Leonard Rifas
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Leonard Rifas (born April 16, 1951) is an American
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 ...
, critic, editor, and publisher associated with
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, ...
,
comics journalism Comics journalism is a form of journalism that covers news or nonfiction events using the framework of comics, a combination of words and drawn images. Typically, sources are actual people featured in each story, and word balloons are actual quo ...
,
left-wing politics Left-wing politics describes the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social ...
, and the
anti-nuclear movement The Anti-nuclear war movement is a new social movements, social movement that opposes various nuclear technology, nuclear technologies. Some direct action groups, environmental movements, and professional organisations have identified them ...
. He is notable for his contributions to the form of
minicomics A minicomic is a creator-published comic book, often photocopied and stapled or with a handmade binding. In the United Kingdom and Europe the term small press comic is equivalent with minicomic, reserved for those publications measuring A6 (105& ...
as well as publishing Japanese
manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...
in the United States. Rifas' publishing company, EduComics, operated most actively from 1976 to 1982. Rifas has written a number of scholarly articles in various journals, on such topics as "the anti-comics movement of the 1950s, the
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, ...
movement, representations of race, and
Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...
comic books."Leonard Rifas papers, 1982-1999,"
Archives West: Orbis Cascades Alliance. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2022.


Career

Rifas' first published work was a self-published
minicomic A minicomic is a creator-published comic book, often photocopied and stapled or with a handmade binding. In the United Kingdom and Europe the term small press comic is equivalent with minicomic, reserved for those publications measuring A6 (105& ...
called ''Quoz'', published in 1969. Printed by underground publisher Don Donahue, it is considered one of the first true minicomics. The contents are reprinted in Michael Dowers' ''Treasury of Mini Comics — Volume One'' (
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 ...
, Oct. 2013) . In the early 1970s, Rifas contributed comics to the underground
anthologies In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and ge ...
'' San Francisco Comic Book'' #1 (
Gary Arlington Gary Edson Arlington (October 7, 1938 – January 16, 2014) was an American retailer, artist, editor, and publisher, who became a key figure in the underground comix movement of the 1960s and 1970s.Yardley, William"Gary Arlington, a Force in Unde ...
, 1970) and ''Hee Hee Comics'' ( Company & Sons, 1970),Fox, M. Steven
"Hee Hee Comix,"
ComixJoint. Accessed Sept. 21, 2016.
and then put together ''Gimme'', an underground one-shot mostly scripted by Rifas with art by Rifas and a group of other contributors. Rifas set up EduComics in 1976, ostensibly to publish ''All-Atomic Comics'', an educational comic about "the many dangers of nuclear energy development and operations. The product of two years of work, ''All-Atomic Comics'' was scripted by Rifas, with art by himself and a number of other artists, including Melinda Gebbie and Larry Rippee. The comic found great success, with an initial print-run of 10,000 copies (and revised editions released in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980). ''All-Atomic Comics'' was translated and published in Germany (by a number of different publishers) in the late 1970s. In 1976, Rifas struck up a relationship with Wisconsin-based publisher
Kitchen Sink Press Kitchen Sink Press was a comic book publishing company founded by Denis Kitchen in 1970. Kitchen Sink Press was a pioneering publisher of underground comics, and was also responsible for numerous republications of classic comic strips in hardcov ...
, which, in conjunction with the
