The Comix Files: Randall Ainsworth

I first met photographer and computer guy Randall Ainsworth in 1992 when he photographed me for an article I wrote about McCleary.

A bit later we connected again. Ainsworth was based in Aberdeen, and I was interested in other small periodicals in Grays Harbor County. This was during a transitional period in 'zine history. The early era of online serials was just starting. Randall had a monthly called RAndY's RumOR RaG, which can now be considered something a pioneer effort.

So here's how Ainsworth described his publication in 1993:

And here is the July 1993 issue.  We Newave Comix artists call this digest size. Remember, the Worldwide Web was still in an embryonic state at this time. It would not start becoming a household feature for two or three more years. Oddly, the very first website still exists!

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into computer technology coupled with 'zine history. Impressive that this publication was started in 1985!

Nana Mouskori Sings Bacharach

Don't Make Me Over

Favorite Movie Quotes: The Crow

"Guess it's not a good day to be a bad guy, huh, Skank?"

Grays Harbor County, Fun Health Facts!

My poor county, literally. One of the last bastions of Wild West anarchy. But there is a price.

According to this health website, we ranked 36 out of Washington State's 39 counties for "Health Outcomes." But in "Health Factors" we placed dead last. Pun intended.

Washington State December 2013 Unemployment Rates

Grays Harbor County, we're number one! We're number one!

From: Washington State Employment Security Dept.

Beautiful Annabell Lee

Printed 1921, copyright 1920. Frederick Manning (1874-1960) specialized in portraying what was considered the standards of feminine beauty at the time.

In this piece, I think, Manning eerily anticipates Elizabeth Taylor!

The Comix Files: Ben Adams (Minnesota)

The following is the original material used for Ben Adams' interview, which was published in City Limits Gazette # Ch-ch-ch-changes (Sept. 29, 1993), the very last issue.

Phone photo 3173

Hoodsport, Washington

Akira Fuse Sings Bacharach

Don't Make Me Over

Phone photo 3172

Potlatch, Washington

Humoreske

This crowded calligraphy was published in 1914, making it a century old. And hey, fittingly it was published by Century Music Publishing Company!

Phone photo 3171

Hood Canal at Potlatch, Washington

The Comix Files: Ben Adams (California)

There were two artists named Ben Adams back in the Newave era. The Ben Adams in this post hailed from Yuba City, California.

Here's a drawing on his stationary and a poster, although I don't know if he produced it or not. It is fun to look at anyway. Both images are from 1987.

Phone photo 3170

Hood Canal at Potlatch, Washington

Ian and the Zodiacs Sing Bacharach

Any Day Now

Phone photo 3169

Potlatch, Washington

Song of the Volga Boatmen

Copyright 1926 but published in 1933. I love the simple yet graceful black and white line on this cover and the use of solid black. The final image is the Morris logo from the back cover, it appears to be from an earlier era and has a crowded look to it.

I can detect a faint "M" in the lower corner, the only clue to the identity of the artist.

The Comix Files: Carlos Alberto da Costa Amorim

Carlos Amorim, now a well known cartoonist in Brazil, sent these strips to me in 1997 from Rio de Janeiro. Good stuff.

Phone photo 3168

Jim O'Rourke Plays Bacharach

Anonymous Phone Call

The Comix Files: Al Ackerman

"Blaster" Al Ackerman (1939-2013) sent this in Dec. 1989, shortly before he left San Antonio. You can see he actually signed the lower left corner, "The Blaster '89"

The Night Wind

From 1918. The colorful Art Deco covers had yet to arrive, apparently.

Bobby Vee Sings Bacharach

Anonymous Phone Call