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*****

Issue One Hundred and Three

START: FRACTAL PAINTING
Dan Traeger, our new Toolbox Editor, on what he wants from the comic nation.

ESSAY: GREAT APE GENESIS
Patrick Neighly on self-publishing of GREAT APE and the search for an artist.

RETAIL: THE HONEYMOON IS OVER
Al Stuart has six issues he wants to talk to you about. Here's his schedule.

ESSENTIAL: PARADISE KISS
Shannon Weary on the high-fashion thrills of Ai Yazawa's TokyoPop manga.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Crowded screen, this week -- there's a lot of birds up there.

*****

Issue One Hundred and Two

START: THE WHEEL GOES ROUND
Tsunami proves that everything old is new again. Dave Potter tells you what it means.

ESSAY: WHY EVERYONE HATES UGLY PEOPLE
Bryan Miller on the positive effects of a little class and polish in comics.

DOING THE WORK: EMPTY CITY
Harris O'Malley and post-con inertia, or the lack thereof, in the wake of APE.

ESSENTIAL: RAVEN'S CHILDREN: SHADOW OF THE SNOW FOX
Dan Traeger on this grand collection of Layla Lawlor's fantasy minicomic.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Three on the radar and one lonely little book in a holding pattern -- but we like it.

*****

Issue One Hundred and One

START: CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND
Dan Carroll on the secret shame of a recovering collector.

ESSAY: BRINGING ANARCHY TO THE MASSES
Patrick Neighly talks about how he came to write the Disinfo INVISIBLES companion book.

FOCUS: ASTRO BOY: "ONCE UPON A TIME"
Jeff Chon kicks off our new irregular series of columns looking at comic storylines.

ESSENTIAL: BADLANDS
Wil Moss on the human horror in Steven Grant and Vince Giarrano's brilliant book.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Three birds on our radar this week. Getting pretty crowded up there.

BONUS! Check out the TOOLBOX for a flyer you or your shop can use in conjunction with the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Garner DAREDEVIL flick, in theaters now.

*****

Issue One Hundred

START: SHEEP'S CLOTHING
Al Stuart vows never again to miss out on the good things licensed comics have to offer.

ESSAY: PROCLAMATION FOR MARCH 3RD
Kyle Rivest proclaims the need for public comic-reading.

DOING THE WORK: HOW TO NOT SELL OUT IN TWO DAYS OR LESS
Harris O'Malley ticks off lessons learned at his first-ever Alternative Press Expo.

ESSENTIAL: SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Dave Potter on the iconic nature of Loeb and Sale's take on the Man of Steel.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Checking our scopes: three books on our radar and one in a holding pattern. Busy week.

*****

Issue Ninety-nine

START: ALL IN COLOR FOR A DIME - OR AS GOOD AS
Dave Potter on the merits of the inexpensive SUPERMAN and DAREDEVIL intro comics.

ESSAY: THE MOST IRONIC LUNCHBOX IN THE WORLD
John Hanley on the curious case of Chris Ware's ACME NOVELTY artifact.

RETAIL: ON THE DOTTED LINE
Al Stuart lays out the makings of a good comics store signing event.

ESSENTIAL: INVISIBLES VOL. 1: SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION
Rachel Swift gets in on the ground floor of Grant Morrison's comic headtrip.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Two books on our radar this week. Read.

*****

Issue Ninety-eight

START: EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE WEATHER
Dan Carroll has a message from the Complaint Dept.: Do something about it.

ESSAY: CITIZEN KAVALIER
Mike Medina sees the elements of cinematic expressionism in today's comics.

DOING THE WORK: THROW ME THE IDOL, I THROW YOU THE WHIP!
Harris flees to Angkor Wat and lives out some juvenile fantasies.

ESSENTIAL: SPARKS: AN URBAN FAIRYTALE
Wil Moss expounds on the magnificence of Lawrence Marvit's sleeper hit.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
A couple of books we're still registering on our screens. Check 'em out.

*****

Issue Ninety-seven

START: CHANGING CHANNELS
Alasdair Stuart thinks comics can learn something about schedules from television.

ESSAY: NOT YOUR DAD'S COMIC ANYMORE
Lionel Beck wants to dig into some fresh ideas.

