The Comix Files: Russell Cowser

In 1996 Russell Cowser of Austin, Texas included this creepy image with an order and commented:

"The reverse is a page from a very scary Scientology textbook that we acquisitioned on a fact-finding mission."

Makes me think this is from the Jack T. Chick School of Graphics.

The Comix Files: Wayne Alan Brenner

Broadside sent in January, 1996

Keep [LOOK AT ME! LOOK At ME!] Weird

The "Keep [Blank] Weird" trend supposedly started in Austin, but has spread like eczema across the cultural epidermis. So sad.

Maybe it was original the first time it was used, but now it is hardly unique or creative.

To me the whole idea of weirdness is that the subject in question is out of touch with common reality and somewhat unaware of their own weirdness. Rotary Club meetings are weird. Most of the small towns in southwest Washington State are weird. The Tea Party is weird. Cats are weird. People who wear bicycle helmets indoors are weird. Silverware is weird.

Actually most of life is weird. But among the things that are not weird are cities, or entire states, that jump up and down and shout "Look at us! We're weird!" That's not weird, that's just marketing, which is pretty mundane. Since my motto is "Drabness is Goodness," I can hardly complain about this "Keep ... Weird" ad campaign, so I'll embrace the paradox as part of normal pop culture.