Feature: ‘Crumb,' by Dan Nadel
How fortunate that my first parasocial relationship, as they're now called, was with a genius. I encountered Robert Crumb's work at the age of 8 or 9, when his comics could be found — lurking and sweating — in the 'Counterculture' section of my local used-book store in San Francisco. Frightening stuff for a kid. Titillating, too. But 'Counterculture' was crammed with scary and spicy material. Only Crumb's work, specifically the autobiographical comics, wormed under my skin.
The worming occurred, I understood much later, because of the material's intimacy. Few artists have the technical ability, desire, intellect and courage (or berserk compulsion) to render their souls legible on a page — not to mention their kinks, agonies, protruding Adam's apple and sub-ramrod posture. What I was sensing in my bookstore adventures with Crumb was an early glimmer of what it might mean to truly know a person, with all the joy and terror that such knowing entails. It hardly mattered that I would never meet the man.
Except, 30 years later, I did. One morning in April an elegant figure in a fedora strolled up Avenue A in the East Village. He was instantly recognizable for his spidery hands and Coke-bottle glasses. With him was the author and curator Dan Nadel, who has written 'Crumb: A Cartoonist's Life,' a superb biography of an artist who, starting in the 1960s, changed the shape of comics in every decade that followed. Nothing escaped the penetrating eye of Crumb, whose work took on liberal hypocrisy, sexual and racial violence, Christianity, drugs, the C.I.A., existential distress, love, consumerism and death.
To help promote the book Crumb had flown over from France, where he has lived since 1991 in a house that his late wife, the influential artist Aline Kominsky-Crumb, found for the family.
We met at the restaurant Superiority Burger, where the artist and his biographer slouched in a red booth and deplored the state of modern pants.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
9 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
DDG makes serious allegations about Halle Bailey; restraining order against her denied for now
DDG has failed for now in his attempt to get a domestic violence restraining order preventing Halle Bailey from taking their son, Halo, out of the country — but not for lack of trying. The rapper, real name Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., made serious allegations about Bailey in a new court filing this week after she served him with a domestic violence restraining order in mid-May. DDG must keep his distance from his 'The Little Mermaid' ex and their son, who turns 2 in October. He was also ordered to refrain from contacting them in any way, including electronically. On Wednesday, when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge was expected to consider whether to make the temporary order more permanent, the 27-year-old influencer's attorney requested that Bailey be prevented from traveling internationally with Halo, specifically to Italy, alleging there was a risk she would kidnap the child. The filing also asked that the hearing be continued to a later date. DDG's team got the later date. His attorney did not reply to The Times' request for comment. The domestic violence restraining order request, which was denied pending a hearing later this month, was supported by DDG's version of some of the same incidents his 25-year-old ex cited in her May filing, according to court documents reviewed by The Times. It includes declarations from Tonya Granberry, DDG's mother, and George Charlston, her fiancée, who is also DDG's driver, alleging they found Apple AirTags that had been hidden in the rapper's vehicles and in Halo's diaper bag, presumably by Bailey. DDG's team complained in his filing about Bailey's alleged 'emotional instability and coercive control,' her 'repeated threats of suicide and self-harm' and instances where she 'endangered the child's safety while in emotional distress.' The filing includes text exchanges in which Bailey sent myriad frantic-sounding messages, many more than DDG replied with. In one exchange, which occurred after he drove off following an argument in 2022, Bailey sent texts 'claiming she had a knife and implying she would harm herself if he did not return,' the filing says. 