Sunday 9 June 2013

Dirty Bites Special Edition!!!


I wrote the foreword & contributed a Cartoon to Paul Frosdick's recent collection of his DB strips & drawings. John Orlando graced the cover. Check out Paul and his work on his Facebook Page (If he's not banned from posting)

Above is a drawing that I did for Paul at the time DB was being put together...

Thursday 30 May 2013

Review: A History of Underground Comics



I was asked to write a review of this, so here we go...




A History of Underground Comics, 20th Anniversary Edition, by Mark James Estren

Ronin Publishing, 2012  -  326 pages, $29.95  

As reviewing goes, I'm going to have to be partisan on this one. And not just because I'm thrilled that History is finally back in print, but because Mark James Estren's account of the rise and reasons for the Underground Comics Phenomenon, speaks directly to those of us who know or ought to know the importance of the Artists who founded it.

This book is not an impartial document, it is an impassioned and thoroughly informed tale of the men and women who made this history, and of the cultural artefacts (Comix to you and me!) that they produced for us.

Estren's account of these times is lucidly composed of research, essays and first hand accounts (The conversation between the author and Harvey Kurtzman, discussing S Clay Wilson, ((p 67)), is one of its many gems!)

From our vantage point of 21st Century hindsight, we can see the politics (The Cold War, Nixon, Vietnam) and then the Counter-Culture that inspired these drug taking, art school drop-outs to risk their liberties drawing scurrilous, pornographic cartoons. But, when we look at the insipid state of culture today, we must applaud Estren for reminding us of the gung-ho attitudes, reckless bravery and sheer insane creative genius that produced these innovative, funny, provocative works to inspire us.

There have been other studies of the Underground Comix scene, but Estren's, if not a "definitive" one (as he says), certainly feels like one of the most authentic.

A History of Underground Comics, 20th Anniversary Edition is a must-have keep-it-close-by item for all of us "Alternative" cartoonists/Artists, and everyone else who should know this stuff.

Steve Gibson






















Wednesday 15 May 2013

Julia's Problems


Here's another recent one from my Filthy Moods Blog (Go on, have a peek!) One of my personal favourites.

The Complex Relationship Between Authority and Victim


Here's a drawing from the Filthy Moods Blog. You may notice that it is dedicated to my Cartoonist pal, Paul Frosdick, because, let's face it, someone has to share the blame...

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Dirty Bites Special Edition!




Foreword & Gratuitous Cartoon for Paul Frosdick's recent compilation of his Brilliant Comix!

Monday 1 October 2012

Venus, Fly & Trap... (greyscale)


Okay, okay...! I know I'm just an old attention seeking smut monger, but now that I do have your attention, don't forget to check out the regular updates & new "Art" on my Filthy Moods Blog...

Go on, just click on the link & see for your self!!

Friday 28 September 2012

"Gimme Danger.. Gimme Somethin!"


What's this guy sellin'?

Nothin' really - It's just another ploy to get you to check out my Filthy Moods cartoon link & see this in colour along with loads of new drawings & cartoons!!!

C'mon... Just click, it's right next to you, see...