ESSENTIAL: WHERE'S IT AT SUGAR KAT?
Dan Traeger shares fond memories of Saturday morning cartoons with this collection of the SLG miniseries.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Books on our radar, books in a holding pattern, and books that fell off the screen. All here.

*****

Issue Ninety-six

START: 2002-SOME FINAL FUN WITH NUMBERS
Dave Potter charts some of the year's biggest sellers.

ESSAY: IDIOTS AND SAVANTS
Dan Traeger sounds the call to action once more.

DOING THE WORK: FLYING WITHOUT A NET
Harris O'Malley dives back in and churns out some pages. Here's how.

ESSENTIAL: THE MYSTERY PLAY
Josh Buchin on this quiet little gem from Grant Morrison and Jon J Muth.

RADAR: reviews by the SAVANT staff
Al Stuart kicks off the new year with a quick rundown of what's on his radar.

*****

Issue Ninety-five

START: FLASHBANG
Al Stuart on the interesting possibilities of the mobile phone.

ESSAY: ACTION
Jason Tocci takes us back to our roots and sounds the call for activism.

ESSENTIAL: PREACHER-GONE TO TEXAS
Bryan Miller shares the love with Garth Ennis's modern myth of America.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
If you stare at the screen for thirty seconds and unfocus your eyes, you can see reviews.

*****

Issue Ninety-four

START: NOT ALL THERE IS
Dave Potter talks about dissatisfaction and what you can do about it.

ESSAY: THINKING SMALL
Lawrence Rider on the wonder and the beauty that is the mini-comic.

ESSENTIAL: JUNGLE BOOK and GOODMAN REAVER
Rob Clough dives deep into the odd world of Harvey Kurtzman.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Two comics enter, one comic leaves. Well, not really. There's more than two.

*****

Issue Ninety-three

START: ONLY WHEN I TRAVEL
Al Stuart is some kind of travelling man, and discovers a great spot for comics outreach.

ESSAY: KILLING MARVEL COMICS
Dan Traeger thinks it's time to pull the plug on the comics giant.

DOING THE WORK: SAILING AWAY
A heartbreakingly fond farewell.

ESSENTIAL: GET YOUR WAR ON
Dave Potter gets in touch with some mixed emotions in Dave Rees's little book that could.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
A little bit o' this, a little bit o' that.

*****

Issue Ninety-two

START: THE LAST LIVING AMERICAN TO READ HARRY POTTER
It's Dave Potter. And he likes what he likes. You should too.

ESSAY: POPSTARS: THE COMIC BOOK
Lawrence Rider thinks comics could use a shot in the arm like Popstars and American Idol.

RETAIL: CENTRE STAGE
The Amazing Alasdair Stuart puts on a show for librarians.

ESSENTIAL: BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS
Jeff Chon hangs his head at the wonder of Kim Deitch's animated fable.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Comics in, reviews out, comics in, reviews out. Amazing how that works.

*****

Issue Ninety-one

START: ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER DOOR SLAMS
Al Stuart on priorities in the comics industry, or the lack thereof.

ESSAY: LOUDER THAN LOVE (THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE)
Mike Medina on the sounds of silence in comics.

DOING THE WORK: INSERT CLEVER TITLE HERE
Harris O'Malley on putting the writer into the work.

ESSENTIAL: EPILEPTIC VOLUME 1
Rob Clough talks about this autobio book from French artist David B.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
We read some comics and evaluate them on a scale of one to awesome.

EXTRA: BALTIMORE CONVENTION REPORT
Johanna Draper Carlson takes us on a whirlwind tour of the East Coast convention.

*****

Issue Ninety

START: WINDS OF CHANGE
Dave Potter on new markets, street dates, and the committment of preordering.

ESSAY: "NO" TO MARVEL'S TWO-BIT COMICS
Comickaze's Robert Scott on why Marvel's 25 cent comics aren't as good an idea as you thought.

ESSENTIAL: CHAMPS
Dan Carroll on Steven Weissman's quietly disturbing tale of growing up in suburbia.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Books purchased, read, and digested are discussed herein. Bring a notebook and a pen.

EXTRA: "YOU WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO HAVE..."
Wendi Strang-Frost takes us on a tour of the 2002 Detroit Motor City Comic Con.

*****

Issue Eighty-nine

START: UNFASHIONABLE MALE
New editor Al Stuart formally introduces himself and has a little fun.

