The Sweeter Side of R. Crumb - Softcover

Crumb, R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 039333371X ISBN 13: 9780393333718

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010

Synopsis

The "nasty, negative, misanthropic" comic genius proves he has a sweet side.

Cute little kittens, angels, and babies? Flowers, ice cream cones, and German boy bands? Coming from, supposedly, the creepiest and most pessimistic artist of his generation? Yes indeed, there is a "sweeter side" to R. Crumb. These delectable illustrations―whether depicting Bernie the Cat pawing for his master's affection, the timeworn beauty of a French village cul-de-sac, or a quiet night chez Crumb―wonderfully exemplify the many tender moments that have, until now, played second fiddle to the cult icon's more raunchy sketches. Now Crumb harkens back to his humble American beginnings as a Cleveland greeting card illustrator, when his innate knack for the grotesque had to be suppressed for the perennial appeal of "cute." The result is this cheery and blue-skied world, where readers of every conceivable personality type, age group, even sexual persuasion can finally enjoy the artist's momentary lapse from naughty to nice. Color and black-and-white illustrations throughout

About this title

About the Author:

Born in Philadelphia, R. Crumb is the author of numerous comic works and one of the pioneers of underground comics and arguably one of the most famous cartoonists in history. His books include The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb, and many more. He lives in the south of France with his wife, the artist Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

Born in Philadelphia, R. Crumb is the author of numerous comic works and one of the pioneers of underground comics and arguably one of the most famous cartoonists in history. His books include The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb, and many more. He lives in the south of France with his wife, the artist Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

From Booklist:

As Crumb admits in his introduction, sweet isn't what his work seems to be. Furthermore, he opines in so many words, sweetness is for gals. So, is this album of one-panel and one-page comics and many freestanding drawings somehow "Crumb for the ladies"? Well, none of Crumb's trademark raunch is on view; the closest he comes is a reminiscence of his then-preschooler daughter's curiosity about "poop." But Crumb remains in love with carnality. What he draws has weight, and what he admires he draws even heavier. Surely the girl-jock high-school classmates he lovingly recalls didn't have legs quite that massive; they were teenagers, after all. Such drawing doesn't have much of the delicacy considered especially appealing to women. It does have particularity (does this guy know shading or what?), which gives each portrait of an old or (seldom) new entertainer, each view of a favorite forest pathway, each rendering of a fantastic bit of French medieval architecture, visual tangibility. And it has affection, which is sweet, no? But not just for ladies. Ray Olson
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About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 039333371X
• ISBN 13: 9780393333718
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112