THIRD RAIL (1981)

In June 1981, Rick's "Head Chez" (aka "Head Cheese") appeared in Ken Feduniewicz's magazine/fanzine, THIRD RAIL #1. The zine also featured artwork by Tom Yeates, Steve Bissette, John Totleben, Al Williamson, Roy G. Krenkel, Wallace Wood, Clarke Asthon Smith, Jim Bradley, Reed Crandall and Archie Goodwin.

RICK GRIMES: "A raft of pages could be written by me on the extenuations of doing the "Weird Dick and the Professor" story "Head Cheese" (as I had always wanted to call it - in practice, the actual logo letters didn't seem to sit right). For now, I'll stick to highlights of the 'day':

saw head cheese in a Dover, New Jersey grocery story (as well as whole hog's head).
saw [Steve] Bissette's copy (?) of Max Ernst's collage novel, A Week of Kindness, full of birdheaded humans.
epiphany: film, dream as comic.
story continues first page.
setting of (school) building, drive.
created and drawn winter '76 - '77 at the school in Dover.
inks completed '79 or '80 in Shreveport.
published in '81 by classmate Ken Feduniewicz who saw the story or was well familiar with characters from time we spent at the school.

Ken's book, nicely done by any measure, has ever since been the story's one and only harbor.

The first page of the originals hasn't fared too well, as at one time, in the second year I cut it up into an experimental two row format and later pasted it up again 'as it had been'. (The rubber cement, as usual, hasn't lasted well).

The cliffhanger ending eventually was not the snag it first was. There is a partial sequel story from the early '80s. (Also with its own problematic format quirks). None of that held me back so much. Rather its the many ideas for other sequences and my obsession to organize much of it and find the best way to place all of them - their dream logic requires just the right amount of 'real time' or a semblance of that. For his 'life'. Most of it by now has been organized. Lots of versions tried. Finally, parallel planmaking with the actual. The initial story was finally completed over a ten year period in the '90s. One page a year. (Not because of excess of detail - only the time I spent on it).

At that rate, if I live to be four hundred I should be all set!

Two pages on the 'second' story, despite my wish to improve my rate even to two a year, became even slower (due to time spent taking care of my mother).

A cover. For the first story. Had always envisioned the stories as small press things first. Could still happen. We'll see." -- Rick Grimes (December 22, 2008).

- "HEAD CHEZ" is available to read in the PUBLISHED WORKS - 1 art / story gallery.

DR. WIRTHAM'S COMIX & STORIES (1982/1987)

In 1982, Rick's "Sicky Claws Conquers the Weird Dicks" appeared in Clifford Neal's DR. WIRTHAM'S COMIX & STORIES #7 / #8 (also feat. Jay Kinney, Terry Beatty, Eric Vincent, Joe Zabel, Mark Nelson, Neil Clifford, Doug Potter, Robert Williams, Gregg Budgett, Gary Dumm, Greg Irons, Bruce Younger, Bruce V. Kalnins, Lomax, Peter Bagge, Mike Roberts, Mike Matthews, Bradley Mudgett, Jay Kinney, Jim Ryan, and Al Sirois). In April 1987, Rick's "Maniac Island" appeared in issue #10 of the series (Rick also drew the back cover, signed 'Rhick Greims' (also feat. XNO, Clifford Neal, Mr. Verlin, Pete Barba, G. Dumm, G. Budgett, Ed Watson, Al Greenier, J. Ryan, J. Kinney, M. Matthews, Brian O'Connell, Greg Dye, Mark Burbey, Bill Turner, and Matthew D. Bludgums).

GRIMES: I) "To understand "Sicky Claws", for the few that can find a copy, it would help to realize there was a world of other stories underway in my mind between Sicky and earlier published work. Characters distorted as the 'victims' of the WIRTHAM'S story because by then I felt maybe I should 'run over them' a little just because they meant alot to me. Big misstep, really.

The thing is, to this day, hardly anyone has seen any of these projects, as completed or otherwise. So, I've been stuck ever after with the detestable stupidity of having 'everyone' (that reads Sicky), see all the characters dead or almost so before ever knowing what they really are.

I used to consider a sequel where Sicky wakes up at the beginning with "Weird Dick + Friends" gum cards, belonging to Nudolph, stuck on his head. The story before thus explained away as a fever dream.

The originals of 'Sicky Claws Conquers' are larger than I work now.

And I am stupefied today by its tremendous hodgepodge of detail.

Apart from the lunacy of its content, it is the first full-blown use of some of my childhood characters, starring as the attackers.

The signature was for ironic contrast - the way I wrote my name as a young kid.

There are a few 'in-jokes', so far 'in' my friends probably didn't even see them: Larry Loc is running a train engine in an early panel, with other links to him on the train. The 'Guncy' character, just as it says on the plywood's graffiti was a [Rick] Veitch doodle. One that I kept and gave a name to for this story. But, Peg Arms, especially featured on one page, was a character [Steve] Bissette created the first year of the school. (He was not unlike the freak spread Greg Irons had in Deviant Slice, which I had not seen at that time). He sent the comic page(s) to someone then, and no longer has it, he once told me. So, I brought him back myself! Note the little sign sticking in his 'hip' crediting Bissette.

