The Sweeter Side of R. Crumb TPPublisher: W.W. Norton & Company
Release Date: November 2010
Price: $17.95
Creator: R. Crumb
Format: 212 pgs.; B&W; Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-3933-3371-8
Age Rating: Mature
ICv2 Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
While this book is clearly aimed at readers already familiar with R. Crumb’s underground comics, the contents show the many other sides of his artwork. Several of the pieces included are portraits of varying degrees of seriousness. Some have cartoony captions or word balloons, but in fact they showcase some really talented art. Many other less-known Crumb works are included in the book, including some of his CD covers.
His portraits, ranging from various musicians to stooge Shemp Howard to his own wife Aline, are worth the price of the book. In addition, though, are landscapes, mostly realistic, but one that is clearly a fairy tale of sorts. These portraits and landscapes vary in style and level of detail, and show things through his eyes as an artist, which is not quite the same way he sees the world as a cartoonist. Crumb also includes snippets of other projects and comics.
Unlike the recent collection of his daughter’s work, this volume does not smack of being a vanity project, but instead is a legitimate peek into the portfolio of an artist of several decades standing. The artwork here gives the reader new insights into the styles in his The Book of Genesis, as well as Crumb’s earlier works.
For adults, both in intent and for substantial nudity.
--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
