Jimbo

by Gary Panter

A collection of "Jimbo" comics that were originally published in "L.A.'s seminal punk-ZINE, SLASH, between 1978 and 1980."

Genres: Comics, Art

40 pages, artist's book

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Gary Panter is an American cartoonist, illustrator, painter, designer, and part-time musician, widely regarded as a leading figure in the post-underground, new wave comics movement. His work, described by The Comics Journal as defining him the "Greatest Living Cartoonist," has influenced alternative comics and visual culture for decades. Panter grew up in Texas, studying at East Texas State University under Jack Unruh and Lee Baxter Davis. In the 1970s, he became a key participant in the Los Angeles punk scene, producing gritty, expressive art for the fanzine Slash and numerous record covers. This period saw the creation of Jimbo, Panter’s punk everyman, who combines influences from Jack Kirby, Picasso, and underground comics, appearing in Raw, Slash, and Panter’s own graphic novels, including Jimbo in Purgatory and Jimbo’s Inferno. These works blend classical literature, particularly Dante’s Divine Comedy, with punk sensibilities, and Jimbo’s Inferno won an American Book Award. Panter’s influence extended to television as the set designer for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, where his densely layered, chaotic designs earned him two Daytime Emmy Awards. He also created online comics like Pink Donkey and published retrospectives such as the two-volume Gary Panter. He contributed album cover art for Frank Zappa and Yo La Tengo, bridging the worlds of comics, music, and fine art. His style is expressionistic and fast, balancing painting, commercial art, illustration, cartoons, and alternative comix. Exhibitions of his work include the Phoenix Art Museum, Dunn and Brown Contemporary Gallery, and the "Masters of American Comics" show at New York’s Jewish Museum. In 2012, Panter received the Klein Award from the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, recognizing his enduring contributions to the field.

Reviews

[Tentatively, Convenience · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I admit it, I have a grudge against Panter. I met him recently & gave him a movie of mine & a record or 2 & he sd he'd send me something in trade & didn't. Asshole. Other than that.. well, he's just a fairly conventional visual artist. Still, I've enjoyed his work & these comics are among the things I've enjoyed the most. Published by RAW back in the days before larger publishers picked up their material & published larger editions, this is pretty special. It's "RAW ONE-SHOT #1" & it's oversize in that original RAW way as well as bound w/ cardboard. A nice production.