by Tim Pilcher
Other large-mammaried misadventurers followed Paulette, like Caroline Choléra, Marie-Gabrielle, and Carmen, as Pichard collaborated with various writers, including Danie Dubos.
Like his Italian counterpart, Guido Crepax, Pichard adapted some of the world’s famous erotic stories, such as The Mémoirs of Don Juan by Guillaume Apollinaire and The Kama-Sutra by Vatsyayana, into graphic novel form.
In his latter years, Pichard returned to l’École des Arts Appliqués in Paris, where he had studied art as a young man—except this time he was teaching a new generation of French comic creators. One of these lucky students was David B., who recounted the experience in his award-winning graphic novel, Epileptic. Pichard’s Paulette series was a strong influence on the younger artist.
After a 40-year career, Pichard passed away in June 2003, leaving a long and lasting legacy of erotic comics that still inspires and arouses to this day.
The various covers of Pichard’s Paulette series reveal the artist’s keen sense of design and consistency througout the series.
Paulette’s problems often involved her being tied up and held hostage.
MAGNUS
Roberto Raviola, better known as Magnus, was an early pioneer of Italian fumetti neri (black, or adult comics). Like Georges Pichard, Raviola started out as an illustrator before switching to comics in 1964. Italian comics went through a huge renaissance in the ’60s and were deemed the epitome of chic at the time. Raviola adopted the pseudonym Magnus, a derivative of the Latin expression Magnus Pictor Fecit (A Great Painter Did It), and teamed up with writer Luciano Secchi (aka Max Bunker). Inspired by the Giussani sisters’ success with Diabolik—a sexy and violent criminal series—Magnus and Bunker launched a slew of successful pocketbook titles like Kriminal and Satanik in 1964, and Dennis Cobb in 1966. As a result, the duo became a mainstay of Italian comics throughout the ’60s.
In 1975, Magnus started the series Lo Sconosciuto (The Unknown) that was published in English as The Specialist. The story of a disillusioned ex-mercenary, Unknow, was remarkable at the time for its frank depiction of violence and sex. Magnus began working with Renzo Barbieri’s Edifumetto publishers, and after several years of research, managed to revolutionize erotic comics in Italy by creating several sexy series such as Milady 3000 in 1980, which blended Chinese culture, Flash Gordon, Star Wars eroticism, and hi-tech gadgetry into a science-fiction tale.
The following year, Magnus returned to the pocketbook format with the humorous, skilfully told, and highly pornographic series Necron. Written by Ilaria Volpe, Necron recounted the explicit sexual adventures of the strip’s heroine, Frieda Boher.
Magnus’s work was published extensively in French magazines like Métal Hurlant and L’Écho des Savanes, and in the latter he created the oriental-inspired erotic series, The 110 Pills, which was later continued by Georges Pichard. In 1987, Magus drew another erotic tale—The Enchanted Women—before embarking on his last graphic novel for Bonelli, the cowboy strip Tex Willer. He passed away in 1996.
An intimate scene from Magnus’s graphic novel The 110 Pills, where a servant girl pleasures her master.
This cover reveals Magnus’s masterly use of brush and pen and his sense of color.
The evil dominatrix Frieda Boher and her robotic zombie slave Necron get up to their old tricks in the third volume of Magnus’s Necron series. The strip typically mixes extreme cartoon sex and violence.
MEXICAN SENSACIONALES
Europe wasn’t the only hotbed of erotic comics. An ocean away there was one country that consumed as many comics as France, Germany, Spain, and Italy put together, and that was Mexico. The public’s appetite was insatiable, and in 1999 it was estimated that Mexico’s total comic sales were a staggering 20 million a month.
The founding father of adult historietas (comics) was Adolfo Mariño, who created the titles Yolanda and Picante in 1953. Mariño was jailed for a time as the first cartoonist arrested for “perverting the children,” but the demand for sex comics grew throughout the subsequent decades and racy romance titles with explicit love scenes—such as Lagrimas, Risas y Amor (Tears, Laughter, and Love)—were incredibly popular with women readers.
Reminiscent of the Tijuana Bibles, the “Sensacionales” or “La revista vaquera” (literally “cattle magazine” implying the broad appeal to the “herd”), were very low quality, black-and-white or sepia-toned comics, with only two to four panels per page to keep the layout simple for the mass market readership. These days they are printed in color, but are still small (14cm x 12.5cm), cheaply produced and very graphic in their portrayal of sex. Publishers like Mon Eros and Editorial Mango release thousands of titles aimed at the lowest common denominator market’s craving for sex and violence.
