berserk is an action horror fantasy manga that follows Guts, a lone swordsman that is cursed to wander the Earth as a conduit for hyper-violent demonic entities straight from Hell. The world-building, character arcs, and illustrations are remarkably thorough and polished. It feels like it should be shelved on a velvety pillow, laid under a cartoonishly large glass vase, or locked away in a dirty trunk with chains and a skeleton key. It’s a brutal read. Miura has praised Sam Raimi and films like Evil Dead played a large role in Berserk’s creation. It definitely shows. It’s a messed up series. I love it!
2). CANKOR- VAN HALEN VS THE CLASH
Matthew Allison / Self Published
Cankor is another of those bizarre, but comedic books that I own. You can tell that the writer/illustrator, Matthew Allison, is a well-studied comic and horror lover. It spills into his work seamlessly. I bought a copy directly from Matthew at SPX (Small Press Expo) in 2018. I didn’t know a lot about Matthew or his work, but what I did know was that he was an outstanding inker and illustrator. This was my first Cankor comic and I didn’t know what to expect after turning each page. It’s easily one of my favorite books.
1). COWBOY HENK- KING OF DENTAL FLOSS
Herr Seele & Kamagurka / Scissors Books
Cowboy Henk is an ongoing gag comic strip that began in 1981, originally published by HUGO mag in Belgium. Admittedly, I’m not the most avid comic reader, but I do have a small collection and this is my most important book. I randomly found my copy at the Half Price Books on Lane Avenue (now closed). This book changed EVERYTHING about my creative process. It is one of the most bizarre, but at the same time hilarious comic strip collection books I’ve been able to get my hands on. Some of the strips I still don’t really understand what’s going on and I’ve had the book for three years.