Posted on: June 17, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Razorcake #15 ($3,PO Box 42129, Los Angeles, CA 90042) With each passing issue, I get more and more attached to Razorcake. Having the pleasure to review the last few issues of it, I feel that this is probably the most cohesive that I’ve seen the crew at Razorcake. This issue finds them at a juncture between politics and the personal flair that they bring to each issue. The increased amount of political coverage is discussed in the editor’s section, which has the ominous tone of a zine that is on the cusp of a large shift in subject matter. Sure, there are the traditional humorous pieces, including the summer plans of Rev. Norb (reading all of the comics that make up the first decade of The Fantastic Four), and Nardwuar’s funny-yet-informative interview with V-Ice. However, political content attacks the reader at every turn, with the distinct feel that Razorcake is still not used to this slight swerve in direction. Jason Dick’s “Mr. Private Sector Meets Mr. Public Service and Vice Versa” brings incredible amounts of information to the table about some of our highest-ranking officials, but besides making a point that American politics is inexorably tied to the capitalist model, the piece lacks a solid set of objectives. On the other hand, a hard-hitting, maturely written piece is the high point of Razorcake, in “Forged Documents, Presidential Lies, and a Great Big Bloody Oil Field”. Taking place as an interview with Representative Henry Waxman, Sean Carswell illuminates the falsified reports used by George W. Bush to invade Iraq. It will be interesting to see what Razorcake #16 will include, as this issue strikes a balance between humor and politics that is still a mite uneasy. Rating: 8.5/10

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