Crumb Museum

Experience some of the best artwork in the Crumb museum by the artist himself who made people
aware of the comic world. Browse on to learn
what you can expect to see!

Crumb’s Art Shows Up In
Various Medium

Witness the artwork of legendary and classic comic artists in various museums beautifully illustrated by one of those ageless creators and an undeniable expert designer who has produced work unimaginable beyond the
average human mind. Check out some of his artworks, which
can be seen in various forms.

Book Illustration

Imagine the book even before you read it, thanks to the precise and accurate depiction of the book in just a few comical figures in pencil and ink sketches.

Album Covers

Check out some of the incredible album covers created by the legend Robert Crumb, who uses realistic art to explicitly portray the content of the music in a cover.

Crumb Sketches

Explore his one-of-a-kind and meaningful sketches that depict the story of a human’s psyche as it is on paper via his ideal, relatable, and highly accurate art.

Crumb Album Cover Art

Witness some of the funkiest and unique album covers created by Crumb’s art, which gives an edge to the album, attracts many people, and directly reflects the message in the album.

Robert Collections

Check out some of the classic and contemporary artwork by Robert Crumb, an American
cartoonist whose work combines sentimentality for American folk culture
with mockery of modern American culture.
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The Playful Attitude Of The Model

Explore the various faces and stages of women depicted by Robert Crumb in his portraits of comical yet inspiring and strong figures.

Yeti Woman

Procure an unreleased concept sketch of the Yeti Woman by Robert Crumb, created for a movie version of his classic Bigfoot story.

Support The Crumb Museum By Ordering Crumb Merchandise!

Show off our edgy and funky collection to your friends by ordering some of our best merchandise and staying up to date with the
latest quirky artistic designs!

Latest From Our Blog

Why Robert Crumb is a great cartoonist?

Why Robert Crumb is a great cartoonist?

American modern humorist, cartoonist, illustrator, and comic book creator Robert Crumb was a famous ideal worldwide. Crumb unabashedly pokes fun at sensuality, religion, racism, and modern American culture in his emotive and artistically stylized pen-and-ink paintings. His work is playfully irreverent, oftentimes sexually graphic, and openly inspired and influenced by delusions and drug usage. He is often regarded as a misanthrope and a constant complainer.

Biography

The great cartoonist, Robert Crumb, who played a significant role in the underground comics era of the late twentieth century, was born on 30th August, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from a chaotic and impoverished household. He spent his formative years creating images for comic books, decks, and bubblegum cards before achieving artistic recognition in the late 1960s.

The breadth of Crumb’s body of work is acknowledged as a significant cultural zeitgeist that spans more than fifty years. Fritz the Cat, Weirdo, and Keep on Truckin’, are some of his most well-known and noticeable characters and series that have received significant critical acclaim. As a result, they have received honors and awards like a significant retrospective at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia in 2008, and so on. In a little village close to Sauve in southern France, Crumb both resides and works.

Crumb's comics

The themes of Crumb’s comics

Seduction and repulsiveness are themes in Crumb’s comics. As you examine the work, you find yourself being dragged into it and evaluating yourself. Crumb has been referred to as a racist, a sexist, and a five-mile-wide nihilistic loner who harbors terrible hatred. These are the precise people we strive to exclude from public debate through hate speech prohibitions, public shame, and shunning. They occur to belong to a considerable proportion of terrorist killers who have been convicted or who are now suspected of doing so.

Given that some of Crumb’s characters are so closely associated with him, it can be difficult to defend certain of his images, such as his usage of blackface from the 1920s and 1930s and his occasionally violent objectification of women.

Significance of Crumb’s drawings

In contrast to the Crow Quill, a dip pen with a steel-pointed nib that created a different line, Crumb came upon the Rapidograph at American Greetings, a reservoir pen that generated a correct flow line of a constant thickness. He used both of them throughout the 1960s. R Crumb’s artwork openly addressed political disenchantment by savagely parodying American culture and beliefs, frequently with a psychedelic edge.

Not only does Crumb have an instantly recognizable style, but his hand also possesses the utmost skill in his industry. His creations are consistently fresh. It goes beyond technical mastery, fascinating social background, or audacity. Every sentence, every portrait, every narrative, and every joke in his work exudes a special vivacity.

Notable comic book movies that will blow your mind

Notable comic book movies that will blow your mind

Comic book movies do well financially. Similar to sci-fi and horror, genre movies have emerged from the shadows to become genuine cultural phenomena. Currently, they are a multi-billion-dollar business that predominates the release schedule for movies every year, with trailers, cast announcements, and costume changes turning into separate events.

