R. CRUMB'S 'NIGHT OF TERROR'!

Underground comix artist Robert Crumb is not usually known as a horror comics artist, but this example from Rip Off Press' MOTOR CITY COMICS comes close, as his protagonist Shuman the Human is harassed by his arch-nemesis, Mr. Snoid. Classic Crumb!

"Robert Crumb Motor City Comics #2 Shuman the Human 1-Page Story Original Art (Rip Off Press, 1970). It's a rough time for poor Shuman as things literally go "bump in the night" -- very funny, Mr. Snoid! Classic "Shuman the Human's Night of Terror" one-pager by R. Crumb, from his most prime comix period. Shuman the Human only appeared a handful of times, with his first being Zap Comix #1 (as "Schuman"); his last official comic book page was in 1972's People's Comix as a collaboration with Robert's brother Max. This is perhaps Shuman's finest moment, with a very funny cameo by Mr. Snoid capping the page. The art is in ink (and lots of it) on paper, with an image area measuring 8" x 12", matted to an overall size of 16" x 20". In Very Good condition with some paper toning. From the Felix Dennis Estate."

ED "BIG DADDY" ROTH'S RAT FINK TURNS 50

It's hard to believe that it was 50 years ago when I was plastering water-slide decals of an ugly little critter called the "Rat Fink" all over my bicycle and whatever other surface they would stick to. The Rat Fink became the 60's adopted mascot for goofball kids (teenagers included) who loved monsters and hot rods, not necessarily in that order. Other characters followed -- like Mr. Gasser -- and the sub-culture grew to include yet another craze of the 60's -- surfing -- all creating a pop culture melange that evolved into a kind of pre-Vietnam War subversion led by America's youth. In fact, the Rat Fink can be viewed as the antithesis to another, more cuddly but no less lovable (some will claim) rodent who goes by the name of Mickey. Rat Fink, on the other hand, became the symbol of an idealized middle finger that "flipped the bird" at the Establishment, albeit in a less violent and malicious way than later efforts by more extreme causes.

So, who started all this? Most people turn there hillbilly-hatted heads to a man who went by the name of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. Roth was born in Beverly Hills, CA, on 4 March 1932. He was a cartoonist and custom car designer who, with his talent, furthered the "SoCal" mystique of sun, fun, and more fun, a segment of which would quickly become known as "Kustom Kulture", and almost single-handedly created an industry around kids, cars and cartoon monsters. Roth died 4 April 2001, but he left behind a legacy that influenced many other artists with his indelible mark of wild hot rods and the kooky kreatures that were depicted driving them, always hinting at the "weird oh" that secretly lurked in all of us when we were young.

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth with his weapon of choice -- an airbrush.

The following is an interview with another counter-culture cartoonist and illustrator, Robert Williams. Williams began his career drawing comic strips for Robert Crumb's underground publication, ZAP COMIX, and is well known for his contributions to the surreal and psychedelic side of graphic arts. It appeared in the April 12, 2012 (#135) edition of the magazine he publishes, JUXTAPOZ.

VAMPI AND CRUMB ON THE AUCTION BLOCK

Last month, it was reported here at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD of a piece of original art for sale from the Robert Crumb monster card series he created for Topps in the 1960s. The artwork was included in the February Heritage Comics & Comic Art Auction in New York. The piece, "I Love Your Beautiful Eyes," sold for $1912! That price includes the commission. Inflation is not dead in the comic/monster art world! Two similar drawings sold last year for $776 and $1135. The number of bidders for the Crumb drawing also increased, with fifteen individuals bidding for the monster card original.

Also auctioned were two Vampirella paintings by Enrique Torres-Prat, better known to readers of Warren's VAMPIRELLA as "Enric", which commanded prices of $1314 and $1434. Both were listed in "good" condition in the catalogue and both are beautiful.

And you thought there was a recession going on!

HOW DO I LOVE THEE? LET ME COUNT THE EYES . . .

Heritage Auctions has sent out the catalog for its February 22-24 Signature Comic Book Auction to be held in New York. While they are offering an amazing amount of rare vintage comic books, monster magazines and memorabilia are very under-represented this time. One item of interest to MMW readers is the original art for a Topps Monster Greeting Card. Design and artwork are by legendary underground comic artist Robert Crumb. Two of these cards were featured last year in MMW’s Monster Card Monday. The obverse reads “I love your beautiful eyes” and the reverse reads “All four of them.” A lovely sentiment for Valentine’s Day!

MONSTER CARD MONDAY

Today features a card for that special someone on Valentine's Day!

MONSTER CARD MONDAY (SPECIAL EDITION)

Some months ago, I was rummaging through the garage and found a small box of trading cards purchased in the dim, dark past. The box contained an eclectic assortment of cards, SPOOK STORIES, ADDAMS' FAMILY, and two of the strangest cards I had ever seen. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember seeing them before, let alone buying them. As with all monster-related questions, I called upon the editor of this blog to enlighten me as to what the heck they were. John explained that they were from a series of cards designed by the legendary underground comix genius Robert Crumb for Topps in 1965! John later featured the cards in MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD'S MONSTER CARD MONDAY feature.

The original artwork for two of the cards from this series was offered at auction by Heritage in a recent Signature Comics auction. Both pieces measure 3.5” x 5” and are signed by Mr. Crumb. While the catalog entries list the punch line which would have appeared on the card’s reverse side, no photos of that side are shown. That leads me to believe that only the lettered artwork side was in the auction. Fewer than ten people placed bids. The first drawing, “You deserve a big hand,” sold for $776 (base price plus buyer’s commission). “You have a peach of a complexion,” the second piece, sold for $1135! To me that is an astonishing amount of money to pay for such a small work, but given the importance of R. Crumb and the scarcity of original art, perhaps I am off base. After seeing the results form this auction, I have a little higher regard for my two samples of these weird cards now!

In 1965, Topps issued the "Monster Greeting Cards" series. Also called "Monster Greetings", there were 50 cards in the set. The cards were sold in wax packs typical of the day. The card fronts were designed by Robert Crumb. This was around the period when Crumb began to drop acid and subsequently moved to San Francisco where he created such characters as Mr. Natural and Flakey Foont. He went on to become one of the most celebrated underground cartoonists in history. The card backs featured photographs along with the punch line. It is believed that the people posing in the photos were employees of Topps. The card set, in near mind condition, is currently valued at $100 - $150.

[Card submitted by Doug of DOUG'S HALL OF FLAME] 

MONSTER CARD MONDAY



TOPPS MONSTER GREETINGS CARD FRONT



TOPPS MONSTER GREETINGS CARD BACK

CARDS SUBMITTED BY DOUG'S "HALL OF FLAME"