Underground Comix collection
Scope and Content
This collection consists of comic books authored as parodies of mainstream society and/or reflecting less acceptable behavior as would be depicted in more conventional publications. Topics include feminism, marijuana legalization, Black Power, anti-abortion and anti-war themes, and gay and lesbian issues. The collection extends from the 1960s through the 1980s. Several files of correspondence between Special Collections Department staff and comic book artists and dealers are included in this collection, as well as correspondence between some creators and publishers. Materials created by the Krupp Comic Works (KCW) publishing company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to promote, market, and distribute these comics provides context about the landscape of underground publishing and distribution in the early 1907s.
All E.C. Comics owned by the ISU Library have been cataloged and can be found by searching the Library catalog. See the appendix for a listing of E.C. Comics available in the ISU Library Special Collections Department.
Dates
- Creation: 1947-2007
Access Restrictions
Open for research.
Use/Re-use Restrictions
Consult Special Collections and University Archives
Biography/Profile
Underground comics (or “comix”, a common spelling) are defined as comic books with adult themes discussing controversial topics and often mocking conventional society. Although the beginnings can be traced to E.C. Comics in the 1950s, the movement grew considerably with the political and cultural ferment of the 1960s and ‘70s and established a dedicated following. The books were often sold in what were colloquially termed “headshops” or stores using book sales to cover the real business of selling drug paraphernalia. One of the most influential author/illustrators was R. (Robert) Crumb, whose Zap inspired numerous other talents.
In the late 1980s the identity of Underground comics shifted. In an effort to avoid being exploited by the big business comic books had become, artists began to sidestep the traditional comic superpowers, Marvel and DC, and started publishing their own, similar, books with a new perspective and emphasized respecting author’s rights. In addition to these comics with more traditional content, another group began addressing adult themes with such publications as Love and Rockets, Raw, American Splendor, Eightball, and Yummy Fur.
Extent
28.12 Linear Feet (64 manuscript boxes and 1 oversize box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is organized into three series:
Series 1, Underground Comic Books, 1947-2007 (alphabetical)
Series 2, Correspondence, 1975-1994, undated. (chronological)
Series 3, Publisher Materials, 1972-1975, undated (alphabetical)
Processing Information
Released on 2018-11-01.
- Title
- MS-0636. Underground Comix collection, 1947-2007
- Date
- December 7, 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 2 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 3 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 4 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 5 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 6 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 7 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 8 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 9 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 10 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 11 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 12 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 13 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 14 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 15 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 16 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 17 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 18 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 19 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 20 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 21 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 22 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 23 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 24 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 25 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 26 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 27 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 28 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 29 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 30 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 31 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 32 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 33 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 34 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 35 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 36 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 37 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 38 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 39 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 40 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 41 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 42 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 43 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 44 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 45 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 46 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 47 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 48 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 49 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 50 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 51 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 52 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 53 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 54 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 55 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 56 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 57 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 58 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 59 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 60 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 61 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 62 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 63 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 64 (Mixed Materials)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives Repository
403 Parks Library
701 Morrill Road
Iowa State University
Ames Iowa 50011-2102 United States
(515) 294-6672
archives@iastate.edu