United States Bicentennial The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic. It was a central event in the memo ...
, released his ''An Army of Principles'', about "The History and Philosophy of the American Revolution." "An Army of Principles # /nowiki>nn">"An Army of Principles #[nn
/nowiki> (1976), Kitchen Sink Press, 1976 Series,"Grand Comics Database. Retrieved Jan. 4, 2023.
The 36-page comic was mostly drawn and entirely inked by Rifas, with some penciling assists by others. Next, Rifas spearheaded the anthology series ''Corporate Crime'' for Kitchen Sink Press, the first issue appearing in 1977 and the second in 1979. ''Corporate Crime'' is an early example of comics reportage, with a number of notable contributors, including Comics journalism">comics reportage, with a number of notable contributors, including Greg Irons, Trina Robbins">Greg Irons">Comics journalism">comics reportage, with a number of notable contributors, including Greg Irons, Trina Robbins, Harry Driggs, Guy Colwell,
Kim Deitch Kim Deitch (born May 21, 1944 in Los Angeles, California) is an American cartoonist who was an important figure in the underground comix movement of the 1960s, remaining active in the decades that followed with a variety of books and comics, somet ...
, Justin Green,
Jay Kinney Jay Kinney (born 1950) is an American author, editor, and former underground cartoonist. Kinney has been noted for "adding new dimensions to the political comic" in the underground comix press of the 1970s and '80s. Career Kinney was a member, ...
,
Denis Kitchen Denis Kitchen (born August 27, 1946) is an American underground cartoonist, publisher, author, agent, and the founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Early life Kitchen grew up in Wisconsin, attending William Horlick High School, Raci ...
, and Larry Gonick.Mackay, Brad. "Behind the rise of investigative cartooning," ''THIS Magazine'' (Jan. 2008)
Archived at Ad Astra Comix
Meanwhile, Rifas expanded EduComics into a true publisher. From 1978 to 1982, the company released a number of politically oriented educational anthologies (most edited by Rifas) on such topics as motherhood, energy policy, and food production. These anthologies included the work of such underground luminaries as
Trina Robbins Trina Robbins ( Perlson; August 17, 1938 – April 10, 2024) was an American cartoonist. She was an early participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the first women in the movement. She co-produced the 1970 underground comic '' I ...
, Suzy Varty, Joyce Farmer,
Robert Crumb Robert Dennis Crumb (; born August 30, 1943) is an American artist who often signs his work R. Crumb. His work displays a nostalgia for American folk culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and satire of contemporary American c ...
, Harry Driggs,
Denis Kitchen Denis Kitchen (born August 27, 1946) is an American underground cartoonist, publisher, author, agent, and the founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Early life Kitchen grew up in Wisconsin, attending William Horlick High School, Raci ...
, Greg Irons, Sharon Rudahl, and Harry S. Robins. The company also published a number of works by Japanese cartoonist Keiji Nakazawa, making Rifas the first American publisher to publish translated manga. EduComics' second published title was ''Mama! Dramas'', an all-female underground comix anthology about motherhood released in 1978. 1980 was a busy year for EduComics. Leading off was the translation and publication of Keiji Nakazawa's historical
manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...
'' Barefoot Gen'' (as ''Gen of Hiroshima''). About Nakazawa's own experiences as a Hiroshima bombing survivor, ''Gen of Hiroshima'' was also the "first full-length translation of a manga from Japanese into English to be published in the West." Also appearing that year was the one-shot anthology ''Energy Comics'', about "the risks and rewards of various energy sources," edited by Rifas. The third EduComics publication of 1980 was ''Food Comix/cs'', a flip comic anthology about food injustice, specifically "in the world's food supply and food production industry, as well as the unhealthy dietary choices made by consumers." In 1982, EduComics published '' I Saw It'', the original predecessor of Keiji Nakazawa's ''Barefoot Gen''. In 1988, Rifas put together and edited three issues of ''Itchy Planet'', an anthology of political comics and cartoons published by
