In 1920, The Kinema Comic [book] was published  each Wednesday in London, and featured a silent movie comedian like Fatty Arbuckle, Snub Pollard or Mabel Normand.

      Mabel who?

      Mabel was the then "queen of comedy" and the 'female [Charlie] Chaplin". She also modeled for artist James Montgomery Flagg and became one of artist Charles Dana Gibson's "Gibson Girls."

      If you are scratching your head and have little or no interest in history, this review may regrettably hold no interest for you. It is your loss.

      First published in 1921, Mabel Normand has been republished with a new cover by artist Kim Deitch. Inside are single-page slapstick adventures that will remind today's readers of a Sunday comic strip with some differences.

      Comic strips were relatively new in the 1920s, and still experimenting with the techniques that we take for granted today. Mabel's strip seems clumsy because a caption on the bottom of each panel explains what you've just read in the art and dialog above it. It takes a moment or two to train yourself to read the caption first.

      In addition, the dominant slapstick style of humor of Mabel's day is out of favor now. Even her self-respect, innocence, optimism, and gentleness seem out-dated in today's sex-drenched, hedonistic culture of gross disrespect for, well, everything.

      Mabel Normand is also different because of its art. If you like artist Harry Peter's work on the first run of the Wonder Woman comic book, you'll enjoy the similar work of this unaccredited, 'big-foot' artist. His style is simple and uncluttered, visually imaginative, energetic and full of the fashions, appliances, buildings and culture of the 1920s. Hurrah!!

      But if you are uninterested in excellent art, the early history and style of silent movies and comic strips, and a style that embraces human dignity, you'll want to pass on this delightful bite of comics history. MV

      Mabel Normand/$4.95 & 30 pgs. from Fantagraphics/writer and artist unknown/available at comics shops and www.fantagraphics.com.

     Review by Michael Vance - For info on his work, send a query to MiklVance@Yahoo.com.

      As of issue 20, Marvel began a new storyline in Wolverine, entitled "Enemy of The State." It was one that I had been looking forward to, which, in itself, is unusual.

      In general, I'm not a fan of current X-Men, or related, work. Haven't been for about eight years, or so. I only mention this so that readers can consider my review of Wolverine an unbiased one; at least in the sense that it's not any kind of "all things X-Men are good" rhetoric.

      The art team of penciller John Romita, Jr. and inker Klaus Janson is one of the reasons I had been anticipating the book, and it doesn't disappoint. Wolverine (or Logan) looks as I believe such a character is supposed to; dark, menacing and more than a little dangerous. The tone of the book is the same, with an extra "creepy" factor thrown in with the introduction of new villain "The Gorgon."

      Writer Mark Millar is one of the most popular scribes in the industry today. Whether or not that distinction is deserved is not up for discussion in this article, but his initial work on Wolverine certainly bears out his talent.

      He does a great job knitting together a story that pulls the reader in with Logan's ransom meet for a kidnapped child. He compounds the drama with an entertaining (if somewhat forced) battle with a horde of undead ninjas. Then, with the sudden, near-fatal appearance by the afore-mentioned Gorgon, and a quick jump forward a few days, we find Wolverine lying in a hospital bed, stabbed and badly burned. Intriguing mysteries are established by issue's end. Who is The Gorgon? Who injured Wolverine so badly, and then, seemingly, brainwashed him?

      In short, part one makes me want to read part two. Isn't that really the definition of good fiction?

      Wolverine is recommended for all but the youngest readers. Find it at comic shops, conventions or online auctions. Wolverine 20, published by Marvel Comics, 36 pages,$2.25.

      Review by Mark Allen

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Write: 1427 S. Delaware Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74104. Or email Michael Vance.