CDNComix

Bludwart the Brash

Published by: self-published; Contributor: Parley L. Holman; Date: 1974; Price: 50 cents; Page count: 24 pages;

Size: comic; (6.5 x 9.75); Kennedy #: 303; Print information: one printing; 450 copies;

Par Holman may be best known as a constant contributor to the newave minis scene, especially many of the Clay Geerdes/Comix World titles from the late 70s onwards. But fewer probably know that Holman self-published in 1974 a solo, full-sized comic spoof of the barbarian genre called Bludwart. The content of Bludwart is surprisingly safe and g-rated. Maybe the lack support from a publisher/distributor caused Holman to play-it-safe and not to toy with boundaries.

Holy Ghost Zapped Comix #1 (1973 edition)

Published by: Logos International; Contributor: Steve Gregg; Date: 1973; Price: 35 cents; Page count: 44 pages;

Size: digest; (5.5 x 8.0); Kennedy #: not cited; Print information: unknown;

Listed earlier in this thread (page 16) are three Christian comix” published by the Sonday Funnies in the mid-70s. These books emulated the “underground-style” to attract young readers and hopefully spark their interest with the gospels. First use of this approach probably might be credited to Steve Gregg, Logos International and the four Holy Ghost Zapped Comix (HGZC):

• Holy Ghost Zapped Comix (1971)
• The Growthbook (1971)
• New Creature Comix (1972)
• Jews for Jesus (1973)

The series was not identified by Kennedy but was described in the last Fogel Guide. The edition of HGZC #1 described in the guide is a little different than example posted below. The posted copy has a later copyright of 1973 on its front cover and is an inch shorter than the 9 inch tall, 1971 edition described by Fogel. There is no mention of any later printings/editions within the guide.

Unfortunately, the Holy Ghost Zapped Comix series seems to be within the range of rare to very rare. To date, very few examples of any issue have been offered in the on-line market. A basic on-line check of past sales reveals only six posted images of HGZC #1 - all of which seem to be the 1973 edition and not the earlier edition as described by Fogel.

Pontiac Tempura

Published by: self published; Contributors: Carol Lay; Byron Werner; Joel Milke; Date: 1980; Price: one dollar; Page Count: 12 pages;

Size: magazine (8.25 x 10.75); Kennedy #: 1559; Print information: one printing; 450 signed copies;

Carol Lay (Japanese Monster) and Byron Werner (Famous Potatoes, see page 3 of this thread) team-up to produce this delightfully strange "comic". Their mutual friend, Joel Milke (Heebie Jeebie Funnies and Hollywood Fats) was enlisted to handle production and printing.

It's pretty rare (for whatever reason) for a 500 copies book and has a surprising on-line sales interval of about only once every five years. Kennedy had cited in his guide that copies were signed. My copy is not and the other two examples from on-line sales also aren't. I emailed Carol Lay about this and received the following non-committal "I don’t remember if we signed and numbered any of them — it sounds like something we might have done". 

The Ronnie Rat Show

Published by: Ink Works; Contributors: Rich Chevat; Dino Ewing; Date: 1982; Price: one dollar; Page Count: 24 pages;

Size: comic (7.5 x 9.5); Kennedy #: not cited; Print information: one printing of 1,000 copies;

A common but a more than-better-than-average underground that was likely published post the Kennedy guide. Some collectors may have noticed an interesting variation in colour between some examples of Ronnie Rat covers. On some covers, blacks appear as blue-green and the reds drift from a dark pink to a deep scarlet. I checked with one of the creators and he reports the differences were not intentional but were due to variations within the print run.

Homage to the Nose (signed and numbered edition)

Published by: self published; Contributors: G.J. Stein; Gary Kwapicz; Richard N. Wayne; Date:1980; Price: no cover price; Page Count: 24 pages;

Size: mini (4.25 x 5.5); Kennedy #: 995; Print information: one printing of 300 copies; 80 numbered and signed copies;

There many examples of undergrounds that focus on anatomical parts of the human body, usually the parts that are for adults only. Richard Wayne is probably the only underground creator original enough to focus and decicate a work on the human nose.

