All the aforementioned, however, seem to exist and survive as mere ghosts of a once-exciting and thriving subgenre of comix, comix that were authentic ingredients and byproducts of a genuine American youth movement. A few titles continue to appear sporadically from Last Gasp, Kitchen Sink, and Rip Off Press supposed sure-sellers such as Dope Comix, Bizarre Sex, and the despicable Cocaine Comix. Underground comix died with love beads and long hair (as a statement) and flower children and that whole psychedelic era. Gone the way of newsreels, black & white television, patriotism, and Steve Ditko’s Spider-Man.
Asking, “What happened to underground comix?” is like asking, “Why isn’t anyone dancing the Charleston anymore?” Just as many of us are unable to view that death as a natural one.
Many of us seem reluctant to declare underground comix dead. From the TCJ Archives On Comics and Catholics: The Justin Green Interviewįrom The Comics Journal #104 (January 1986) From T he Apex Treasury of Underground Comics (1974)
