The Complete Crumb Comics
#1 - The Early Years of Bitter Struggle
[Second Printing]
(May 1996)
Fantagraphics,
1987 Series
- Volume
- 1
- Price
- 19.95 USD; 27.95 CAD
- Pages
- 152
- Indicia / Colophon Publisher
- Fantagraphics Books Inc.
- Brand
-
Fantagraphics Books [serif, double border]
- ISBN
-
0-930193-42-3
- Barcode
- 9780930193423 51995
- Editing
- Gary Groth; Robert Fiore
Issue Notes
This issue is a variant of The Complete Crumb Comics (Fantagraphics, 1987 series) #1 - The Early Years of Bitter Struggle [First Printing].
![Cover Thumbnail for The Complete Crumb Comics (1987 series) #1 - The Early Years of Bitter Struggle [First Printing]](https://files1.comics.org//img/gcd/covers_by_id/564/w100/564387.jpg?4351334584046408183)
The Complete Crumb volume 1: The Early Years of Bitter Struggle
credits, title page / 1 page
- Synopsis
- Book title plus publisher logo
- Reprints
[no title indexed]
credits, title page / 1 page
- Letters
- typeset
- Synopsis
- Indicia plus production and reprint credits
Right Up to the Edge
foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 6 pages
- Script
- Marty Pahls
- Letters
- typeset
- Synopsis
- Marty talks in depth about Crumb's early work, detailing his influences and interests up to the year 1962.
- Reprints
Report from the Brussels World's Fair!
Foo / comic story / 7 pages
- Script
- Robert Crumb; Charles Crumb
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb; Charles Crumb
- Inks
- Robert Crumb; Charles Crumb
- Letters
- Robert Crumb; Charles Crumb
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- R. Crumb [Robert Crumb]; Harry
- Synopsis
- Correspondent R. Crumb finds nothing but chaos at the Brussels World's Fair.
- Reprints
-
from Foo! (Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb, 1958 series) #1 (September 1958)
-
Indexer Notes
Foo was Robert & Charles Crumb's self-published fanzine.
My Encounter With Dracula
Foo / comic story / 5 pages
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- O.O.P.S. Morrison; Bently Flud; Dracula
- Synopsis
- O.O.P.S. and his friend are going to a ball. While on the way, a mishaps occurs and he finds himself being chased by a bat.
- Reprints
- from Foo! (Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb, 1958 series) #2 (October 1958)
-
The Clod Award of the Month
illustration / 1 page
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Richard Nixon
- Synopsis
- Illustration shows a group of six men throwing rocks and carrying signs.
- Reprints
- from Foo! (Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb, 1958 series) #2 (October 1958)
-
Indexer Notes
Dedicated to "Those Who Threw Rocks At Vice President Nixon!"
Khrushchev Visits U.S. !!
Foo / comic story / 2 pages
- Script
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Inks
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Letters
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Characters
- Nikita Khrushchev; President Eisenhower
- Synopsis
- The story details how bodyguards will protect Khrushchev everywhere he goes.
- Reprints
- from Foo! (Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb, 1958 series) #3 (November 1958)
-
Noah's Ark
Foo / comic story / 5 pages
- Script
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Inks
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Letters
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Doctor Limehart; Doctor Noah; Rover's Owner; Zelda's Owner
- Synopsis
- Doctor Limehart tends to animals while Doctor Noah works on a secret project.
- Reprints
- from Foo! (Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb, 1958 series) #3 (November 1958)
-
Treasure Island Days
comic story / 22 pages
- Script
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Pencils
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Inks
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Letters
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Squire; Doctor Livesay; Jim; Long John Silver; Hans; Captain Smollet; George; Israel; Island Chief
- Synopsis
- Squire goes to the South Pacific to improve his health, while Long John Silver conspires against him.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A self-made comic from 1959.
Cat Life
comic story / 18 pages
- Genre
- humor; anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Characters
- Fred; Fritz; Yimmy; Robert; Sandra; Mammy Chotta; Pappy; Inky
- Synopsis
- Fred the Cat hunts a bird, gets fed by his owners and goes out at night.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A privately made comic from September 1959 to February 1960
Robin Hood
comic story / 6 pages
- Script
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Inks
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Letters
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Genre
- humor; anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat [Robin Hood]; Big John; Minerva the Chick [Maid Marian]; Blacky Crow [Sheriff of Nottingham]; Nero the Pig [Prince John]; Fuzzy the Bunny [A Merryman]; Big Louie [Little John]
- Synopsis
- The Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John plan to capture Robin Hood while Marian is imprisoned in the castle.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Signed and dated March 12, 1960
[no title indexed]
Animal Town / comic story / 15 pages
- Script
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Pencils
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Inks
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- Letters
- Charles Crumb; Robert Crumb
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Darn! That last town I got chased out of didn't have a train to New York
- Genre
- humor; anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat; Harry; Mabel; Colonel Pickwick; Wiley Weasel; Blacky Crow
- Synopsis
- Fritz is wanted by the law. A farmer who takes him in ties him up for the authorities. Fritz tries to bribe his way out before they get there.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Signed March 22 to April 3, 1960.
