Apex Novelties

American, 1968 - c.1990

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  • This is a drawing of a creature holding a comic book. The creature has exaggerated features, including a large nose, multiple eyes, tusks, and a broad grin. The comic book is titled "CONSUME" and "BOREDOM ILLUSTRATED," with outlandish lettering and graphics on the cover. The background is bright pink. The creature is surrounded by a spiral of objects, including household items and food. The artwork may be inspired by underground comix and satirical pop art, with a critique of consumer culture.

    Zap, no. 6

    Various Artists, Gilbert Shelton, Robert Williams, Robert Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Rick Griffin, Spain Rodriguez, Victor Moscoso, Apex Novelties

    1973

    52-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations in black and cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.173

    Not on view

  • Funny Aminals

    Various Artists, Robert Crumb, Justin Green, Art Spiegelman, Shary Flenniken, Jay Lynch, Michael McMillan, Bill Griffith, Jim Osborne, Apex Novelties

    1972

    Paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.54

    Not on view
  • This is a painting of a humorous comic book cover. The image depicts an exaggerated cartoon-style bathroom setting where a figure is using a toilet. The figure is drawn in a caricature style, with exaggerated facial features and body proportions. Next to the figure, there is a cabinet with a bottle labeled "BRE" and a pink towel hanging. Above the figure, a speech bubble coming from a framed picture on the wall says "STRICKLY UPPA CRUST!!" The floor is wooden, and a plunger rests nearby. This is in the style of Robert Crumb, known for his unique comic illustrations. The cover prominently features bold, colorful text, including "YOUR Hytone COMIX" at the top.

    Your Hytone Comix

    Robert Crumb, Apex Novelties

    1971

    Paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.69

    Not on view
  • This is a drawing featuring colorful, whimsical creatures in a stylized and cartoonish composition. The title "Terminal Comics" is displayed prominently at the top in retro-style lettering. The scene includes a variety of creatures in different colors and forms, engaged in various activities. There are a green creature wearing a yellow helmet, a yellow creature with a pink cap speaking, and a pink horned creature with multiple appendages and a large open jaw. The environment is fantastical with swirling patterns and waves of color, creating a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere.

    Terminal Comics

    Michael McMillan, Apex Novelties

    1971

    36-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.139

    Not on view
  • This is a drawing of a bearded figure on a scooter with a background fence and onlookers. The image features a cartoonish figure, Mr. Natural, riding a small scooter on a sidewalk, dressed in a yellow robe. To the left, behind a wooden fence, two characters are peering over; one with a surprised expression asks a philosophical question in a speech bubble which reads, "Mr. Natural! What does it all mean??" The figure on the scooter responds with another speech bubble, saying, "Don't mean sheeit..." The top of the image displays the bold title "Mr. Natural" in red with a whimsical style. The left side displays a price and issue number, "No. 2, 50¢" as well as vibrant green patterning with the words "YIPAY!" The upper right corner has a yellow badge noting "A Member of THE UNITED CARTOON WORKERS OF AMERICA."

    Mr. Natural

    Robert Crumb, Gary Arlington, Apex Novelties

    1971

    Paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.95

    Not on view
  • This is a painting that depicts a surreal and chaotic comic book cover. The image features a dynamic composition with various bizarre and fantastical elements. These include a vibrant “ZAP COMIX” title in cartoonish bubble lettering, and a range of colorful characters. A combination of organic and mechanical forms populate the scene, such as a person-like broccoli figure, anthropomorphic trees, abstract characters, a castle, and flying creatures. The foreground is filled with a variety of objects and smaller scenes, contributing to the chaotic and whimsical nature of the illustration. The style is graphic and vibrant, utilizing a saturated color palette and bold outlines typical of underground comix art.

    Zap, no. 5

    Various Artists, Robert Williams, Gilbert Shelton, Robert Crumb, Victor Moscoso, S. Clay Wilson, Spain Rodriguez, Robert Crumb, Charles Crumb, Apex Novelties

    1970

    52-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations in black and cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.172

    Not on view
  • This is a drawing of a fantastical and surreal landscape featuring cartoon monsters. The cover artwork of a comic book, titled "San Francisco Comic Book No.1," showcases a colorful and bizarre scene with three animated monsters. The central figure is a large blue-green creature with large ears, wide-open pink eyes, and a menacing mouth full of teeth. In the foreground, two smaller creatures are rendered in a similarly exaggerated cartoon style: one with a long nose and large ears, appearing shocked or startled, and the other crawling out of the ground with elongated arms. The background is a vivid mix of blues and pinks with a dotted pattern reminiscent of classic comic book art. Distant, stylized cityscape elements are also visible on the lefthand side, adding to the intriguing, dreamlike quality of the illustration.

