• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

The Unofficial Underground Comix thread...
14 14

2,279 posts in this topic

Another favorite.

 

realworldcomix.jpg

 

About 20 years ago I bought a bunch of issues of Harpoon and American Pie, a National Lampoon knockoff from the mid seventies that had to change its name. One issue featured Real World Comix as an insert, which may explain why it has no cover price. I'm thinking the non insert issues may have been from an overrun and handed out individually, which is why they are rarely found.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another favorite.

 

realworldcomix.jpg

 

About 20 years ago I bought a bunch of issues of Harpoon and American Pie, a National Lampoon knockoff from the mid seventies that had to change its name. One issue featured Real World Comix as an insert, which may explain why it has no cover price. I'm thinking the non insert issues may have been from an overrun and handed out individually, which is why they are rarely found.

 

Yes, I saw jwcomix on ebay sell a copy of that humor mag a couple of years ago; it was Apple Pie Vol. 1 #5. However, the insert that came with the magazine--was it an insert like a small comic?--was only a small excerpt from Real World Comix. The actual Real World Comix has a very big format (bigger than the run of the mill magazine) and a very heavy card cover stock. The print run was only 325 copies. I'm not sure why there was no cover price, but the first copy I ever saw for sale had one of those red price sticker on the cover that you often see on underground comix; it's possible that many of the copies that went into distribution would have had that sticker.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll have to dig it out, if I can remember which box it is in. As I recall, I checked against the Kennedy guide listing and it was the complete comic. It was the same size as the magazine but I don't recall the cover stock. I'd check it out but my boxes are all stacked in a closet willy nilly from my last move and not all labeled well

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll have to dig it out, if I can remember which box it is in. As I recall, I checked against the Kennedy guide listing and it was the complete comic. It was the same size as the magazine but I don't recall the cover stock. I'd check it out but my boxes are all stacked in a closet willy nilly from my last move and not all labeled well

 

I've got the same problem, all my books are packed in boxes and stacked pile high in storage; it's hard to find anything!

 

After some more sleuthing online, I found a few images of the issue of Apple Pie in question.

 

applepievol1no5.jpg

 

applepievol1no5interior.jpg

 

It looks like the insert is attached to the interior of the magazine kind of like the R. Crumb's Carload O' Comics promo was included as an insert in Cheri Magazine. It would indeed be interesting to know if all the content is there and whether the Real World Comix section has it's own set of staples. Still, I think we can rule out that there is any connection between the original printing of Real World Comix and this version. Even if their sizes are the same (I think they might both be 8-1/2”x11”), the original was printed in 1974 (a year before the Apple Pie version) as a square bound book with heavy card covers; hence, there is no chance of the Real World Comix that is listed in Kennedy being the result of an overrun of the Apple Pie printing.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Powermowerman has got to be very rare and unknown to most underground and promo/give away comic collectors. With very early Bode art (first? professional? work. Was in Overstreet back in the 80's and then taken out.

 

I believe you're right about it being his first professional gig. Had no idea it was listed in Overstreet in the 80's, how odd that they would take it out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Powermowerman has got to be very rare and unknown to most underground and promo/give away comic collectors. With very early Bode art (first? professional? work. Was in Overstreet back in the 80's and then taken out.

 

I believe you're right about it being his first professional gig. Had no idea it was listed in Overstreet in the 80's, how odd that they would take it out.

 

Help used to be listed in Overstreet and then at some point they took it out as well. Haven't looked at a price guide in a few years so I'm unsure whether or not it's been reinstated. Always wondered why they removed it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll have to dig it out, if I can remember which box it is in. As I recall, I checked against the Kennedy guide listing and it was the complete comic. It was the same size as the magazine but I don't recall the cover stock. I'd check it out but my boxes are all stacked in a closet willy nilly from my last move and not all labeled well

 

I've got the same problem, all my books are packed in boxes and stacked pile high in storage; it's hard to find anything!

 

After some more sleuthing online, I found a few images of the issue of Apple Pie in question.