Heavy metal- (1981)

Heavy Metal, the Canadian-produced cartoon version of the venerable French comics Metal Hurlant, stands as the zenith of this ghastly genre and captivated teenage lads all over the world with its extreme violence and sexiness. The director of the movie is Gerald Potterton, Jimmy T Murakami et al. Fighting on dragons, guys brandishing their curved swords at a shocked populace while wearing leather kecks are the eye treats. If you’re not extremely high, you might not be able to see tentacled demons from another dimension, golden orbs, or rearing unicorns.

V for Vendetta- (2005)

While it’s true that there hasn’t yet been a really outstanding film adaptation of comic book legend Alan Moore’s work, all of Moore’s motion pictures have something to commend them. We can’t help but wish Lilly and Lana Wachowski had directed their own adaptation of Moore’s Thatcher-baiting dystopian masterwork rather than leaving it in the hands of their former assistant. However, Moore’s revolutionary angst and unyielding outlook are still present throughout the movie. Not by accident have those masks come to represent worldwide anti-capitalism. The director of this movie is James McTeigue.

Death note- (2006)

A straightforward idea—a book where anyone can write the names of the victims and the way they would die, and the cosmos would work in harmony to bring it about—was developed over several years in the Japanese comic book series Death Note. Director Shusuke Kaneko decided to concentrate on the darkened aspects of the story when adapting it for the big screen. The end result is an odd blend of brooding, action-packed, nearly apocalyptic shadows, small-scale suburban realism, and weirded-out psychedelic absurdity. The film features a fantastic character in secretive sugar junkie L and succeeds as a cerebral alternative to the typical horror-comic movies. The director of this movie is Shusuke Kaneko.

Guardians of the Galaxy-(2014)

Guardians of the Galaxy-(2014)

By May, we knew all of their names, including the trash-talking raccoon. In January 2014, we can hardly have picked the five oddly matched Guardians of the Galaxy heroes out of a lineup. What a relief that the movie lived up to all the expectations and ended up being the best straight-up fantasy movie since Serenity. The plot may be illogical—there are some evil men, a prison, and a talking tree—but it couldn’t matter less. Shiny spectacular effects, quick action, and razor-sharp humor are all brought together by an unexpectedly tender undercurrent. This movie was directed by James Gunn.

Famous comic book artists of all time

Famous comic book artists of all time

Many people give comic books high credit for their writing or characters. But every now and again, there is a moment when the artist receives greater acclaim. They present a variety of imaginative worlds that discuss morality, heroism, and many other topics. Here are a few well-known comic book artists whose classic works altered the industry.

William Erwin Eisner

William Erwin Eisner was a cartoonist, author, and businessman who is frequently referred to as the founder of the graphic book. Eisner, who was born in 1917 in Brooklyn, has had a significant impact on and contribution to the comic book business.

Sadly, Will passed suddenly in 2005 and was never able to see one of his most well-known series, The Spirit, come to life on the big screen. The Spirit was hailed for its original content and form from its debut in 1940, and the show moved on to make a realistic action movie in 2008. The Eisner Award, which bears his name, is presented annually to recognize excellence in the field of comics.

Jack Kirby

Jack Kirby is frequently referred to as the King of Comics, and this title is well-earned. He is a self-taught artist, and his imagination is frequently out of this world. Particularly at Marvel and DC, he produced or collaborated in the creation of numerous iconic characters.

Jack Kirby

Through the course of his long career, Jack Kirby had a profound impact on readers and artists of succeeding generations. Even in the twenty-first century, his movement and intensity, together with his incredible storytelling, are still famous.

John Romita Jr.

John Romita Jr. was born in New York City on August 17, 1956. He is the offspring of John Romita Sr., who achieved worldwide fame for co-creating two Spider-Man tales in the 1960s and 1970s. Romita Jr. co-created the character of Hobgoblin with author Roger Stern and illustrated an edition wherein Spider-Man would run into the Juggernaut.

He rose to fame more recently for his collaboration with author Mark Millar on the comic book Kick-Ass, which resulted in the blockbuster film and its sequel. As part of the 30th-anniversary celebration of the character, he collaborated with writer Mark Millar to draw Marvel’s Wolverine.

Steve Ditko

One of the greatest comic book illustrators is Steve Ditko. Despite the apparent simplicity of his work, a close examination demonstrates that his approach contained distinct emotional beats. He and Stan Lee co-created Spiderman at Marvel Comics.

Iron Man’s original Kirby-designed costume was updated by Ditko into a look that is instantly identifiable as the character from The Avengers. He would alter panels and characters’ emotions to achieve authentic emotion, making a taller image than other heroics at the period. Steve Ditko was an Objectivist, which is evident in his characters’ reluctance to make concessions.

How to write a funny comic strip?

How to write a funny comic strip?

Readers who appreciate a good storyboard will find comic strips to be an enjoyable way to pass the time. It can be difficult to make these static images amusing at first, but with practice, it becomes simpler. To create a comic, you’ll need time to think it out, a strong imagination, and a drive to draw. Before you start drawing, think of a funny joke and event to depict. You can share your comic with others after you’ve improved it to get their reactions.

