Doug Allen
Encyclopedia
Doug Allen is an American
underground
cartoonist
, illustrator
, and musician
. Best known for his long-running comic strip Steven, Allen has over the years collaborated with long-time friend Gary Leib
on music, animation, fine art, and comics, including the two-man Fantagraphics anthology Idiotland
.
In addition to the weekly feature Steven, which ran in college and alternative newspapers from 1977–1994, Allen's comics, gag cartoon
s, and illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker
, BLAB!, Zero Zero
, Weirdo, Pictopia, and Duplex Planet Illustrated. In addition to Idiotland, Allen and Leib collaborated on a number of stories in the fund-raising anthology comic Legal Action Comics
volume 1, published in 2001.
Allen's non-comics work includes plexiglass paintings based on pinball machine art, most of which he produced in the late 1970s; and a more recent series of "fake" marine art
paintings, which he sells on his website.
Along with Leib, Allen was a founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Rubber Rodeo
from 1978–1982. Allen has played bass
for many other bands as well.
After attending Brown University
for a time, Allen graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design
(where he met Leib) with an illustration degree. Allen and his wife and two children live in Rockland County, New York
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
underground
Underground comix
Underground comix are small press or self-published comic books which are often socially relevant or satirical in nature. They differ from mainstream comics in depicting content forbidden to mainstream publications by the Comics Code Authority, including explicit drug use, sexuality and violence...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
, illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. Best known for his long-running comic strip Steven, Allen has over the years collaborated with long-time friend Gary Leib
Gary Leib
Gary Leib is an American underground cartoonist, animator, and musician. Best known for the comic book Idiotland , Leib's work has also appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Musician Magazine, The New York Observer, RAW, BLAB! and as weekly...
on music, animation, fine art, and comics, including the two-man Fantagraphics anthology Idiotland
Idiotland
Idiotland is a surrealistic comic book by Doug Allen and Gary Leib published by Fantagraphics in 1993–1994. It is noticeably more surreal and Dada-esque that Allen's more-famous work, the Steven comic strip and its compilations....
.
In addition to the weekly feature Steven, which ran in college and alternative newspapers from 1977–1994, Allen's comics, gag cartoon
Gag cartoon
A gag cartoon is most often a single-panel cartoon, usually including a hand-lettered or typeset caption beneath the drawing. A pantomime cartoon carries no caption...
s, and illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, BLAB!, Zero Zero
Zero Zero
Zero Zero is a synth band, formed out of the New Jersey punk band Lifetime by Lifetime members Dave Palaitis-guitar & vocals , Ari Katz-vocals & drums, and Katz's wife Tannis Kristjanson -vocals & keyboards...
, Weirdo, Pictopia, and Duplex Planet Illustrated. In addition to Idiotland, Allen and Leib collaborated on a number of stories in the fund-raising anthology comic Legal Action Comics
Legal Action Comics
Legal Action Comics is a series of comics anthologies edited by illustrator Danny Hellman which features work from many alternative comics artists.The first volume in the series was published in 2001, and the second followed in 2003...
volume 1, published in 2001.
Allen's non-comics work includes plexiglass paintings based on pinball machine art, most of which he produced in the late 1970s; and a more recent series of "fake" marine art
Marine art
Marine art or maritime art is any form of figurative art that portrays or draws its main inspiration from the sea. Maritime painting is a genre that depicts ships and the sea—a genre particularly strong from the 17th to 19th centuries...
paintings, which he sells on his website.
Along with Leib, Allen was a founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Rubber Rodeo
Rubber Rodeo
Rubber Rodeo was a Boston-based band active in the 1980s. The band fused Roxy Music-influenced new wave music with country and western influences, and dressed in 1950's-vintage country & western clothing...
from 1978–1982. Allen has played bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
for many other bands as well.
After attending Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
for a time, Allen graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
(where he met Leib) with an illustration degree. Allen and his wife and two children live in Rockland County, New York
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
.
Awards
- Harvey AwardHarvey AwardThe Harvey Awards, named for writer-artist Harvey Kurtzman and founded by Gary Groth, President of the publisher Fantagraphics, are given for achievement in comic books. The Harveys were created as part of a successor to the Kirby Awards which were discontinued after 1987.The Harvey Awards are...
nominee 1994- Best New Series (Idiotland)
- Best Syndicated Strip (Steven)