Bulletproof #1 [1995] (Random Comics Theatre)

Random Comics Theatre

Bulletproof #1 [1995]

This is an extra-long one-shot comic from 1995, the first self-published by Joe Zabel and Gary Dumm as Known Associates Press.  The two were then best known as long-time collaborators with Harvey Pekar on his AMERICAN SPLENDOR series, but had also done a few earlier collaborations with Zabel writing and pencilling and Dumm inking, like MODERN PULP #1 [1991] and DANCING WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED [1992].

The 63-page story is an interesting low stakes crime story, featuring a hospital security guard who, after having a gun waved in his face, somehow decides that it would be a good idea to stage an on-the-job shooting in order to convince the bosses that the guards should be armed.  This is apparently based on a real newspaper report that Zabel read, although he made up the characters and motivations.  This plays out a lot like a 1970s episode of COLUMBO, with the background to the "crime" playing out in front of the audience, and then the rest of the story looking at the mistakes and unintended consequences that lead to everything being revealed.

Really interesting an well-told story, with a lot of unexpected twists on the way to the end.  Does a lot to justify how the character who's clearly doing something monumentally stupid was able to convince himself and his accomplice that it wasn't stupid, and looking at the reactions of the people around them as events play out.

This issue also includes a promo for the next book from the duo, WOLF RUN, which introduces the mystery-solving duo characters  Raymond Fish and Delphina Morgan who would end up starring in several more one-shots and then a series, THE TRESPASSERS.

Rats #1 [1992] (Random Comics Theatre)

Random Comics Theatre

Rats #1 [1992]

This is a one-shot comic by Scott Saavedra, best known for the IT'S SCIENCE WITH DR. RADIUM series, also published by Slave Labor.  He also, coincidentally I'm sure, had a run writing CHIP 'N' DALE RESCUE RANGERS for Disney shortly before this.

The main story in this issue features a coming together of the main characters, two regular rats named Fred and Chowder, another rat named Reba who thinks she's a dog, and her brother, a cat named George (not sure if she thinks he's a dog as well).  They get involved in the machinations of a rat named Baron Molehang, who has vaguely evil plans that they foil.

Following the main story there's a two page gag with Fred and Chowder.

This is an entertaining comic.  I always like Saavedra's artwork, and in this one he really leans into the influence of Milt Gross, which is something we probably don't see enough in modern humour comics.