Comic strip skits

Create a joke that you want to tell everyone. It might be beneficial to jot down some straightforward dialogue for your characters. Use topics that intrigue you and comedy that you find, then try to incorporate them into your unique sense of humor. A lot of writing is inspired by personal experience. There may be many tales from your past that you can share. To spark additional creativity, one also can put yourself in novel situations. Consider the age range that your comic is intended for. For example, adults and teenagers should be the target audience for complex jokes. If you’re crafting a joke for kids, tone it down.

Pick a subject for your comic

Comic strip skits

Make a definite decision regarding the subject matter of your comic before putting pencil to paper. This is crucial because it affects how you create the remainder of your comic. Pick a situation that is simple for you to picture. Even while it doesn’t quite seem belly-laugh funny yet, it can be an excellent beginning point. Even seemingly unimportant concepts can turn out to be highly humorous. Consider drawing a youngster who is portraying Superman, for instance.

Choose the characters for your comic

Consider who you’ll require for the comics to tell the tale once you’ve decided on it. Most short comics only feature a few characters at a time, typically no more than three or four. The characters’ characteristics and interactions can influence the comic’s plot. There is no requirement for numerous characters. Imagine a child blowing gum till it bursts all over her, for instance. Her personality-driven acts and responses are what make the humor. Having a large group of characters could be overpowering and make the narrative difficult to read in short comics. To keep it funny, keep your comic simple.

Determine the location of the comic’s action

Your joke’s setting could be one of its most crucial components. You must draw the settings into your panel if that is the case. Try to picture your figures in the setting you choose while closing your eyes. The environment and any crucial story points you need to call attention to should be visible. Consider depicting cages, animals, potentially walkways, and other surroundings if your character, for instance, visits a zoo. It’s not necessary to have a distinct set if your comics can happen anyplace. The background of many black-and-white comics is white. In color comics, the background is always a subtle shade of blue.

Famous psychedelic cartoons that tripped us out

Famous psychedelic cartoons that tripped us out

Although generations have grown up watching Disney classics and Saturday morning cartoons, the field of animation is growing in order to appeal to adult audiences, which has opened the door for open psychedelic vision and conversation. Cartoons have featured mind-expanding and aesthetically fascinating experiences for many years, and psychedelic animation is still influenced by this. Here are a few of the top animated cartoons that accurately portray the effects of psychedelic use.

The Amazing World of Gumball

A true trip of a cartoon is The Amazing World of Gumball. The Cartoon Network’s 2010s Animated series combines a variety of animation techniques, including traditional animation, stop-motion animation, CGI, Claymation, and sock puppetry, and packages it into a special program that is equally wacky, provocative, meta, and always hilariously on-the-nose and funny.

You find up wishing to explore more of each character since they are all so distinctive in terms of expression, animation and personality, and you get what you desire for. The humor in the show has many shades, making it appealing to both younger and older viewers.

SpongeBob SquarePants

SpongeBob SquarePants by Stephen Hillenburg, follows all the traditional beats of a show that imitates a psychedelic episode, with the action taking place underwater in the made-up town of Bikini Bottom. Squidward’s desperate attempts to escape spending out with Patrick and SpongeBob result in sending him on a trip through time and space, which teaches him the importance of being present. This is one of the best unforgettable trippy scenes from the first season. According to the concept, SpongeBob can alternate between extremes of delight and dread and despair.

The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat

The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat was especially appealing because it featured high-quality animated transitions and fantastical worlds that were uncommon in television animation and evocative of the earliest black-and-white cartoons.

The extraordinarily bizarre and fanciful adventures of Felix the Cat take place in a setting where all things are alive and only fantasy logic applies. You’ll need to take a break after viewing every few episodes to recover your sanity because of the full craziness, bouncy animation, fast tempo, and insane animated transitions. But it’s worth it since this show is really stylish, extremely witty, and well-animated.

Morty and Ricky

Morty and Ricky

As society becomes more conscious of and appreciative of the expanded nature of psychedelic experiences, psychedelic cartoons are becoming more and more commonplace today. Rick and Morty discusses psychedelics in an open way and uses animated graphics to put the viewer in an innovative and experimental frame of mind. Morty battles hierarchical institutions, meets aliens while traveling through the universe’s dimensions, and strengthens his family ties.

The integration of the music, messaging, and pictures creates an engrossing psychedelic realm that fosters a fresh mindset. For both animators and artists, psychedelic experiences and visuals serve as inspiration. Psychedelic cartoons can assist viewers in delving deeper into the story, setting, and mental state required to appreciate a work of art.

Best comic book animated series

Best comic book animated series

Some of the most interesting and imaginative stories ever written have adapted themselves to being animated television series. However, there are times when their storylines are much more extensive than could be depicted on film. There is still hope for viewers even though a show may terminate for a multitude of reasons. Particularly in the recent two decades, a lot of animated programs have branched out into the field of picture books and comic books.

