Wingz [ February 2002 ]

DLa #012 Quite simply, DLa 12 features wing-related content. Let's face it, this issue is a nightmare. Dimly conceived and poorly executed, the Wings issue intended to convey the essence of the collective's adolescent experience with fantasy art. Get it? Way, way back in the day, when time was free and bowls were full, we would gather together and dissolve late-night hours with drawings of demons, dragons, and other winged beasts. FCU, for example, was always the master of completely bizarre, abstract winged beasts, with names like, "Leviathan", "Dr. Gothic, Sinister I Wait", and "Hey, it's not fair to use that Shape Changing Gun". Indeed, winged creatures are essential to any fantasy artist's creative diet. So inspired, we desired to rediscover and represent our collective roots with a "winged" issue of Dead Letter Art. Eventually, however, our initial intentions hatched a flock of awkward content that simply failed to fly. Ironically, Nimbus' enigmatic "cow" cover playfully reflects the absurdity of the "wings" theme. Sadly, the whole idea was taken too far — even the issue's pages have wings, folding outward on each side with little pictures of birds on them. Insane. What were we thinking. Nonetheless, the issue does cook up a few tasty dishes, including a Werdz Page, Contents Page, Tarot Card, and Il Commentator. The issue also features Tales of the Galactic Rover and special guest artist Carlen Best. "Bird Up!"