Broken Frontier

A well-known personality in the comics world, Denis Kitchen  has worn many hats. While he is best known as a longtime publisher, founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, author, and literary and art agent, his career as a pioneering underground comix artist has been overdue for rediscovery.

First announced for publication from his own Kitchen Sink Press over twenty years ago, but never produced, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is the first collection of work by the underground cartoonist and acclaimed publishing pioneer. In addition to his comix, this book features a wealth of unpublished material: paintings, covers for underground newspapers and comix, rare strips and illustrations, and historic photos of Kitchen and many of his contemporaries.

Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman provides a funny and insightful introduction, and an essay by Charles Brownstein (Eisner/Miller) provides context and a career overview.

The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen finally brings Kitchen the artist to the stage. This compendium includes approximately two hundred illustrations, most of which have remained unseen since their original publication in the late ’60s and ’70s, and is guaranteed to serve as an essential piece of history for modern comics fans.

“I think Oddly Compelling is a very good title for a book of Denis Kitchen’s work, and describes it very well,” said legendary artist R. Crumb. “I always thought it was rather a shame that Kitchen became a publisher and businessman to the neglect of his artistic talent . . . He was a gifted and exceptional artist . . . I think his downfall was women . . . The big sap!”

Designed by John Lind, winner of a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for his work on Underground Classics, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen will appeal to underground comix fans and comics historians alike.

The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is a full-color, 200-page, nine-by-twelve-inch hardcover priced at $34.99.

Currently offered in this month’s Previews catalog with a Diamond code of FEB100040, the book arrives on shelves on June 23, 2010.