Day of the Dead

 

Today is Día de los Muertos --Day of the Dead-- a good time indeed to reflect of those who’ve passed.

 

                                  The great Jose Guadalupe Posada

The Covid-19 pandemic, and long hiatus from what we like to call ‘normal’ life, meant many left the planet under-acknowledged—sort of lost in the shuffle (a pretty grime at that).

One of those was a really fine cartoonist, Norman Dog (known in some realms by the name Raymond Larrett).  Norman Dog died in January 2020—for me completely under the radar. I didn’t hear rumors of his passing for some months. (Probably my lack of Facebook participation didn’t help in this case).

 

I’d last sen Norman at the San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum on June 15, 2019 where we both spoke at an event surrounding Jon Cooke’s book release of the Book of Weirdo. I always enjoyed seeing Norman Dog and felt he deserved much more critical and historical attention for his work than he received.

 

In any case, here is a much belated salute to a fine artist and truly fascinating person.

A drawing Norman Dog did for me at a Loonies get together many decades ago.

        Here are a couple of strips from his book Bad Habits.

And speaking of the Loonies--a casual monthly floating 'Salon for Funny Folk' --here are a couple of flyers Mr. Dog did for the event.

Norman Dog, in his civilian persona as Raymond Larrett, had a day job as a graphic designer for Bill Graham’s Winterland productions in San Francisco. I always presumed (since I don’t recall seeing any of his non-cartoon work) that he created rock n’roll t-shirt designs, posters and promotional materials. For many, many year he also maintained a regular weekly comic feature in the East Bay Express  and did illustration work for the paper as well.

Here’s a glimpse of some of that.

1991

2008

He started his own press --Puzzled Squirrel. And published a few books including this one:

Aside from his long tenure with the East Bay Express, Norman Dog’s work appeared in Raw, Anarchy Comix, Robert Crumb's Weirdo, Spin Magazine, The Nation, Nickelodeon Magazine, Chicago Reader and numerous other publications.

A masterful cartoonist and illustrator.

Here’s my lone, strange highly degraded, photo of me, Roger May and Norman Dog at a Loonie’s meeting somewhere circa early 1980’s.

Larry's Cartoon Vault: The Loonies of San Francisco

In San Francisco back in the late 1970’s, Barry Gantt, a gag writer and entrepreneur, organized a loosely knit group of cartoonists, illustrators, gag writers and various media folk into what he described as a Salon for Funny Folk—the Loonies

The Loonies met once a month at a bar, café, restaurant or other venue somewhere in San Francisco.

The location changed quite a bit in the early years, from Ben Johnson’s to Maggie’s Restaurant. I believe I recall attending many at Ireland’s 32, Player’s Saloon, McLaren’s and the San Francisco Press Club.  Each month there was a special guest. The location and guest was announced by a mailed flyer drawn by a local cartoonist.

During the gatherings, many artists would bring their portfolios. It was a great way to see people and make connections pre-Facebook (Heck, pre-internet).

The only photo I have from the olden days of the Loonies.  The hirsute youngster is me, Roger May center, and Norman Dog. Circa late 1970's-early '80's.

A small random listing of guests and attendees that I recall includes Gahan Wilson, S. Clay Wilson, Dori Seda, Don Donahue, Michelle Ury, T.O. Sylvester, Norman Dog, Steve Leialoha, Trina Robbins, Kathryn LeMieux, Lee Mars, Don Gardner, Paul Mavrides, J. Michael Leonard, Leonard Rifas, Larry Gonick, Dan O’Neill, Lee Binswanger, Alan Cumings, Kevin Brady, Michael T. Gilbert, Roger May, Bob Nelson, Steve Smad, Marc Miyashiro, Guy Colwell, Melinda Gebbie, Tim Boxell, Michael McMillan, Terry Boyce, Norman Quebedeau, Erkiki Alanen, Gilbert Shelton, Ron Turner, Bill Griffith and Phil Frank.

Offered here is a smattering of flyers spanning the 20+ years the Loonies ran. I have only a very few surviving samples. I keep thinking someday Barry Gantt will write a little history on the Loonies but so far that hasn’t happened.

A tip of the hat to Kevin Brady for supplying some of the flyers.

                                       This one by Spain Rodriguez

         I did the 2nd Anniversary flyer. Barry wanted a Pink Panther theme.

And here's  the 10th Anniversary. This one seems to be a collage of various past flyers.

Larry "The Cartoon History of Pretty Much Everything" Gonick

The wild and wacky Norman Dog

The very talented Dan Hubig. Guest artist: Marty Links creator of the "Emmy Lou" comic panel.

The guest here is Michael McMillan. Flyer by Vecchio

I did this one in 1995. Guest artist: S. Clay Wilson

Mark Kingsley Brown

Featured guest Dana Crumb

Drawn by Terry Boyce

Art by Rutherford. Guest J. C."Fusco Brothers" Duffy

Justin Green celebrating the reissue of his brillant "Binky Brown"

 Cartoonist and Comic Art Herstorian, Trina Robbins

Art by Lourdes Duterte long-time staff artist for the SF Chronicle

Another one by the hyper clever Norman Dog.This one celebrating the 4th annual Loonies meeting.

And finally, the 20th Anniversary by Brian Crane creator of the Pickles comic strip.

Here's an Associated Press feature on the Loonies. 

Barry Gantt is wearing the "Looney" glasses and nose.

Artwork copyrighted by respective artists

The Alternative Press Expo

I attended the Alternative Press Expo (aka Ape) last weekend on Oct.13^th and 14^th in San Francisco.

 It’s always a jolt to the system to see so many young artists, creative projects, new directions --and occasionally old friends and colleagues.

This year I attended a lot of the quality panel talks featuring Jim Woodring, Eric Drooker, Ben Katchor, Stan Mack, Miriam Libicki,  Los Hernandez Bros. (Jaime, Gilbert Mario Hernandez) and Sergio Arragones.



Jim Woodring



A sample of Woodring's artwork



Ben Katchor



From his book The Jew of New York

Other talented folks on hand included Shannon Wheeler, Carol Lay, Josh Ellingson, Jim Blanchard, J.R. Williams and  hordes of young, remarkably talented hopefuls.



Josh Ellingson business card



New graphic novel on the Carter Family



Chris Kawagiwa



 



Brie Spiel 



Helen America



Old home week for me was running into Al Gordon, Steve Leialoha, Trina Robbins, Paul Mavrides, Lee Binswanger and even Larry Gilmour (see Pressing Matters, October 10th  post on this blog).

I was especially pleased to run into Norman Dog (known to some as Raymond Larrett) who I haven’t laid eyes on in, well, decades.  Norman Dog is a great cartoonist by my reckoning and now engaged in a publishing venture—Puzzled Squirrel.   Here is a sampling from his book

Puzzled Squirrel has also published a compilation of the work of Lee Binswanger (Congratulations to Lee !)

 -Larry

 Remember: you can always click on the images to make them larger.