Download PDF The R Crumb Handbook R Crumb Peter Poplaski 9781840727166 Books
Download As PDF : The R Crumb Handbook R Crumb Peter Poplaski 9781840727166 Books
This collection of original cartoons and never-before-published work takes readers on a unique journey through the life and times of one of the 20th century's most notorious and influential counter-culture artists.
Download PDF The R Crumb Handbook R Crumb Peter Poplaski 9781840727166 Books
"To be honest, I really bought this as a Christmas present for an old friend. Unfortunately he moved without out leaving a forwarding address, but left me with a great collection of R.Crumb stories to enjoy over the holidays. Definitely worth a look see."
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Tags : The R. Crumb Handbook [R Crumb, Peter Poplaski] on . This collection of original cartoons and never-before-published work takes readers on a unique journey through the life and times of one of the 20th century's most notorious and influential counter-culture artists.,R Crumb, Peter Poplaski,The R. Crumb Handbook,M Q Publications,1840727160,Reference,Art,Art / Reference,Biography Autobiography,Biography Autobiography/General,Cartoons comic strips,Comics Graphic Novels / Graphic Novels / General,General,Graphic Novels,Humour,Illustration
The R Crumb Handbook R Crumb Peter Poplaski 9781840727166 Books Reviews :
The R Crumb Handbook R Crumb Peter Poplaski 9781840727166 Books Reviews
- R. Crumb just may well be the most honest observer of the American scene of our generation. Since the mid-60s he's been looking at us and himself and putting his findings on paper. His eye has shifted focus several times over the past 50 years early, cute satire; greeting card stuff that frequently was too risque to make it into print; the zapped LSD-inspired hippie drawings that made him the "father of underground comix"; the sexual confessions that earned him the hatred of some feminists and got him blacklisted from libraries (see the librarian's review of this book); the social critic who deplores consumerism, agri-industry, mass media, the ratrace, and the worship of the Almighty Buck; the music afficionado who writes incredible stories about his favorite musicians and musical genre; the philosopher who speculates about life, sex, fear, fame, and death; and always the autobiographer, who plumbs and probes and fingers his own psyche.
The R. Crumb Handbook is the latest chronological/autobiographical compilation of his work. It's a good companion volume to The R. Crumb Coffee Table Art Book, which came out a decade ago. Crumb apparently doesn't like putting these things together, and does so only when he needs some cash (the Coffee Table Art Book paid for putting central heating in his French house). But both books are fine introductions to Crumb's work for those who've just discovered him, and nice walks down memory lane for those who are longtime fans. The artwork is punctuated by short Crumb essays, as well as a few appropriate quotes from folks like James Kunstler, C.G. Jung, and Charles Bukowski. The Crumb essays are interesting, but not as detailed as those found in the Coffee Table Art Book. But the Handbook includes the fantastic CD of music recorded over a period of 30 years by Crumb and his music pals
But there are some pleasant surprises in the hefty Handbook. There are several pages, for example, of "The Crumb Family," a strip co-authored by Crumb and Aline Crumb-Kominsky (pp. 218-229). It's absolutely hilarious, and exceedingly clever--which may be why the strip never made it to serialization. There are photos of Crumb-inspired tattoos--including one on a woman's firm tush--is it Aline's?--and of the life size statues of Devil Girl and Vulture Goddess Crumb sculpted in the 1990s. The Handbook also documents several European exhibitions of Crumb's work, including the one at the 1992 Angouleme comics Festival in France which featured a huge walk-in sized Crumb exploding head.
For my money, though, the best of the latest stuff collected in the Handbook are the "philosophical reflections" on knowledge, personal identity, significance, and so on, with which Crumb filled his sketchbooks in the late 90s (pp. 370-390). They suggest a man who's beginning to feel his time running out and who wants to try to figure out a few things before the night closes in.
One of the most touching--and revealing--illustrations in the Handbook is its final illustration in which Crumb lists the cartoonists and illustrators who've influenced him. At the very top of the list is his genius and tragic older brother, Charles Crumb, Jr. - A very honest biography on the life and work of Robert Crumb, which some people would find offense with, no doubt about it.
It also includes a CD with some songs performed by Robert Crumb and various bands he played with.
If you are a fan of R Crumb's work, then this book is for you, but for people who don't know about Crumb's work you might want to Google his cartoons and make yourself familiar with them before buying this book, because they are X-rated and beyond. - Robert Crumb has seen, has come and has gone, but he came back again! Crumb's leave-me-alone-I-can't-take-it-anymore mantra is happily broken with the release of the R. Crumb Handbook. Since the 1994 Zwigoff film about Crumb's life made him re-famous, re-popular and sympathetic, (do view an earlier BBC video written by Crumb,) he understandably retreated. Crumb compadre, Peter Poplaski, is coauthor and motivator for Crumb on this Handbook. (Thanks Peter!)
This is the essential and reasonably priced (it has been discounted,) toolkit for the Robert Crumb explorer who does not wish to or cannot find all the comics he has produced, even though as he states "Every work a masterpiece!" If you want an essential medicine chest for Crumb, this Handbook is it. Specific drawings are included from the popular-sensational-banned, to those that Crumb feels are meaningful and important.
This Handbook presents Crumb's life as an open-book historically, visually and presently with his interpretations. The Handbook is a testament to his survival; draw or die, and for his aspiring spirituality; work is sacred. The reader learns about his talent and fixations, his influential brother Charles, the rejection of religion and the 50's saga, and his overwhelming sense of bodily-self entwined with his art.
I first saw some of his work when I was an innocent in the 70's. The drawings were frightening and cause for concern. (Although the Joplin/Big Brother album cover was fascinating and is included in the Handbook.) His work made this big girl wonder why boys would buy this stuff and why a man would draw such images. Well, I am older now and I want to give ol' Robert a ride on my back!
The CD included in the Handbook, of the music he loves so much (he probably has every 78 rpm ever pressed,) is worth the price of admission. The tv dinner and cat songs are a hoot, as well as the performances by the family Crumb. The Handbook is full of energy as Crumb laments that he is now in his tiring 60's. Well, I hear he is illustrating the Book of Genesis. He just keeps on trukin'! - Those who, like me, worship the very ground upon which R. Crumb treads and has trodden, will certainly enjoy this bio-documentary work. It sheds light on his influences from childhood through the prolific 70's and 80's and up to the present; it is densely illutrated and a joy to hold, whether scanning it as a coffee table conversation-starter or as a historical document. If, however, Crumb is new to you, please look elsewhere, to one of the many reproductions of his works. Crumb is a graphic artist, and this is not fundamentaly a graphic work. It is not an introduction to Crumb but a record of his career. This is a work for lovers of Crumb's work, not for those just discovering it.
- To be honest, I really bought this as a Christmas present for an old friend. Unfortunately he moved without out leaving a forwarding address, but left me with a great collection of R.Crumb stories to enjoy over the holidays. Definitely worth a look see.
- Excellent! Loaded with comix, stories and a really GREAT compact design! A must-have for CRUMB fans!
- Great book
- great seller the book arrived as described have had just a glance through but appears to be quite interesting the CD is great