The wall of TVs (a la Man Who Fell To Earth and the 'Michael Ellis' episode of Monty Python), 'Hutton' is watching have actual shows on them, as well as a couple of references to school pals and their characters. The curtains and linens are all 'Slime People' patterns, (instead of the leopard pattern in my actual home), in reference to, and in a parody of actor vanity. The repeated figure is of one of the humpbacked Slime People carrying his bucket of marinara, just as depicted in Robert Hutton's sole (?) directorial effort, Invasion of the Slime People. Only Bissette would've gotten it, if anyone. We saw the film together on TV, in New Jersey; I still have the envelope I wrote notes on immediately afterwards.

Tho' not an 'in joke' exactly, as none of my school friends from 'up-there' have ever even been here, the setting of 'Sicky Claws Conquers' is my family house in Shreveport. Though every room and hallway is full of wacky distortions, the lay of the rooms is roughly accurate. And Cow Sow's 'map' is also accurate to the story's activities.

Of course, the title is an obvious, for the schlock film fan, steal of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, which I saw as a fairly old kid (and fortunately on TV, and not as the pathetic Saturday matinee 'showpiece' it wound up as).

Because of the aforesaid trammeling of still unestablished later characters, I've always avoided any thoughts of reprinting it. If it ever is, ideally it should be reprinted original size or larger, so people can see the blighter; in red covers with felt tacking like my old copy of Night Before Xmas'!

---

II) "Maniac Island" has Nudolph and Cathy Doll, (Sicky Claws' underlings) turn up for a healthy does of karma at the erratic hands and implements of still another combo of newly lumped together 'kiddy-characters' (ie Spiketball Bobo, Mudda Mudda, Billiard-Ball Bull and their unstable overseer, 'The Maniac'). Think: The Island of Dr. Moreau meets Snuffy Smith.

This time there is a built-in 'out' at the beginning. It may all be a 'child''s outing in a cardboard box, and did not really happen. (Nudo(lph) and Cathy being the 'children').

At the same time, however, the story gives 'reasons' for why Cathy Doll's foot, (or the lack thereof), is how it is, (or isn't), on the cover.

Still my only published cover to date, gamely afforded by Cliff Neal, I am still proud of it as one's ugly baby with the unspoken of disorder.

Even did the primitive vellum color overlays.

Add it to your essential viewing!" -- Rick Grimes (December 22, 2008).

GRIMES: "Maniac Island - The 'out in the 'real-or-not?' of this story is not a pretend trip in a cardboard box; (that's in a different story). Misremembered. In 'Maniac' the 'out' is when Cathy Doll is hit by the oar. The bulk of their ordeal is, then, possibly Cathy's coma delirium. Then at the end: relief his foot's okay. But, a shark may've gotten the good one. Pretty 'funny', hunh? Their oar-deal. The cover could be 'set' much later, and it 'was' real. Or it, too, is unreal. (So, if I use him again, he'll be back to having two feet)!

The character pushing the gurney is Spiketball Bobo. Didn't have room in the story for his name. Or his spiketball, and what it could do. So he is bouncing 'Mudda Mudda' at the end, farewell, instead.

Hope all you scientists at home are taking notes." -- Rick Grimes (March 15, 2009).

- "SICKY CLAWS CONQUERS THE WEIRD DICKS" and "MANIAC ISLAND" are available to read in the PUBLISHED WORKS - 1 art / story gallery.

THE ONE (1985-1986)

Between 1985 and '86, Rick's "The Puzz Fundles" story appeared in all six issues of Rick Veitch's THE ONE comic book series (King Hell Press, published by Epic). Veitch came up with the idea of adding Grimes' completely unrelated back-ups as a tribute to comics of the past, the likes of Cap's Hobby Hints. THE ONE has also published in Spanish (as EL UNO, by Norma Editorial) and Italian (THE ONE, by Comma 22). The collected edition of this magazine is available via Rick Veitch's official website: www.rickveitch.com.

GRIMES: I) "PUZZ FUNDLES":

newly named in '82 notebook.
childhood characters from a handful of mostly unrecurring drawings.
deliberate attempt to retain 'whatever was wrong with them' in early renderings, while still giving them form.

invite from [Rick] Veitch.
extremely and minutely thorough notes on first #1, then #2.
enthusiastic response
begun in '84
published '85, '86

especially liked first and second best, 3 + 4 good art, 5 + 6 deliberately trying sloppy approach, suffers that.

Asides:

Thripey Skake always has his three pieces o' (chocklit) cake.
look for cameo appearances of Sicky's gang.
attempt was made at deliberate 'disconnections', usually in the opening of each page from the factuality of the prior page. While working on the real, new page itself, this often tended to try to disappear, as reason tries to take over, and banality. But, traces linger. Such as how for, Von Sticky at the end of #2 all is lost, but in #3 he is back. Furthermore, what reason for his brain's absence in #4 vs. #3? T.S. falls to his death in #5, etc.

unused notes for 'detergent box comic' using Thripey, etc. For the Tide box cover of #1, no doubt for space & overall design reasons, never happened.
But, look for Veitch's use of my characters internally, and on all (?) the covers, including #1.
and 'The One' poster I included behind the beggarly Fundles in #6's last panel.

