Hasta La Ideas

It’s been a while since we showcased some of the nice publications to land on our desks so here’s a few for you – including the latest from Nobrow, a zine from Wiltshire, and also the first issue of a new bi-annual publication from Manchester menswear store, Oi Polloi, entitled Pica-Post…

Pica-Post’s 26 pages feature illustrations by Ben Lamb of models decked out in a particular look that can be attained by picking out choice garments from the store’s selection of menswear brands. Shown below is the Thai-vy Leager…

Each of these spreads is followed by a spread showing the various items of clothing, foorwear and accessories that make up the look:

Towards the back of Pica-Post are three essays, one of which addresses the enduring popularity of the moccasin in Manchester, and another which investigates the ever popular smart casual staple, khakis. All in all, the publication of Pica-Post helps to reinforce the notion that Oi Polloi is concerned with an intelligent quest for enduring style, rather than the fickle following of fashion. We like. Each issue of Pica-Post will be limited to 1000 copies and available in Oi Polloi’s Manchester store. More details at oipolloi.com

Melon Shrub is just under A4 size, 42 page zine created by Wiltshire-based illustrator Murray Somerville and Jack Burston and limited to just 40 numbered copies. This, the second issue is themeless and collects illustrations and written pieces including poetry, features and opinion pieces. The overall feeling is of experimentation and it’s the illustration that really jumps off the page. £8 from Somerville’s etsy shop.

Somerville also sent us a copy of Symmetricrite, a small, single colour printed zine containing perfectly symmetrical spreads of illustrations, each page mirroring the one opposite, creating a kaleidoscopic effect.

See more of Somerville’s illustration work at murraysomerville.blogspot.com

Also to land on our desks this month is Images of Engraving In Private and Business Communication, sent to us by the British Engraved Stationery Association. Yes, it sounds a little dry, but I wanted to include it here as it contains, besides an enlightening introduction to the history and techniques involved in engraving and associated printing types, stunning and varied examples of engraving, printed with a variety of colours including silver and gold – and some intricate blind embossing. With the camra’s “macro” setting on, here’s a look at some of the examples…

More information about the British Engraved Stationery Association at besaprint.co.uk

Last but not least is Obsolete by Danish comic book artist, Mikkel Sommer. The comic is the latest publication in Nobrow‘s highly collectible 17×23 series of illustrated narratives and is also, the darkest most disturbing story to be published by Nobrow. The comic follows two burntout ex soldiers as they embark on a drink and drug fuelled bank heist with minimal planning and maximum mental baggage. The result is as compelling as it is tragic thanks to the brilliant rhythm and pace created by Sommer’s illustrated panels. Don’t read it just before going to a party, though. This is powerful stuff. £6.50 from nobrow.net