The Comics Interpreter
The Comics Interpreter is a
zine of
comics criticism, published and edited by
Robert Young. It focuses on
alternative comics, and is characterized by interviews and reviews of greater length and detail than most comics-oriented publications, resembling the long-running
Comics Journal in these particulars. Though it has generally low production values, well-known artists have contributed cover art.
Early issues featured interviews with seminal indy comics creators including brothers Assaf &
Tomer Hanuka,
Brian Ralph,
Jordan Crane, Jesse Reklaw,
David Choe, and even a brief chat with
Neil Gaiman. There have also been lengthy reviews of
Frank Miller's
300, the work of
Alex Ross, and the first reviews of works by Kurt Wolfgang, Kevin Huizenga, and
Martin Cendreda.
With issue #6 the magazine went to offset printing for a "Tribute" to
Los Brothers Hernandez complete with interviews of
Jaime Hernandez and brother
Gilbert Hernandez and commentary from sources as wide-ranging as Nick Abadzis, David Choe, Andi Watson, and
Marvel Publisher
Joe Quesada. Also featured is an interview with British scribe
Jamie Delano focusing on his work with
Frank Quitely on 20/20 Visions.
Following that issue TCI re-emerged after a long layover with TCI #1 Volume 2 featuring a cover by underground cartoonist
Hans Rickheit and an interview with iconoclastic artist
Paul Pope. Subsequent issues have demonstrated the magazine's eclectic interests with essays from former Comics Journal stalwart Gene Phillips, reviews of works ranging from
Alan Moore to obscure minicomics by Jamie Tanner and Dave Shelton, and interviews with
George Pratt,
Kozyndan,
James Jean,
David Rees,
Alex Maleev, and
Tak Toyoshima.
*R. Young (publisher/editor)
*Gene Phillips (essayist)
*Chad Parenteau (interviews)
*Hans Rickheit (cover),
*Tomer Hanuka (cover)
*David Choe (cover and articles)
*Nick Abadzis (cover and articles)
*James Jean (cover)
*Kozyndan (cover)
*
THE COMICS INTERPRETER*
Buzzscope reviews The Comics Interpreter*
Comic Queen Review*
Italian website interview with Editor
