Spaced #1
Published and © by Jim Pinkoski and Comics & Comix, 1974
Title: “Sitting Pretty”
Synopsis: A meteor strikes a spacecraft, a service module explodes, jealousy leads to murder and lesbian love blooms in secret.
Writer: Jim Pinkoski
Artist: Pinkoski
Review: An honest admission: This reviewer has almost no idea what is happening in this story. Writer-artist Jim Pinkoski’s narrative is so non sequitur it is almost impossible to follow. His art fares better: Classic influences mix with underground stylings and a variety of inking techniques for a unique look.
•••
Title: “Tut Tut!”
Synopsis: A topless woman with a cinnamon-bun hairstyle has sex with a mummy while an alien onlooker participates vicariously.
Writer: Jim Pinkoski
Artist: Pinkoski
Review: Another story that makes no sense, this time pornographic. Again, the art shows potential.
•••
Title: “Warming Day”
Synopsis: Something about a bestial, devolved humanoid. Alien machinery and a transporter chamber. Space explorers. Maybe pollution. Who knows?
Writer: Jim Pinkoski
Artist: Pinkoski
Review: There’s a story here. It might be deep. It might be poignant. What it’s not is understandable.
•••
Title: “Green Lampburn and Green Airhole”
Synopsis: Green Lampburn is called before the Guardners of the Universe to explain why his power ring was destroyed.
Writer: Jim Pinkoski
Artist: Pinkoski
Review: This X-rated spoof of the classic Green Lantern/Green Arrow run is actually understandable, but, unfortunately, has nothing to say.
•••
Title: “Like Hell, Like Heaven”
Synopsis: A person floats in space, waxing philosophical about the journey so far and the future to come.
Writer: Jim Pinkoski
Artist: Pinkoski
Review: Similar in style to Jeffery Catherine Jones’ classic short pieces from this era, but lacking that creator’s poetic grace.
Grade (for the entire issue): C-
Cool factor: The art (including that wild cover).
Not-so-cool factor: The writing (which requires Excedrin).
Notable: Also includes a text excerpt titled “The Story Without an End” with an illustration by Jim Pinkoski.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a “no bats” variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “I am with him – I shall feel what he feels – love him … ” – Cheops, chanting alien
Editor’s note: This review was written July 17, 2024.
