Revolutionary Comics
Encyclopedia
Revolutionary Comics was a U.S. comic book
publisher best known for the series Rock 'N' Roll Comics, launched in 1989. Founded by publisher Todd Loren
, the line featured unlicensed biographies of rock stars, told in comic book form but geared for adults, often with very adult situations (nudity, drug use, violence, etc.). Some musicians featured in the comics, like Frank Zappa
and KISS
, were supportive; while others like the New Kids on the Block
considered Revolutionary’s comics akin to bootlegs and sued.
Loren claimed the First Amendment
protected the journalistic rights of his "illustrated articles" and he took the matter to the U.S. District Court in California, who agreed. Loren’s win against the New Kids established, among other things, that comic book biographies were entitled to the same protections as other unauthorized biographies.
Loren hired Hey Boss artist Larry Nadolsky to draw the first issue of Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics, profiling Guns N' Roses
. On the comic’s release, Guns N' Roses lawyer Peter Paterno sent Revolutionary a cease and desist order. This was reported in a Rolling Stone
story that directly resulted in the entire 10,000 copy print run selling out in two weeks, thanks to buyers who thought Guns N' Roses would sue the comic out of existence. No lawsuits actually happened, and the comic went into multiple new printings eventually totaling over 150,000 copies.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics #3 and #4, on Bon Jovi
and Mötley Crüe
, respectively, did result in lawsuits. The bands had exclusive merchandising deals with Great Southern/Winterland Productions, which threatened comic distributors over carrying the issues and got a court injunction prohibiting Revolutionary from distributing either comic. This forced Revolutionary to build its own distribution network outside traditional comic shops, eventually getting them into music and gift retail outlets which had never carried comics before. This independence from the comic book marketplace served the company well, as sales continued to rise from issue to issue, with their Metallica
comic going into multiple print runs totaling over 75,000 copies.
magazine-styled parodies. The parodies were later dropped. Revolutionary’s bio comics also sported a cover logo reading "Unauthorized And Proud Of It," possibly in hopes of staving off further lawsuits. By the early nineties, Revolutionary Comics was among the top three selling independent comic companies in the U.S.
Loren hired his father, Herb Shapiro, to be vice president of the growing company, while Jay Allen Sanford
(who’d worked for Loren’s Musicade and was writing for Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics as of its second issue) became the line’s head writer. New music titles were launched like Hard Rock Comics, the Pink Floyd
Experience, the Led Zeppelin
Experience and a five-issue Pink Floyd series that the band liked well enough to include in their official Shine On
box CD set.
After Loren's murder in June 1992, The company continued for two more years, under Loren’s father and with Sanford serving as managing editor. During those years, Kiss
participated in a three issue bio series called Kiss Pre-History and other new music titles were launched, such as British Invasion and Alternative Comics.
The company closed its doors in 1994, having put out around 300 comic books. Sanford took the Carnal Comics
imprint with him (flagship title: True Stories of Adult Film Stars), a successful adults-only line still being published today.
- best known for its Political Power comic bios - announced it would be reprinting Revolutionary's Rock 'N' Roll Comics in ten monthly volumes, averaging 250 pages each. The first collections are The Beatles Experience
and Hard Rock Heroes, released in early 2010.
A press release from Bluewater indicates that many of Revolutionary's original creators will be updating and modernizing the contents of the musical comic bios. The reprints and updates are being supervised by original Rock 'N' Roll Comics co-creator Jay Allen Sanford
, who later went on to create the long-running weekly comic strip Overheard in San Diego, which debuted in the San Diego Reader
in 1995. Sanford is also the writer and artist for a second weekly comic strip for the Reader newspaper chain, Famous Former Neighbors.
Bluewater's 2010 Rock 'N' Roll Comics collections included the Pink Floyd Experience (5 issues), followed by a color 32-page comic, Joan Jett and the Runaways, and the Led Zeppelin Experience (5 issues). Early 2011 will see the release of the Elvis Presley Experience (7 issues), Rock 'N' Roll Cartoon History: The '60s, and Rock 'N' Roll Cartoon History: The '70s.