Fuzzy the Bunny and Brombo the Panda, 1953
illustration / 1 page
- Genre
- anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Characters
- Fuzzy the Bunny; Brombo the Panda
- Synopsis
- The duo pose in a photo booth.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Illustration from 1960
R. Crumb Almanac
illustration / 1 page
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Inks
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Colors
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Letters
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Synopsis
- Drawing of a drunk man leaning to his right.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A letter sent to Marty Pahls from June 22, 1959
R. Crumb Goes to New York
R. Crumb Almanac / illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- Robert Crumb
- Synopsis
- A drawing of a cartoon bespectacled Robert Crumb, suitcase in hand in front of a hazy New York background.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A letter sent to Marty Pahls from July 9. 1959
[no title indexed]
R. Crumb Almanac / illustration / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- More Records! More Money!
- Characters
- Robert Crumb
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A letter sent to Marty Pahls from July 22, 1959
[R. Crumb Almanac no. 22 cover]
illustration / 1 page
- Genre
- anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Synopsis
- Cartoon of a seated plump cat blowing bubbles from his tuba.
- Reprints
- from Prime Cuts (Fantagraphics, 1986 series) #2 (March 1987)
-
Indexer Notes
An illustration Crumb made for one of his journals when he was seventeen. Not published until 1987. The date on the cover is August 1, 1959
[no title indexed]
R. Crumb's Note to M. Pahls / illustration / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- At last! Our work is done! It was worth it, don't you think?
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From September 5, 1959
[Arcade #4 - 1960]
cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Synopsis
- The image shows a shirtless fat man sitting on several sacks of money, surrounded by several dozen men brandishing swords. It is titled "The American Revolution of 1960"
[Arcade #5 - 1960]
cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Synopsis
- The image is of an almost completely sunken ship with several people on the topmost point. The ship's name is "Bigotry and Racial Prejudice."
[Madison Ave.]
illustration / 1 page
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Inks
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Colors
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Letters
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Genre
- anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Synopsis
- The drawing is of a fox in suit and tie sitting next to a tree named "Madison Ave." The fox is sitting with an open book.
A Christmas Tale
comic story / 4 pages
- Genre
- anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat; Husband; Wife; Little Boy
- Synopsis
- Christmas caroler Fritz knocks on the front door of a married couple.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Signed December 10, 1960
[no title indexed]
Arcade / comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- When you come to think of it, it's a lonely world.
- Characters
- Jack; Jean
- Synopsis
- Jack is too despondent to talk to Jean while sitting in the soda shop.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
[no title indexed]
comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Hey, fella, looka that! Hot engine, willa! Cheez! Looka there!
- Genre
- humor; satire-parody
- Characters
- Man Wearing a Cap; Man Wearing Glasses
- Synopsis
- A bespectacled man considers another man's enthusiam for cars to be a sign of ignorance.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
[no title indexed]
Three Little Boys / comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Wow! Lookit that one, wotta build! Wotta shape!
- Genre
- humor
- Synopsis
- Three boys looking at a men's magazine are approached by an elderly woman.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
The Admirer
comic story / 1 page
- Genre
- humor
- Characters
- Man; Woman
- Synopsis
- A man admires a woman by using flowery language.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
On Movie Mags
comic story / 1 page
- Genre
- humor; satire-parody
- Characters
- Young Guy; Young Gal
- Synopsis
- A young guy is disgusted by a girl's keen interest in movie magazines.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
The Art Museum
comic story / 1 page
- Genre
- humor; satire-parody
- Synopsis
- Two sophisticated art patrons and a less knowledgable one look at paintings in the Museum of Modern Art.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
[no title indexed]
comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- For Chrissake! A test today! I forgot all about it!
- Genre
- humor
- Synopsis
- A male student is surprised by a test he completely forgot about.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Dated May 3, 1961
[no title indexed]
comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Lemme tell ya 'bout girls, fella! Lemme tell ya! You gotta keep 'em in line, see...
- Genre
- humor; satire-parody
- Synopsis
- A man tells a boy exactly how women should be treated in order to get his way with them.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 4, 1961
[no title indexed]
comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- An observation on the nature of teenage females, which is possibly wrong.
- Characters
- Roy; Teenaged Girl
- Synopsis
- A female teenager is weary after making out with a boy for several hours.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 12, 1961
[no title indexed]
comic story / 0.64 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- If the Russians ever drop a bomb on this town...
- Synopsis
- A boy is terrified with the idea of a nuclear bomb exploding in his town.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 12, 1961
[no title indexed]
comic story / 0.36 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Solitude is good for the soul...
- Synopsis
- A small cartoonish figure sits by himself crouched against the wall.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 12, 1961
[no title indexed]
comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Well, back ta school for another whole week! I always hate it th' most on Monday!
