Madius Comics – Papercuts And Inkstains
Welcome back folks. Thanks for joining me for more ramblings A.K.A. Clare’s Comics Catalogue. This time around I’m looking at the lovely chaps from Madius Comics (@madiuscomics) and their latest instalment of the frankly potty Papercuts And Inkstains. Did I say lovely? I clearly meant demented… This new anthology spills forth from the minds of Mike Sambrook (@Rapiaghi) and Rob Jones (@RobJonesWrites), with art by Bob Turner (@castlerockcomic), Paul Moore (@PMoore121) and Mike Smith (@deadcertmike).
All image credits to Madius Comics
Papercuts And Inkstains Issue 5 features 3 stories; Immersive Gaming Experience, Vampire Wonderland 2, and on-going saga Profits of Doom. If you can get through the entire issue without once snorting with laughter then there’s clearly something wrong with you because there’s humour round every corner from these guys.
Immersive Gaming Experience is a rather adorable satirical poke at gaming and social media, with the naughtily named protagonist (I’m not spoiling that one for you, get the comic and find out for yourself) rushing out to get the latest “immersive gaming experience”. I loved the set up. Anyone who has ever played a game is probably familiar with the tedium of establishing your character and there’s a definite giggle to be had at his expense as he’s scanned and probed to create his ‘avatar’. He is more than a little put out to finally discover that what happens in the game, happens in real life. I think the motto for this one is a “be careful what you wish for”, but it’s an enjoyable ride to get there in fabulous 8-bit style from Bob Turner.
Picking up from P&I #4 we have Vampire Wonderland 2. I instantly fell in love with heroine Sabi in the previous instalment, her humour hit the exact right note for me and I was really happy to see her pop up again in this issue. From the opening panel of this one I was hooked again, something about being able to bitch about her eyebrows while running for her life from vampires make Sabi completely fascinating. Things take a little bit of a dark turn in this issue, but suffice to say I don’t think this is the last we will see of Sabi and her unusual blood type.
Finally for this issue we pay a return visit to the bumbling morons of BOOBDAE, otherwise known as the Profits of Doom. The saga that began back in P&I#1 follows 5 blokes whose bumbling attempts to summon a Lovecraftian beast with altogether too many tentacles have been worryingly successful and Bulgeroth is now wreaking havoc upon the earth. It’s up to these inept idiots to try and fix things but as of the previous issue they now have help. Reading part 4 I confess I had a little moment when they entered the bookstore and met Terry.
Having been a Pratchett fan since I was a child I was delighted by the appearance, not to mention the fact he seemed to pull the book they need from L-Space. If that means nothing to you then get out of here right now, go to your nearest library/bookshop, get the Discworld series (yes, all of it) and come back when you’re finished. Not sure how much we still have to come from Profits of Doom, as they seem to be heading towards a rather gooey end. Roll on Issue 6 I say!
All 5 issues of Papercuts and Inkstains are available, along with the rest of Madius Comics’ back catalogue, here. Issue 6 is due later this year so keep your eyes peeled for that. I will be reviewing another Madius title, Tragic Tales of Horrere, in due course so check back soon!
Also, if you happen to be attending either Nottingham Comic Con or Thought Bubble Festival later this year then do be sure to go and harass the Madius lads and maybe buy a comic or two.
Catch you next time on Clare’s Comics Catalogue!