Fever Pitch #1-#4 (first printings)

Published by: self published; Contributors: Brad Foster (#1-4); John Mahomet (#2-#4); John Cosgriff (#2); Bob Vojtko (#2 and #4); Rick McCollum (#3-#4); Douglas Bryson (#3-#4); Mark Heike (#3-#4); David Rose (#3); Nasty (#3); Randy Crawford (#3); Randy Rustin (#3); Clay Geerdes (#3-#4); Larry Heller (#3); Al Sirois (#3); Gary Whitney (#3); Jim Jones (#3); Jim Valentino (#4); Bruce Dey (#4); Teddy Harvia (#4); Parley Holman (#4); Bill Black (#4); R.C. Harvey (#4); Clifford Neal (#4); Beatty (#4); John Howard (#4); Eric Vincent (#4); Charles Smith (#4); John Crum (#4); Richard Bruning (#4); Mitch O'Connell (#4); Bill Pearson (#4); Larry Dickson (#4);

Date: #1 and #2 (1978); #3 (1979); #4 (1980); Price: progressive: $1.00; $1.50; $1.75; $2.00; Page Count: progressive: 20, 32, 44, 72  pages;

Size: digest (5.5 x 8.5); Kennedy #: 727-730; Print information: more than one printing; #1 (first): 100 signed, numbered and hand coloured copies; #2 (first): 250 signed, numbered and hand coloured copies; #3 (first): 400 copies; #4 (first): unknown

Fever Pitch started as attempt by Foster to use leftover portfolio drawings of busty women that were leftover from the Superchicks. It quickly blossomed into a series that grew in price, number of pages, number of contributors, number of copies and breast size with each issue. To demand the series was reprinted and continued another 4 issues beyond those cited by Kennedy. Beyond the great illustrated views, some of the later issues have decent articles. Like most, I read Fever Pitch for the articles.

8-1/2" x 11" Comix #1 and #2

Published by: Angstrom Publications; Contributors: Luke Jaeger (#1 and #2); Jonathan Lethem (#2); Date: 1982 and 1983; Price: $1.00; Page Count: 16 pages; #1 unbound

Size: magazine (8.5 x 11.0); Kennedy #: not cited; Print information: one printing;

An interesting comix-zine out of Brooklyn that were sold on the streets (and subways) of New York by its creator, Luke Jaeger. Avid hipster readers should be able to recognize Jaeger's childhood friend, Jonathan Lethem who contributed a story to the second issue. They apparently used to go on double dates together while they were attending the High School of Music and Art in New York. A friend of mine recently contacted Jaeger and was told about a third issue with a colour cover that was released in 1985.

Charmaugagogmanchaugagogcharbunagungamaug Comix And Stories

Published by: Nice Day Comix; Contributors: Randy Crawford; Date: 1981; Price: $2.95; Page Count: 60 pages;

Size: small comic (5.5 x 8.5); Kennedy #: 437; Print information: one printing; 500 signed and numbered copies;

After writing out that title, I got nothing else to give.

Nice Day Comix

Published by: self published; Contributors: Scott Maceachron; Randy Crawford; Date: 1979; Price: no cover price; Page Count: 24 pages;

Size: small comic (5.5 x 8.5); Kennedy #: 1369; Print information: one printing; 1000 copies;

A comic with a pretty cover for its weaker insides.

Published by: Final Notice Productions; Contributor: Marian Lydbrooke; Dave Lester; Date: #1 (1980); #2 (1981); Price: #1 (75 cents); #2 (35 cents); Page Count: large sheet folded into four sections; cover and 3 comic pages on one side and a large poster pin-up on the other;

Size: unfolded sheet (17.25 x 22.5); Kennedy #: not cited; Print information: unknown;

Porcupine's comments above "that's a biggie" reminded  me of this activist edu-publication from Vancouver, Canada. Not every collector's cup-of-tea, but definitely appeals to this Canadian. Around the same time, both Lydbrooke and Lester submitted some strips to Jay Kinney that were published in Anarchy #3.

On ‎9‎/‎20‎/‎2019 at 3:25 PM, porcupine48 said:

That's a biggie,hard to store!

Yes, it is pretty big. I store it like an underground newspaper: wrapped and flat on its side.