Titles like Devorame Otra Vez and Tropicaliente recount tales of sexual jealousy, betrayal, and wanton desires befitting any South American soap opera, while El Recreo reprints Japanese hentai comics. All these titles can be found on the newsstands on any street corner.
All around the world, erotic comics flourished as a newly liberated society started exploring more adult themes within the sequential storytelling medium. Some were serious erotica aimed at arousal; others were sly satires of the ridiculousness of human beings in their pursuit of sex. Some creators explored politics, censorship, and freedom of expression by means of erotic art. The genie was truly out of the bottle, and—for better or worse—there was no more brushing it under the carpet. Erotic comics were here to stay, in all their lusty glory.
Arturo Espinosa depicts a romantic moment in the western Amores Y Amented, aimed at female readers.
Even the most explicit Mexican comics still preach the message of safe sex, as in this strip drawn by J. Ponce and A. Zúñiga.
Writer “El Angel” and artist Ale Jandrog tell the story of lust on a small fishing boat.
Despite the gratuitous nature of Mexican comics, many are moralistic—this promiscious bus driver eventually loses both his hands in a crash after cheating on his three girlfriends. Writer Boris Lagarde and artist Garmaléon know that sex and death always gel.
A selection of typically explicit, fully painted covers from modern day Sensacionales: Almas Perversas #512 (2006) by Bazaldúa and Silva. Tropicaliente #124 (2007) by “Universo” Devorame Otra Vez #85 (2003) by S. Resénidz and J.L. Gutiérrez. Devorame Otra Vez #95 (2007) by S. Resénidz and J.L. Gutiérrez.
ART DIRECTORY
This book is an historical retrospective, critique and review of erotic comic art. Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge all copyright and trademark holders, and obtain permissions for the works reproduced in this book. The author and publishers sincerely apologize for any inadvertent errors or omissions and will be happy to correct them in future editions, but hereby must disclaim any liability.
Bill Ward © Bill Ward
Aline Komisky Crumb © 2007 Aline Kominsky Crumb
Robert Crumb/Aline Kominsky Crumb © Robert Crumb/Aline Kominsky Crumb
Pablo Picasso/Bettman © 2007 Succession Picasso/DACS
Pablo Picasso Bridgeman Art Library/Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, University of Oklahoma, USA © 2007 Succession Picasso/DACS
Bill Wenzel © Bill Wenzel
Bill Ward © Bill Ward
CHAPTER l
Gerard Nordmann, Geneva
Stapleton Collection, UK
Stapleton Collection, UK
Erich Lessing
Private collection
Erich Lessing
The Trustees of the British Museum
Private collection
Private collection
Private collection
Private collection
Geoffrey Clements
Stapleton Collection, UK
akg-images
Stapleton Collection, UK
Stapleton Collection, UK
Stapleton Collection, UK
Stapleton Collection, UK
Stapleton Collection, UK
Artist unknown
Stapleton Collection, UK
Corbis/Archivo Iconografico
Stapleton Collection, UK
Donald McGill © Donald McGill
G Mouton © G Mouton
Stapleton Collection, UK
Charles Dana Gibson © Charles Dana Gibson
Artist unknown
Raphael Kirchner © Raphael Kirchner
Cheri Herouard © Cheri Herouard
Arthur Ferrier © 1938 Daily Mirror Newspapers Ltd./1967 Penguin
Arthur Ferrier © Arthur Ferrier/Blighty
Arthur Ferrier © 1957 Arthur Ferrier/Blighty
Artist unknown
Artist unknown © Brian Hunt
Wesley Morse © Brian Hunt
Artist unknown
Wesley Morse
Artist unknown
Artist unknown
Artist unknown
George Petty © George Petty
George Petty © 1933 Hearst Communications, Inc.
George Petty © George Petty/Rigid Tool Company
Gil Elvgren/Swim Ink 2, LLC
Alberto Vargas © and TM Astrid Vargas Conte and Patty Conte
Guy Motil/Getty Images/Science Faction
Norman Pett
© 1943, 1945 Daily Mirror Newspapers Ltd.
Adolphe Bareaux
Bill Williams © 1953, 1954 Bill Williams/Stanhall
Milton Caniff © 1943 Milton Caniff/News Syndicate Inc.