Animated series

The batman: Animated series

The animated series Batman was truly groundbreaking. Paul Dini and Bruce Timm altered over one perception when they teamed up to present a perspective just on Batman that had never before been seen in popular culture. Timm addressed the show as a closer in tone to the Batman of Frank Miller’s iconic Dark Knight Returns than the campy Batman that the majority of people recognized, as Kevin Conroy, the mouth of Batman, told us in a video interview. This person had a tormented soul and frequently tormented adversaries. It was simple to feel sorry for Mr. Freeze because all he wanted to do was save his unfortunate wife Nora.

Justice league unlimited

A live-action movie might not always be superior to an animated series. Many viewers have consistently made comparisons between movies and TV shows over the years, whether they are positive or negative—it always comes across that way. Justice League Unlimited, rather than the 2017 movie that attempted but unsuccessfully brought the Justice League to life, is for many the ideal representation of the group. The series works better than others because it has rich character development, great animation, and recognizable voice performers, making it legendary.

X-men the animated series

The majority of viewers think that a show’s quality is only determined by its writing, characters, or animation. Even while each of these elements is essential to creating a successful program, what viewers really want is an outstanding theme song that captures the essence of the production. All of this and more can be found in X-Men: The Animated Series. The series is made even better only by the theme song. It features fantastic storylines, amazing characters, and amazing characters that captivated young viewers.

Naruto Shippuden

Naruto Shippuden

Naruto was arguably the most-watched cartoon of all time. It is a timeless achievement that unquestionably belongs in the top ten. The series is regarded as one of the longest with even more than 700 episodes. However, viewing this art never seems to be monotonous or boring. This doesn’t seem to be a major issue because the series features well-known plots like the Chunin Exam action sequence or the Pain’s Attack arc. Some viewers, however, could counter that the filler episodes throw off the flow or continuity. For many other reasons, this well-known anime is among the best.

Practical Tips To Become A Better Artist

Practical Tips To Become A Better Artist

Being an artist entails constantly developing your abilities, honing your craft, and pushing yourself over the next limit. It can even result in you entirely changing your artistic methods multiple times throughout your lifetime as part of your artistic development. The road to improving as an artist will provide you with more fulfillment as you keep adding to what you already know.

Study all kinds of genres and fine arts

Real artists, so the saying goes, must comprehend all the subtleties of fine art. It is essential to learn many skills in addition to being able to draw with a pencil and paint. One can only gain by learning how to use a variety of mediums, including crayons, oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Learn at least the fundamentals of graphics editors. Even if nothing else, it’s crucial to a business.

One is able to edit images of your artwork or create invites and a brochure for an exhibition. Taking inspiration from other artists’ tasteful works of art can teach us a lot. The quickest route inside another artist’s head and key to his creative process are to draw inspiration from already-existing pieces of art. It is quite beneficial, especially if you are experiencing a creative block.

Observation skills

Your ability to observe is your most valuable tool for developing your sketching abilities. A keen intellect with a creative bent and a strong observational ability is the source of all the greatest works of art. Since the message the artist wants to convey is what matters most, sharp observation is vital to effectively tell a tale via art.

When a creative expert combines his ideas with things he notices around him, this message becomes more obvious. Learning how to become a better artist takes time and a lot of practice, just like any other career route. The amount of time spent observing and practicing one’s trade distinguishes amateur and professional creatives frequently.

Create your own portfolio

You need to feel at ease sharing your work with the public if you want to improve as an artist, especially if you want to pursue commissions, freelance work, or even a full-time position. An artistic portfolio is a carefully curated gallery of your best work. It’s a great marketing tool because it enables potential clients, employers, and customers to learn more about you.

artist

Promote both your name and your work

An artist, having a strong internet presence can help them to attract patrons, sell their creations, and build their brand. Posting on image-based networks like Instagram or Pinterest will help them to establish their social media presence. One can also make time-lapse films or behind-the-scenes blog pieces to demonstrate how they made their work. One can also exhibit their work at craft fairs, galleries, or art competitions if one wants to branch out from the computer and social media.

Most Popular Techniques For Creating Comics

Most Popular Techniques For Creating Comics

Many people who read comic books don’t realize how much work goes into creating the entertainment they love. Even without considering effort or workload, the sheer number of people needed to make a concept a reality can be mind-boggling. Numerous individuals fill a variety of specialized positions, including writer, letterer, colorist, inker, penciler, and editor. This page is meant to serve as a quick overview of the artist’s most popular techniques for creating comics.

comic books

Choose an idea

  • Start with a concept you fervently support. Making a comic book demands a substantial time dedication, so you should be invested in the characters and plot enough to see it through to completion.
  • A comic’s main idea can emerge from anyone, but it usually develops from a writer or editor’s concept for a plot.
  • To capture dialogue, doodles, and story ideas as they occur, make sure to always have a notebook available.

