BASH Magazine Premiere Issue Arrives Early

The August 1, 2008 release of BASH! Magazine arrived early today at the Vienna Metro station, so I picked up an issue (plus 5 for Mike, as requested!).

I don't typically read comic strips, nor do I tend to pick up alternate comics, but I do occasionally pick up something here or there, and am always curious on Free Comic Book Day, so I was similarly curious about this publication.

BASH! is about the same size as the daily free Express and Examiner publications on slightly better paper. All of the strips are in black and white, though there is color on the cover and in the ad content. It is published out of Lexington, KY by John Van Meter, with editor Jonathan T. Hampton, printed by The Carroll County Times, and distributed by Take One USA.

It says:

"The first copy of Bash Magazine is free. Additional copies are one dollar ($1.00) each. Checks payable to Bash Magazine, LLC, P.O. Box 2220, Lexington, KY, 40588."

and

"BASH BOX EMPTY?!? WHAT?!? Let us know. We'll fill'er up. info@bashmaagazine.com"

The first issue includes:

- Slow Wave by Will Nicholes and Jesse Reklaw

- Onionhead by Bryan Stone

- Limbs of the Megalith by Eamon Espey

- Coffee a l'American by Pascal Blanchet

- Slowpoke by Jen Sorenson

- Something Happens by Thomas K. Dye

- Cuba Libre by Dan Archer

- Invisible Escape by Theo Ellsworth

- Steve & the Sky Full of Stars by Morgan Pielli

- K Chronicles by Keith Knight

- Tiny Sepuku by Ken Cursoe

I definitely felt like I had picked up a Fantagraphics/Alternative Comics/Drawn & Quarterly sampler. Some of the strips were interesting. Some were humorous. Some were political. Some were just weird, in my humble opinion.

But the price is right (free), and I'll definitely be picking up issue #2 to see what they have to offer. It is interesting to note that a good handful of the creators in the first issue will be at the Small Press Expo (SPX) this year, so if you're looking for something to have Eamon Espey or Keith Knight sign, there ya go!