- Genre
- humor
- Synopsis
- While two school kids walk to school, one of them talks about what happened after a teacher beat him during recess.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 13, 1961
[no title indexed]
Animal Town / comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Well, sir, after nine years of isolated study and meticulous labor
- Genre
- anthropomorphic-funny animals
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat; Sniffikins; Boy
- Synopsis
- Fritz unveils a "synthetic man" and gives it the name "Adam II."
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 1961
[no title indexed]
Animal Town / comic story / 3 pages
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Your attention please!
- Genre
- humor; satire-parody
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat
- Synopsis
- The "synthetic man" is unveiled to a crowd of people. However, the demonstration doesn't go as planned.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From May 22, 1961
[no title indexed]
Animal Town / comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- What's going on here? What is this congregating on the streets?
- Genre
- humor; satire-parody
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat
- Synopsis
- Fritz comes across some communist demonstrators on a street corner.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From June 8, 1961
R. Crumb's Animal Town Comics
comic story / 12 pages
- Genre
- humor; anthropomorphic-funny animals; satire-parody
- Characters
- Fritz the Cat; Sniff the Panda; Mr. Denny; Flossy the Panda; Mae
- Synopsis
- Fritz and his married friends were planning to have a picnic. Unfortunately, the couple's arguing puts a damper on it. Later on, Fritz gets into some trouble when he grabs a bunch of helium balloons.
- Reprints
- from Prime Cuts (Fantagraphics, 1986 series) #3 (May 1987)
-
Indexer Notes
The story is dated May 4, 1961.
[no title indexed]
comic story / 1 page
- First Line of Dialogue or Text
- Mabel! Mabel!
- Characters
- Mabel
- Synopsis
- A little boy wakes up Mabel becase he had a bad dream.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
From June 11, 1961
A Sad Comic Strip
comic story / 5 pages
- Script
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Pencils
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Inks
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Letters
- Robert Crumb (signed)
- Synopsis
- A man lying on his back goes from feeling depressed to feeling extremely alive to feeling depressed once again.
- Reprints
Indexer Notes
Signed and dated "St. Patrick's Day, 1962."
Editing
Related Scans
Series Information
Table of Contents
-
1.
[no title indexed]
-
2.
[no title indexed]
-
3.
The Complete Crumb
-
4.
[no title indexed]
-
5.
The Complete Crumb volume 1: The Early Years of Bitter Struggle
-
6.
[no title indexed]
-
7.
Contents
-
8.
[no title indexed]
-
9.
Right Up to the Edge
-
10.
[no title indexed]
-
11.
Report from the Brussels World's Fair!
Foo -
12.
My Encounter With Dracula
Foo -
13.
The Clod Award of the Month
-
14.
Khrushchev Visits U.S. !!
Foo -
15.
Noah's Ark
Foo -
16.
Treasure Island Days
-
17.
Cat Life
-
18.
Robin Hood
-
19.
["Darn! That last town I got chased out of didn't have a train to New York"]
Animal Town -
20.
Fuzzy the Bunny and Brombo the Panda, 1953
-
21.
R. Crumb Almanac
-
22.
R. Crumb Goes to New York
R. Crumb Almanac -
23.
["More Records! More Money!"]
R. Crumb Almanac -
24.
[R. Crumb Almanac no. 22 cover]
-
25.
["At last! Our work is done! It was worth it, don't you think?"]
R. Crumb's Note to M. Pahls -
26.
[Arcade #4 - 1960]
-
27.
[Arcade #5 - 1960]
-
28.
[Madison Ave.]
-
29.
A Christmas Tale
-
30.
["When you come to think of it, it's a lonely world."]
Arcade -
31.
["Hey, fella, looka that! Hot engine, willa! Cheez! Looka there!"]
-
32.
["Wow! Lookit that one, wotta build! Wotta shape!"]
Three Little Boys -
33.
The Admirer
-
34.
On Movie Mags
-
35.
The Art Museum
-
36.
["For Chrissake! A test today! I forgot all about it!"]
-
37.
["Lemme tell ya 'bout girls, fella! Lemme tell ya! You gotta keep 'em in line, see..."]
-
38.
["An observation on the nature of teenage females, which is possibly wrong."]
-
39.
["If the Russians ever drop a bomb on this town..."]
-
40.
["Solitude is good for the soul..."]
-
41.
["Well, back ta school for another whole week! I always hate it th' most on Monday!"]
-
42.
["Well, sir, after nine years of isolated study and meticulous labor"]
Animal Town -
43.
["Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Your attention please!"]
Animal Town -
44.
["What's going on here? What is this congregating on the streets?"]
Animal Town -
45.
R. Crumb's Animal Town Comics
-
46.
["Mabel! Mabel!"]
-
47.
A Sad Comic Strip
-
48.
[no title indexed]
-
49.
[no title indexed]
-
50.
[no title indexed]
This issue was modified by
- Steven Samuels
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