Write the story

  • The writer develops the fundamental idea for the comic into a practical story outline.
  • Character development and timing have been taken into account when placing each piece of the plot.
  • Consider this to be the planning phase for the story’s development.
  • Write your storyline before you begin illustrating if you want to create a comic that feels seamless and professionally created from cover to cover.
  • Beginners will quickly learn that editing text is considerably simpler than completely redoing a page.

Learn about the art of creating comics

  • You might believe that you have read enough comics to be able to create your own. But there’s always a lot to pick up from more seasoned illustrators.
  • Read some books, articles, and blogs written by your favorite comic book creators in between periods of their own creative work to learn their tricks and strategies.
  • You may find a variety of in-depth instructions and suggestions for artists who are new to creating comic books for each phase in this guide. When you’re having trouble, use these sites as inspiration and instructional tools.
  • One can conduct research using the books from their own shelf. Consider the aspects of a comic book series that appeal to you and examine this from an artistic and innovative perspective.
  • Take note of the choices the artist made about the composition, drawing technique, color, characters, and plot. You can improve your own abilities and style by learning what aspects of another person’s work you consider intriguing or successful.

creating comics

Pencils

  • The comic’s appearance is decided by the penciler, who is frequently considered to be its main contributor. This person creates the first sketch that all subsequent artists improve upon.
  • He or she begins by doing thumbnail sketches from the writer’s supplied script.
  • The penciler draws the entire comic in pencil after the thumbnails have been accepted.
  • Some pencilers design their panel layouts immediately on the paper instead of first creating thumbnails.
  • Artists now have the opportunity to pencil their comics inside of a program like Photoshop thanks to the introduction of digital comic creation.
Few Approaches To Begin With Comics And Cartoon

Few Approaches To Begin With Comics And Cartoon

You can advance your career as a comic artist or cartoonist if you have the ability to communicate a story via pictures. Few people possess the artistic talent necessary to portray their feelings as characters. The study of comics and serial art, such as comic books, cartoons, illustrations, graphic novels, digital media, animation, and film, is referred to as comics and cartoon studies. Here are a few approaches you might use to begin your studies of comics and cartoons.

Don’t forget to practice

Practice daily for clean and best results. Make the weak point in your chain the strongest by identifying it. So, break the pattern and spend a significant amount of your study time on the things that are most important or that are preventing you from doing excellent work. Whatever sketching technique you use, there are a ton of blogs, videos, and forums where you can discover answers to your queries along the way. Generally, to finish your comic book illustrations, follow these steps:

  • Drawing
  • Inking
  • Coloring
  • Lettering

Discover various cartooning techniques

It is much more effective to have an aim and concentration than to just sketch whatever comes to mind. It enables you to make the most of your efforts. Cartoonists may have distinctive drawing and rendering techniques. You can practice and hone your skills in a variety of cartoon techniques.

Creating Comics

To increase the scope of your body of work, you can employ a range of strategies, tactics, and approaches. Traditional, modern, noodle, minimalistic, and anime are just a few of the widely used cartoon styles. You can develop original styles using technology and digital illustration techniques, and you can even patent them using internet platforms. In order to increase your employability, learn more styles.

Update your portfolio

For an artist to advance professionally, their portfolio is just as important as a resume. A portfolio can pique an employer’s interest and highlight your artistic ability even if you lack a formal academic background in the arts.

A portfolio serves as an introduction to the best work and accomplishments of an artist, both published and unpublished. A portfolio may also include assessments, accolades, recommendations, testimonies, and comments from experts, art critics, educators, colleagues, and employers. Cartoons or comics you’ve created as a part of your college, graduation, or certification program may be included.

Participate in Creative Communities

Comic book conventions are a fantastic place to develop as an artist. Attending and showcasing your work is still a terrific experience, even if you don’t enjoy spending money to have a booth.

Attending art shows, gallery exhibits, conferences, and even talks about art is a great idea. Your professional network will grow as a result. Additionally, it will assist you in locating possible future customers. Getting mentors or career counselors can also be facilitated by joining national cartoonist organizations. Being a member of such organizations facilitates connecting with others in the same community.

Must-read Comic Books Of All Time

Must-read Comic Books Of All Time

The long-form graphic novels known as comic books are now just as common in popular culture. They provide a means of escaping into settings and situations that are very different from our own. Sometimes visual storytelling is merely a way to have fun without having to read a lot of tedious languages. But, like with anything, some things are much more worth your effort and time than others. In light of this, must-read comic books are listed below.

