A History of Underground Comics

Estren, Mark James
Publisher:  Ronin Publishing Inc., Berkeley CA 94701 USA, USA
Year Published:  1986  
Pages:  320pp   ISBN:  ISBN 0-914171-11-9
Resource Type:  Book
Cx Number:  CX3461

Examples of the work of the underground cartoonists of the 1960s, with accompanying text that sets the historical context and analyzes the works and their times.


Abstract:  In the 1960s and early 1970s, "underground" comics were the art form that expressed the widespread revolt against authoritarianism, conformity, and hypocrisy. Often designed to outrage, frequently brilliant, and vital, they were read by many who never went near the books of leftist theory. They helped to explode the universe of what could be said, as mainstream culture had defined it. A History of Underground Comics is packed with the work of the underground cartoonists, while the accompanying text sets the historical context and analyzes the works and their times. A fascinating retrospective for those who were involved in the turmoil of the times, a lively introduction for those who weren't.


Table of Contents

Introduction
The Phantom Psychiatrist

1. An Attempt at Definition
2. Whence They Cometh
3. A few Hows, Whens and Wherefores
4. Content: An Overview
5. Sex and Sexism
6. Violence
7. The World Around Us
8. Drugs
9. A Few Oddities
10. Suppression
11. Into the Overground
12, Cycling and Recycling

Afterword
Appendix A: Kurtzmania and The Cosmic Comic Consciousness
Appendix B: E.C.: The Real Article
Appendix C: Underground Comic-books_ Publishers and Their Publication (Compiled and Annotated by Clay Geerdes)
Appendix D: Bibliography

Subject Headings