Spandex Fast And Hard

Bored last night so I was trying to find a book to read and Spandex Fast And Hard fell off the shelf. I wasn't sure that I wanted to read it again but I did.  It's fun so I thought do a re-post of the 2014 review.

Why not?

 

It Was Midnight And I settled Down With Martin Eden....

...Well, his book that is!

 Although I have been cutting down on comics I am an insomniac and there is only so much technical reading you can do.  So, at around Midnight on Saturday, I went to the shelves on Room Oblivion and picked out a book I reviewed in....2012 -2012 -REALLY???

Anyway, Spandex: Fast And Hard is by Martin Eden who created The O Men -this series has been collected into a series of trades but, despite really liking the copies of the zine I had (I only have the "0" issue left now) the trades are too steep for my pockets.  THAT is depressing.

Now in my review -I've re-posted below with some new images- I said Eden's art style had not progressed much since the early 0 Men I had read.  Looking at it again I think I was wrong. And I was also wrong in saying "basic colours" because looking at it over three years later the colour adds a great deal and some pages are gurt lush ("fab" if you don't speak the Bristle).

It was a really enjoyable read but were there other books or issues?  It would be a pity if there weren't but I can only go by what publishers send.

So, after over three years I can write that, if you see a copy it is worth buying -but adults only!

Made me want to start drawing comics again.  Fresh and NOT a rebooted book!!

 
Spandex: Fast And Hard
Martin Eden
Titan Books
Hardback
96 pp
Full colour
Dimensions: 258 x 170mm
ISBN: 9780857689733
Publication date: 25 May 2012
£12.99

Prowler, Liberty, Glitter, Indigo, Butch, Mr Muscles, Diva — all superpowered, all British, and the first all gay super-hero team there ever was! Created by independent creator Martin Eden, Spandex charts the highs and lows of a group of Brighton-based heroes, doing battle with 50-foot lesbians, a group of deadly pink ninjas, as well as their own complicated love lives! Packed with pop culture references, nods to classic comics and chock-full of humour and drama, Spandex is a super-hero book like no other!



This is the very first collection of Martin Eden’s award-nominated comic and collects Spandex #1-3, plus bonus material!


There is “A Brief History Of Spandex” article plus a Who’s Who with this book so it ought to be all you need to know.

“There aren’t many gay super heroes around, and there’s never been all-gay super team…” writes Martin.  Does it really matter if a super hero or crime-fighter is gay? In Black Tower Comics they have co-existed with the, uh, “straights” since 1984.

In 1986, Don Melia, together with his former long-time partner Lionel Gracey-Whitman, created ‘Matt Black’, dubbed “the world’s first gay superhero.” John Byrne had to drop heavy hints (thanks to Marvel censorship) in Alpha Flight that his character, Northstar, was gay.  I could go on as there have been a few –I’ll not insult anyone by mentioning “Kaptain Kween” (last seen in a 1970s Ally Sloper magazine).

Does it really matter?

For this book –YES!

Where else would: “PINK NINJAS!!” make you chuckle? Marvel will stick to the traditional Western black-clad versions thank you.  There are lots of nice touches and I don’t think this is just going to appeal to a GLBT readership –though I want to be there when that brave comic geek buys a copy!

I don’t think Eden’s art style has progressed a great deal since he started The O Men but his enthusiasm and obvious fun he has writing/drawing this makes it fun to read. The use of basic colour is also a bonus as it opens up the artwork and pages and made this a good read.

We have very few good comics coming from the UK so to see this and its neat packaging is good –and it helps show people there are creators in the UK.