Seattle Simpleton Tabloid No. 1 (1975)

SEATTLE SIMPLETON No. 1 (1975).

Long before Seattle was the headquarters of Fantagraphics, many leading alternative cartoonists and grunge bands, there was The Seattle Simpleton. This 2-color tabloid comic was short-lived, but helped set the pace for what followed in this corner of the country and culture. Contributors included John Workman (longtime Heavy Metal art director) who did the cover; veteran underground comix artist Bobby London ("Dirty Duck"); Gilbert Shelton ("Freak Brothers"); Gary King ("The Left Overs"); Tom Christopher ("Motel Blues... somewhere in Oregon"); Bob Smith ("San Clemente Beachcomber Comics" starring Richard Nixon); and a double-size centerfold cartoon by Rod Ingalls, who is described as a "Seattle longshoreman" when he isn't cartooning.

Includes "Comix World" by the late underground comic columnist Clay Geerdes, talking about comix, art, money and new products. Plus local ads illustrated by Workman and London (2) along with the worst Mr. Natural you've ever seen (by an anonyomous artist). Full page ad for the just-released Famous Cartoonist Series buttons (featuring self-portraits by Barks, Crumb, Kurtzman, Elder, Shelton and Gahan Wilson). Published by longtime regional comix distributor (Homestead Books) David Tatelman, who contributes a column and an "I told you so" to Seattle cartoonist Shary Flenniken. Tabloid size (11/38" x 17.5") folded, as originally published. Damn hard to find regional item. VF/Near mint.