Aline Kominsky-Crumb editing WEIRDO, as read on archive.org, or some physical copies available at lastgasp.com.
16. WEIRDO #18 (Last Gasp)
Aline Kominsky-Crumb passed away in 2022, leaving behind a wide ranging influence as an autobiographical cartoonist and anthology editor (and co-editor). Her first issue as editor was WEIRDO #18 and it was a real punch in the nuts to alternative comix readers of the time, I imagine (I didn't read any issues until the 90s, iirc). Kominsky-Crumb hits us with a double dose of both Diane Noomin and her own self-flagellation in comic form. Also ringing in the mid-80s women in comics explosion are Carol Tyler with her first comix appearance, the inimitable Dori Seda, and Linda Crothers.
17. WEIRDO #19 (Last Gasp)
After the avalanche of women creators last issue Aline Kominsky-Crumb brings just seven pages total from herself and Penny Van Horn. The bulk of the issue is taken up by some predictably racist and misogynist S. Clay Wilson, autobiographical Frank Stack, classic Kim Deitch from his Al Ledicker cycle, and a double shot of Robert Crumb to represent the classic underground cartoonists side. Aline, again, steals the show with her "Sex Crazed Housewife" detailing her sexual fantasies in a hilariously un-romantic way.
18. WEIRDO #20 (Last Gasp)
The return of Carol Tyler with "Un-covered Property" where she is pretty much awesome from her first full-length comic strip on, along with Dori Seda and the always unique Mary Fleener. Two more excruciating autobiographical vignettes from Aline Kominsky-Crumb about food and dreams. And, some outliers like Australian ("Elle") Lindsay Arnold and Luna Ticks fill in the gaps between regulars Michael Zingarelli and Michael Dougan. Robert Crumb's "Footsy" is quite painful to read, mostly in sympathy with the degradation of being 13, the rest is Crumb just being a dick no matter his age.
19. WEIRDO #21 (Last Gasp)
"Suburban Teens On Acid 1969" is the highlight this issue for me and definitely the most expressive art I can recall from Dennis Worden. Two more shorts by Carol Tyler grace this issue, the "Auntie Mary" one-page strip is particularly sharp autobiography. There's a calvacade of classic underground cartoonists filling out this issue: Robert Armstrong, Spain Rodriguez, Justin Green, and Robert Crumb. William Clark and Michael Dougan battle it out for weird supremacy, while Mary Fleener and Luna Ticks return. Aline Kominsky-Crumb at her best with "Sex Crazed Housewife or My Troubles With Men", that first page with her self analysis of her early relationships with men (and R. Crumb in particular) is incredible. The scene with her dancing with her daughter's friend's Dad is laugh out loud funny. Also, B.N. Duncan.
More to come...
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