Batman: The Long Halloween

The Long Halloween by Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb consistently rates among the best comics in The Dark Knight’s amazing history of some of the best works in the genre. The detective-thriller notion that serves as the plot’s foundation highlights a facet of Batman that is frequently criminally overlooked in live-action versions of the character. It accomplishes this while maintaining the imposing physical strength and gloomy, a mystical mood of the noir hero. The Long Halloween is a gripping criminal novel that shows readers once again how expertly realistic, comic stories can be written.

V for Vendetta

Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta took an intriguingly novel turn. The hooded or faceless V, a hero well-known for donning his iconic mask, was in the middle of it all. The titular V serves as the main protagonist, spearheading an anarchist uprising against the oppressive ruling class while donning the iconic Guy Fawkes mask. Given the compelling concept, V for Vendetta explores a range of serious political subjects in an intricate, rich narrative that is full of moral ambiguity and extremes.

The Sandman

The Sandman, authored by the brilliant Neil Gaiman is the most recognizable Vertigo series that DC released. This narrative skillfully integrates folklore, mythology, and fairy tales in a novel and inventive way, as is the writer’s approach, while still remaining sincerely original and fascinating. Gaiman’s masterpiece, The Sandman, is revered for its mystical and bizarre personifications of philosophical ideas. These personifications are The Endless, who represent some of the most potent cosmic powers.

Marvel

The launch of Marvel by Alex Ross in 1994 marked the company’s artistic zenith. The story of Marvel is seen through the eyes of newspaper photographer Phil Sheldon, who has been chronicling the adventures and follies of the superheroes in the Marvel universe. It offers a novel viewpoint on the realm of superhero comic books while also serving as a timely reminder that these tales are really more about the effects that these characters have on society as a whole than they are on the heroes and villains they encounter.

Marvel

City of glass

This book presents a tale that is similar, if not more, bizarre than the conventional amazingly-themed comics and graphic novels. Paul Auster and David Mazzucchelli’s City of Glass is an agnostic or existential dark mystery that requires reading in order to fully appreciate. Despite the inevitable uncertainty, it is definitely worth it for the content it offers. The novel City of Glass is for you if you want intellectual tales that will keep you wondering right up to the very end.

Comic Books/Graphic Novels You Need to Read

Comic Books/Graphic Novels You Need to Read

With a plethora of comic books ruling the world, finding the best one is almost an impossible task. Starting from comedy to superhero themes and horror, the genre of the comic book has a lot to offer the readers. With the unparalleled creative freedom that comic offers, there is no wonder in them being one of the most thrilling and mind-blowing modes of entertainment that can hold all of us in our seat for hours.

Are you a diehard comic book fan? Does the pictorial representation in graphic novels make you feel excited? Then you may read this guide to find the best and most interesting comic books and graphic novels of all time.

The Wicked+ the Devine

Created by Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, The Wicked+ the Devine is the best fantasy comic book series that was ever made. Being the winner of the best comic book award of 2014, the book has done complete justice to the genre of fantasy. The book is narrated from the perspective of a young girl named Laura and her encounter and interaction with 12 deities (known as Pantheon roam).  The 12 deities reincarnate in the form of 12 human beings and are allowed to live with the superpowers and fame for two years. After these two years, they will die and will be reborn again. This is one such comic book that delves into sensitive themes of ethnicity, sexuality, life, and death.

comics

Paper Girls

Like the world that we are living in, the world of comic books is very male-dominated (in the case of readership as well as characters). But this comic book is changing that male domination by introducing a world where a group of girls is in charge. The comic is set in a fictional suburb of Cleveland and the story begins with a new delivery girl meeting a bunch of time travelers. This comic will take you through the different eras and also let you experience some squad battles. You can pick this comic if you believe that you can change the future by changing past events.

Maus

One of the best graphic novels of all time, Maus is a heart-touching story of the holocaust. Here the author is interviewing his father about the horrors of the Holocaust and his experience as a survivor of this horrible incident. This is not just a story that you can just read and forget, but it is commentary that critiques racial division. Here, the author has used animals to represent and criticize various things.

Batman: Year one

As the title suggests, the comic is about Bruce Wayne fighting against crime as Batman for the first time. He is confronting Gotham’s notorious criminals, and corrupt authorities, and facing the crime family of Falcone. In this comic, we can also see the rise of Catwoman and Commissioner Gordan, paving the way for some of the best actions that you could ever see.

So, read these amazing comics to get a taste of the creative world of Comics and graphics novels.

Amazing Comic Strip Examples to Inspire Your Ideas

Amazing Comic Strip Examples to Inspire Your Ideas

Comic books have often served as a great source of inspiration for many graphic novelists, artists, and graphic designers. They are packed with creativity and often have out-of-the-box ideas. If you are looking for some creative inspiration, here are some amazing comic strip examples that can help you:

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures

One of the best places for creative inspiration has to be the unique and authentic style of Japanese comics, also known as ‘Manga’. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has to be one of the most artistic mangas available. Make sure to check out StoneOcean for its visually appealing panels, where the brilliance of the creator Hirohiki Araki, shines the brightest. Araki is deeply inspired by Greek and Roman artwork. You can find a ton of inspiration as you study his artistic evolution throughout the series.