ESSAY: MY GRAB BAG OF ANTHOLOGIES
Rob Clough takes a magical mystery tour of anthology comics.

DOING THE WORK: WIREDOFCOURSEIMNOTWIREDWHYD'YOUASK?
Harris O'Malley gets all hopped up on caffeine, cookies, comics and lack of REM sleep.

ESSENTIAL: THE CROW
Dan Traeger reflects on James O'Barr's stark tale of pain and loss.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
We compose dirty limericks about men from Nantucket and the books we read this week.

*****

Issue Eighty-eight

START: CONSIDER ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
Dave Potter sees the world, and comics, from a whole new angle.

ESSAY: BEING ROY NEARY
Al Stuart has had it with habit consumers.

RETAIL: THE TRAIN NOW ARRIVING
Al Stuart, full of piss and vinegar this week, has also had it with late shippers and lack of information.

ESSENTIAL: PISTOLWHIP
Josh Buchin takes a gander at this new classic from Matt Kindt and Jason Hall.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
We pass notes around in class about the books we read this week.

*****

Issue Eighty-seven

START: SHAKING HANDS IS FOR SUCKERS
Gus Dahlberg on the trial that caught the comics industry's attention.

ESSAY: THE JAPANESE INVASION
Mike Medina sees the elements of manga in American comics.

DOING THE WORK: IA, MULE! IA, IA!
Harris O'Malley conquers a fear of bloodsucking insects with work.

ESSENTIAL: THE COLLECTED HUTCH OWEN
Jeff Chon keeps it real with Tom Hart's angry satire.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Comics and other things are admired and spoken of fondly.

*****

Issue Eighty-six

START: EQUINOX
Dave Potter balances precariously on the edge of the fall promotional season.

ESSAY: I NEED A RELEASE
Justin Giampaoli gets down and boogies at a comic release party.

ESSENTIAL: MAI THE PSYCHIC GIRL
Harris O'Malley gets all nostalgic for this classic manga.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Reviews of U-DECIDE books more entertaining than books themselves? U-DECIDE.

EXTRA: THE BIG ASS COMPLETE SPX 2002 REPORT
Rob Clough wraps up his extensive coverage of this year's SPX. That title is not misleading.

*****

Issue Eighty-five

START: GULLYWASHER
Gus Dahlberg with some cautionary words about storms and preparation.

ESSAY: THE STUFF I LEARNED FROM WILL SMITH'S MOM
Jeff Chon reminds us that it's not always about what other people think.

DOING THE WORK: HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW?
A depressed Harris O'Malley takes out some frustrations on a telephone solicitor.

ESSENTIAL: THE ESSENTIAL HOWARD THE DUCK
Sean Frost throws some love at this seminal satire from Steve Gerber.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Read comics, write thoughts down for same, repeat as necessary.

*****

Issue Eighty-four

START: BREAKING POINT
Dave Potter talks about baseball negotiations and sending messages.

ESSAY: COMICS MAGAZINES: MORE RETARDED THAN INSANE, REALLY
John Pierce checks out some print mags devoted to comics and loses his mind.

RETAIL: SHOEBOX OF LIFE
Al Stuart's RETAIL series is now a semiregular feature. First up: floor space and store layout.

ESSENTIAL: I DIE AT MIDNIGHT
Josh Buchin checks out Kyle Baker's one-shot from the V2K event.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Wherein we ponder the value of various recently acquired collections of sequential art.

*****

Issue Eighty-three

START: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Gus Dahlberg drops a time capsule letter in the mail.

ESSAY: TWELVE ARTISTS TO SEE AT SPX 2002
Rob Clough gives us a rundown on twelve bright stars at the upcoming SPX show.

DOING THE WORK: DAMN THE GIANT MOSQUITO-GODS
Harris O'Malley returns with a tale of football hooliganism and Disney movies. Honest.

ESSENTIAL: WHITE DEATH
Al Stuart pays homage to a bleak book about an even bleaker war.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
You read comics. We read comics. We compare notes with you.

*****

Issue Eighty-two

START: FILLED TO THE BRIM
Matt Terl's brain is full, with no room left for comics.

ESSAY: A CUP OF MOCCA
Rob Clough takes us on a tour of the first MOCCA festival.

