COVER CONTEST 3/27-4/2: Underground Comix!

[seismic-2]

No., because independents can be bought in the conventional way(s), while underground comics are not.

Interestingly, in one sense underground comix were in fact the first ones to be bought "in the conventional way", if by that you mean in comic book stores. In the 1960s, comic books were sold on spinner racks in grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, etc. Comic book stores did not yet exist. Of course "underground" comics could not be sold in such open venues as the spinner racks in neighborhood shops, so they were sold in instead in head shops, along with day-glow posters, bongs, roach clips, tie-dye, sandals, head bands, and other "hippie" paraphernalia. In a sense, these were the first "direct market" comics, in that you had to go to specialized stores in order to buy them (unless you purchased them from some guy who was selling them from out of the back of his car, along with the "other" material to go with the bongs and roach clips).

[The Darknight Detective]

Interestingly, in one sense underground comix were in fact the first ones to be bought "in the conventional way", if by that you mean in comic book stores. In the 1960s, comic books were sold on spinner racks in grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, etc. Comic book stores did not yet exist. Of course "underground" comics could not be sold in such open venues as the spinner racks in neighborhood shops, so they were sold in instead in head shops, along with day-glow posters, bongs, roach clips, tie-dye, sandals, head bands, and other "hippie" paraphernalia. In a sense, these were the first "direct market" comics, in that you had to go to specialized stores in order to buy them (unless you purchased them from some guy who was selling them from out of the back of his car, along with the "other" material to go with the bongs and roach clips).

That's my recollection, too. Since I never visited those establishments you listed back in the '70s, I never saw them (though It's possible our local comic store had some underground comics behind the counter).

[MajorHoy]

That's my recollection, too. Since I never visited those establishments you listed back in the '70s, I never saw them (though It's possible our local comic store had some underground comics behind the counter).

I don't really know if there was a "local comic store" anywhere near me in the early 1970s. Later on in the decade I found there was a location of Heroes World (originally "Superhero Enterprises") in a small/medium sized mall (Livingston Mall) about a half hour or so away from me.

They were the guys who had all those adds for superhero-related toys in the comic books back then.

[The Darknight Detective]

I don't really know if there was a "local comic store" anywhere near me in the early 1970s.

There was a used book store that sold back issues of comics as early as the early '70s (though I never went there until the mid-'70s). By 1978, there was a LCS in walking distance of my house, which was obviously awesome.

Later on in the decade I found there was a location of Heroes World (originally "Superhero Enterprises") in a small/medium sized mall (Livingston Mall) about a half hour or so away from me.

They were the guys who had all those adds for superhero-related toys in the comic books back then.

Very cool, Major!

[Kirby101]

That looks like Joe Kubert drawing Marvel characters.

[Tami]

I don't really know if there was a "local comic store" anywhere near me in the early 1970s. Later on in the decade I found there was a location of Heroes World (originally "Superhero Enterprises") in a small/medium sized mall (Livingston Mall) about a half hour or so away from me.

They were the guys who had all those adds for superhero-related toys in the comic books back then.

I used to go to the Woodbridge Mall on occasion and I never remember seeing this store in there. Man, I missed out big-time.

[seismic-2]

The Wikipedia article on the "direct market" in comic books dates the concept to 1972 (although their had been a few stores in North America prior to that which sold comic books and back issues). Interestingly, it also says that underground comix had been sold in specialty shops in the late 1960s, making them predecessors to the modern-day system of distribution via comic-book stores.

[Stony]

Trina Robbins!

[Ravin' Ray]

Hope about marking it "Not an entry" then?

Consider it done!

Now everyone knows what I'll post for a literal underground theme. How long do we have to wait before Netflix streams The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, the prequel series to Henson's 1982 cult classic?

[kjn]

Interestingly, in one sense underground comix were in fact the first ones to be bought "in the conventional way", if by that you mean in comic book stores. In the 1960s, comic books were sold on spinner racks in grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, etc. Comic book stores did not yet exist. Of course "underground" comics could not be sold in such open venues as the spinner racks in neighborhood shops, so they were sold in instead in head shops, along with day-glow posters, bongs, roach clips, tie-dye, sandals, head bands, and other "hippie" paraphernalia.

Or you go to the wild and woolly days of the comics fanzines, which really should be regarded as the first underground comics. You got them directly from the editor in various ways: in trade for other fanzines, by sending in material or letters, sometimes by buying them directly from the editor, or by haggling with other fen.

It was in that environment that people like Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and Julius Schwarz got started, though there were no dedicated comics fanzines at that time.

[ed2962]

Are independents books considered Underground?

Eh...generally no, but I guess it depends. Like Major Hoy said don't get too hung up on a strict definition. If you have a cover you think is borderline, go for it. For instance, I think a case could be made for the WaRP Comics versions of Elfquest. Eventually Wendy and Richard Pini took their comic to Marvel but before that, it was a self-published black and white magazine sized comic. It was wasn't counter culture satire but it was outside of mainstream comics.

[ed2962]

Not an entry, but another example. Here's Jack Jackson's Comanche Moon. While, he's famous for doing satire, he's also done a number of historical comics. I don't want people to think every cover has to do with hippies or sex and drugs.



Also, during the late 80's there was a Black and White Boom, following the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now many of these books weren't great, it was clearly folks looking to cash in. But if someone has a cover they like from that trend, please feel free to post.

[CaptCleghorn]

Also, during the late 80's there was a Black and White Boom, following the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now many of these books weren't great, it was clearly folks looking to cash in. But if someone has a cover they like from that trend, please feel free to post.

Since you asked very nicely.

NOT ENTRIES (it wouldn't be fair)

[Shalla Bal]

That looks like Joe Kubert drawing Marvel characters.

Good eye. Yep, it's the great Joe Kubert, here's another look at it from his son Adam http://adamkubert.com/post/103760937...figure-roundup
Also, on the side (near Cap) there's a blurb stating that it is "Produced by the Joe Kubert School of Art." I had no idea the school was around back then!

[Kirby101]

Thanks Shalla.