    San Francisco Comic Book #1

    R.K. Sloane, San Francisco Comic Book Company, Robert Dougherty, Rick Griffin, Mervinius, Spain Rodriguez, Dave Sheridan, Leonard Rifas, Dan O'Neill, S. Clay Wilson, Various Artists, Robert Crumb, Jim Osborne, Jack Jackson, Larry Welz, Willy Murphy, Rory Hayes, Apex Novelties, Gary Arlington

    1970

    36-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with front cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.110

    Not on view
  • The image shows a cartoon character with a long white beard and robe being kicked by another character with blue pants and brown shoes. The kicker's legs are in motion, and the character being kicked shows a surprised expression with a speech bubble saying "UNH!" and impact lines. The left border includes symbols like stars, lightning bolts, and swirls, adding to the playful tone. The top of the image reads "Mr. Natural," featuring "Flakey Foont," with the artist R. Crumb and the year 1970 at the bottom right corner.

    Mr. Natural #1

    Robert Crumb, Gary Arlington, Apex Novelties

    1970

    Paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.94

    Not on view
  • The cover comprises bold, sweeping lines creating a central blue, tentacled figure with exaggerated limbs, crossing a horizon filled with clouds and pyramids. This abstract character resembles an octopus, with a top hat in one arm. In the background, there are pyramids against a radial burst pattern of red and blue, along with green figures and a cityscape. The words "ZAP COMIX" are arched across the backdrop in yellow typeface.

    Zap, no. 4

    Various Artists, Victor Moscoso, Robert Williams, Robert Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Gilbert Shelton, Spain Rodriguez, Rick Griffin, Apex Novelties

    1969

    52-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations in black and cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.171

    Not on view
  • This is a drawing of a comic book cover. The illustration features a bus stop scene with urban architectural details in the background. In the foreground, there is signage indicating the bus stop and exaggerated characters interacting humorously. The cover is bordered with bold lettering announcing the title "Snatch Comics," along with additional graphic elements. The colors are vibrant and the character styling is cartoonish, suggesting a humorous and possibly satirical theme.

    Snatch Comics #3

    Various Artists, Robert Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Victor Moscoso, Robert Williams, Rory Hayes, Jim Osborne, Apex Novelties, The Print Mint, Inc.

    1969

    36-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations on wove paper, with cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.128

    Not on view
  • This is an illustration of anthropomorphized cars in a humorous and surreal interaction. The image depicts two cars as living characters engaged in a lively scene where one car appears to be lifting another with expressions of effort. The drawing style is bold and cartoonish, with exaggerated expressions and movements. In the top-left corner is a character wearing a bee costume with a striped pattern. The background shows a cityscape in a simplified silhouette. The title "King Bee" is prominently placed in large stylized letters. Below the drawing, text reads, "A REVOLUTIONARY 'FIRST!' WE DARE TO SHOW 'DOING IT' RIGHT ON THE FRONT PAGE!!!". There is a speech bubble from a small figure observing the scene who exclaims, "EEK! I CAN’T LOOK!".

    King Bee

    Various Artists, Robert Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Victor Moscoso, Rick Griffin, Jeremy Marks, Peter Max, Dr. Flagstaff, Apex Novelties, Kerry Clark

    1969

    16-page newspaper tabloid with halftone and offset lithograph illustrations  Accession ID  2014.126.78

    Not on view
  • This is an image of a surreal and bizarre comic cover. It features a large insect-like creature with human legs and hands, holding a can and wearing a wide-brimmed hat. The creature stands in a tunnel made of organic, rounded forms, which is detailed with rich textures and shadows. In the background, a creature resembling a walking sun with a human face and limbs gestures expressively. Near it, round, eye-like creatures with tentacles congregate around a spilled body of liquid with eyeballs floating in it. There's also another creature holding a sign with "ME!" written. The cover is highly colorful and features a variety of vibrant hues. The title "Soap Comix" indicates it may belong to an adult-themed comic series, enhanced by the "Adults Only" label. The scene is chaotic, vivid, and embodies a psychedelic or surrealist atmosphere often associated with the underground comic movement.

    Zap, no. 3

    Various Artists, Robert Crumb, Rick Griffin, Victor Moscoso, S. Clay Wilson, Gilbert Shelton, Apex Novelties

    1969

    52-page paperback bound volume with half-tone and offset lithograph illustrations in black and cover in full color  Accession ID  2014.126.170

    Not on view