ESSENTIAL: THE METABARONS
Dan Traeger gets with the program and has the top of his head blown off by European scifi.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Heavy discussion of the political climate in fifteenth century Prague, and the lasting economic effects on the region. And also, we review some comics.

EXTRA: ESSENTIAL ESSENTIALS
A list of all SAVANT's ESSENTIAL columns to date. It's like the AFI lists, y'know?

*****

Issue Eighty-one

START: BIZARRO WORLD STATISTICS
Dave Potter uncovers the truth about the best-selling comics at SDCC.

ESSAY: EAT MY ASSHOLE, RON ZIMMERMAN
Bryan Miller wishes that publishers would just quit sucking up to celebrities, already.

DOING THE WORK: MAKE THE COMPUTER STOP STARING AT ME...
Harris O'Malley gets carpal tunnel and eye strain as he reflects on finished work and solicitation.

ESSENTIAL: A SMITHSONIAN BOOK OF COMIC-BOOK COMICS
Zack Smith reveals the wonderful wonderfulness that is this survey of comics history.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
In which we read some comics, but don't talk about them. I'm kidding.

*****

Issue Eighty

START: THERE ARE OLD COMICS AND THERE ARE BOLD COMICS
Gus Dahlberg on the burden of popularity -- or the lack thereof.

ESSAY: A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO STUDYING COMICS
Jason Tocci tells us how comics can be used in the college classroom.

ESSENTIAL: ROAD TO PERDITION
Jeff Chon throws some serious love at the book that spawned the Tom Hanks flick.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
We flagged these books down so you could take a look under the hood.

EXTRA: RETAIL: THE SINGLE SYNAPSE THEORY
Al Stuart on why stocking comics is kinda like being a goldfish.

DOUBLE EXTRA: HOW YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
Josh Buchin preaches the SAVANT word, one person at a time.

*****

Issue Seventy-nine

START: A FRIENDLY LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD
Dave Potter does a little patrolling and thinks about community building.

ESSAY: SUPERORDINARY!
Liz Miller peeks in the windows of "normal" comics.

DOING THE WORK: RENDERING AND RAIDS
Harris O'Malley does some guerrilla networking at SIGGRAPH.

ESSENTIAL: LITTLE WHITE MOUSE
Dan Traeger lets Paul Sizer sell him on his science fiction triumph.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Ooo, crikey! Reviews!

*****

Issue Seventy-eight

START: WHAT'S IT WORTH TO YOU?
Gus Dahlberg asks if you know what you own.

ESSAY: INTO THE BREACH
Zack Smith forges ahead with plans for San Diego.

ESSENTIAL: MAIL ORDER BRIDE
Chris Juricich on Mark Kalesniko's disturbing tale of relationships and culture clash.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Being a look at books which were released into the wild for your reading pleasure.

EXTRA: UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Jeff Chon does a double take on Vertigo's 100 BULLETS.

*****

Issue Seventy-seven

START: WHY I LOVE AND RESPECT GOOD RETAILERS
Dave Potter tries to find an underordered DVD and sings the praises of good retailers.

ESSAY: COMICS PRICE INCREASES? FEH!
Chris Juricich speculates on whether the profit motive has kept the comics industry afloat.

DOING THE WORK: ANARCHY IN S.A.
Harris O'Malley paces the floor following a round of pitches and submissions.

ESSENTIAL: PEEPSHOW - THE POOR BASTARD
Bryan Miller laughs along with Joe Matt's odyssey of self-loathing and masturbation.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Some books make you feel like a nut. Some books don't.

*****

Issue Seventy-six

START: BOXING DAY
Matt Terl throws out the pop culture trash in preparation for a move.

ESSAY: ASS BACKWARDS
Zack Smith talks about finding artists, short story bloat, and getting a TON of work done.

ESSENTIAL: EPICURUS THE SAGE
Jeff Chon checks out this neglected classic from William Messner-Loebs and Sam Kieth.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
A look at some books that, for the most part, didn't suck. But don't say I didn't warn you.

EXTRA: RETAIL - YEAR ZERO
Alasdair Stuart on starting a comics retail outlet from scratch in today's market.

*****

Issue Seventy-five

START: BAGGAGE CLAIM
Gus Dahlberg serves up some conversations and finds comics' niche.

ESSAY: STAN LEE DOESN'T WRITE SPIDER-MAN ANYMORE
Jeff Chon has a customer service revelation.