Bill Williams © 1953, 1954 Bill Williams/Stanhall
CHAPTER 2
Dean Yeagle © Dean Yeagle
Artist unknown
Bill Wenzel © Bill Wenzel
Peter Driben © Peter Driben
Dan DeCarlo © Humorama
Jack Cole © Jack Cole
Bill Ward © Bill Ward
Dan DeCarlo © Dan DeCarlo
Dan DeCarlo © 1956 Marvel Comics
Dan DeCarlo © Dan DeCarlo
Dan DeCarlo © Dan DeCarlo
Bill Wenzel © Bill Wenzel
Don Flowers © King Features Syndicate
Andrews © 1963 Andrews Estate
Ernst © Ernst Estate
Artist unknown
Artist unknown
Pierre Davis © Lowell Davis
Artist unknown
Gray Morrow © 1995 Caragonne/Thornton/Morrow/Penthouse International
Doug Sneyd © 2007 Sneyd Syndicate Inc.
Dean Yeagle © Dean Yeagle
Will Elder © Will Elder
Will Elder © Will Elder
Will Elder © Will Elder
Will Elder © Will Elder
Will Elder © Will Elder/Harvey Kurtzman
Will Elder © Will Elder
Will Elder © Will Elder/Harvey Kurtzman
Will Elder © Will Elder
Frank Springer © 1965 Frank Springer/Michael O’Donoghue
Bill Ward © 1968 Marvel Comics
Bill Everett © 1968 Marvel Comics
Bill Ward © 1968 Marvel Comics
Bill Ward © 1968 Marvel Comics
Wally Wood © 1976 Les Editions du Fromage
Ron Embleton © Frederic Mullally/Ron Embleton Estate/Penthouse International
Brian Forbes © Frederic Mullally/Brian Forbes/Penthouse International, Ltd.
Ron Embleton © Frederic Mullally/Ron Embleton Estate/Penthouse International
Ron Embleton © Frederic Mullally/Ron Embleton Estate/Penthouse International
Ron Embleton © Frederic Mullally/Ron Embleton Estate/Penthouse International
Garry Leach © Garry Leach/Penthouse International, Ltd.
Mark Texeria © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Jim Burns © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Luis Ryo © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Alfonso Azpiri © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Milk © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Jason Pearson and Karl Story © Jason Pearson/Karl Story/Penthouse International, Ltd.
Milk © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Milo Manara © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Milk © Penthouse International, Ltd.
Al Ellis © Al Ellis/Larry Flynt Publications, Inc.
Jacke Schneider © Jacke Schneider/Larry Flynt Publications, Inc.
Arnold Miesch © Arnold Miesch/Larry Flynt Publications, Inc.
Landau © Landau/Larry Flynt Publications, Inc.
Don Lomax © Don Lomax/Larry Flynt Publications, Inc.
CHAPTER 3
Artist unknown
John Willie © Bizarre Publishing Company
John Willie © Bizarre Publishing Company
John Willie © Bizarre Publishing Company
John Willie © Bizarre Publishing Company
John Willie © Beliér Press, Inc.
John Willie © Beliér Press, Inc.
John Willie © Beliér Press, Inc.