Published by: self published; Contributor: Jeff Beddow; Date: 1979; Price: no cover price; Page Count: 20 pages;

Size: A3 (14.0 x 17.0); Kennedy #: 338; Print information: one printing of 1,000 copies; according to Kennedy 500 of which which numbered and signed; according the creator 2,000 copies were produced and the majority of which remained unsold and were damaged while in storage;

Earlier in this this this thread (page 10), I posted about a little known collaboration digest called Caffe Comics published by Jeff Beddow. Bozo Soofi is his ambitious solo work that was inspired by the death of Elvis in 1977. I do not consider it to be an underground or a comic, but a series of art panels. Thankfully Kennedy did cite it in his guide and alerted me to this wonderful publication.

Star Trek "Spook in Heat"

Published by: self published; Contributor: Randy Crawford; Date: 1977; Price: no cover price; Page Count: 12 pages;

Size: mini (3.0 x 4.25); Kennedy #: 1878; Print information: multiple printings; 1,250 copies according to Kennedy;

One of about ten Tijuana bible style minis that Randy Crawford produced in the 70s. Pretty tough find for a over 1,000 copy book. Crude in every possible aspect: concept, production and artistic merit. God bless you Mr. Crawford.

Kookie Comics #4

Published by: self-published; Contributors: Thomas Anderson; Robert Anderson; Zac Trenholm; Tony Klemen; Date: 1976; Price: 10 cents; Page Count: 20 pages;

Size: digest (5.25 x 8.0); Kennedy #: not cited; Print information: unknown;

At first glance, Kookie Comics looks like an underground and because of its rarity an amazing find. But in truth, its just a kookie comic produced by 2 brothers from their Californian print shop. I would not be surprised me if the Comics Code Authority label on the front cover was legitimate and not a spoof. I also would not be surprised if the Anderson brothers declared any profits from Kookie Comics #4 when they filed their 1976 tax return.

On 9/14/2019 at 7:17 PM, comicwiz said:

Great thread, appreciate the time and effort you have put into compiling all this information and sharing it here. For some reason or another, this thread was brought to my attention earlier today and I've just now finished going through everything.

Everything? That's great news and thanks for sharing the great cover tell for a Snatch #1 first printing and its history through the hands of the "great resellers". Some rarer stuff in my collection came to me via a collector who bought directly off of Donahue twenty plus years ago. He was told by Donahue that a good chuck of that was from Sidebottom. Funny how these things never travel that far and together as a group. Yes, please share about how Sidebottom's stuff caused you some issues. I am interested.

Jacques

Published by: self-published; Contributors: Jacques Boivin; Date: 1979; Price: one dollar; Page Count: 20 pages;

Size: magazine (8.25 x 11.0); Kennedy #: 1055; Print information: one printing;  2 colour variants; 1000 copies total;

Sort of odd that Kennedy did not expand upon the "Jacques" credited on the inner front cover of this beautiful Canadian underground magazine to the full identity of Jacques Boivin.. Kennedy only could have known that a 1,000 copies were printed by talking directly to Boivin.

Journal of Pure Art #1-5

Published by: Jumping Duck; Contributors: John A. Adams; Date: 1980 (#1 and #2); 1982 (3-5); Price: no cover price; Page Count: #1 (14 pages); #2 (12 pages); #3 (8 pages); #4 (16 pages); #5 (12 pages);

Size: digest (5.5 x 8.5); Kennedy #: 1079-1082; #5 is uncited; Print information: one printing; 100 numbered and/or signed copies;

A dadaesque mix of art, strips, photo images and text from fine artist John Adams. Most collectors are unaware of the uncited issue #5.

Fat Lip Funnies

Published by: Rag Studios; Contributors: Daniel Clyne; Jay Lynch; Bill Marhoefer; Todd Treadway; Jimmy Johnson; Date: 1969; Price: no cover price; Page Count: 20 pages;

Size: small comic (6.0 x 8.25); Kennedy #: 719; Print information: one printing; several cover-stock colour variants;

Other than Jay Lynch and Dan Clyne, I am not too familiar with the work of the other contributors to Fat Lip Funnies. Jay Lynch should not an introduction to anyone reading an underground comix thread. Clyne did some work in the earlier issues of Bizarre Sex Comix, Hungry Chuck and several of Lynch's later "colour cover" comix - Teen-age Horizons and Purple Cat.

On ‎9‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 2:04 AM, rjpb said:

Truly a treasure trove of the rare and obscure. Most of this stuff I'd never even heard of, though I still have the copy of Flaming Baloney I bought from Gary Dumm at a Columbus Comic-Con  in 1975 when I was a teen-ager. He was a comic dealer back then. 