DOING THE WORK: BRAAAAAAINS...
Harris O'Malley slurps up big pieces of Carla Speed McNeill's grey matter during an interview.

ESSENTIAL: JOHNNY THE HOMICIDAL MANIAC
Al Stuart hugs Jhnoen Vasquez's crazy little book very, very violently. But with love.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Some comics came looking for reviews. We took them up on it. Here are the results.

*****

Issue Seventy-four

START: THE COMING BOOM
Dave makes like Paul Revere while thinking about the boom and bust cycle.

ESSAY: ONE SHOTS
Alasdair Stuart has a first-rate idea for those looking to Create.

ESSENTIAL: PEANUTS: THE ART OF CHARLES SCHULZ
John Pierce gets all googly-eyed over Chip Kidd's look at Sparky's career.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Four books, four reviews, one two three four. And you should check them out.

EXTRA: ACADEMIA: I FEEL BETTER THAN JAMES BROWN
Gus Dahlberg feels that the most important element in storytelling is empathy.

*****

Issue Seventy-three

START: UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Matt Terl points us in the right direction for comics reviews.

ESSAY: CONVENTION REPORT: COMICS 2002
Alasdair Stuart checks out the Bristol con and shares with the class.

DOING THE WORK: BREAKING THE BLOCK
Harris O'Malley tears down that wall with some well-played cards.

ESSENTIAL: 9-11 EMERGENCY RELIEF
Dave Potter polishes up this September 11 tribute and benefit book.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Some comics are talked about, and talked about well.

*****

Issue Seventy-two

START: HABITUAL NECROPHILIA
Dave Potter on why some people insist on more gruel, every month.

ESSAY: THE DEATH OF LOUIS LANE
Alasdair Stuart says farewell to an unwelcome retailer stereotype.

ESSENTIAL: THE BOONDOCKS
Matt Terl admires Aaron McGruder's pissed-off comic strip collection.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Books we read this past week get all reviewed and stuff. It's neat.

*****

Issue Seventy-one

START: LOW TIDE
Gus Dahlberg reaches the end of an obsession.

ESSAY: THEY'RE JUST GODDAMNED FUNNY BOOKS
Chris Juricich talks about the culmination of a life in comics.

DOING THE WORK: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Harris O'Malley on the business of being in business.

ESSENTIAL: THE COMPLETE COPYBOOK TALES
Alasdair Stuart grooves on the Process vibe of J. Torres's comic odyssey.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Here you can read about some books that we read. It's like Cliff's Notes.

*****

Issue Seventy

START: BACK TO EARTH
Dave Potter on contracts, lawsuits, and bad timing.

ESSAY: JORDAN ATHERTON: ALL THE COMIC BOOK NEWS THAT MATTERS
Aaron Malchow talks about the power to make a difference.

ESSENTIAL: 32 STORIES: THE COMPLETE OPTIC NERVE MINI-COMICS
Bryan Miller dives in to Adrian Tomine's youthful output.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Wherein we tell you what we thought of some books. No lie.

EXTRA: YOU DON'T NEED THEM
Harris O'Malley with a reminder of Where Good Comics Come From.

*****

Issue Sixty-Nine

START: EXPLORING SPACE
Gus Dahlberg buys a lot of stuff from small press folk at SPACE.

ESSAY: THE DVD EFFECT
Al Stuart talks about our infatuation with The Process.

ESSENTIAL: KINGDOM COME
Stephen Rauch looks at meanings in this Elseworlds tale.

DOING THE WORK: LET THERE BE HYPE
Harris O'Malley spreads the good word about BETWEEN THE CRACKS.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
We read some books in the last couple weeks. We tell you about them here.

*****

Issue Sixty-Eight

START: TOOLS: USE OR BE
Matt Terl dives into the SAVANT toolbox and shows us how to use what he finds.

ESSAY: LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG, AND LEAVE A GOOD-LOOKING CORPSE
Dan Curtis Johnson on the evolution of CHASE and the prospects for new books from big publishers.

ESSENTIAL: ASTRO BOY
Jeff Chon gushes about Osamu Tezuka's classic forefather of anime.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
We read some books in the last couple weeks. We tell you about them here.

EXTRA: ACADEMIA: TIME WON'T LET ME
Gus Dahlberg does some theorizing about the passage of time in comics.

