The Comix Files: Sanford Berman

Here's a phone doodle I made around 1984 while in conversation with Jim Danky, I'm betting. I was a frequent cartoon contributor to Alternative Library Literature, co-edited by Danky and the legendary Sandy Berman.

$25 Sale - Alternative Library Literature, 1994-1995

 

Edited by library legends Sanford Berman and Jim Danky, Alternative Library Literature 1994-1995 was published by McFarland. 333 pages, in good condition. The last couple chapters are about zines in libraries.

$25 ppd

Check or money order to
Steve Willis
PO Box 390
McCleary, WA 98557-0390

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City Limits Gazette # Feverish clambake (Dec. 1991)

What is selling out?, Bil Keane Watch by Troy Hickman, Jay Kennedy on the Guide and also Bil Keane, Hector chain cartoon, Lynn Hansen comix reviews, news from Matt Feazell, Jim Danky describes the State Historical Society of Wisconsin comix collection, bad cover versions of Long and Winding Road, Love Me Do.

Artpaper: The Activist Librarians

Chris and Jan put this together for the December 1989 issue of Artpaper. Today the idea of an academic library comic collection is taken for granted. Public libraries are even giving workshops on how to make your own books-- Newave style. And little library zine collections are everywhere.

But back in the 1980s this was still considered a bit on the edge. The comic art librarians are mentioned in the last part of the article, taking special notice of the amazing Randall Scott, Michigan State University librarian and, I'm happy to say, one of the gang who subscribed to the old City Limits Gazette. Jim Danky, the Wisconsin librarian (an co-editor of Alternative Library Literature) in this piece, was especially helpful to Jay Kennedy when the Guide was assembled.

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.