The Comix Files: Anonymous 2

This anonymous letter from 1988 included a torn out shred from the Feb. 17, 1988 (exactly 26 years ago today!) issue of the East County News, our local weekly newspaper. I believe this article was kicking off the East County Comix strip I drew for that paper for nearly two years. 

The reproduced panel "Repeat after me, 'Question authority!'" panel was originally used, I believe, in the Cooper Point Journal, student newspaper for The Evergreen State College. Libertarian Socialist might sound like an oxymoron, but that comes the closest to describing my political philosophy.

As a result of watching too many demonstrations at Evergreen, I grew to hate megaphones. After awhile I concluded that anyone using them was a hustler. Hence, this cartoon panel, which I still love.

But the irony is missed by many. The following anonymous writer was apparently arrested as a result of protesting the WPPSS nuclear plant here in Grays Harbor County. And it never went online. Whoever you are, thank you! for helping to stop that insane project.

Here was her cartoon response:

Morty Comix # 2690

Morty Comix # 2690 was left in a spot that is somewhat significant in the history of comic art. The College Activities Building (CAB) on the campus of The Evergreen State College was home to the campus newspaper, The Cooper Point Journal, during the era when staff included cartoonists Matt Groening, Lynda Barry, Charles Burns, Jim Chupa, Flicky Ford, T.J. Simpson, and yours truly, among others.

The exact location of the 1970s CPJ office has since been part of a giant remake. The present area is filled with offices for student organizations. Even the outside looks different, including some kind of extension with wood panel siding.

I left Morty Comix # 2690 behind a decorative wall panel, which back in the 1970s would've been on the left hand of the entrance to the CPJ offices.

Morty Comix # 2523

Morty Comix # 2523 was left on a distribution rack for the student newspaper The Cooper Point Journal at The Evegreen State College, Olympia, Washington.

Morty Comix # 2500

Morty Comix # 2500 was left, fittingly enough for this landmark issue, in an empty bin that serves as a distribution point for the Cooper Point Journal, student paper at The Evergreen State College. It was deposited on campus in front of the office of radio station KAOS-FM.

Although this building has been remodeled, I think the CPJ offices were located for a few years in the early 1980s where KAOS is now.

Buttons - State Campaign - 1968

Dan Evans

I found this button on the ground when Washington State Gov. Evans was running for his second term in 1968.

Comic art historians might be interested to know Gov. Evans, along with State Sen. Gordon Sandison, was an important figure in the creation of The Evergreen State College. TESC is now known as a hotbed of cartoonists. When Gov. Evans stepped down after serving an unprecedented consecutive three terms as Governor, he became the President of Evergreen and it was viewed as a very controversial move at the time.  

The editor of the school paper, The Cooper Point Journal, during this turmoil was none other than Matt Groening. And here's a bit of Matt trivia. He's not only a great cartoonist, he's also a great journalist. He could've been an amazing investigative reporter, but as it happened his talents were used to better advantage.

Here's yet another bit of trivia. The Evans administration actually employed me ca. 1976 to conduct phone polling. I got paid per each completed survey. It was a night job conducted by college students mostly. This gig was very educational for me in that I heard the vox populi unfiltered.

CPJ Photos of the TESC Cartoonists Seminar

 Seated left to right: Matt Groening, Craig Bartlett, Drew Christie, Tommy Thompson, Megan Kelso, Steve Willis, Ruth Hayes

See this and other photos by Kelli Tokos at:
http://cooperpointjournal.tumblr.com/post/23322690497/animation-seminar

Evergroove 1973

In preparation for the big 40th birthday event at The Evergreen State College I ran across this old bulletin for 1973-1974. I selected certain pages here to give you an idea of the look and style the College was trying to project at the time. The Tim Girvin calligraphy was a strong part of TESC's visual image for many years.

 Sid White

The Campus Activities Building (CAB) in the background. The windows in the top right were for the room that served as HQ for The Cooper Point Journal in the mid-1970s, a time when the first real wave of cartoonists emerged at Evergroove.

 Libbie Beck