Shpilkes itself is difficult to describe; A Yiddish name; expressionistic and dark with precious moments of backhanded slapstick humor and a decidedly underground sensibility. Stories include 'Stagger Lee', the infamous hard drinking, hard gambling and itchy trigger fingered outlaw of lore, 'Cracked Actor', the tale of a long since fallen star, 'King Curmudgeon', a suburban punk day-in-the-life-of, and the other worldly 'Automaton'. Noland's art draws the reader in with its intricate settings. His eccentric and humorous characterization of both the familiar and fantastic makes no apologies and takes no prisoners. But more than that, it's entertaining! Does contain naughty language, senseless violence, sexual indiscretion and existential angst.
32 page black and white comic with color covers Winner of the Xeric Foundation Grant Award.
Distributed by Alternative Comics. 2001