My perennial characters.
By no means through with them.

Ask for them by name... "Sir, do you have Puzz Fundles?"

II) "Rick [Veitch] sent me one (*Spanish edition of THE ONE). Cracked me up - delight in the uniqueness of it. At first wondered if the logos had or even could be changed - what would you call it? I'd still be curious to know which jokes got lost in translation or if any new ones were created. One day I'll comb throo it with my dictionario. Look for the jist." I'm all for it. Urdu and Pig Latin are waiting. Starring Eemomay and Ipeythray! How about Clem Clambeau, (who visits India), in actual Sanskrit? Finally, my work is unintelligible to me as well." -- Rick Grimes (December 22, 2008).

- "THE PUZZ FUNDLES" is available to read in the PUBLISHED WORKS - 1 art / story gallery.

DOG*STAR FUNNIES (1987/1991)

In 1987, Rick contributed various art to the first issue of artist Larry Loc's xerox zine, DOG*STAR FUNNIES. In 1991, Rick contributed further original works to Loc's second issue. "Glycerous Aquarium Footstool" (republished later in TABOO ESPECIAL) appears in issue #1.

GRIMES: "Larry Loc frequently produced his own xerox zines (partly because of access where he worked at the time). Various types. Invited me to do something for DOGSTAR, as he titled it. DOG*STAR FUNNIES, in fact... #1 eight pages plus covers, in a half foldable, mailing format. Includes my first 'ghosted', inked 'spot' credited to "Gary Roc"; my illustrations for story by Larry's friend M.W. 'Grit' Thomas, Jr. about animals in their shells; another spot illo (a 'bug'); and my '86 two pager for the book, "Glycerous Aquarium Footstool" in nice big blowups from my eensy originals. Also features and includes: Loc's cover painting 'punk', a petrified(?) bulldog, use of the buzzword epithet FMEH, and the subheading "Forgotten Genius Issue". Inside cover [John] Totleben sketch from 1980. Larry's intro and photo from '81 (?). Also Loc stories (illustrated text, one co-cred with wife Ruth); a rare (probably only time) Loc creature drawing with [Rick] Veitch inks, from '82. And my favorite of Larry's, his 'comic strip' assignments (leftover from [Joe] Kubert school) crammed together on the back. With my pal and his, Cowpie.

Who ever saw one and how many ya got me. It's always fun to go back and look at, tho'. And to be in.

So, for '91 Larry and I co-designed #2. More pages! Even less circulation!! You, too, can be without one!?!

Its highlights: handpuppet photo on cover by me; Larry's very long, but classic wishnik style foto fairytale; our cowritten 'Intro dachshund' full of almost intelligible verbiage; various and sundry paintings + /or illos by me +/or Larry, including my second 'ghost' of Larry's characters Cowpie, the Acid Troll and my phony Loc character from #1 - a sort of purulent Cecil the Sea Serpent in a 'boater' hat. Also another 2 pg comic by me called "Under The Rug". Long intended to be for that (#2) issue. This time done mostly in pen, rather than brush (and with completely different, more complexly relating characters) it's alot more difficult to tell what's going on in it. But, they're supposedly part of the same little world as the 'Footstool' characters (ie Matronfish, etc.).

"DOG*STAR FUNNIES #2 is all Grimes and Loc or Loc and Grimes, I forget which. Save for one tiny spot illo, presumably by Veitch, (and an anonymous, responding 'mystery' doodle), called from my old drawing board slop sheet Larry wound up with.

Between the two issues was the Kubert school reunion of '88 in the 'abandoned' high school (down in the town 'proper') since taken over by Joe's ever expanding empire of edjamacation. Saw Larry (+ many others, of course) there and the robot, with plasticky, mechanical-jawed human head set up in second floor hallway. Evidently, the same one I'd heard of years before through Veitch, that Larry and Ernie Pasanen had built and designed to recite lines from the G.I. Gurdjieff trilogy I'd left behind in '78. The reunion gave me the chance to literally walk all over taking pictures for my other Weird Dick story settings. Supposedly the robot head had also been reprogrammed to recite the entire or select phrases from my DOGSTAR #1 story ('Bif, Bluehaired Bif is slapping her, slapping her!). But, every time I would show up, out of breath from my photo taking, I would just miss getting to hear it and the head (shades of They Saved Hitler's Brain), would be jabbering away about something mundane. Don't know if the 'bot had a name. It deserved one. It looked like they'd preserved one of those 'invisible men' medical figures and put its head on life support. Don't have many real anecdotes but that's a good one." -- Rick Grimes (December 22, 2008).

- "GLYCEROUS AQUARIUM FOOTSTOOL", etc. is available to read via the PUBLISHED WORKS - 2 art gallery.