Fantagraphics 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 ...
. Contributors included David Suter, Larry Gonick, Joyce Farmer, Mary Fleener, Dennis Worden, Harry Driggs,
Peter Kuper Peter Kuper (; born September 22, 1958) is an American alternative comics artist and illustrator, best known for his autobiographical, political, and social observations. Besides his contributions to the political anthology '' World War 3 Illust ...
, Joyce Brabner, Seth Tobocman,
Spain Rodriguez Manuel Rodriguez (March 2, 1940 – November 28, 2012), better known as Spain or Spain Rodriguez, was an American underground cartoonist who created the character Trashman. Influences His experiences on the road with the motorcycle club, the ...
, Norman Dog, Michael Dougan, and Steve Lafler. In the 1990s, Rifas transitioned from cartoonist and editor to academic. He earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Communications from the
University of Washington The University of Washington (UW and informally U-Dub or U Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington, United States. Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast of the Uni ...
. His
thesis A thesis (: theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: D ...
was published in 2021 by
McFarland & Company McFarland & Company, Inc., is an American independent book publisher based in Jefferson, North Carolina, that specializes in academic An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tert ...
as ''Korean War Comic Books'' (). Returning to his creative roots, in 1995 Rifas found time to plot, co-script, and draw ''Tobacco Comics'', a comic for kids about the risks of
smoking Smoking is a practice in which a substance is combusted, and the resulting smoke is typically inhaled to be tasted and absorbed into the bloodstream of a person. Most commonly, the substance used is the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, whi ...
. Published by David Bedoll/
Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...
Doctors Ought to Care, the front cover art was by
Jim Woodring James William Woodring (born October 11, 1952) is an American cartoonist, fine artist, writer and toy designer. He is best known for the dream-based comics he published in his magazine '' Jim'', and as the creator of the anthropomorphic cartoo ...
. In 1999, he used a
3D graphics 3D computer graphics, sometimes called CGI, 3D-CGI or three-dimensional computer graphics, are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian) that is stored in the computer for the purposes of perfor ...
program to create ''The Big Picture — Visualizing the Global Economy''. Published to support the protests against the
World Trade Organization The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland that regulates and facilitates international trade. Governments use the organization to establish, revise, and enforce the rules that g ...
, the comic's characters travel through a landscape that visualizes the
world economy The world economy or global economy is the economy of all humans in the world, referring to the global economic system, which includes all economic activities conducted both within and between nations, including production (economics), producti ...
. Rifas teaches at
Seattle Central College Seattle Central College is a public college in Seattle, Washington, United States. With North Seattle College and South Seattle College, it is one of the three colleges that comprise the Seattle Colleges District. The college has a substantial ...
, having previously been at the
University of Washington Bothell The University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) is a campus of the University of Washington, located in Bothell, Washington. It was founded in 1989 and is one of the three campuses of the University of Washington, alongside the Seattle and Tac ...
.


