Primal Scream was put together for fun by some art students in London, England. The comic art magazine features some lovely illustrations by Steve Kyte, who is reported as the inspiration for publishing the magazine in the first place. There is no date on the indicia, but one of the illustrations is from 1976 (and another from 1975), so the book must be from around that era. Primal Scream features Stuart Briers, David Mitchell, Steve Kyte, Mair Stratton and David Hine, all college students in London. The book was self-published and printed locally at Kingston-Upon-Thames Polytechnic, located in an outer borough of London. The other students went to Exeter College of Art and Design and Somerset College of Arts and Technology.

David Mitchell’s two-page story “Blind Date” leads off the book. Somewhat vague, somewhat intentionally, "Blind Date" is about a two androids who meet and make love, with dire consequences for one of them.

David Hine’s contribution follows, a long story of sibling rivalry between two brothers ending in murder and twisted longing. The older of the two brothers is deformed in the face and spurned by society, and eventually by his own kid brother, which angers the deformed one. When his successful but sold-out little brother takes on a beautiful fiancée, it’s more than his brother can take.

Steve Kyte closes the book with a short sword and sorcery tale that was rather hard to follow, but it seemed to be about a hero/barbarian type trying to get to a sorcerer, who plays mind games with the hero. Regardless of the poor plotting, the illustrations alone are worth a reader’s attention. Overall, this British comic art magazine is a worthy effort showcasing some real talent.



HISTORICAL FOOTNOTES:
It is currently unknown how many copies of this comic book were printed. It has not been reprinted.

COMIC CREATORS:
Stuart Briers, David Mitchell, Steve Kyte, Mair Stratton and David Hine.