Week 6: Underground Comics

So the Underground comics are super interesting. I was really impressed with their honesty and gritty, yet silly nature. I read some of the Tijuana Bibles and thought they were kinda cheesey (not that porn these days isn’t) but they’re still interesting because they’re historical and in comic form, which lends to their ridiculous nature.

I also read Gay Comix, and was really happy to see that they were honest, non-stereotypical stories written by ACTUAL gay people. I enjoy reading about LGBT characters and was a little shocked that these stories were being told back then. I mean, even today those kind of stories are not main stream. But I guess that’s what happens when people are just putting their stuff out there, regardless of what mainstream “acceptable” comics are doing.

Another thing I loved about these comics were women’s stories. The story in Tits and Clits about the woman who was paying men to have sex with her after misinterpreting a conversation about prostitution was hilarious. It communicates that women, despite what our culture seems to think, actually ENJOY sex. Who knew? I was also very impressed with the stories of lesbian relationships in Tits and Clits as well as Gay Comix. Thank GOD we weren’t subjected to yet another straight male lesbian fantasy that degrades and over-sexualizes the women involved. It was very refreshing.

As for Robert Crumb, I like reading about his experiences, but I still get a really creepy vibe from him. He obviously loves women, but he expresses it in ways that tend to make me uncomfortable. I think his art has something to do with it. He’s a skilled artist but I honestly think his art is gross-looking! I know he’s this huge amazing artist but that’s just how I feel!

All in all, I think the comics from this era are so important because they tell it like it is. They don’t sugarcoat anything and it captures a generation of people in a specific time in history. The stories being told are unique and represent real people, whether they be homosexual, women, drug-addicts, or all of the above. Power to the people.