“Grandpa had The Eagle, Dad had 2000AD, and now you’ve got CLiNT.”
These words from Mark Millar’s “Dear Readers...” section of the debut issue of his new comics magazine CLiNT pretty much sums up the experience entirely. What Millar has given us is a comic book anthology magazine for our generation. Sure, he’s serializing his sure-fire hits like Kick-Ass 2 and Nemesis within its pages, but he’s also providing a new outlet for up-and-comers to showcase their work, just like the aforementioned magazines did for previous generations.
While this issue doesn’t have a whole lot of work from unknown creators, it’s got the first parts of Millar’s creator-owned hits I mentioned, as well as a lengthy vampire and alien story from British comedian Jonathan Ross, and a new comic called Rex Royd from Frankie Boyle, Jim Muir, and Michael Dowling. Millar’s even included a small section called “Huw Edwards’ Space Oddities” (think Future Shocks from 2000AD), where unknowns can submit Twilight Zone-esque stories for purchase and publication by CLiNT.
It’s almost unfortunate that CLiNT is so unique these days; as much as I am in favor of the digital revolution, there’s something strangely refreshing about having an oversized comics magazine sitting in my lap as I type this review.
Of course, CLiNT offers more than just comics content. There’s articles on Charles Manson, the Chinese Tom Cruise, an interview with comedian Jimmy Carr, and some nice celebrity sleaze in the form of “Hot TV Mums”. Most of this stuff is quite honestly filler; pages needed between the meat and potatoes that is the comic stories. That said, that’s merely my own personal preference. Just like people find Maxim informative and entertaining, I imagine there is a huge audience for the material in CLiNT that isn’t a comics-related. And that’s great, particularly if it leads new people to the comics medium.
Overall, Mark Millar is onto something here. He’s easily accessible to fans over at his Millarworld forums, and has provided a brand new outlet for new creators to be seen. Though it’s only currently being published in the UK, here’s hoping that it’ll see it’s way to stateside newsstands as soon as possible.
If you can afford it, import an issue or talk to your LCS about ordering you a copy.
