The Collected Cranium Crenzy by Steve Willis has been available to the public for one month as of today, and I’m excited to share that the book has its first mention on Goodreads!
Allen Freeman, Slam Bang zine anthology editor (See FANzine Live looks at Issue 1 and Issue 2) and amazing artist in his own right (his art graces the cover of Strange Times #5), had this to say about the first volume:
I used to put out a small press digest size comic book (self published) Slam Bang. An anthology with lots of contributors from all over the world (mostly the USA). I put out 49 issues mostly 1985-1990, the more issues in the early 2000s. Steve Willis used to contribute some great short comic art/stories. Now his own comic from the early 80s and onward, Cranium Frenzy has been collected into multiple volumes. This is #1 reprinting issues 1-6.
Cranium Frenzy is a bit of stream of consciousness from Steve. Characters are in a bit of a dream world somewhat similar to ours. His story’s and panels are wild and crazy but seem to have another layer of psychological meaning. A statement of the 80s but a lot of it still holds true for today. The art is simple but well thought out and very original. Steve definitely has as much talent in art as he does in his stories. That’s rare.
I highly recommend this volume and I’m sure every collected volume coming out soon. I got my copy from Amazon.
And we are introduced to Morty the Dog. A somewhat humanistic talking dog. You’ll just have to read it for yourself.
Thank you, Allen, for the kind words about Steve Willis and the fruits of this project. I can’t wait to share the other three volumes!
If you don’t have it yet, you can get your own copy of Volume One here.
Phoenix Productions 