Tales From The
Ozone #2, 1970, 1st Print, Dave Sheridan, Print Mint, Underground
Classic Comic
Tales from the Ozone #2 Only Printing / 1970 /
36 pages / The Print Mint / $.50
The second issue of Tales from the
Ozone is rather different than the first, as most of the "rock poster
cartooning" and conceptual comics disappear in favor of a variety of
conventional narrative comic stories, primarily from Gary Grimshaw and editor
Carl Lundgren. While there are no epic tales or ink-on-paper masterpieces, this
strongly pro-marijuana comic is more representative than its predecessor of
what you might expect to find in a typical head shop in 1970. 6 ¾” (W) 9 ¾” (L)
NOTE: Cover has been bent on cover
top right and bottom right. Has stamp of $.25 on cover. Spine not in perfect
shape, Interior pages are tanned but in very good shape. You get what you
see.(photos)
Renaud Facade's lead story "They
Said I Was Out to Lunch!!" may be poorly drawn, but it's richly funny as
it depicts an innocent young woman getting lured into smoking pot, which leads
to her getting plucked by several men before trudging back home to her parents;
Blondie and Dagwood! (Oh, poor Cookie!)
Though the remaining stories don't
feature much graphic sox or violence, they still provide a little something for
everyone, with political diatribes, drug hallucinations, anti-military exposés,
police brutality, domestic satire, funny animals, and much more. They're
certainly not afraid to take on any subject matter, but some of the topics feel
a little dated (for instance, does anyone really know what a "voice
thrower" looks like nowadays?). Most of the scripts are a little too
typical and clichéd to really stand out.
The one thing that's quite consistent
is the positive stance on smoking weed and decriminalizing marijuana. Pot is
portrayed as a euphoric experience and recommended to one and all! And don't
let the squares or the pigs tell you any different! Some of this attitude
certainly comes from the fact that Grimshaw was indicted on a pot possession
charge in 1968 in Grand Traverse County, which caused him to flee to San
Francisco and Boston to continue working on rock posters. But he couldn't stay
away from home long, so in 1970 he returned to Michigan and surrendered
himself.
Fortunately, Grimshaw won his court
case, unlike his political mentor and friend John Sinclair, who was sentenced
to ten years in prison for pot possession in 1969. Grimshaw set to work on some
awesome concert posters that promoted the John Sinclair Freedom Rally that was
held in Ann Arbor in 1971. That concert featured John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Stevie
Wonder, and Bob Seger among others. Sinclair was freed from prison within days
of the rally.
All of these events appear to have
influenced the content in Tales from the Ozone #2. The artwork in this issue
has its ups and downs, but it's mostly pretty good, with Lundgren's highly
stylized cartoons contrasting with Grimshaw's clean line work in the manner of
Rick Griffin. The stories are usually too short to become heavily invested in,
so if one misses you just might find that the next one connects.
The inside back cover features a
promotion for the Print Mint, San Francisco Comic Book Company and Rip Off
Press, including all of their current titles, so it's a nice snapshot of where
they stood in 1970.
HISTORICAL FOOTNOTES: It is currently
unknown how many copies of this comic book were printed. It has not been
reprinted.
COMIC CREATORS:
Carl
Lundgren - editor, 1-2, 13-15, 20 (collaboration), 27-28, 30 (collaboration),
36
Renaud
Facade - 3-7
Gary
Grimshaw - 8, 10, 20 (collaboration), 24-26, 29, 30 (collaboration), 36
Larry
Gonick - 9, 11-12, 21-23
A.
Kincaid - 16
Thomas
Waldo Buck - 17-19
Dave
Sheridan - 31-34
Disclaimer: We may have chosen to alter and block a portion of the
cover of this particular comic, because it contains simple drawings,
sketches, cartoon funnies and caricatures, showing the features of
its subjects in a humorously exaggerated and satirical way. For Adults Only is printed on the cover
because it’s not a children’s comic book. We have listed this issue in the
Viewer Discretion Advised category to comply to eBay’s policies and rules
concerning restricted items that may be considered for Mature Audiences only.
However, it is at eBay’s discretion to prohibit items that they deem to be inappropriate
and we agree with all of eBay’s decisions to maintain a marketplace that all of
eBay members can enjoy.
We will voluntarily remove any cartoon comic book that eBay may
find unacceptable now or any time in the future.
OUR GUARANTEE – With all our books and comics we include an official
Certificate of Authenticity. We have
been buyers, sellers, and collectors of comics for over 30 years. We do
not sell reproductions. Our comics are
guaranteed and authentic. Upon your request
we will send you more actual photos of any individual comic books, from corner
to corner, from inside to outside, to your satisfaction.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING – Your Vintage comics
will be shipped to you immediately after your payment is received. We take extra care and caution in handling,
securing, sealing in plastic, boarding, and packaging your order for your
confident and satisfaction. Our books are kept secure in a smoke free, Virus free,
pet free environment. Unfortunately,
the cost for shipping has been raising and we use USPS Media Mail and USPS
First Class mail when possible. It cost
more for BCW Modern Thick Comic Book Poly Bags, Acid Free Backer Boards,
Corrugated Cardboard Support Boards, #5 Kraft Bubble Mailer Padded Envelopes. Items listed here plus time and labor has an
initial cost as posted for the first book, plus a $1.00 per additional book
purchased. We will combine shipping if notified, prior to payment.
PAYMENT - The only payment method that we
currently accept is through E-Bay. All addresses must be verified and confirmed
with E-Bay, prior to completion of order, and prior to packing and shipment.
FEEDBACK - We will leave YOU positive
feedback upon prompt payment. Please leave positive feedback on E-Bay for US
upon safe arrival of your item. We have confidence that you will be
satisfied and pleased with your purchase.
OUR STORY - While living in Greenwich Village in the sixties. There was a little store off Bleecker that specialized in underground comics. Every Friday afternoon after work, I’d go there to see what was the latest version just hitting the shelves. With several of my hippy friends grooving, and laughing over Comics, we’d sit around that smoke-filled room, sometimes late into the night. Fast forward, some fifty years later – my wife and I discovered some old cardboard boxes hidden behind junk in the back of our storage locker. It was a dry, cool place and the hundreds of underground comics that had only been read once, were in beautiful condition. It felt like we discovered a pot of gold. We wrote to dozens of book and comic stores with a list of our inventory. They said, there was no interest, no market and offered us little to nothing for the collection. We explained to them that these were complete sets, first editions. To the retail outlets they were worthless, but to us they were priceless. Now we offer them on E-Bay and the collectors are grabbing them up, at our more than fair and reasonable prices. Many we had universally certified with CGC, so you’ll know we’re trustworthy, reliable and have the best of service. Just check the feedback and reviews to know we’re honest and responsible. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and hope you buy them now while they still are available. First come, first serve. Thank you again for your time and interest.