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Issue: The Complete Crumb Comics #1 [Fourth Printing]
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Title: The Early Years of Bitter Struggle [Expanded]
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagFantagraphics
Brand:
Indicia Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc.
On Sale Date: 03/07/2012
Volume: 1
Pages: 216
ISBN: 9781606995587
UPC/EAN: 978160699558752499
Price: $24.99 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 62 (31 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: Includes sixty-four pages of material not included in earlier printings.

Fourth Fantagraphics Books edition: December 2011. Available from the publisher a week before the official 3/14/2012 comic book store release date.
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Publication Type: Trade Paperback
Color: Black & White with some Color
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11" (21.59 cm x 27.94 cm)
Paper Stock:  
Binding: Softcover
Publishing Format: Was Ongoing Series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted anywhere.
Disclose Reprinted From36
Some/all of 3 other Issues reprinted as/in this Issue:
FlagFoo! #1 published September 1958
FlagFoo! #2 published October 1958
FlagFoo! #3 published November 1958
33 Content Items from other Issues reprinted as/in this Issue:
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Issue Image
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Assets0
 
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
?
Subject Matter
Robert Crumb
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
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[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0
Front cover flap with an excerpt from the introduction.
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[untitled]

Blank Page(s)  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
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The Complete Crumb

Credits  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
[untitled]

Blank Page(s)  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
The Complete Crumb volume 1: The Early Years of Bitter Struggle

Credits  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
3
Title and publisher page; production and copyright credits page; table of contents page
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[untitled]

Blank Page(s)  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
Right Up to the Edge

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (photo)
? (photo)
typeset
Subject Matter
Robert Crumb (photo)
Marty talks in depth about Crumb's early work, detailing his influences and interests up to the year 1962.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
6
Accompanied by two photos and two illustrations.
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[untitled]

Blank Page(s)  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
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Report from the Brussels World's Fair!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Foo
R. Crumb [Robert Crumb]; Harry
Correspondent R. Crumb finds nothing but chaos at the Brussels World's Fair.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
7
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My Encounter with Dracula

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Foo
O.O.P.S. Morrison; Bently Flud; Dracula
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.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
5
Disclose
The Clod Award of the Month

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Richard Nixon
Illustration shows a group of six men throwing rocks and carrying signs.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Dedicated to "Those Who Threw Rocks At Vice President Nixon!"
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Khrushchev Visits U.S. !!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Foo
Nikita Khrushchev; President Eisenhower
The story details how bodyguards will protect Khrushchev everywhere he goes.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
Disclose
Noah's Ark

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Foo
Doctor Limehart; Doctor Noah; Rover's Owner; Zelda's Owner
Doctor Limehart tends to animals while Doctor Noah works on a secret project.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
5
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Treasure Island Days

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Squire; Doctor Livesay; Jim; Long John Silver; Hans; Captain Smollet; George; Israel; Island Chief
Squire goes to the South Pacific to improve his health, while Long John Silver conspires against him.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
22
A self-made comic from 1959.
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Cat Life

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Fred the Cat; Fritz the Cat; Yimmy the Cat; Chimmy the Cat; Inky the Cat; Pappy the Cat; Robert; Sandra; Mammy Chotta; Uncle Orson
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
18
A story drawn on composition notebook paper signed & dated from September 1959 to February 1960
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Robin Hood

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic, humorous
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]
The Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John plan to capture Robin Hood while Marian is imprisoned in the castle.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
6
Signed and dated March 12, 1960. In the introduction Pahls notes that by the final page Charles lost interest in doing the story, letting Robert to do all the work himself.
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Animal Town (March 22 to April 3, 1960)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic, humorous
Animal Town
Fritz the Cat; Harry; Mabel; Colonel Pickwick; Wiley Weasel; Blacky Crow
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.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
15
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Fuzzy the Bunny and Brombo the Panda, 1953

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Fuzzy the Bunny; Brombo the Panda
The duo pose in a photo booth.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Illustration from 1960
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R. Crumb Almanac (22 June 1959 to M. Pahls)

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Drawing of a drunk man leaning to his right.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A letter sent to Pahls.
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R. Crumb Goes to New York

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
R. Crumb Almanac
Robert Crumb
A drawing of a cartoon bespectacled Robert Crumb, suitcase in hand in front of a hazy New York background.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A letter sent to Marty Pahls from July 9. 1959
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
R. Crumb Almanac
Robert Crumb
More Records! More Money!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A letter sent to Marty Pahls from July 22, 1959
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R. Crumb Almanac no. 22 cover (August 1, 1959)

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
R. Crumb's Note to M. Pahls
At last! Our work is done! It was worth it, don't you think?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From September 5, 1959
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Arcade #4

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
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"
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
Arcade #5

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
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."
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
Arcade #6

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
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.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
This Is the Ultimate Achievement of Madison Avenue and Hollywood

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Arcade
Reprinting
from Arcade #9 (October 1960)
Miscellaneous
1
This and the following three sequences are previously unpublished.
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Spring

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Fritz the Cat
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Robert Crumb
You say you want to help me find myself, Robert?
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
1
The title page for the issue. The first half of a two-page sequence which continues (along with the remainder of the issue) on page 133. Drawn on lined scholastic notebook paper. Signed "5 February 1962."
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[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Fritz the Cat
Ahh.. sigh! Life is sweet!
Reprinting
from Arcade #26 (September 1962)
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
A Christmas Tale

