Fleen: The Awkward Christmas Dinner Of Our Obligation To Existence

In recent weeks it’s been tougher for me to post on Thursdays; partially it’s the job, but mostly it’s rollerderby. I’m learning how to ref, which mostly means I’m trying to learn how to skate. It’s a strange process but I’m enjoying it, even though there are parts which still remain sort of a mystery to me. (Skating backward? Okay, getting better at that. Jumping up & down on my skates? Not so much.)

Oddly, it’s similar to how I feel about L. Nichols’ Jumbly Junkery. When I was at MoCCA, I picked up the two most recent issues. What drew me in, of course, are the cool covers; one’s silkscreened (#4) and the other looks spray-painted (#3). But as I read, I was pulled into stories that have to do with complex ideas about gender and identity, and existing in a world where you don’t quite fit but at the same time don’t really want to. Usually they’re autobiography work (or have an autobio feel to them), aside from one story in #3 (an issue that includes some interesting color work; generally these collections are in black and white). I’m glad I read them in sequence; it seems like the newest issue is evocative of so many larger issues–growing apart from people, gender bias, and so on–that the issue before it doesn’t spell out quite as directly. They’re there, of course, but somehow the newer issue felt more cohesive.

I wish there was more work online. There’s a fabulous gallery on Nichols’ Flickr set, which is where you have to go to see any of the online comics. It’s worth the work; the set includes the coolest cover letter ever (that’s the first of three pages) as well as some evocative illustration work (plus we get to see more color work, which is usually cost-prohibitive in print). It’s an interesting issue; I’d never have looked at the website if I hadn’t seen the print comics, and now that I’ve seen both I’m almost wishing for more online work. I don’t know if webcomics is something Nichols wants to get into, but I think it’d be worth reading. I like these print versions very much, and now that I’ve read some of Nichols’ pieces online (can’t get over the cover letter!) I’d love to see more.

Anyway, it’s a long way of saying they’re worth a look. And if you’re anywhere near what seems to be the webcomics hub of Western MA in mid-July, consider coming by for some derby.

I’m got $20 for a video of Tyrell reffing roller derby.

OK… Just read the byline. I take it back. But if anybody *does* have footage of Gary reffing roller derby… IM… ‘k?

Well, at least I’m pretty consistent about putting things up on flickr :) And I should have a new mini comic out end of August (in time for SPX). I don’t put quite everything up on flickr, but I do put a lot up. It’s probably the closest thing to a mini comic you’d get out of me.

[…] Jumble, Junk, Jump Usually theyâ€™re autobiography work (or have an autobio feel to them), aside from one story in #3 (an issue that includes some interesting color work; generally these collections are in black and white). Iâ€™m glad I read them in sequence; … […]

[…] recorded first by StallionGirl on 2008-12-28→ Jumble, Junk, Jump […]

[…] six months back, my erstwhile colleague Anne Thalheimer pointed you towards some minicomics by L Nichols. Please note that Nichols is back with Dirt Between My Toes, a webcomic with equal parts (visually […]

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Jumble, Junk, Jump

Contact Us

Archives

Search

A Good Start