You really have great taste to have purchased something like Flaming BX in your teens. I guess I am a little younger than you. My first phase of comic "collecting" began in my early teens in the early 80s with standard Marvel purchases, like the 4-part Wolverine mini-series. It took me another 35 years to purchase a copy of Flaming Baloney. Better late than never.

Filipino Food (unknown edition)

Published by: unknown; Contributors: Ed Badajos; Date: unknown; Price: cover price; Page Count: 72 page tape bound softcover book;

Size: digest (6.0 x 8.25); Kennedy #: this specific edition is not cited; Print information: unknown;

Someone (Mario) had specifically asked about this particular edition of Filipino Food earlier in this thread. I had seen a few copies offered for sale usually in Europe and presumed that it was a later Euro edition. Knowing what I know now, I should have actually handled a copy before giving that earlier response. 

This edition has no publisher information, copyright information, ISBN number or a cover price. It's front cover is a colourized version of one of the inner black and white plates. It has the same frontispiece as the 1972 Olympia Press edition so it was more than likely produced in 1972 or later. The back cover is either a water colour or pastel that does not appear in any of the earlier editions. On the page opposite the inner front cover there is the following mysterious statement "The profit of this edition is for the country-commune movement and for the revolution anyway...thanx!".

Rather than being a Euro edition, I suspect that it is either an unauthorized bootleg publication or (little less likely) a private edition produced by Badajos to raise funds for one of his charity concerns.

Filipino Food (second edition)

Published by: Olympia Press; Contributors: Ed Badajos; Date: 1972; Price: $3.95; Page Count: 72 page squared bound softcover book;

Size: magazine (8.25 x 10.5); Kennedy #: 733; Print information: unknown;

This edition of Filipino Food is the edition that Kennedy cited in his guide and the edition that most will be able to recognize. Released with a beautiful colour cover and frontispiece that do not appear in the original first edition.

On 8/30/2019 at 3:46 PM, namisgr said:

on't think I've seen this one posted yet.  

Thanks Namisgr. No Bicentennial Grossouts has not been posted by me, just because it is a pretty well-known title. I tend to leave books like that to Mr.Steven Fox (involved with the publication of last Fogel Guide) and his great website:

http://comixjoint.com/bicentennialgrossouts.html

Which I see that you already have found!

His site was one of the first motivators for getting me into collecting, so I am showing him my respect and trying not to cover areas that he already has.

On 8/30/2019 at 2:59 PM, porcupine48 said:

Whoah!I have this one somewhere in the hoard!

I think I have a few underground commons in my photobucket,I'll look as I'd like to contribute more than golly,this is neat stuff.I'll leave out Freak Bros and the Fat Freddys Cat(althout that cat IS a fave)

I do have a bunch of Canadian stuff,but it's squirreled away,and I'm not great at getting images up,focusing and finding things.

Would you consider,say Pyramid underground of just small company stuff?I have a few oddballs of theirs that featured flexi disk music records ie Galaxina no wave music.edit,I guess it would be independent,not underground after I thought about it.

Not my image,but the company I mean

Funny that you should mention that publisher and others like it from the midish 80s. I had a very recent discussion with a couple of collecting friends about the "copper age quirkies" and one of them threw me this site from a guy who is really passionate about them:

 https://www.instagram.com/power_comics/

https://powercomics.tumblr.com/

Jay Kennedy listed Grokk in the second part of his guide as an "aboveground"  and not as "underground".  Back in 1982, he could see the demise of the underground and its replacement by what we call now alternatives or independents. I personally like and collect that pocket (whatever you want to call it), but a lot of classic underground collectors would not and that's their loss. The reasons I posted it in this thread is because this type of Bronze Age self published stuff is rarely talked about and deserves some comment. I am glad that you picked up on it.

Publishers like Pyramid or Alchemy are really copper age and deserve their own separate thread and discussion. IMO these are the legitimate children of the newave and underground movement.

Dal Lazlo's Creatures of the Dusk

Published by: Dada-Loco Productions; Contributors: James Dittmann; Date: unknown; Price: no cover price; Page Count: 16 pages;

Size: magazine (11.5 x 15); Kennedy #: 565; Print information: unknown;

A series of film noir inspired panels printed for prosperity on non-acid newsprint.