Here we go.
This edition of the fantabulous rag known as Dork contains three stories of the Eltingville Comic-Book-Science-Fiction-Fantasy-Horror-Role-Playing Club, and a flip feature of the Northwest Comix Collective (parodying the first Eltingville story).
The first two Eltingville stories are reprinted from the late, lamented Instant Piano series, both featuring a cynical, critical, and uproariously funny take on the current world of comic book, science fiction, fantasy, horror, role playing, (and assorted other hobbies accompanying the collecting of these) collecting. The third Eltingville story is a day in the life of Josh (the fat one) as told through his diary. While all these story are side splitting funny, the jokes are at the expense of, as well as geared towards the comic geeks of the world. Those who don't read or collect or hang around comic shop will not likely get the parody.
In a surprising take we have the story of the Northwest Comix Collective who seem to be high and mighty art-school rejects who believe that everything they do is wholly original and must be worshipped, and everything else is crap. Quote "All we've got for our troubles is a catalog and that fucking two page letter from Evan Dorkin where he says our comics 'NEED WORK' -- " "God! Who the fuck is he to say anything? Christ, he did fucking Predator books -- he wouldn't know a good comic if we sent it to him!!" "Pretentious asshole -- it's not like we asked him for his opinions --" "Actually we did. It's in our form letter." "Yeah, but we asked for comments, not unwarranted criticism."
And that's just one panel! This guy packs so much cynicism into one issue it seeps through the protective bag and drips on the floor. The guys a humble-as-hell genious. And I'm not saying that to kiss ass. He has his finger on the pulse of 99.89% of all the comic collectors, art school dropouts, and wannabe comic book personalities. He knows exactly how they act and how to exploit their own stupidity for profit. The reason it's funny is 'cause it's true. God, half the time I think he's either writing about me or people I know.
If you read comics, but not Dork, I suggest you need a good laugh. Pick it up.