The Complete Crumb Comics, Vol. 5: Happy Hippy Comix

The Complete Crumb Comics #5

by Robert Crumb

Another year's worth of prize Crumb here, folks — including the second issue of Zap!, the introduction of Angelfood McSpade, lots and lots of Mr. Natural, the long Fritz story "Fritz the No-Good," and plenty of little-seen and rare art, plus all of Crumb's contributions to the legendary Snatch comics, possibly the raunchiest book in the raunchy history of the undergrounds. There's also a jam or two with some of the other Zap! artists, the little-seen alternate version of the famous Janis Joplin Cheap Thrills album cover, the alternate version of the cover to Zap #3... all wrapped up with Crumb's hilarious new cover and an extensive set of photographically illustrated biographical notes from Crumb himself.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Humor, Collections, Fantasy, Satire, Comix

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 1990

About the author

Robert Dennis Crumb (born August 30, 1943)— is an American artist, illustrator, and musician recognized for the distinctive style of his drawings and his critical, satirical, subversive view of the American mainstream.

Crumb was a founder of the underground comix movement and is regarded as its most prominent figure. Though one of the most celebrated of comic book artists, Crumb's entire career has unfolded outside the mainstream comic book publishing industry. One of his most recognized works is the "Keep on Truckin'" comic, which became a widely distributed fixture of pop culture in the 1970s. Others are the characters "Devil Girl", "Fritz the Cat", and "Mr. Natural".

He was inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1991.

Reviews

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the comics that made Crumb a superstar of the underground. There's markedly more sex and violence in this volume than in previous ones, as Crumb began pushing the envelope more often. At this point, underground comics were a phenomenon and everyone was exploring the limits of the form. We also see the first jam pages in this book, with Crumb collaborating with Spain Rodriguez, S. Clay Wilson, Victor Moscosso, and others. His own first books were also being published around this time: Head Comics and Fritz the Cat. If this volume is a touch less mind-blowing than the previous, it's probably simply that his underground style was peaking at this point, and, content-wise, he seems to be casting further and further afield for fresh material. This is still excellent work, but the future beckons ...

[EC Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should be called Angry Psycho Comics. I've been putting this one off, having all the others after vol 4. This is absolutely NOT Crumbs best work, but it is a sorta fascinating look at the (way more toxic than he thinks) effects of fame on our budding young misfit.
If you're in the mood for it, this is the apex of a certain side of him. I dunno.
Maybe it's just me, but the vulnerability that would begin to seep (back) into his work two volumes after this is much more affecting than this obnoxious stuff. His lines here aren't anything that special, either, for the most part (the eye popping cover of Zap #2 ain't bad).
This does have a certain 'time capsule' value. The "Speed Kills" comic is okay, the "Eye Kicks" are deranged in a trippy sort of way. The alternate 'Cheap Thrills' cover is lazy. Nothing is really revelatory, however novel it was at the time.
Crumb is not a swan, but the 'zeitgeist' didn't age as well as the honest expressions of the schmuck searching for his place in the world after getting phased out of it, IMHO.

[Esther]

Too sober to be receptive to stoner humour

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often brings to mind Bosch, but while Crumb is untethered from the olive stake of organized Christianity, he seems the more conservative of the two. Nevertheless, the Crumbian Kozmos is, like the rest of them, suitably sordid and, insofar as it can be yielded to, comforting. Surely you could do worse than conceive of God as a beclothed bunny observing you through "THAT GREAT KOZMIC TV NETWORK IN THE SKY," smiling in commiseration at your meager ambitions, your masturbatory thrills: "POOR OL' DIRTY DOG! BUT HE'S HAPPY!"

[Pigeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Crumb's and I think this was written at his prime, not huge on his earlier or later stuff, this is some of his best in my opinion. Filled with, somewhat vulgar, sex scenes and controversial subjects, crumb lays his insecurities and his deep emotional struggles on paper and it's a beautiful thing. A modern must read!

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been the hardest to get through so far. This artwork and commentary are so sexist and racist that they are very uncomfortable to peruse.

It is obviously a snapshot of a feeling and a place in time, which has value, but please go into this with some serious armor.

The artwork in this volume is definitely improving and demonstrating the psychedelic style Crumb is known for. It is definitely interesting to see the transition and to read the introductions from Crumb's own pen.

[Eric Kibler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crumb reflected America back at us with a funhouse mirror. Warts and all. Racism and sexism intact. Funny, shocking, and always weird. You’ll simultaneously belly-laugh, freak out, and clutch your pearls.

[dude · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[kubby]

okay, this is one i've had to read for class. and well, it's hard. while there are things i like about crumb, there is much i don't like.
this book contains racism, sexism and rape scenes.
some if it i could see maybe what he was trying to convey, but sometimes not and what would a non-discerning reader think? that these things are okay?