Showing posts with label Awaiting the Collapse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awaiting the Collapse. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Awaiting the Collapse by Paul Kirchner

Awaiting the Collapse
by Paul Kirchner
Tanibis Editions 2017
If you read High Times, Heavy Metal, or Epic Illustrated at all during the mid 70s to early 80s, then surely you are familiar with the artwork of Paul Kirchner. 

Until recently, a compilation of Kirchner's work from that era simply didn't exist, forcing fans of his art to scrounge among moldering, over-priced old magazines, and maybe low-res scans posted to the internet, to get the goods.
Now comes 'Awaiting the Collapse' from European publisher Tanibis Editions. While it's not the most complete collection of Kirchner's work, it comes close.

This is a quality hardbound book, measuring 12.5 x 9.8 inches, with good reproductions of the artwork.

All of Kirchner's 'Dope Rider' strips from obscure indie magazines, and High Times, from the 1970s and 2980s are present here. I had never before had access to these strips (you can pay subscription fees to access scans of back issues of High Times, including issues featuring 'Dope Rider', but those scans are not very good). Thus, seeing those Dope Rider tales here, uncensored, and (in some cases) redone in full color, is rewarding.
Also present are just about all of Kirchner's now-legendary comics from Heavy Metal and Epic Illustrated : classics like 'Tarot', 'Hive', and 'Critical Mass of Cool'. 
Along with material from High Times and Heavy Metal, 'Awaiting the Collapse' features all of the covers Kirchner did in the 1970s for the Al Goldstein sleaze tabloid, Screw

Additionally, the book collects some softcore porn strips Kirchner did for National Screw (a short-lived spinoff title from the ever-scheming Goldstein), and other porno mags.
As far as 'bonus' material is concerned, 'Awaiting' features a never-published comic titled 'Arena'.

For reasons that are unclear, 'The Mirror of Dreams', from the December 1981 issue of Heavy Metal, and one of Kirchner's best comics, doesn't appear in 'Awaiting'.
One of the more interesting sections of the book is its Postscript, where Kirchner recounts his adventures as an up-and-coming graphic artist during the early 70s, working with comics legends like Wally Wood and Neal Adams. Kirchner assisted the former with a number of strips for different publishers, including Creepy

In the Postscript Kirchner also provides an in-depth description of his technical approach to drawing and composing comics and illustrations.

Summing up, 'Awaiting the Collapse' is a valuable book for fans of Kirchner's art; devotees of graphic and comic art in general; and those who treasure 70s and 80s 'stoner' culture and its memorable magazines. 

My advice is to order a signed copy directly from Kirchner at eBay, where he operates the 'stayingamused' storefront, for $40 plus $5 shipping.