'YOI HATE ME AND WANT ME TO DIE!!!' she said amid a flurry of text messages in March 2024, according to the filing, following up with texts saying 'I WANT TO DIE BECAUSE OF YOU!!!' and 'I WILL DIE BECAUSE OF YOU!!!' In February, Bailey told DDG via text that 'everyday i want to die because of the way you embarrass me online and allow other women to speak on me,' the filing says. The two dated for two years before breaking up in October 2023; their son was born a couple of months later. Bailey allegedly 'weaponized' her pregnancy to try to persuade DDG to reconcile with her, the filing says. The court filing alleges she tried to medically abort Halo in June 2023 but didn't take the second dose of medication that would complete the task. The rapper said the singer-actor went through his phone while he was asleep, slapped and punched him during a fight over the phone, falsely claimed that he slammed her head into his car's steering wheel during a custody exchange and surveilled him by planting Apple AirTags in his vehicles. He accused her in the filing of tracking the AirTags to show up uninvited to events and studio sessions where he was, 'often resulting in confrontations.' 'During emotional outbursts,' the filing says, Bailey 'has destroyed my personal property including my laptop that contained critical music and content word' and 'stole my legally owned firearm during an argument in August of 2023 and was found outside the house in possession of it.' In March 2024, Bailey allegedly sent DDG 'a series of alarming text messages threatening to kill herself and suggesting that their infant son, Halo, might also be harmed,' the document says. 'She then proceeded to drive her vehicle — with the child in the car — while in an emotionally unhinged state. [DDG] was so disturbed by her condition that he immediately contacted [her] godmother to intervene and assist.' The filing, which includes photos of a gash in DDG's thumb that he said Bailey caused, notes that similar exchanges happened last September and October, demonstrating that Bailey's alleged 'instability is not a thing of the past, but a present and ongoing danger.' Bailey's attorney did not respond immediately to The Times' request for comment. DDG found out about Bailey's restraining order against him via a phone alert in the middle of a livestream in May — no advance notice of the request was given because Bailey, according to court documents, was afraid he would retaliate with violence or by taking Halo out of the area. In her declaration, Bailey accused DDG of 'badmouthing' her to his millions of fans on Twitch and YouTube whenever he 'wants to cause upset.' 'He claims I am withholding our son and that I am with other men. As a result, I then receive threats and hate on social media. He seems to try to set up drama for his fans. He goes 'live' ranting about me and alleges that I am keeping Halo from him. This is false. I have requested a set schedule, which he refuses.' She also said he frequently calls her 'b—' and says she is 'evil.' She detailed one physical altercation from January of this year that ended with her bruised with a chipped tooth. Bailey was giving DDG their son and strapping him into the rapper-streamer's car when, according to her filing, she asked when the child would be returned. A verbal dispute quickly turned physical, the court document said, and he pulled her hair and slammed her face into the steering wheel. But DDG says that is false — according to his filing, she hit the steering wheel while launching herself forward from the back seat while trying to hit him. He says he attempted to 'shield himself' by holding her arms down so she couldn't keep hitting him. 'I wanted to get out of the car with Halo but was now stuck,' Bailey said in her filing. 'Darryl then said that since I would not leave the baby in the car, he would take me with them. He drove quickly towards his house. When we arrived at his house, I was crying and told his family what happened. I begged his family who were there to help me figure out a schedule with him. They said just leave Halo and go. I left hysterical.' A hearing in the case is now scheduled for July 24. On Thursday evening, DDG lamented his public status on X (formerly Twitter) and got a heaping helping of backlash in return. 'now I know how michael jackson felt being famous,' he wrote. 's— crazy.' For the most part, X users did not agree. Here's a sampling of the reactions: 'let's aim lower, ur more latoya jackson in terms of fame.' 'You are a Z lister. Stop comparing yourself to an actual talented man who had streets closed down for him and was globally recognized.' 'Everyones crazy is their own crazy. But Michael Jackson lived a life few can even imagine. Its not really the same.' 'mj performed for presidents, royalty, and broke world records. and you? you went viral on TIKTOK. oh come on man, be SERIOUS.' 'You're not famous bro ... You're just known.'
