R. Crumb: Existential Comics

This volume brings together twenty-five of R. Crumbs most ambitious, acclaimed, and profound comics. One of the most influential and iconic cartoonists of our time, R. Crumb is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of representation, mass consumerism, and polite society. The comics in this volume exemplify Crumbs creative output over twenty-five years following his early experimentation in the 1960s and 1970s. The comics collected here depict characters searching for an understanding of the world around and within themselves. Through adaptation, autobiography, biography, and short fiction, Crumbmuch like his subjectsdemands we pay attention to our darkest desires, compulsions, fears, and obsessions. Existential Comics will also feature a new, introductory comic strip by Crumb, reflecting on his practice in the context of this volume. Editor Dan Nadels essay further weaves together Crumbs life, career, and influences, delving into the creative environment that informed some of the artists most outstanding comics.