COMIC BOOK REVIEW: AMAZING AND FANTASTIC TALES #5 / AUTHOR: JIM ALEXANDER / ARTIST: GLENN B. FLEMING, JON HAWARD / PUBLISHER: PLANET JIMBOT / RELEASE DATE: MAY
Indie imprint Planet Jimbot, founded by the two Jims of its namesake (Alexander and Campbell) prove there’s still plenty of exciting rumblings in the indie comics’ scene. Amazing and Fantastic Tales, like the portmanteau comics of yesteryear, combines recurring episodic stories of sequential art and short stories, including one-offs and narratives that build over each issue.
As with the four issues before it, the fifth and final kicks off with Kroom, a metaphysical love story. The story is brought to a satisfying and surprising conclusion. The art from Glenn B. Fleming does have an awkward rigid quality, but the writing keeps the reader engaged.
It goes on to conclude Jim Alexander’s western adventure story The Last Posse with a sly and pleasing end. But the highlight of the last issue is the story Facts of Life, penned by Jim Alexander with bold art from Jon Haward. It’s a charming coming of age tale and family saga wrapped up in a few pages that’s as disciplined as it is engaging.
It’s strikingly odd, set well apart from any contemporaries, and a pleasing pay-off since the release of the first issue in 2013. It’s a celebration of indie talent and a great platform for Jim Alexander to collaborate with different artists. It’s fascinating to see his distinct writing paired off with so many different styles. If Amazing and Fantastic Tales is any indication, then Planet Jimbot still has plenty up their sleeves.