, got Revolutionary sued again by Great Southern/Winterland. Loren set up a 900 number “Nuke the New Kids” to raise money for the company’s defense ($10.00 per call, billed by phone company). In April 1990, U.S. District Judge John S. Rhoades declared that Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics #12 could legally be distributed because it is “part biography and part satire.” His twelve-page ruling also stated that “Bookstores are filled with biographies - both authorized and unauthorized - of public figures. And, while the subjects of such biographies may be offended by the publication of their life stories, they generally have no claim for trademark infringement.”
Rhoades’ ruling also stated “It appears that the First Amendment may trump any claim that the plaintiffs have for trademark infringement.” The resultant order stated that Winterland Concessions Co. failed to show that the case met the standards required to issue a preliminary injunction. This dissolved the temporary restraining order prohibiting distribution. The New Kids responded by filing suit for trademark infringement
since their logo appeared in the comic.
A settlement between the New Kids and Revolutionary was reached in August 1990. It permanently enjoined Revolutionary from “advertising, manufacturing, distributing and/or selling or otherwise commercially exploiting any publication displaying the trademark and/or logo of the New Kids on the Block, either as a group or individually.” Loren promptly reprinted the New Kids story in magazine format, without depicting the band’s logo anywhere in the story. Ironically, this and the other lawsuits garnered Revolutionary worldwide press, eventually resulting in record-breaking sales for an indie comic publisher.
, publishers Gary Groth
(Fantagraphics) and Denis Kitchen
(Kitchen Sink Press
), famed groupie Cynthia Plaster Caster
, underground painter and RevCom cover artist Robert Williams
(known for his controversial album art for the first Guns N' Roses LP), Jay Allen Sanford, Gene Simmons
(audio only), and more.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
publisher best known for the series Rock 'N' Roll Comics, launched in 1989. Founded by publisher Todd Loren
Todd Loren
Todd Loren was an American comic book publisher, owner of Revolutionary Comics and its title Rock 'N' Roll Comics.- Biography :...
, the line featured unlicensed biographies of rock stars, told in comic book form but geared for adults, often with very adult situations (nudity, drug use, violence, etc.). Some musicians featured in the comics, like Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
and KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, were supportive; while others like the New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
considered Revolutionary’s comics akin to bootlegs and sued.
Loren claimed the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
protected the journalistic rights of his "illustrated articles" and he took the matter to the U.S. District Court in California, who agreed. Loren’s win against the New Kids established, among other things, that comic book biographies were entitled to the same protections as other unauthorized biographies.
Loren hired Hey Boss artist Larry Nadolsky to draw the first issue of Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics, profiling Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
. On the comic’s release, Guns N' Roses lawyer Peter Paterno sent Revolutionary a cease and desist order. This was reported in a Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
story that directly resulted in the entire 10,000 copy print run selling out in two weeks, thanks to buyers who thought Guns N' Roses would sue the comic out of existence. No lawsuits actually happened, and the comic went into multiple new printings eventually totaling over 150,000 copies.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics #3 and #4, on Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
and Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
, respectively, did result in lawsuits. The bands had exclusive merchandising deals with Great Southern/Winterland Productions, which threatened comic distributors over carrying the issues and got a court injunction prohibiting Revolutionary from distributing either comic. This forced Revolutionary to build its own distribution network outside traditional comic shops, eventually getting them into music and gift retail outlets which had never carried comics before. This independence from the comic book marketplace served the company well, as sales continued to rise from issue to issue, with their Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
comic going into multiple print runs totaling over 75,000 copies.
History
Early Revolutionary Comics contained straight biographies in comic form and MadMad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
magazine-styled parodies. The parodies were later dropped. Revolutionary’s bio comics also sported a cover logo reading "Unauthorized And Proud Of It," possibly in hopes of staving off further lawsuits. By the early nineties, Revolutionary Comics was among the top three selling independent comic companies in the U.S.
Loren hired his father, Herb Shapiro, to be vice president of the growing company, while Jay Allen Sanford
Jay Allen Sanford
Jay Allen Sanford is an American author and cartoonist best known for his work with Revolutionary Comics, Carnal Comics, and Pacific Comics. He co-created the comic book Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics with Todd Loren in 1989, which is still being published in 2011 by Bluewater Productions...
