American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, p ...
cartoonist
A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comics illustrators/artists in that they produce both the litera ...
, animator, and fine artist best known for his late 1980s/early 1990s work in
alternative comics
Alternative comics or independent comics cover a range of American comic book, American comics that have appeared since the 1980s, following the underground comix movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Alternative comics present an alterna ...
. Known for his manic, exaggerated cartooning style, Williams brought an
underground comix
Underground comix are small press or self-published comic books that are often socially relevant or satirical in nature. They differ from mainstream comics in depicting content forbidden to mainstream publications by the Comics Code Authority, ...
edge to his work during this period. Williams' characters Skinboy and the Bad Boys made recurring appearances in many of his stories.
Biography
Williams grew up in Oregon during the 1960s, and in the 1970s studied
fine art
In European academic traditions, fine art (or, fine arts) is made primarily for aesthetics or creative expression, distinguishing it from popular art, decorative art or applied art, which also either serve some practical function (such as ...
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University (WOU) is a public university in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. It was originally established in 1856 by Disciples of Christ pioneers as Monmouth University. Subsequent names included Oregon State Normal School, Oreg ...
Basil Wolverton
Basil Wolverton (July 9, 1909 – December 31, 1978) at the
Last Gasp
(The) Last Gasp may refer to
* Last Gasp (publisher)
Last Gasp is a San Francisco–based book publisher with a lowbrow art and counterculture focus. Owned and operated by Ron Turner, for most of its existence Last Gasp was a publisher, dis ...
anthology '' Weirdo'' in the mid-1980s, during the period it was edited by
Peter Bagge
Peter Bagge (pronounced , as in ''bag''; born December 11, 1957) is an American cartoonist whose best-known work includes the comics ''Neat Stuff'' and ''Hate (comics), Hate''. His stories often use black humor and exaggerated cartooning to drama ...
. He soon was also contributing to the
Fantagraphics Books
Fantagraphics (previously Fantagraphics Books) is an American publisher of alternative comics, classic comic strip anthologies, manga, magazines, graphic novels, and (formerly) the Erotic comics, erotic Eros Comix imprint. They have managed sev ...
anthologies ''Centrifugal Bumble-Puppy'' (edited by
Joe Sacco
Joe Sacco (; born October 2, 1960) is a Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist. He is credited as the first artist to practice rigorous, investigative journalism using the comics form, also referred to as comics journalism. His groundbrea ...
) and ''
Honk!
''Honk!'' is a musical adaptation of the 1843 Hans Christian Andersen story '' The Ugly Duckling'', incorporating a message of tolerance. The book and lyrics are by Anthony Drewe and music is by George Stiles (of the British songwriting duo ...
''.
From 1990 to 1995, Williams released a string of solo one-shot comics — with titles like ''Bad Comics'', ''Bummer'', ''Completely Bad Boys'', ''Damnation'', and ''Fun House'' — released by such publishers as Fantagraphics,
Cat-Head Comics
Cat-Head Comics was an American alternative/ underground comics publisher that operated from 1980 to 1998. Founded by cartoonist Steve Lafler as a vehicle for his own work, Cat-Head was later joined by writer/poet/editor Stephen Beaupre. Cat-Head' ...
, and
Starhead Comix
Starhead Comix was an alternative/ underground comics publisher that operated from 1984 to c. 1999. Founded by Michael Dowers, Starhead was based in Seattle, Washington. Mostly known for limited-edition minicomics, Starhead also published standar ...
. Williams' solo title ''Crap'' ran seven issues with Fantagraphics from 1993 to 1995.
Williams lived in
Seattle
Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...
from 1992 to 1995 (for a short time staying with Peter Bagge and his wife), before returning to
Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
*Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon
*Portland, Maine, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine
*Isle of Portland, a tied island in the English Channel
Portland may also r ...
.
In 1995, after writing the three-issue comic book adaptation of ''
The Little Shop of Horrors
''The Little Shop of Horrors'' is a 1960 American Comedy horror, horror comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a farce about a florist's assistant who cultivates a plant that feeds on human blood. The ...
'' for
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman (April 5, 1926 – May 9, 2024) was an American film director, producer, and actor. Known under various monikers such as "The Pope of Pop Cinema", "The Spiritual Godfather of the New Hollywood", and "The King of Cult", he w ...
's short-lived comics imprint Roger Corman's Cosmic Comics, Williams mostly disappeared from the comics scene.
He worked as an animator, designer, and storyboard artist for Will Vinton Studios from 1988 to 2001, contributing to such series as ''
The PJs
''The PJs'' is an American adult stop motion-animated black sitcom created by Eddie Murphy, Larry Wilmore, and Steve Tompkins for Fox. It portrays life in an urban public housing project. The series starred Eddie Murphy, and it was produced by ...
'', ''
Gary & Mike
''Gary & Mike'' is an American adult animated buddy sitcom that aired on UPN in 2001 and Comedy Central in 2003. It was Big Ticket Television's first animated show. The show was produced in stop motion clay animation and lasted only one season. ...
'', ''
The California Raisins
The California Raisins were a fictional rhythm and blues animated musical group as well as advertising and merchandising characters composed of anthropomorphized raisins. Lead vocals were sung by musician Buddy Miles. The California Raisins ...
'', and ''
Adventures in Wonderland Adventures in Wonderland may refer to:
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', 1865 English children's novel by Lewis Carroll
* ''Adventures in Wonderland'' (1992 TV series), 1992–1995 American live-action/puppet musical television series based ...
''.
From 1995 to 2000, Williams contributed artwork and some writing to ''Cool and Strange Music'' magazine.
In the 2000s, Williams returned to his fine arts roots, painting multiple series of abstract, geometric paintings. In the late 2000s, his fine art returned to figurative work, combining elements of 1960s comics with painting techniques.
Williams lives in
Portland, Oregon
Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...
.Mullins, Richard Williams interview Blah Blah Gallery blog (Dec. 1, 2008).
Bibliography
Solo titles
* ''Bad Comics'' (
Cat-Head Comics
Cat-Head Comics was an American alternative/ underground comics publisher that operated from 1980 to 1998. Founded by cartoonist Steve Lafler as a vehicle for his own work, Cat-Head was later joined by writer/poet/editor Stephen Beaupre. Cat-Head' ...
, 1990)
* ''Bummer'' (Cat-Head Comics, 1992;
Fantagraphics Books
Fantagraphics (previously Fantagraphics Books) is an American publisher of alternative comics, classic comic strip anthologies, manga, magazines, graphic novels, and (formerly) the Erotic comics, erotic Eros Comix imprint. They have managed sev ...
Starhead Comix
Starhead Comix was an alternative/ underground comics publisher that operated from 1984 to c. 1999. Founded by Michael Dowers, Starhead was based in Seattle, Washington. Mostly known for limited-edition minicomics, Starhead also published standar ...