R. Crumb's: Bible of Filth (Humor)

 

by Robert Crumb

Publisher : David Zwirner Books (December 12, 2017)

Softcover, 336 pages

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This is technically a reprint - or reedition - of a 1990s French collection of Robert Crumb’s work. A “worst of” collection, showing his most shocking, sexual, or brutal material. This reedition adds about a hundred pages of further Crumb material. I was amazed that they managed to weed it down to only 325 pages, as there was so much to choose from. The presentation of the book is a work of art in itself. Leather bound, printed in gold-edged onion-skinned Bible paper, and attached red bookmark. Takes me back to the type of Bible my grandmother would tote around everywhere, except it’s filled with material I actually want to read.

To me it was such a breath of fresh air and reminded me why I became a fan of Crumb in the first place. It is unadulterated pornographic material created without restraint or consideration of outraging the puritan mob. Of course, when much of this material was first created the puritans tended to be conservative Christian republicans, now the pendulum has swung and all the censorious wailing is stemming from the Left. Many of the activist types would have heart attacks at the material here, crying every kind of “ism”, or they might let it go since he’s ostensibly “one of them”, but they often don’t shy away from eating their own. Let that stand as the trigger warning - If you read this book and become offended, then it’s your own fault.

The only recurring characters are Mr. Natural, Flakey Foont, and Devil Girl - who have about three stories together. In them Crumb diagnosis the standard dilemma many men find themselves in today. That of the alpha, beta orbiter (or incell), and female passive antagonist. Well before terms like red pill and cuck were common, we see Crumb basically using those ideas in his art. Mr Natural has the Devil Girl in his pocket, but Foont lusts after her. Upset that this nasty woman openly despises him, Font pretends to be disgusted by all of the horrible sexual things Natural does to her, but is really just upset that he isn’t in the driving chair. A perpetual weakling, who wants to be taken care of, but lusts after women who aren’t willing to do that.

 For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst