carlton@genrad.UUCP (Carl Hommel) (09/19/84)
Last Saturday, while picking up a 3 months supply of comics from Million Year Picnic, I also bought: Biotech Comix 1983 $1.50 H.T. Philbrick and Associates Box 585 Bar Harbor Maine 04609 This is a feminist's book. The cover features a woman snuggled up to a 6-foot tall teddy bear, holding an M-16, saying "Another blasted helicopter! Guess I'd better go pop it off...." The story details the efforts of "Victoria Topple M.D., distinguished genetic scientist at the famous research hospital in New York City, the Sloat Skittering." She decides to create a replacement for her various flawed lovers. The final product is a giant teddy bear. All her friends want one, so she starts making more of them. How does her (male) boss take this? "I want to talk to you, Dr. Topple, about those 50,000 jars with those wierd animals in them that are taking up most of the space on Perkins 10." "Oh yes? I thought you wanted to talk about my new strain of selective anthrax. The one that kills only communists..." "Oh... well... yes... ahem.. I did... of course. And those animals in the jars are charming. Grow as many as you like." With the bears, many women decide that men are superflous, and leave their unsatisfying homes and jobs, to live in "bear communities." This leads to the breakdown of society, with no one to do scut work in offices, factories, hospitals, etc. All of which is graphically portrayed. The book ends with a tag for a sequel, as the last vestiges of male-dominated military prepare for an all-out war. However, the various branchs are fighting over the small amount of the pie that is left: "We can't fight suicidal soviet bears without the improved Cobra Belly 7-17-MR2!" "What? Another stupid tank! We don't need tanks! We need to develop the new triple strategic S.N.A.K. Snappo Twin Poppos!" "Oh f**k your S.N.A.K. Poppos! Give us ...." The *Author's Message* is laid on somewhat thick, as is the sex & violence, but is still milder than in your average underground comic. I wouldn't class this as a <must read>, but I will buy a sequel if one arrives. It certainly was a change from X-men, Cerebus, or Groo the Wanderer. Carl Hommel Wife: I would never trade you in for a teddy bear! You're so scruffy! Husband: That does it! I'm shaving my mousestash off!