*****

Issue Sixty-Seven

START: Gateway Drugs
Dave Potter has some handouts for people attending a certain summer blockbuster.

ESSAY: Crosstown Traffic
Gus Dahlberg blows a gasket over fanboy nostalgia.

DOING THE WORK: Entry #3
Harris O'Malley goes to Kinko's. Hilarity ensues.

ESSENTIAL: David Boring
Hank Tempo looks at Daniel Clowes's postmodern masterpiece.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Bazooka Jules, Andi Watson's Dumped, My Friend Dahmer and more.

*****

Issue Sixty-Six

START: Who Are the People In Your Neighborhood?
Gus Dahlberg thinks about community action.

ESSAY: To All the Young Dudes
Jeff Chon implores us not to geek out, fertheluvvaMike.

DOING THE WORK: Entry #2
Harris O'Malley finds his inspiration in bad, bad music.

ESSENTIAL: The Cowboy Wally Show
Zack Smith looks at an early Kyle Baker classic.

REVIEWS: by the SAVANT staff
Courtney Crumrin, Paradigm, Wood and Rolston's Pounded, and more.

EXTRA: Save Top Shelf
How you can do your part to help out the good guys.

 

*****

Issue Sixty-Five

START, by Matt Terl
Restart

ESSAY, by Gus Dahlberg
Blindspot

ESSENTIAL, by Ronald Montgomery
Soundtrack: Short Stories, 1989-1996

QUICK TAKES, by the Savant Staff
Featuring Peter David

REVIEWS
Arsenic Lullaby, Greyshirt, Bunny Town and more...


*****

Issue Sixty-Four

 

START, by Dave Potter
Comics Die at Midnight

ESSAY, by Jeff Chon
Defacing Comics

ESSENTIAL, by Gus Dahlberg
Astronauts in Trouble: Live from the Moon

QUICK TAKES, by the Savant Staff
Featuring Stuart Moore

REVIEWS
The Big O, Eightball, Runoff and more...

EXTRA, by Harris O'Malley
Art Journal: Doing the Work


*****

Issue Sixty-Three

START, by Dave Potter
Clearing Out the Weeds

ESSAY, by Paul T Riddell
Ziggy Jordan and the Spiders from "HEAT"

ESSENTIAL, by Gus Dahlberg
Fallout

QUICK TAKES, by the Savant Staff
Featuring Jay Faerber

REVIEWS
Trashed, Barry Ween, Black Panther, Double Take, and many many more!


*****

Issue Sixty-Two

START, by Dave Potter
Take a Chance

ESSAY, by Gus Dahlberg
Just Gimme a Frikkin' Danish

ESSENTIAL, by Zack Smith
The Wizard's Tale

QUICK TAKES, by the Savant Staff
Featuring Fabian Nicieza

REVIEWS
The Waiting Place, DK2, Grip and more...


*****

Issue Sixty-One

START, by Dave Potter
A Brief History of Comics

ESSAY, by Chris Erridge
Reading Comics Made Me Healthier and More Attractive

ESSENTIAL, by Gus Dahlberg
Will Eisner's Shop Talk

QUICK TAKES, by an all-star cast
Featuring Antony Johnston, Ed Mathews, & Michael Doran

REVIEWS, by (gasp!) the writers of said reviews.


*****

Issue Sixty

Also available in Word format

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec says goodbye.

ESSAY, by David McNulty
In which we're asked why there aren't Harry Potter comics yet.

ESSENTIAL, by Dave Potter
Dork Tower: Not just for the dorky.

QUICK TAKES, featuring Kurt Busiek
Insightful commentary and Kurt Busiek--
Two tastes that go well together!

REVIEWS
What the capital letters say: them's reviews in there.

*****

Issue Fifty-Nine

Also available in Word format

START, by Dave Potter
In which comics' lack of a system by which
actual appeal can be judged is decried.

ESSAY, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Gus takes on the garden-variety fanboy.

ESSENTIAL, by Alec Austin
It's about Rumiko Takahashi's Inu-Yasha...
...and 16th Wu Cheng En's Journey to the West.

QUICK TAKES, featuring Jamie S. Rich
Savant peeps and Jamie Rich talk about the comics biz.

REVIEWS
Limes revive a scurvy-ridden pack
of sea-dogs to do reviews.

