All About Underground Comix

Did you know that the comics industry of the world had undergone some major revolutions and controversies only few decades back? Do not be surprised. Professional cartoonists and those who are still actively involved in reading comics may know about these revolutions and controversies.

These controversies revolved around the art of underground comix and their publishing. Primarily popular with hippies and punks, these are different from the mainstream comics in the sense that deal with socially relevant and satirical subjects that are prohibited to be depicted in mainstream comics. Underground comix basically show overt use of drugs, violence, anti-war protest, rock music and sex. The difference in the spelling of the words 'comics' and 'comix' represents the 'x' rated content in the latter.

The concept of underground comix emerged in the United States in the late 1960s and stayed on the scene till the mid 1970s. The wave also griped the United Kingdom during 1973 and 1974. However, it was between 1920s and 1940s, when small run under published comix first appeared and depicted sleazy and pornographic content. Initial versions are said to be personal works by artists for their friends.

The underground industry started gaining momentum when underground newspapers started publishing comix. One such major newspaper was the East Village Other that also later on started Gothic Blimp Works, a monthly comix magazine. Many people opposed the Comics Code in the 1950s that artists had to adhere to. That phase also saw parents tearing apart and burning their children's collection of comics. Also, head shops that would sell prohibited drugs and narcotics displayed the titles of these comix. Film industry was also influenced by the growing industry and in 1970s many film-makers adapted some popular comix into animated films that were given an X rating.

In the UK, American work was reprinted by underground publications Oz and International Times (IT), both based in London. Many British cartoonists were also introduced by these publications giving boost to the underground comix industry in the country. Some employees of IT started Cyclops the country's first Comix mag. In 1971, IT published Nasty Tales to regain its financial strength but was faced with prosecution on the charges of obscenity. IT was later acquitted. In 1972, Oz brought out cOZmic Comics that included new British underground strips and American material. The company closed down the next year.

According to the then famous American artist and cartoonist Gilbert Shelton "Underground comics were more like art and less like comics." However, underground comix critics blamed underground publications for being socially irresponsible for promoting drugs, sex and violence.

Both the American and British underground comix industries started declining in the mid 1970s. However, it was in 1982 that the distribution of comix took a different turn after the start of many specialty stores. Many mainstream publishers started alternative comics to cater to the taste of adult audience. The focus of these comics was the same as of underground comix. As of today, the sale of underground comix is on rise, especially on the Internet. You can easily find reprints of original underground comix and also modern underground publications.

One of the best online stores that have a huge collection of underground comix is http://www.worldheadpress.com/

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Underground #5, Conclusion!

This issue is the dramatic conclusion to the "Underground" series. It would be impossible to craft a more satisfactory end. Essentially, this story is very short (only five issues), but it has all of the components necessary to convey an intriguing tale. Wesley Fischer and Seth Ridge are still on the run, deep within the Stillwater Cave. The air is getting colder and the light is getting dimmer, and the lovers have to rely on each other more than ever before. Jeff Parker's dialog is magical, and one feels the physical and emotional tension between the protagonists as they strip their clothes and huddle by a fire made of bootlegger's gin and old rags.

Two high points worth mentioning: Wes and Seth have to do a "chimney" climb on a rock section too wide for them to do it by themselves, so they link arms back to back and have to walk up the cliff face. What an amazingly creative and imaginative scenario to place them in! Second, Seth tackles someone (no spoilers) through a waterfall and beats some serious a**.

Themes of loyalty, treachery, misunderstanding, and human nature permeate the text and create a context that is believable and visceral. With all of the "green" campaigns being conducted in our day and age, this comic is very politically and culturally relevant. Underground showcases both arguments 'for' and 'against' preservation, although I would argue that it does not portray each side in a fair light. The group that would commercialize and extort the Stillwater Cave for commercial gain are revealed as villains, while those that are fighting to preserve it are heroes.

Out of each of the "Underground" issues, this one was the most action packed and well paced. I was not disappointed in the least! (Well, maybe I was disappointed that this was the last issue). Seriously, if Jeff Parker can think up a reasonable premise, I would love to see an "Underground" series that doesn't conclude with five issues.

Chad de Lisle is a newly married college student in Utah. He spends much of his day with his wife Hilary and their dog Bobby Dylan. He spends his weekends as a Dungeon Master for his friend's Dungeon's and Dragon's games.

His website:

http://www.resmirch.com/

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Underground Comix - Comics With Purpose

Do you remember how fond we were of comics in our childhood days? In those days we really used to yearn for comics but in today's tech-savvy world, with the advent of television and internet, comic books have lost their charm as avid readers have become a dying species. At one point underground comics were also very sought after, and may still have some collectors.

Underground comix are comic books that were self published in a small press and deal with socially relevant or satirical topics. They usually depict topics which are banned under normal publications by a regulatory body known as the Comics Code Authority. They deal with forbidden topics like drug use, explicit sex and violence and they were popular in United States and United Kingdom between 1968 to1975.

These comics were very popular among hippies and punks. Later they even gained popularity through films and television shows but they were always considered as alternative comics by the masses. Between 1920 and 1940 underground comix started including pornographic comic books which depicted popular comic strip characters who engaged in sleaze and perverted sexual activities. They appeared sporadically in the early sixties till 1967 and they were basically personalized works created solely for friends and also contained comic strips for publication in newspapers.

Underground comics became very popular between 1968 and 1975 and these titles were popular in head shops which sold drugs and narcotics which were banned by the society. These comics were used to popularize the drugs and the sleazes which were predominant in Western societies those days It was the lack of censorship which made them popular among the masses.

Underground comix are basically cartoon strips which were meant to titillate the audiences. Some believe that these comics were created by revolutionaries and miscreants in order to mould the minds of children so that they became a menace for the society.

Today, underground comix are not easily available but collectors can find a good variety at http://www.worldheadpress.com/. However, it is highly recommended to read these for entertainment purposes only and be kept away from impressionable minds of children.

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