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Fritz the Cat; Husband; Wife; Little Boy
Christmas caroler Fritz knocks on the front door of a married couple.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
4
Signed December 10, 1960
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Arcade
Jack; Jean
When you come to think of it, it's a lonely world.
Jack is too despondent to talk to Jean while sitting in the soda shop.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Man Wearing a Cap; Man Wearing Glasses
Hey, fella, looka that! Hot engine, willa! Cheez! Looka there!
A bespectacled man considers another man's enthusiam for cars to be a sign of ignorance.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
Disclose
Three Little Boys

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Three boys looking at a men's magazine are approached by an elderly woman.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
Disclose
The Admirer

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Man; Woman
A man admires a woman by using flowery language.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
Disclose
On Movie Mags

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Young Guy; Young Gal
A young guy is disgusted by a girl's keen interest in movie magazines.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
Disclose
The Art Museum

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Two sophisticated art patrons and a less knowledgable one look at paintings in the Museum of Modern Art.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
A strip from December 1960-May 1961.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Comic Strip
For Chrissake! A test today! I forgot all about it!
A male student is surprised by a test he completely forgot about.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Dated May 3, 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Comics
Lemme tell ya 'bout girls, fella! Lemme tell ya! You gotta keep 'em in line, see...
A man tells a boy exactly how women should be treated in order to get his way with them.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From May 4, 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
A Comic Strip
Roy; Teenaged Girl
An observation on the nature of teenage females, which is possibly wrong.
A female teenager is weary after making out with a boy for several hours.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From May 12, 1961. Appears to be mostly raw pencil with possibly some inking applied on certain panels.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Comic Strip
If the Russians ever drop a bomb on this town...
A boy is terrified with the idea of a nuclear bomb exploding in his town.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.64
From May 12, 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Solitude is good for the soul...
A small cartoonish figure sits by himself crouched against the wall.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.36
From May 12, 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Comic Strip
Well, back ta school for another whole week! I always hate it th' most on Monday!
While two school kids walk to school, one of them talks about what happened after a teacher beat him during recess.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From May 13, 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic
Comic Strip
Fritz the Cat; Sniffikins; Boy
Well, sir, after nine years of isolated study and meticulous labor
Fritz unveils a "synthetic man" and gives it the name "Adam II."
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From May 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic, humorous
Comic Strip
Fritz the Cat
Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Your attention please!
The "synthetic man" is unveiled to a crowd of people. However, the demonstration doesn't go as planned.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
3
From May 22, 1961
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic, humorous
Animal Town
Fritz the Cat
What's going on here? What is this congregating on the streets?
Fritz comes across some communist demonstrators on a street corner.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From June 8, 1961
Disclose
R. Crumb's Animal Town Comics (May to June 1961)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic, humorous
Animal Town
Fritz the Cat; Sniff the Panda; Mr. Denny; Flossy the Panda; Mae
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.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
12
The story is dated May 4, 1961.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Mabel
Mabel! Mabel!
A little boy wakes up Mabel becase he had a bad dream.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
From June 11, 1961
Disclose
A Sad Comic Strip

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
A man lying on his back goes from feeling depressed to feeling extremely alive to feeling depressed once again.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
5
Signed and dated "St. Patrick's Day, 1962."
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Robert Crumb
No I don't want you to help me find myself!
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
1
Continued from the title page on page ninety-three. Signed and dated March 7, 1962.

This and the remainder of the book comprises the bulk of the homemade Arcade #22, all previously unpublished. A standard lined scholastic notebook was used to make it.
Disclose
[untitled]

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
February fifth, the day the world ends.. here it is night already,...
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
4
Three individual entries featuring Robert's sensitive musings. Entry dates from February 5 to February 9, 1962. The first, second and fourth pages have illustrations accompanying them.
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
4
Approximately sixty-one small-size illustrations. On pages 138, 139, 171, 191.
Disclose
Maxon Crumb's Weekly Journal

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
12
Maxon's thoughts hand copied by Robert into the notebook. Half are full page text; the rest have various illustrations accompanying them. Seven individual entries from to January 21 to March 3, 1962. On pages 140-42; 144-45; 157-58; 166-68; 189-90.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
anthropomorphic, humorous
Animal Town Comics
Fritz the Cat [Fritz Chotta]; Yimmy; Truck Driver; Ol' Man Gander; Gustave Von Fropp; Taxi Driver; Mrs. Airdale; Fuzzy
Well, Yimmy, here we are, finally... after all these years, back in the city of our birth..
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
17
On pages 143, 146-56; 159-61; 169-70. The final panel states "discontinued due to lack of interest on the part of C. Crumb."
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
2
Two full-page sketches. The first one is a nicely rendered bedroom scene dated February 24, 1962. The second one is titled "A Scene from "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoevsky- Raskolnikov's Nightmare"
Disclose
Jim (25 February 1962)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
humorous
Jim
Jim; Mabel
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
2
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Jim
Mabel; Kid; Jim Blake; Sister Mary Francis; Jeffery; Malcomb; Ronnie
It is not vulgar! Where d'ya git that crap... dontcha ever do anything that's sorta fun and crazy?
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
17
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
from Arcade #22 (May 1962)
Miscellaneous
1
Back cover of the scholastic notebook used to create the periodical. Includes the various classic standard systems of measurements and a few doodles.
Disclose
[untitled]

Blank Page(s)  on  Interior Page(s)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
4
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0
Back cover flap with a list of the publisher's Crumb publications.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Robert Crumb
The Complete Crumb Comics: The Early Years of Bitter Struggle is the first in a multi-volume series...
Includes a 1987 painting of Crumb by Alice Kominsky-Crumb. Also included is a brief quote from the introduction.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Back cover with a 1987 painting. Also included is a brief quote from the introduction.

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