*****

Issue Fifty-Eight

Also available in Word format

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec has an attack of pique.

ESSAY, by Paul T. Riddell
In which Paul talks about Jamie Rich
and getting editors to remember you.

ESSENTIAL, by Erik Amaya
The continuing Saga of Pope Cerebus the First.

QUICK TAKES, featuring Lea Hernandez
Must-read Tarot readings for the comic industry.

REVIEWS
A skeleton crew takes on two weeks of books.

*****

Issue Fifty-Seven

Also available in Word format

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave talks about media sensitivity and overreaction.

ESSAY, by Ben Campbell
In which we are reminded of the first rule of comics reading.

ESSENTIAL, by Erik Amaya
In which we're told of an Aardvark who becomes Pope.

QUICK TAKES, featuring Brian Wood
Kooky Savant peeps talking w/ a much saner comic pro.

REVIEWS
In which (get this) "books" are "reviewed".

*****

Issue Fifty-Six

Also available in Word format

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec talks about how comics have related to his life.

ESSAY, by Paul T. Riddell
In which we learn of the relation between speculation and Ostrich Burgers.

ESSENTIAL, by Steve Pheley
In which comics about the Trojan War are recommended to us.

QUICK TAKES, featuring Sean McKeever
More round-table madness, in faux-dialogue form.

REVIEWS
In which books are ruthlessly and indiscriminately reviewed.

*****

Issue Fifty-Five

Also available in Word format

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave offers his throughts on
the attack of September 11th.

ESSAY, by Alec Austin
In which Alec examines why Bubblegum Crisis:
Grand Mal is worth your critical attention.

ESSENTIAL, by Ben Campbell
Eliot Ness. Cleveland. The first US serial killer.

QUICK TAKES, featuring Larry Young
The first installment of SAVANT's new round-table discussion.

REVIEWS
In which the editors and staff review the week's comics.

*****

Issue Fifty-Four

Also available in Word format

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec considers self-publishing, in comics and otherwise.

ACTION, by Dave Potter
The last ACTION ever. Feel the tears.

ESSAY, by Gus Dahlberg
Gus talks about comics from the heart.

ESSENTIAL, by Matt Terl
Swamp Thing: Love and Death. Oh, yeah.

REVIEWS
In which many comics are scrutinized by many people.

*****

Issue Fifty-Three

Also available in Word format

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave talks about how we can help change Wizard.

ACTION, by Paul T. Riddell
Paul gives us the low-down on moving a comic store.

ESSAY, by Matt Terl
Shilling comics: Bad, but better than the alternative?

ESSENTIAL, by Gus Dahlberg
A good hard look at Fax from Sarajevo.

REVIEW, by Alasdair Stuart
In which Herobear and the Kid is admired.

*****

Issue Fifty-Two

Also available in Word format

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec discusses the often extreme reactions to manga.

ACTION, by John Cecil
In which we're incited NOT to do things
just 'cause we're supposed to.

ESSAY, by Paul Riddell
Bad comics: good examples of what NOT to do.

ESSENTIAL, by Dave Potter
An examination of Daredevil: Born Again.

REVIEW, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Hopeless Savages is given adulation.

*****

Issue Fifty-One

Also available in Word format
and fold-and-staple booklet format
(as a Word and a .pdf document; formatting may vary)

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave disdains labeling artists as Sellouts.

ACTION, by Ben Campbell
In which Ben reminds us kids want sex and cussing too.

ESSAY, by Jim Hanley
In which Jim lays down distribution made easy.

ESSENTIAL, by Alec Austin
In which Alec shills for The Dirty Pair.

REVIEW, by Alasdair Stuart
It's a triple threat: Whitechapel Freak, 100 Bullets, and Slow News Day.

*****

Issue Fifty

Also available in Word format
and fold-and-staple booklet format
(as a Word document; formatting may vary)

START, by Alec Austin
In which desperation makes Alec bleed from his ears.

ACTION, by Justin Giampaoli
In which Justin reminds us to tell people about the good stuff.

ESSAY, by Paul Riddell
In which Paul slams fan fixations on fantasy casting.

ESSENTIAL, by Matt Terl
In which we are urged to read Black Panther.

REVIEW, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Gus speaks of comics, cartoons, and The Nimrod.

*****

The Savant 2001 Con Special

*****

Issue Forty-Nine

also available in traditional form.