 

applepievol1no5.jpg

 

applepievol1no5interior.jpg

 

It looks like the insert is attached to the interior of the magazine kind of like the R. Crumb's Carload O' Comics promo was included as an insert in Cheri Magazine. It would indeed be interesting to know if all the content is there and whether the Real World Comix section has it's own set of staples. Still, I think we can rule out that there is any connection between the original printing of Real World Comix and this version. Even if their sizes are the same (I think they might both be 8-1/2”x11”), the original was printed in 1974 (a year before the Apple Pie version) as a square bound book with heavy card covers; hence, there is no chance of the Real World Comix that is listed in Kennedy being the result of an overrun of the Apple Pie printing.

 

 

Ah, didn't realize it was a squarebound. If I find it I'll check if there is an indicia inside with any info.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also see that the magazine insert is solid black on the side banner, while the original goes from black to red, and that with the insert the art on the right edge is trimmed.

 

I wonder what the story is with this book as both the small size of the original print run and the use as an insert are unusual for the era.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Powermowerman has got to be very rare and unknown to most underground and promo/give away comic collectors. With very early Bode art (first? professional? work. Was in Overstreet back in the 80's and then taken out.

 

I believe you're right about it being his first professional gig. Had no idea it was listed in Overstreet in the 80's, how odd that they would take it out.

 

Help used to be listed in Overstreet and then at some point they took it out as well. Haven't looked at a price guide in a few years so I'm unsure whether or not it's been reinstated. Always wondered why they removed it.

 

That's so weird. I haven't looked at a new Overstreet guide in years either, but it doesn't really make any sense to exclude titles like this, even if it's to honor Mr. Overstreet's dictum that adult-oriented materials be excluded from his guide. Judging by today's standards, there's nothing particularly subversive about Help, and Powermowerman is (and always has been) utterly benign.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also see that the magazine insert is solid black on the side banner, while the original goes from black to red, and that with the insert the art on the right edge is trimmed.

 

I wonder what the story is with this book as both the small size of the original print run and the use as an insert are unusual for the era.

 

I'm with you, I'd love to know the story behind the book. It's one of my favorites, both for the quality of it's production and it's content. Recently, an ebay seller by the name of mr-comixking has been selling several pristine copies of the book. The seller is likely Errol McCarthy, the artist behind Real World Comix, or a relative of his; besides underground comix, the seller is also selling sketches and concept drawings by McCarthy. On a side note, McCarthy is best known for his work at Mattel, where since the early 80's he has been the creative force behind illustrating action figure lines like He-Man, Hot Wheels, and many others. I believe the Kennedy Guide states that 200 of the 325 originally produced copies were distributed through Kitchen Sink; the copies surfacing on e-bay now are likely whatever remains of the books that were not distributed. Perhaps, the best way to settle our curiosity is to inquire with mr-comixking about the story behind Real World Comix.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Powermowerman has got to be very rare and unknown to most underground and promo/give away comic collectors. With very early Bode art (first? professional? work. Was in Overstreet back in the 80's and then taken out.

 

I believe you're right about it being his first professional gig. Had no idea it was listed in Overstreet in the 80's, how odd that they would take it out.

 

Help used to be listed in Overstreet and then at some point they took it out as well. Haven't looked at a price guide in a few years so I'm unsure whether or not it's been reinstated. Always wondered why they removed it.

 

That's so weird. I haven't looked at a new Overstreet guide in years either, but it doesn't really make any sense to exclude titles like this, even if it's to honor Mr. Overstreet's dictum that adult-oriented materials be excluded from his guide. Judging by today's standards, there's nothing particularly subversive about Help, and Powermowerman is (and always has been) utterly benign.

 

 

Since Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella and a couple other Warren titles are in Overstreet and Famous Monsters Of Filmland and it's ilk are not, I assumed Help was considered in the latter category by some committee at some later point.

 

Does anybody know if Overstreet lists Warren's 1984/94? It resembles the comic titles like Creepy, but the content is pretty 'adult' by comparison....and even that label can be argued by those who would just call it "out and out tawdry smut".

