In a world where comic artists are free to draw what they want, how they want, and when they want, Underground Comics are born. They are an interesting species; an apple that fell far from the tree. Still a comic, yes. Still the familiar colorful cover, size, and general format. It is the content that sets these animals apart.
Because underground movements are outside of the commercial system, censorship and restrictions don't apply. There is no paperwork or bureaucracy to wade through. Because of this, Underground Comics are raw, personal, violent, sexual, political, anti-law, drug related, and sometimes autobiographical. They take on subjects and approaches never before seen in comics thanks to the liberty, blowing the top off storytelling in comics. They had a profound effect on the development of comics after them, paving possibilities no one considered in comics before.
Several examples are Mr.Natural, Dopin Dan, Tits and Clitz, and my favorite, Zap comics. Now, I can't say that I enjoyed what happened between the pages of Zap comics. The first one I cracked open was filled with dirty, gross looking characters, performing completely uncensored acts of violence. It was very graphic and brutal, hiding nothing. From there I was introduced to unusual sexual situations and highly anti-law tidbits from the artists. But through all this, I can appreciate what they've done. I can understand that this is a huge leap in a direction that frees comics from all content restrictions; that the ridiculous content liberates its readers and paves the path for anything and everything in the future of comics.
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