"Hard-charging biker. Class warfare revolutionary. Pioneering underground cartoonist. Loving family man. That was Spain Rodriguez. From his role as one of the original Zap Comix artists with Robert Crumb, to his work as a founder of the Mission District murals movement in San Francisco, Rodriguez influenced generations of cartoonists and illustrators with a gritty, in-your-face approach to urban life."
Spain Rodriguez died yesterday at his home in San Francisco at age 72. Rodriguez was one of the real giants of the sixties counter culture, and his freaky, proto- punk creations remind you of a time when underground meant underground. Wrote Michael Cavna in the Washington Post:
"Spain could make ink ripple and resonate. His style could be bold and blunt and grunting — as in-your-face as an urban hustler — but it somehow always remained seductive. He drew road warriors and revolutionaries. At times — to strangers and eventual friends alike — he could resemble both himself. "
Much more about Spain Rodriguez' life and work here, here and here and here. Creative rebels take note, this is how it's done.
Leave a Comment:
I didn't recognize the name, but the style was an instant flashback to college days.
And for those who never read Zap, a caution: the fundamental idea of Zap was to be offensive to everyone, and it was wildly successful. Also, like the Firesign Theater, it wasn't remotely as entertaining while straight.
YHBW.
I think I'll go home tonight and share some of the Theater with $HERSELF in memory of times which, as my father described WWII, "I wouldn't have missed those years for the world and I wouldn't do them again for the world."
WHY is President Obama going back to the Republican idea to cut entitlements for the Tax rates on the wealthy?
I remember Zap comics, but I don't remember Spain Rodriquez. But RIP, I'm sure he led an interesting life. I have great respect for artists.
Oh, krap..... even a fan like me took a minute to catch it-- he was always just "Spain" in the comix, the last name never even mentioned in the ink-and-panel universe. I guess some of his best work from the late '60's-early 70's hasn't aged well, his TRASHMAN!! (caps and ex marks absolutely necessary) is the best example I know of an artist appropriating superhero mytholigizing for street revolutionary ends. I remember a story from another cartoonist from the same era. While serving a drug sentence, he saw a fellow inmate's excitement every time the local underground paper arrived-- he'd walk the corridor shouting "TRASHMAN!!", fist pumping, all the way back to his cell.
I do Not know the Man ~ But , RIP - Brother !!
A retrospective of Spain’s work is currently on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo New York.
http://www.burchfieldpenney.org/
I knew Spain in Buffalo in the Sixties--brilliant, edgy, a real presence. I remember a cartoon wall he did in a friend's apartment, and a sale of his work in the College Center at UB, where I bought one of his paintings. In 1990, I met his brother-in-law while we both had fellowships at CUNY Graduate School. Spain did things right. His vision will stay with me and many of my generation, and will resonate beyond us.