Not just a couple things, but a couple posts:

*First things first - I really ought to get to

LAST WEEK'S REVIEWS (AND THEN SOME)

since I forgot them once again:

Jimbo #1-2 (not Gary Panter's most instantaneously appealing work, yet accessible and fun comics nonetheless)

Seven Soldiers - Guardian #1 (of 4)

Garth Ennis’ 303 #4 (of 6)

Ed the Happy Clown #1 (of 9) (just as good in 2005 as it was in 1984, just don't touch the pages too firmly, the delicate dears)

Mercy (generally unsuccessful J.M. DeMatteis/Paul Johnson Vertigo one-shot from 1993 that still managed to be valuable reading for me through what it evoked and reflected)

Well, that takes care of the backlog...

*I'll be updating again later today (around 7:00 or 8:00 PM eastern) with some reviewing, but in the meantime I really have to commend to you the recent issue of "Indy Magazine", which can be found in its entirety right here. In particular, there's a great two-part history of "Raw". The first part is simply co-founder Francoise Mouly relating her experiences in moving to the US, getting into the comics scene, and establishing the 'Raw' brand. The second part presents a valuable chronological survey of every issue of the hallowed publication, plus every spin-off, listings of all contributers, more history from Mouly and Art Spiegelman, and comments from several choice personalities like Kim Deitch, Chris Ware, Gary Panter, Charles Burns, and many more. And absolutely do not miss Phoebe Gloeckner's new fumetti, covering her trip to Angouleme as only she can. And hey! "Neil the Horse"! Heaps of good reads.