Norman Solomon

Don’t you wish that you had been at the recent UNDERGROUND USA symposium, which was a celebration of the legacy of Portland’s underground newspapers, the Willamette Bridge and the Portland Scribe? Here’s what you missed: Comics historian Patrick Rosenkranz blew our minds by proving that Basil Wolverton made it into print as a cartoonist by 1929- the crack of dawn of comic books. Also by identifying the exact points in the lives of Basil Wolverton and Carl Barks when their careers paths crossed those of the underground cartoonists who followed them. Former Scribe staffers Maurice Isserman and Norman Solomon discussed the urgency and political outrage behind the deceptively casual “fly by the seat of your pants” appearance of the underground press. Event organizer Anne Richardson talked about the several “undergrounds” which influenced the thinking and film writing of Sheldon Renan. I, David Chelsea, gave a tour of the artists/cartoonists who appeared in Portland’s underground press. Event moderator Richard Gehr and surprise guest Matt Groening drew a verbal map of a Portland stuffed with record stores, bookstores, live music, and Ken Kesey sightings, and both identified themselves as former Willamette Bridge newsboys. Animation legend Bill Plympton joined the panel discussion and Portland’s Poet Laureate Walt Curtis spoke in appreciation of Norman Solomon. A very complete experience! These photos may give some idea:

David Chelsea is watching: The Witch
Starring Anya Taylor-Joy
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Continue reading UNDERGROUND USA: The Pictures

This Saturday, October 15th, I will be taking part in UNDERGROUND USA, a one-day symposium examining Portland’s radical past through the history of its underground newspapers, The Willamette Bridge and The Portland Scribe. Or, to quote the copy from the event’s official website:

UNDERGROUND USA is a one day public history/arts education event focusing on one chapter of Oregon print cartooning history.
website

Two underground papers, the Willamette Bridge (1968-1971) and the Portland Scribe (1972-1978), provided first jobs for a generation of artists and writers who went on to have national careers. Oregon Cartoon Institute invited five of them – artists Bill Plympton and David Chelsea, and writers Norman Solomon, Richard Gehr and Maurice Isserman – to return to Portland to taIk about these early experiences.

Among the questions they will address: What makes Portland so comics and cartooning friendly?

Two time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton drew covers for the Scribe. Political journalist Norman Solomon wrote for it. Historian Maurice Isserman edited it. Graphic novelist David Chelsea illustrated it. Village Voice columnist Richard Gehr sold it on the street.

Patrick Rosenkranz, the author of Rebel Visions: The Underground Comix Revolution 1963-1975, is our keynote speaker. He too worked for the Scribe.

What was the underground press?

Who read it?

Who wrote it?

What role did underground comics play in creating the sensibility of the underground press?

Was Portland’s current affinity for comics/cartooning already in evidence during this forgotten period of regional media making?

Through talks, presentations, onstage conversations and one gigantic culminating panel discussion, UNDERGROUND USA participants will explore these and other questions.

schedule

UNDERGROUND USA is open to the general public. It is presented by Oregon Cartoon Institute in partnership with UO Comics & Cartooning Studies and PSU Comic Studies, and with support from Oregon Historical Society.

David Chelsea is reading: War in the Neighborhood
by Seth Tobocman
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Continue reading This Saturday: UNDERGROUND USA