Bizarre Adventures

Sabrina

This graphic novel by Nick Drnaso should be studied for its brilliant use of colors. It was even nominated for the Man Booker Prize. It’s an interesting exploration of the nature of human suffering.

Drnaso has an evocative style, where he doesn’t even have to include words in the panels. The drawings themselves do all the speaking, and they have the ability to strike a chord with the reader deeply. The world-building feels extremely real.

Harrow County

Harrow County is known as one of the most incredible horror stories out there. The artwork in it has the ability to evoke strong emotional responses. One of the most interesting things about Harrow County is that the art has been done by Tyler Crook using only hand-painted watercolour. The artwork is eerie and mysterious, dealing with mysterious and supernatural themes.

Marcio Takara’s Comic Book Characters

If you love superhero stories, Marcio Takara’s works are sure to impress you. He is a talented artist for Brazil that has worked for both Marvel and DC. He is known for the portrayal of strong and charming female superheroes in his works. He brings something new and unique to the table, and the way his characters are depicted is deserving of attention.

Uzumaki

Uzumaki

This is another popular Manga with a never-seen-before art style. Its creator is the highly skilled Junji Ito. The level of detail in his art style can be staggering to witness. It’s regarded as a horror masterpiece, and the artwork features plenty of spirals.

As you read through the comic book panels, you can’t help but get sucked into the thrilling world he has created and begin to feel some bizarre things. The art style is like a vortex that eventually consumes the reader.

To Sum Up

If you want to receive artistic inspiration, all you have to do is have an open mind and expose yourself to as much material as possible. However, with the plethora of material out there, it is best to start with the above comic books and see whether they provide you with inspiration you are looking for.

Best Comics to Read for Beginners

Best Comics to Read for Beginners

Reading comics is the best way to explore new stories or reconnect with an old story in an immersive manner. Most comics are pretty popular for their skilled artwork and visual effects that engage the reader. There are a variety of options when it comes to reading comic books. The field is enormous, with options to read paperback comics or web-publishing comics. When you start reading comics, choose what genres you might like. There are plenty of genres to choose from; however, the most popular ones are fantasy related. Here are some of the best comics for beginners:

Superman: American Alien

The comic ‘Superman: American Alien’ tells the story of Superman’s upbringing. The comic takes us through the journey of a young boy Clark Kent, who comes from a different planet. Clark Kent eventually discovers his powers but is quite uncomfortable with them. The comic is quite suitable for teenagers who can relate to the main character as he discovers and questions his abnormality and identity. Although the main character Clark Kent is worried about fitting in, he eventually learns to embrace his differences to become the hero he is. This seven-issue comic book provides a clear picture of Clark’s life and helps the readers understand their favourite hero Superman in a different light.

Saga

Saga

Saga is an epic fantasy comic book which tells the story of a couple who have recently become parents. Saga is a must-read comic if you are a fan of the sci-fi genre. The comic, written by Brian K. Vaughan, takes us through the journey of Marko and Alana, who struggle to care for their daughter while fighting off authorities and threats from every corner. Critics best describe the comic as ‘Star Wars meets Game of Thrones’. It is one of the most popular and widely appreciated comic series, which also won many awards in the United States. Saga is best suited for teenagers older than 17. The comic is also known for its diverse characters in terms of ethnicity, gender roles, and sexuality.

The Walking Dead:

The Walking Dead is one of the most celebrated comics of all time; it is a post-apocalyptic-themed comic written by Robert Kirkman. The story is about Rick Grimes, a deputy, who wakes up to a zombie apocalypse after he gets shot in the line of duty. The main character slowly takes the role of a community leader while they struggle to survive the apocalypse. The graphics and depictions of the comic make it an interesting and exciting read for beginners. The Walking Dead was also made into a T.V show, though it is only loosely based on the comic book.

Archie:

One of the most loved and popular comics of all time, ‘Archie’ features the comic character Archie Andrews who first appeared in Pep Comics. The storyline is about the relationship between Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper unfurling in the sleepy town of Riverdale. It is an exciting read for teenagers interested in romance and friendship-based comics.

Interesting Facts About Robert Crumb

Interesting Facts About Robert Crumb

Robert Crumb is an excellent cartoonist known for his distinct work and for creating popular characters such as Fritz the Cat and Mr. Natural. Robert Crumb was born on August 30, 1943, in Pennsylvania. Because his family moved around a lot, he stayed in Minnesota, Iowa, California, and Delaware during his early years. Robert Crumb was raised in a strict Catholic family by a strict father and a mother who was addicted to diet pills. Crumb’s style is said to have been influenced by popular cartoonists such as Carl Banks and Harvey Kurtzman.

