I've mentioned that part of my Comic Archeology projects is mining through old men's magazines. Some may think this an odd choice of place to look. So let's take a look at National Screw magazine, launched by ... shall we say carnally-infamous publisher Al Goldstein back in 1976.
Right there on the cover - an interview with Bill Gaines - the father of EC comics and Mad Magazine - and an all new comic from comics legend Wally Wood! Turning to the table of contents, the comic art sensibility is immediately evident, with artwork outweighing photos for the article images.
Flip through the magazine and you'll find abundant levels of art illustrations (including Don Martin!) and comic strips...
...the beginning of a four issue serialization of Wally Wood's new (at the time) Malice In Wonderland...
...and even photo layouts in comic book form...
...closing with a Norml ad featuring art by B. Kliban. (another day)
Comics are right there in the magazine's DNA every bit as much as flesh, fetish, and assorted filth.
But enough of all that. We'll come back to some of that later, but that's not why we're here today, let's jump to issue #3 for today's feature comic. In the turbulent 70s, everyone needed a little help to completely grok the ever-changing world around them.
Boundaries were falling, horizons were expanding, and there were no maps to this strange new social territory. Where could people turn for guidance? Who could teach us how to live in these times?
The even more legendary Will Eisner steps up to help with his all too brief guide to The Quality Of Life:
Will Eisner's work from National Screw #3 (1977) all other art from National Screw #1 (1976)