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave declares undying love
for Comic Con International.

ACTION, by Colleen Doran
In which Colleen asks for aid to the
International Museum of Cartoon Art.

ESSAY, by Paul Riddell
In which Paul reminds us why chains are not our friends.

ESSENTIAL, by Alec Austin
In which Jar of Fools is lauded.

EXTRA, by John Cecil
In which Squee! is luvved!

REVIEW, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Gus sees The Agency as Robocop Redux.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
Patrick's Swan Song. And it's a beauty.

*****

Issue Forty-Eight

also available in traditional form.

START, by Alec Austin
In which we get a different take on Ultimate Marvel.

ACTION, by Matt Terl
In which Matt tells us how not to be assholes.

ESSAY, by Ken Applebaum
In which Ken talks retailing while on painkillers.

ESSENTIAL, by Dave Potter
In which Fortune and Glory is praised.

EXTRA, by Alec Austin and Dave Potter
In which the Oni Color special is adored.

REVIEW, by Alasdair Stuart
In which we learn of CODA, the comic.

STUFF, by Rebecca Chenoway
In which Patrick takes some time off.

*****

Issue Forty-Seven

also available in traditional form.

START, by Dave Potter
In which Serial comics are luvved.

ACTION, by Justin Giampaoli
In which Justin and Jason Crowe save the universe.

ESSAY, by Keith Senkowski
In which Wizard is beaten with a stick. Again.

ESSENTIAL, by Alasdair Stuart
In which Buffy: Ring of Fire is examined.

REVIEW, by Alec Austin
In which Barry Ween triumphs again.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
In which we get: A Quiz! Yay!

*****

Issue Forty-Six

also available in traditional form.

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec speaks of responsibility.

ACTION, by Troy Brownfield
In which Troy speaks of self-promoting.

ESSAY, by Keith Senkowski
In which Ultimate Marvel magazine is critiqued.

ESSENTIAL, by Ken Applebaum
In which we learn of a City of Glass.

REVIEW, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Jack Staff is examined.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
In which Pent-Up letters break loose.

*****

Issue Forty-Five

also available in traditional form.

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave finds a use for speculators.

ACTION, by Adam Mount
In which Adam calls for Art. Art! ART, dammit!

ESSAY, by David Ivanick
In which grenades, busses, and comics get tossed about.

ESSENTIAL, by Alec Austin
In which we travel to Brigadoo... urm, Strangehaven.

REVIEW, by Alasdair Stuart
In which The Punisher gets panned.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
In which The King's sordid past is revealed.

*****

Issue Forty-Four

also available in traditional form.

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec crusades for creator-ownership.

ACTION, by Dave Potter
In which Dave crushes comics culture like a bug.

ESSAY, by Keith Senkowski
In which Keith calls for coat-tail riding.

ESSENTIAL, by Kip Manley
In which Alec MacGarry is given his due.

EXTRA
In which John Cecil saves.

REVIEW, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Gus jumps into the fray.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
In which "X" is revealed to be a variable.

*****

Issue Forty-Three

also available in traditional form.

START, by Dave Potter
In which Dave says his piece about Todd McFarlane.

ACTION, by John Cecil
In which John makes a moving call to do, not talk.

ESSAY, by Alec Austin
In which Alec analyzes the use of black gutters
and thick panel borders in Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 7.

ESSENTIAL, by Adam Mount
In which Kabuki: Metamorphosis is lauded.

EXTRA, by Jason D. Crowe
In which Jason delivers the second half
of an interview with Ryan Sook.

REVIEW, by Alasdair Stuart
In which Alasdair reviews The Brotherhood.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
In which Patrick talks about con etiquette.

*****

Issue Forty-Two

START, by Alec Austin
In which Alec calls for analytic criticism.

ACTION, by David Ivanick
In which David condemns fanfic,
spawning controversy.

ESSAY, by Paul T. Riddell
In which Paul takes Wizard to task.

ESSENTIAL, by Dave Potter
In which Dave gets in touch with his roots.

EXTRA, by Jason D. Crowe
In which Jason delivers the first half
of an interview with Ryan Sook.

REVIEW, by Gus Dahlberg
In which Gus delivers analytic criticism of Powers.

STUFF, by Patrick Keller
In which Patrick reviews what
we missed while we were absent.

*****