Dark Horse will release The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen, a 200-page collection of works by the publisher, agent, author, and pioneering underground comix artist, in June.  The 9” x 12” full color hardcover will include over 200 illustrations, including paintings, covers for underground newspapers and comix, rare strips and illustrations, and historic photos of Kitchen and his contemporaries.  Much of the content has been unseen since its original publication in the late 60s and 70s. 

The volume will feature an introduction by Neil Gaiman and an essay by Charles Brownstein (Eisner/Miller) provides context and a career overview.

The book was first announced for publication by Kitchen Sink Press over 20 years ago, but was never produced. It’s the first collection of work by Kitchen, who’s known best for his publishing but was a talented artist in his own right.

Robert Crumb said of the collection, “I think Oddly Compelling is a very good title for a book of Denis Kitchen’s work, and it describes it very well.  I always thought it was rather a shame that Kitchen became a publisher and businessman to the neglect of his artistic talent….   He was a gifted and exceptional artist….  I think his downfall was women….  The big sap!”