 

I figure if Mad and Cracked are listed, well...why not Help?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Powermowerman has got to be very rare and unknown to most underground and promo/give away comic collectors. With very early Bode art (first? professional? work. Was in Overstreet back in the 80's and then taken out.

 

I believe you're right about it being his first professional gig. Had no idea it was listed in Overstreet in the 80's, how odd that they would take it out.

 

Help used to be listed in Overstreet and then at some point they took it out as well. Haven't looked at a price guide in a few years so I'm unsure whether or not it's been reinstated. Always wondered why they removed it.

 

That's so weird. I haven't looked at a new Overstreet guide in years either, but it doesn't really make any sense to exclude titles like this, even if it's to honor Mr. Overstreet's dictum that adult-oriented materials be excluded from his guide. Judging by today's standards, there's nothing particularly subversive about Help, and Powermowerman is (and always has been) utterly benign.

 

 

Since Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella and a couple other Warren titles are in Overstreet and Famous Monsters Of Filmland and it's ilk are not, I assumed Help was considered in the latter category by some committee at some later point.

 

Does anybody know if Overstreet lists Warren's 1984/94? It resembles the comic titles like Creepy, but the content is pretty 'adult' by comparison....and even that label can be argued by those who would just call it "out and out tawdry smut".

 

I figure if Mad and Cracked are listed, well...why not Help?

 

I always thought that it was due to the amount of hand drawn comic art inside the book which prevented Help and others like it to be in Overstreet. Also since MAD started as a comic it was always grandfathered in. Kurtzman stuff is always good to read and enjoy. Help also contained some very early Terry Gilliam work, maybe his first professionally published work outside of college.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Powermowerman has got to be very rare and unknown to most underground and promo/give away comic collectors. With very early Bode art (first? professional? work. Was in Overstreet back in the 80's and then taken out.

 

I believe you're right about it being his first professional gig. Had no idea it was listed in Overstreet in the 80's, how odd that they would take it out.

 

Help used to be listed in Overstreet and then at some point they took it out as well. Haven't looked at a price guide in a few years so I'm unsure whether or not it's been reinstated. Always wondered why they removed it.

 

That's so weird. I haven't looked at a new Overstreet guide in years either, but it doesn't really make any sense to exclude titles like this, even if it's to honor Mr. Overstreet's dictum that adult-oriented materials be excluded from his guide. Judging by today's standards, there's nothing particularly subversive about Help, and Powermowerman is (and always has been) utterly benign.

 

 

Since Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella and a couple other Warren titles are in Overstreet and Famous Monsters Of Filmland and it's ilk are not, I assumed Help was considered in the latter category by some committee at some later point.

 

Does anybody know if Overstreet lists Warren's 1984/94? It resembles the comic titles like Creepy, but the content is pretty 'adult' by comparison....and even that label can be argued by those who would just call it "out and out tawdry smut".

 

I figure if Mad and Cracked are listed, well...why not Help?

 

I always thought that it was due to the amount of hand drawn comic art inside the book which prevented Help and others like it to be in Overstreet. Also since MAD started as a comic it was always grandfathered in. Kurtzman stuff is always good to read and enjoy. Help also contained some very early Terry Gilliam work, maybe his first professionally published work outside of college.

 

Do you mean Help didn't make the cut because of the lack of hand drawn comic art and preponderance of photographic material? If so, perhaps you are right, and maybe, like wpbooks suggested, the Overstreet editorial board deemed Help Magazine of the Monsters of Filmland ilk. Still strange that they would at first include it and then decide to cut it. And what about Powermowerman? Was there a decision to remove early promotional work by underground cartoonists?

 

I took a look at my 2008 Overstreet and they do list Warren's 1984/94 (and even Comix International!). Comix Book is also listed. Crumb is mentioned three times in the market report section and is even praised as the most unique artist of the 1960's, but the only artist credit he has is for Harvey Kurtzman's Strange Adventures. Bode's credits are more or less limited to the contributions he made to Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella. So, by and large, I'd say the editorial board was pretty exacting in avoiding the tawdry smut.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
14 14