Out of the Ruins of Fascist Amerika, Trashman Fights for Freedom!

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Agent of the Sixth International, Fantagraphics, first issue, Indie Comics, origin, Rip Off Press, Spain, Spain Rodriguez, Subvert, Trashman, Trashman Lives, underground comix

It’s our birthday today, so we offer you an origin story. But not just any origin story: Trashman! Bearded hero of the people’s revolution: Trashman! Sometimes called “the Superman of the New left”: Trashman!

Subvert #1 by Spain Rodriguez contains the origin of his guerilla resistance character, Trashman. This off-beat 1970 story published by underground comix legends Rip Off Press describes the transformation of average guy Harry Barnes into an Agent of the Sixth International. He even masters molecular disintegration — whoa!

Murder, nuclear apocalypse, covert agencies, class struggle, satire — and that’s just the origin! The longer story which completes Subvert #1 involves some sexually hungry female revolutionaries. It’s a hoot, but forgive us for not sharing a few pages of THAT with you here.

Collector’s Guide: You can still find well-read copies of Subvert #1 for a few dollars if you are willing to dig. We found a VG- copy at the local comic store for 3 or 4 bucks, or you can go right to Subvert #1 on Amazon. Fantagraphics published a wonderful collection of all the Trashman stories from 1968 to 1985: Trashman Lives! It fetches a hefty price on Amazon these days, but we found a copy at a used bookstore for less than $20.

Day of the Lobster!

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Chris Harmon, first issue, Indie Comics, lobster, Rimshot, Rip Off Press, underground comix

Chris Harmon tells a short story about a lobster who breaks free of the little rubber band thingie that keeps their claws shut in the tank. Joey — that’s the lobster’s name — hears from his tank-mates that he has been chosen to lead their revolution against the fat bastards that run “the lobster death camp.”

You can see how that turns out in our gallery below. It’s just another totally warped tale from underground comix publishing legends Rip Off Press! We also included the painted back cover from this issue.

Collector’s Guide: From Rimshot #1; Rip Off Press, 1991.

We don’t know where to direct you for more information on Chris Harmon. As far as we can tell, he had some pieces published in Rip Off Comix in the 1970s and may have worked on the Simpsons. Feel free to enlighten us if you have more information!

Cover Up: The Lowdown from Rip Off Press!

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Cover Up, Indie Comics, Jay Kinney, Paul Mavrides, Rip Off Press

Cover-up from Rip Off Press is one weird comic book! It contains two stories about conspiracy theories which are complete fictions — really ridiculous parodies of the whole conspiracy idea. But then the second half of the book is taken up by Lowdown. Lowdown’s intent is clearly educational, informing citizens about shady government activities.

We’re not sure that sandwiching these two ideas together is very effective. The satire seems to put the serious information in too kooky of a context. But Jay Kinney and Paul Mavrides, of Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers fame, seem to enjoy not only promoting counter-culture, but laughing at it, too. Either way, it’s a sweet indie comic to add to your collection. We’re sharing with you the informational Lowdown pages today, so enjoy!

Collector’s Guide: Last time we checked, Coverup was out-of-print and out of stock at Rip Off Press, but it never hurts to check in with them: Rip Off Press

Armadillos of the Surreal!

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Armadillo Comics, Captain Beefheart, glyptodon, Indie Comics, Jim Franklin, Jim Franklin Austin Artist, Meggan Durden, Rip Off Press, underground comix

Armadillo Comics is our new favorite comic book. Brilliantly surreal and psychedelic, with lots of armadillos! We’d love for Rip Off Press to reprint this bad boy, since the two existing issues go for anywhere from $25 to $200. But, after you see this, you may think it’s a small price to pay!

Collector’s Guide: From Armadillo Comics #2, 1st Edition; Rip Off Press, 1971. By Jim Franklin (with Ike, Meggan Durden, and Captian Beefheart)

Update: Since originally posting, we not only bought a copy of this issue, but we found some more information on artist Jim Franklin:

– Jim Franklin’s site with Original Artwork and armadillo paintings!

– 2010 Radio Interview with Jim Franklin. An awesome hour discussing the Austin music/arts scene at the time this comic was created, underground comix legends like Gilbert Shelton, and why Jim started drawing armadillos – and how it took off!

– Jim Franklin on Wikipedia and his billboard for Armadillo World Headquarters, an Austin music venue that apparently kicked major ass.