Comics bibliography

; As writer/artist, unless otherwise noted * ''Quoz'' (self-published, 1969) * "Freedom," in '' San Francisco Comic Book'' #1 (
Gary Arlington Gary Edson Arlington (October 7, 1938 – January 16, 2014) was an American retailer, artist, editor, and publisher, who became a key figure in the underground comix movement of the 1960s and 1970s.Yardley, William"Gary Arlington, a Force in Unde ...
, 1970) * 1-pager, ''Hee Hee Comics'' ( Company & Sons, 1970) * ''Gimme'' (Head Imports, 1972) — mostly scripted by Rifas with art by Rifas, Nick Ciampi, Bob Garcia, Larry Rippee, Phil Collins, and Charly Price * ''All-Atomic Comics'' (EduComics, Sept. 1976) — script by Rifas with his own art and additional contributions from Peter Weber, Shelby Sampson, Larry Rippee, Kevin Brady, Melinda Gebbie, Roger May, Marc Miyashiro, Moria Wright, Delores Thom, and Ray Kott ** Translated and published in German: *** ''Atomkomix'' (Bremen: Ulli Jenkins, 1976) *** ''U-Comix Extra'' #11, (Volksverlag, 1977) *** ''Atom Comic'' (Bürgerinitiative Lübeck gegen Kernenergiegefahren, 1978) *** ''Atom Comic'' (Nexus, 1980) * ''An Army of Principles'' (
Kitchen Sink Press Kitchen Sink Press was a comic book publishing company founded by Denis Kitchen in 1970. Kitchen Sink Press was a pioneering publisher of underground comics, and was also responsible for numerous republications of classic comic strips in hardcov ...
, 1976) — written, mostly drawn, and entirely inked by Rifas, with some penciling by Larry Rippee, Moria Wright, Charly Price, and Alice Dubiel * (editor) ''Corporate Crime'' (2 issues, Kitchen Sink Press, 1977 & 1979) — contributors include Greg Irons,
Trina Robbins Trina Robbins ( Perlson; August 17, 1938 – April 10, 2024) was an American cartoonist. She was an early participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the first women in the movement. She co-produced the 1970 underground comic '' I ...
, Harry Driggs, Guy Colwell,
Kim Deitch Kim Deitch (born May 21, 1944 in Los Angeles, California) is an American cartoonist who was an important figure in the underground comix movement of the 1960s, remaining active in the decades that followed with a variety of books and comics, somet ...
, Justin Green,
Jay Kinney Jay Kinney (born 1950) is an American author, editor, and former underground cartoonist. Kinney has been noted for "adding new dimensions to the political comic" in the underground comix press of the 1970s and '80s. Career Kinney was a member, ...
,
Denis Kitchen Denis Kitchen (born August 27, 1946) is an American underground cartoonist, publisher, author, agent, and the founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Early life Kitchen grew up in Wisconsin, attending William Horlick High School, Raci ...
, and Larry Gonick * "T.V. Opiate of the People," in ''Dope Comix'' #1 (Kitchen Sink Press, Feb. 1978) * (editor) ''Energy Comics'' (EduComics, Jan. 1980) — contributors include
Denis Kitchen Denis Kitchen (born August 27, 1946) is an American underground cartoonist, publisher, author, agent, and the founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Early life Kitchen grew up in Wisconsin, attending William Horlick High School, Raci ...
, Joyce Farmer, Greg Irons,
Robert Crumb Robert Dennis Crumb (; born August 30, 1943) is an American artist who often signs his work R. Crumb. His work displays a nostalgia for American folk culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and satire of contemporary American c ...
, Sharon Rudahl, Harry Driggs, and Rifas * (editor) ''Food Comix/cs'' (EduComics, Oct. 1980) — contributors include Harry Driggs, Akira Narita,
Robert Crumb Robert Dennis Crumb (; born August 30, 1943) is an American artist who often signs his work R. Crumb. His work displays a nostalgia for American folk culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and satire of contemporary American c ...
, Steve Leialoha,
Trina Robbins Trina Robbins ( Perlson; August 17, 1938 – April 10, 2024) was an American cartoonist. She was an early participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the first women in the movement. She co-produced the 1970 underground comic '' I ...
, Harry S. Robins, and Rifas * ''Food First Comics'' (
Institute for Food and Development Policy Food First, also known as the Institute for Food and Development Policy, is a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, US. Founded in 1975 by Frances Moore Lappé and Joseph Collins, it describes itself as a "people's think tank and ...
, 1982) — cover by Steve Leialoha, short contribution from Larry RippeeFox, M. Steven
"Food First Comics,"
ComixJoint. Retrieved Jan. 4, 2023.
* "A Typical Hippie Dope," in ''Dope Comix'' #2 (Kitchen Sink Press, June 1982) — collaboration with Moria Wright Peters and Rusty Wright * ''The Big Picture — Visualizing the Global Economy'' (EduComics, 1999) ; As publisher * ''Mama! Dramas'' (June 1978) — anthology edited by
Trina Robbins Trina Robbins ( Perlson; August 17, 1938 – April 10, 2024) was an American cartoonist. She was an early participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the first women in the movement. She co-produced the 1970 underground comic '' I ...
, with stories from the likes of Robbins, Suzy Varty, and Joyce Farmer * '' Gen of Hiroshima'' (2 issues, Jan. 1980–Apr. 1981) — by Keiji Nakazawa * '' I Saw It'' (Dec. 1982) — by Keiji Nakazawa


References


Sources


Rifas entry
Lambiek's Comiclopedia. Retrieved Dec. 8, 2022. * Rifas interview, ''
The Comics Journal ''The Comics Journal'', often abbreviated ''TCJ'', is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels. Known for its lengthy interviews with comic creators, pointed editorials and scathing r ...
'
#92
(Aug. 1984).


External links


Leonard Rifas papers, 1982-1999
Archives West * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rifas, Gary 1951 births American academics American magazine editors American publishers (people) Underground cartoonists Living people