The R. Crumb Handbook

Previous to reading The R. Crumb Handbook, I always found Crumb's works to be somewhat overrated and occasionally outright dull. The handbook certainly gives me a different perspective, with its interesting mix of autobiography and a rich selection of the work itself. Given that so much of Crumb's

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work is overtly autobiographical in nature, knowing more about the artist does indeed enhance appreciation of his works.

I have mixed feelings about this, since it simply reinforces the notion that Crumb's comics are not strong enough in and of themselves to stand as significant artworks - the value of the product seems all to dependent on a sympathy for the life history of the producer. I still enjoy Crumb's work, and reading the Handbook has been a worthwhile experience, but I remain reluctant to place Robert Crumb in the top ranks of comic artists. His comics are good, but they are considerably short of being great.

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