Review by Phil Boyce, crossposted with permission from The OiNK Blog
Hot on the heels of Lew Stringer’s Fanzine Funnies, which reprinted the misadventures of The Prisoner’s large white ball, including his attempts to get another acting job after the cult television series ended, comes fellow OiNK cartoonist and Psycho Gran creator David Leach’s Monolith. Based upon the flat matte slab and key mysterious element at the centre of the plot to the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, just like the Monolith itself this is a comic of few words. Or rather, no words for the most part.
While it only appeared in two films (Stanley Kubrick’s original and 2010: The Year We Make Contact) it appears their lack of a long and satisfying Hollywood career wasn’t for the lack of trying. Each of David’s three A5-size comics features 25 full-page movie poster-like illustrations of the Monolith in key leading roles from some of the most successful and memorable films in cinematic history. Naturally I’ll start with my favourite movie of all time.
While I half expected the Monolith to be in place of the shark, with perhaps a corner poking out of the water, the point here is that they’ve auditioned for lead human roles in all of these films, in this case the character of Quint from Jaws, who was just perfectly played by Robert Shaw. Another Steven Spielberg movie favourite of mine is also a highlight from this first issue, as is a certain slice of 1980s cinema magic starring the hugely-missed Prince.
As you can see, there are no captions or movie titles on any of these and part of the fun is the surprise when you see an image and realise it’s one of your favourite films. There were a couple here and there throughout the three issues that took me a few seconds to work out which film they were simply because I wasn’t that familiar with the original promotional image, but needless to say you should know them all, or at least the vast majority.
Issue Two starts off strong with a Free Willy piece, the best page in the whole issue for me. I just found it so funny to see this great lumbering rectangle replace the natural, elegant imagery of an orca. (That’ll be one hell of a belly flop.) So maybe he could’ve been Jaws’ shark after all. The Monolith’s impression of a Dalek somehow captures the cheap and thrown-together feel of those 60s serials, and for me David’s take on The Exorcist poster is infinitely better than the movie was.
At the rear of each issue are the answers to which movies have been pastiched and the Monolith explains why he didn’t get each and every part. For a movie prop they’ve certainly been subjected to an awful lot of allergies in their professional career. Thankfully that didn’t stop them from enjoying a full and fulfilling life if #3 is anything to go by. After a handful of new movie posters the rest of the final issue is made up of photos from the Monolith’s personal photo albums, beginning with that fateful audition day.
As well as having the obligatory James Bond movie poster, this issue has images of all the key moments from an average person’s life. Such events as their first bike, first school play, Hallowe’ens and Christmases and even graduation are all given a new, and very funny, makeover thanks to David’s imagination.
This is just a small selection of the 75 illustrations David has completed for Monolith. Everything from Alien to Singing in the Rain, from Citizen Kane to Dirty Dancing is included. But you don’t have to take my word for how enjoyable this mini-series is, also included is a page of praise from some of those given an early look at the comics including a couple of notable OiNK alumni, namely its co-creator, the late Tony Husband, and cartoonist Davey Jones.
Comedian Rob Deering gets the best quote, though: “Thanks – I’ll have a look and get back to you.”
This irreverence kind of sums up David’s work better than anything. If you were a fan of his OiNK contributions, then I can’t recommend these highly enough.
At £5 per issue you can get yours from Dead Universe Comics and if you don’t live in Aylesbury, you can order for delivery. While their website seems to have been “under construction” for what seems like a lifetime, it does have their telephone number and email address.
Alternatively, make a note of David’s upcoming appearances at conventions and grab copies from him direct.
Go on, treat yourself, or since the festive season is just around the corner throw a Christmas hint at a loved one!
Philip Boyce
Philip Boyce is the publisher of the indispensable OiNK Blog, which has not only become an invaluable guide to the much-missed humour comic but also offers features on its creators other work but articles on other comics such as Death’s Head, Havoc, Ring Raiders, Super Naturals, and more
• Follow David Leach on X @davidleach2000
• Buy books by David Leach from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
David Leach’s career as a cartoonist, writer and editor spans over 30-years and started in 1987 when he joined the animation studio of legendary British animator Bob Godfrey as his ghost artist, where he worked on Henry’s Cat. A year later he left to pursue a career as a freelance cartoonist and became the country’s first government sponsored cartoonist under the Tories Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
In his time, he has worked for IPC, Marvel UK, Marvel US, BBC Worldwide, Panini, Egmont, Tundra, Fleetway and Titan Comics. His work has appeared in The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and Private Eye as well as Whizzer & Chips, Gas, Brain Damage, UT, Moose Kids, Casper, and 1980’s cult comics, Toxic! and OiNK.
As a writer he has written both the The Amazing Spider-Man and Ren & Stimpy newspaper strips for the Young Telegraph and Funday Times supplements. His writing credits also include Casper the Friendly Ghost, Rugrats, Action Man and Adventure Time. His film blog, Seeing Films So you Don’t have To, has been visited over 35,000 times and reviews every film he’s seen since 2013.
He created Psycho Gran for OiNK and “The Dinner Ladies From Hell” and “The Driver”, (which he co-created) for cult British comic, Toxic! He also co-wrote and drew The Toxic Crusaders for Marvel US.
He currently works for Titan Comics as their Senior Creative Editor, editing the likes of Blade Runner 2019, Blade Runner 2029, Blade Runner Origins, Rivers of London, The Phantom of the Opera and The Man Who Fell to Earth. He has also edited Hammer’s The Mummy, Captain Kronos, SuperMansion, Dan Dare, Lenore, The Prisoner, Fighting American, and Adventure Time.
David was also the editor and writer of The Sun‘s daily “Wallace and Gromit” newspaper strip. He also edits Titan’s vintage comic collections which include Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician, Betty Boop, Roy of the Rovers and The Misadventures of Jane.
Psycho Gran currently appears in David Lloyd’s Aces Weekly digital comic and her own digital comic, published by Titan Digital. Both titles are currently available from Comixology and Amazon.
Dead Universe Comics has so far also published the three issues of David’s autobiographical comic David Leach Conquers the Universe, as well three issues of Psycho Gran Vs…, and two issues of Psycho Gran Comic Capers Cavalcade.
• Follow David Leach on X @davidleach2000
• Buy books by David Leach from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
One of many guest posts for downthetubes.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, downthetubes News, Features, Film, Other Worlds, Reviews