THE GENTLE ART OF DEFACING COMIC BOOKS
One of the greatest experiences any child can have is the joy of defacing a comic book. Whether with crayon, marker, or Bic pen, the act of personalizing a comic magazine is both self-affirming and liberating, a defiant cry of individualism against the homogenization of mass media culture.
The most common act of comic book defacement is, of course, the name.
Here Cheryl and Renee vie for ownership of Playful Little Audrey. Clearly, Cheryl simply wanted it more.
One of the other popular methods of defacement is, of course, the moustache.
Doesn't Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, seem even more regal and menacing with his new Fu Manchu? I thought so.
Some covers simply don't go far enough for the reader, as this Francis The Talking Mule cover illustrates. Not content with the cover he or she was given, our reader has given Francis a bow and a blanket, has added zigzag decorations to Francis' ears, and has given our long-suffering human a voice to express his weary dissatisfaction.
Some covers, such as this Spy Fighters issue, needed a bit of "punch" in the dialog. Some anonymous penciller was more than happy to supply extra emphasis!
Nancy Koenig of 341 E. Ross - we have your issue of BETTY AND VERONICA. Please contact www.misterkitty.net to discuss its safe return.
Tubby simply wasn't jolly enough in the original. Now he's widemouthed with joy at barbering a mop, which has acquired a human face.
This issue of Laugh is the motherload of transgressive comic defacement. Blacked out teeth, cigars, body hair, and an unhealthy obsession with pond amphibians combine to create a veritable stew of psycho-sexual imagery.
Closeup on the best parts. Betty needs to see a dentist, and Veronica could use some Nair.
As an extra bonus, our mystery artist couldn't resist adding primary and secondary sexual characteristics to interior artwork. Clearly this young person needs professional help.
Think American children are the only kids ill-behaved enough to deface comic books? This German comic might change your mind.
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