Thursday, October 7, 2010

Alternative Library Literature



The 1982/83 and 1986/87 issues of Alternative Library Literature included my graphics, and this 1994/95 issue carried some cover art with color. It was the first thing I drew after a major surgery that did a number on my nervous system, taking away stability from my drawing hand.

As I recall, getting contributor copies from McFarland, the publisher, was like pulling teeth off a caiman. I think I had to pay to have an issue for my files.

Sandy Berman was well known in the world of library cataloging as an activist challenging the Library of Congress subject headings rigid and narrow policies. But Jim Danky, who was my contact for this series, is better known in comixland. As a librarian at the Wisconsin Historical Society he oversaw a collection of radical print publications (including comix) and apparently served as sort of a mentor for helping Jay Kennedy assemble his The Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide (1982). I think Jay went to college in Madison and connected with Jim while there.