John Willie © Bizarre Publishing Company
Eric Stanton © Eric Stanton
Eric Stanton © 1992 Eros Comix
Eric Stanton © 1962 Eric Stanton
Gene Bilbrew © Gene Bilbrew
Erich Von Götha © 1982 Erich Von Götha
Erich Von Götha © 2007 Dynamite/MacHo Ltd
Erich Von Götha © 1999 Erich Von Götha
Guido Crepax © 1975 Societe Nouvelle des Editions Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Taousinc Geneve et Livre-Essor
Guido Crepax © 1979 Olympia Press Italia/© 1980 Editions Albin Michel
Guido Crepax © 1975 Societe Nouvelle des Editions Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Taousinc Geneve et Livre-Essor
Franco Saudelli © 1990/1991 Franco Saudelli
Dementia © 1998/2001 Dementia
Michael Manning © 1995 Michael Manning
CHAPTER 4
Dave Sheriden © 1972 Dave Sheriden
Don Lomax © 1972 Don Lomax
Bill Griffith © 1971 Bill Griffith
Richard Corben © 1972 Richard Corben
Spain Rodriguez © Spain Rodriguez
Denis Kitchen © Denis Kitchen
John Howard © 1991 John Howard
Robert Crumb © Robert Crumb
S Clay Wilson © 1969/2003 S. Clay Wilson
Trina Robbins © 1970 Trina Robbins
Patricia Moodian © 1972 Patricia Moodian
Lee Marrs © 1…984 Lee Marrs
Diane Noomin © 1986 Diane Noomin
Barb Rausch © 1990 Barb Rausch
Joyce Farmer © 1984 Joyce Farmer
Trina Robbins © 1970 Trina Robbins
Joyce Farmer © 1980 Joyce Farmer
Sharon Rudahl © 1980 Sharon Rudahl
Mary Fleener © 1987 Mary Fleener
Larry Todd © 1972 Larry Todd
Bill Giffiths © 1971 Bill Giffiths
Victor Moscoso © 1978/2003 Victor Moscoso
Art Spiegelman © 1971 Art Spiegelman
CHAPTER 5
Paul Gillion © Paul Gillon
Dany (Henrotin) © Dany
Guy Pellaert & Pierre Bartier © 1966 Le Terrain Vague
Philippe Berthet © 1994 Berthet-Yann-Dargau Benelux
René Giffey/Georges Lévis
© Estate of René Giffey/Georges Lévis
René Giffey © René Giffey
Georges Lévis © 1984 Georges Lévis/Leroy Dominique Editions
Georges Lévis © 1982 Georges Lévis/Leroy Dominique Editions
Georges Lévis © 1982 Georges Lévis/Leroy Dominique Editions
Georges Lévis © 1985 Georges Lévis/Albin Michel/Echo des Savanes
Georges Lévis © Georges Lévis
Georges Lévis © 1980 Georges Lévis/Neptune/Sedem/Glenat/Leroy Dominique Editions
W. G. Colber © W. G. Colber
Jean-Claude Forest © 1964 Jean-Claude Forest/Le Terrain Vague/Eric Losfeld/Dargaud/Kesselring
Jean-Claude Forest © 1964 Jean-Claude Forest/Le Terrain vague/Eric Losfeld/Dargaud/Kesselring
Georges Pichard © 1974, 1975, 1977 George Wolinski
& Georges Pichard
Georges Pichard © 1977 Humanoides Associes
Georges Pichard © 1977 Humanoides Associes
Georges Pichard © 1974, 1975, 1977 George Wolinski & Georges Pichard
Magnus © 1986 Albin Michel
Magnus © 1991 Edifumetto and Catalan Communications
Arturo Epinosa © 2007 Editorial Mango. S.A de C.V.
J. Ponce & A. Zuniga © 2003 Editorial Leo
Ale Jandrog © 2007 D.R.
Garmaleon © 2006 Editorial Mango S.A. de C.V.
Bazaldua & Silva © 2006 Editorial Mango S.A. de C.V.
Universo © 2007 D.R.
S. Resenidz & J.L. Gutierrez © 2003 Editorial Leo
S. Resenidz & J.L. Gutierrez
© 2007 Leo Libros y Revistas–Fome
R.C. Harvey © R.C. Harvey/Larry Flynt Publications, Inc.
Bill Ward © Bill Ward
A comics historian and superior cartoonist, R.C. Harvey’s humorous gag for Hustler is of a higher caliber than many of the magazine’s cartoons. “We’re okay financially. Millie works a little on the side.”
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tijuana Bibles: Art and Wit in
America’s Forbidden Funnies
Bob Adelman, Art Spielgelman, and Richard Merkin
The Erotic Print Society, 2006
The Complete Reprint of Exotique:
The First 36 Issues, 1951-1957
Kim Christy
Taschen, 1998
The Classic Pin-up Art of Jack Cole
Alex Chun
Fantagraphics Books, 2004
The Glamour Girls of Bill Ward
Alex Chun
Fantagraphics Books, 2003
The Pin-up Art of Bill Wenzel
Alex Chun and Jacob Covey
Fantagraphics Books, 2005
The Pin-up Art of Dan DeCarlo
Alex Chun and Jacob Covey
Fantagraphics Books, 2005
The Glamour Girls of Don Flowers
Alex Chun and Jacob Covey
Fantagraphics Books, 2005
The R. Crumb Handbook
R. Crumb and Peter Poplaski
MQ Publications Ltd, 2005
The Mad Playboy of Art
Will Elder