Robert Crump’s childhood was filled with comic books, something his father despised about him. He worked summer jobs to pay for his comic collection habits, and soon after graduation from high school in 1961, he chose to skip college for a job at the American Greetings Corporation. Although his drawing skills enabled him to find work, his 9 to 5 was rather short-lived. After just four years of working at the American Greetings Corporations to produce greeting cards, he joined the staff of Harvey Kurtzman’s magazine ‘Help!.’ It was during this time that Crumb’s golden era began. He introduced one of the most popular and first ever successful characters ‘Fritz the Cat.’ Fritz the Cat was a sex-obsessed character that was later made into a hit movie due to its popularity. However, Crumb didn’t like the movie adaptation and killed off his character in a later comic.

Robert Crumb wrestled with religious ideologies and questioned subjects such as free will and authenticity. His issues with religious ideology and the influence of Catholic childhood are visible throughout his work. After his short-lived career at the ‘Help!’ magazine, Robert Crumb moved to San Francisco in 1967, where he published his first underground comic book ‘Zap Comics.’ He released subsequent publications such as Despair, Head Comix, etc., where he introduced some other popular characters such as Angelfood McSpade, Shuman the Human, Whiteman, etc. Robert Crumb never shied away from talking about taboo topics such as sex and drugs. His work during this time was influenced by a lengthy drug trip on LSD, which led him to the psychedelic cartoon style that he is popular for. His work was well-known for incorporating strange erotic elements and practices such as Necrophilia and Incest.

magazine

Robert Crumb lived in seclusion during the period of 1976 to 1980 following disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, during which he produced no work. He resurfaced in 1981 with Weirdo, an illustrated anthology. During the early 1990s, Robert Crumb moved to France, where he spent his time contributing illustrations to mainstream magazines such as The New Yorker. Crumb also has worked with many musical artists to illustrate their album covers, the most prominent ones being Cheap Thrills and The Music Never Stopped. One of the recent works of the cartoonist was in 2009 when he published an illustrated version of the book of Genesis from the Bible.

Robert Crumb’s Best-Known Characters

Robert Crumb’s Best-Known Characters

Robert Crumb is known as a cartoonist with a distinct style that is readily recognizable. He is often referred to as the Father of the Underground Comix Movement. Robert Crumb was born on August 30, 1943, in Philadelphia. Since the family moved around a lot, by the time Robert was 15, he had lived in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Iowa, California, and Delaware, among many others. Robert Crumb was raised Catholic and was thoroughly influenced by the EC horror comics and Walt Disney publications. He started working at a Greeting Card Company instead of going to college to acquire an education. Here are some of the best-known comic characters of Robert Crumb:

Fritz the Cat:

Fritz the Cat

One of the most iconic characters to originate from Robert Crumb, Fritz the Cat, also was Crumb’s first successful comic character. Fritz the Cat was created in 1959 and was inspired by the two cats in Crumb’s household. The comic character was a self-centered cat who was rather popular with the girls. The popular comic was then adapted into a movie in 1972 by Ralph Bakshi. Due to the huge success of the first movie, a second one followed; however, Robert Crumb didn’t like the portrayals. Furious, Robert Crumb killed off his popular comic character that same year the movie was released.

Mr. Natural:

Mr. Natural was created during a time when Robert Crumb was using a lot of LSD and drugs. Though the use of drugs left his perceptions dizzy, he was successful in inventing many comic characters during this time – the most popular among them being Mr. Natural. Mr. Natural was created in 1967 and became quite popular, soon appearing in different merchandise items. Mr. Natural was given a character of both a con man and a person with good wisdom on the state of affairs of the world. He had a reputation for being a favorite comic guru.

Mr. Snoid:

Fritz the Cat:

Mr. Snoid is one of the other popular comic characters Robert Crumb created apart from Mr. Natural during the period of intense drug use. Mr. Snoid is a funny character and is represented as a short man with a high sex drive. This comic character was so popular that he eventually had his own solo comic book. Mr. Snoid is often portrayed as a character who can appear anywhere and climb the legs of other people.

Devil Girl:

One of the most famous and strongest characters created by Robert Crumb, Devil Girl was an outlet for the creator to unleash his erotic fantasies. Robert Crumb was never afraid to break taboos and write about strange sexual behavior like Incest and Necrophilia. Devil Girl is also depicted as having a sexual affair with Mr. Natural. Devil Girl was first introduced in the 1980s as Cheryl Brock in the comics of Mr. Natural and Flakey Foont.

Whiteman:

Whiteman is a clever character introduced by Robert Crumb to represent the state of affairs of corporate America. The character Whiteman represented everything wrong with businessmen in America. The character was always on the verge of constipation and had an outside persona of being tough and hard working. Robert Crumb gave a break to his character Whiteman in a story where he was kidnapped by this mysterious forest creature called Yeti.