Los Angeles Times
21 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
With ‘Dogma's' re-release, director Kevin Smith's prayers for his cult classic have been answered
For more than a quarter century, director Kevin Smith has tried to resurrect 'Dogma,' his religious satire about two fallen angels looking to get back into heaven. Recently, his prayers for the 1999 comedy were finally answered. On Thursday, the movie got a theatrical re-release across 1,500 AMC Theatres screens in honor of its 25th anniversary. Technically, the milestone was last year. But the second coming of a movie that brought us one of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's best on-screen collaborations and an A-list comedic ensemble — including George Carlin, Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo and Alan Rickman — not to mention the meme-worthy, winking 'Buddy Christ,' warrants a long-awaited hallelujah. 'It's got a good legacy to it,' Smith said of the film. 'It's become the 'umbrella film' for me. The umbrella film is the movie that no matter what you do, even if you make s— that people don't like, they won't crucify you — pun intended — because you made a movie that they like.' Though the sparkling period of Smith's career is largely defined by 1994's 'Clerks' and 1997's 'Chasing Amy,' his fourth film, 'Dogma,' steeped in irreverence and hilarity centered around his former Catholic faith, is still considered one of his classics. The movie debuted at Cannes in 1999. He returned to the renowned film festival last month, when the comedy played in the Cannes Classics section, just days before sitting down with The Times on camera to discuss 'Dogma's' whirlwind re-release. In the interview, the director, writer and actor recounts how the movie was saved by filmmaker and actor Alessandra Williams, who raised money to buy the film from Miramax earlier this year, decades after it was acquired and shelved by disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein sold Smith's film, along with a trove of others, to Williams to help pay for his legal defense, Smith said. In collaboration with Iconic Events, the film has since been remastered in 4K for its screening tour and is being shown in select AMC theaters. Smith is well-seasoned when it comes to touring his old films, pairing the screenings with Q&As and stand-up performances throughout the live presentations. It took little time for him to book a sold-out, 20-city tour aimed at getting fans fired up to come see 'Dogma' once again under much different (and safer) circumstances. 'Even with getting people aware of the movie this time around, it's not as fraught with peril as it was back in the day,' Smith said, referring to the death threats, protests and 400,000 pieces of hate mail he said the movie garnered from Christian extremists who denounced what they believed to be the film's mockery of their faith. 'You Jews better take that money you stole from us and start investing in flak jackets,' Smith said while closing his eyes and reciting one of the letters from memory. 'We're coming because we're coming in there with shotguns. Signed, Your Brothers in Christ.' Though the controversy of the film has definitely waned, the inspiration behind the film remains steadfast, Smith said. 'To me, it plays like a kid really trying to celebrate his faith after having grown up in a church where every Sunday, everyone seemed to be mourning it. So I think [people hopefully see it] for what it is. It's a love letter to spirituality.'
Elle
2 days ago
- Elle
Sydney Sweeney's 5-Outfit Press Day Included a Breathtaking Red Ball Gown
Sydney Sweeney had a fashion marathon in New York City yesterday, stepping out in five different outfits to promote her upcoming psychological thriller Echo Valley. Stylist Molly Dickson put together the looks, which included a show-stopping ball gown and chic blazer minidress. Sweeney started the day in a nautical-inspired look by Coperni. She wore a black vest with a structured sailor-style collar over a pleated white skirt. Black knee-high boots, a leather handbag, and oversize sunglasses completed the ensemble as she departed her hotel en route to Good Morning America. The actress was then photographed leaving the studio in an archival Jean Paul Gaultier outfit from the brand's fall/winter 2005 collection. The chocolate-brown vintage look resembled a blazer minidress and included a matching necktie. Sweeney accessorized with pointed brown pumps, a compact handbag, and tinted sunglasses. Her third appearance featured a plaid brown co-ord set from Oscar de la Renta's fall 2025 collection. The checked blouse and matching wide-leg trousers were styled with an ivory top-handle bag and powder-blue heels. For the film's red carpet premiere that evening, Sweeney changed into a custom Vera Wang ball gown. The bright-red silk design featured a sculpted neckline and peplum waist, adding dramatic volume to the flared skirt. She completed the look with diamond studs from Kwiat. Later that night, the actress made another outfit change, stepping out in an off-the-shoulder red cocktail dress with ruched detailing and a high slit, paired with matching pumps. Outside of her acting work, Sweeney recently confirmed her split from former fiancé Jonathan Davino and spoke candidly about embracing single life. 'I'm learning a lot about myself, spending more time with my friends. And I'm loving it,' she told The Times.
