This ain't no disco

Photo courtesy Denis Kitchen

Whether or not you're as avid about (non-superhero/manga) comics as I am, I highly recommend going to the Chazen's new exhibit, "Underground Classics: The Transformation of Comics into Comix, 1963-1990." (Disclosure: heaps o' nudity/sex/drug use depicted, so not for the kiddies)

Here's an interview from the exhibit's blog with J-School prof and co-curator James Danky:

“But it is really the readers of today who will find Underground Classics to be shockingly wonderful. They have no idea how the visual freedom they take for granted when reading comics today was created, and by whom. And they will love the images, whether for a glimpse into their parent’s secret past or for the uninhibited approach to art and life.”

And here's a more profesh review.

Recommended reading/viewing:
-Any of the Best American Comics anthologies
-"Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel
-"La Perdida" by Jessica Abel
-Anything by Lynda Barry, who I first got into sneaking books from my mom's collection
-The works of Milwaukee native and comix pioneer Denis Kitchen
-"Blankets" by Milwaukee's own Craig Thompson
-Anything by Adrian Tomine ("Summer Blonde" and "Shortcomings" in particular)

And to be obvious...
-"Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi (movie=eh)
-"Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth" by Chris Ware
-"American Splendor" by Harvey Pekar (good movie)
-"Ghost World" by Daniel Clowes (both comic and movie)
-"Art School Confidential" by Daniel Clowes (movie=eh)
-Maus by Art Spiegelman (is this a movie yet? I hope not.)
-R. Crumb (but do not see the movie "Crumb" under any circumstances)

I could go on ... if you have a hankerin' I have the Best American Comics 2006-2008 if you would like to borrow them. Brill stuff.

In other news, I learned yesterday that I will be working as the Wisconsin Student Lobby's communications director starting in July. Excuse this: Eeeeeee!!!