Continuing my tradition of crushing on creative and talented people, today's post relates to comic artist David Boswell and one of comics' most indelible characters: Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman. Not sure how this completely original comic series got on my radar - I think my husband showed it to me in great excitement many, many years ago - but it is a trip and a half. If you are at all a fan of Reid Fleming - and if you're not, you need to fix that RIGHT NOW! - have a look at the official Reid Fleming website, which offers all kinds of great merch. Just saw on his website that these sweet comics can be downloaded for only 99 cents per 32-page comic. Definitely worth the investment. The paper versions are nice to have, too.
The Amazon reader reviews of issue #1 give you an inkling of how wonderful and strange Boswell's work is. What makes Reid Fleming's character so funny is not only his absolutely towering anger, but that it seems to come from nowhere. He springs like Venus from the shell, a full-blown white ball of hate, driving his truck so violently that it's several feet off the ground. Completely unapologetic and hilarious.
Among other gems Boswell published include Heartbreak Comics, introducing Laszlo the Great Slavic Lover; Reid's website shares some great reviews of the work when it was first published. Check it out - you'll be back for more! David Boswell also maintains his own site showing how his creative output has branched out: in addition to comics, he has done quite a bit of illustration and compelling photography.
Finally: I sent a mash note to Reid Fleming c/o David Boswell three years ago - "an out-of-season Valentine to Reid Fleming," I believe it was called - and Mr. Boswell was good enough to pass it on to him. I asked Reid whether he had mellowed at all over the years, and he replied that he could hardly spell "mellowed," and not to worry. Still as unapologetically aggressive as ever. Love it.
1 comment:
Another fan of alternative comics, I see. I have all of the original Tick comics by Ben Edlund, that I just happened across when I worked at Pratt & Whitney in Florida. They sent me to Hartford CT to do some engine testing and, in the off hours, I lifted weights and went to the comic book store. I'll have to stop by the site.
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