(who’d worked for Loren’s Musicade and was writing for Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics as of its second issue) became the line’s head writer. New music titles were launched like Hard Rock Comics, the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
Experience, the Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
Experience and a five-issue Pink Floyd series that the band liked well enough to include in their official Shine On
Shine On (Pink Floyd album)
Shine On is a 1992 nine-CD box set by Pink Floyd which was released through EMI Records in the United Kingdom and Columbia Records in the United States to coincide with Pink Floyd's 25th anniversary as a recording and touring band...
box CD set.
After Loren's murder in June 1992, The company continued for two more years, under Loren’s father and with Sanford serving as managing editor. During those years, Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
participated in a three issue bio series called Kiss Pre-History and other new music titles were launched, such as British Invasion and Alternative Comics.
The company closed its doors in 1994, having put out around 300 comic books. Sanford took the Carnal Comics
Carnal Comics
Carnal Comics is an adults-only comic book imprint which has so-far been published by three companies: Revolutionary Comics , Re-Visionary Press and Opus Graphics...
imprint with him (flagship title: True Stories of Adult Film Stars), a successful adults-only line still being published today.
Rock 'N' Roll Comics revival
In September 2009, biographical comic book publisher Bluewater ProductionsBluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions, Inc. is an independent production studio of comic books and graphic novels. Based in Vancouver, Washington, Bluewater publishes biographical comics, adaptations from films and original titles with self-created characters, most notably of publisher Darren G...
- best known for its Political Power comic bios - announced it would be reprinting Revolutionary's Rock 'N' Roll Comics in ten monthly volumes, averaging 250 pages each. The first collections are The Beatles Experience
The beatles experience
The Beatles Experience is an eight-part comic book series by Revolutionary Comics as part of their Rock 'N' Roll Comics line. It was created and written by Todd Loren with artwork by Stuart Immonen. Originally published in the early 1990s, it was reprinted as a graphic novel in February 2010.Loren...
and Hard Rock Heroes, released in early 2010.
A press release from Bluewater indicates that many of Revolutionary's original creators will be updating and modernizing the contents of the musical comic bios. The reprints and updates are being supervised by original Rock 'N' Roll Comics co-creator Jay Allen Sanford
Jay Allen Sanford
Jay Allen Sanford is an American author and cartoonist best known for his work with Revolutionary Comics, Carnal Comics, and Pacific Comics. He co-created the comic book Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics with Todd Loren in 1989, which is still being published in 2011 by Bluewater Productions...
, who later went on to create the long-running weekly comic strip Overheard in San Diego, which debuted in the San Diego Reader
San Diego Reader
The San Diego Reader is the largest alternative press paper in the county of San Diego, distributed free in stands and private businesses throughout the county, funded by advertisements...
in 1995. Sanford is also the writer and artist for a second weekly comic strip for the Reader newspaper chain, Famous Former Neighbors.
Bluewater's 2010 Rock 'N' Roll Comics collections included the Pink Floyd Experience (5 issues), followed by a color 32-page comic, Joan Jett and the Runaways, and the Led Zeppelin Experience (5 issues). Early 2011 will see the release of the Elvis Presley Experience (7 issues), Rock 'N' Roll Cartoon History: The '60s, and Rock 'N' Roll Cartoon History: The '70s.
Litigation
Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics #12 (June 1990), an unauthorized bio of The New Kids on the BlockNew Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
, got Revolutionary sued again by Great Southern/Winterland. Loren set up a 900 number “Nuke the New Kids” to raise money for the company’s defense ($10.00 per call, billed by phone company). In April 1990, U.S. District Judge John S. Rhoades declared that Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics #12 could legally be distributed because it is “part biography and part satire.” His twelve-page ruling also stated that “Bookstores are filled with biographies - both authorized and unauthorized - of public figures. And, while the subjects of such biographies may be offended by the publication of their life stories, they generally have no claim for trademark infringement.”
Rhoades’ ruling also stated “It appears that the First Amendment may trump any claim that the plaintiffs have for trademark infringement.” The resultant order stated that Winterland Concessions Co. failed to show that the case met the standards required to issue a preliminary injunction. This dissolved the temporary restraining order prohibiting distribution. The New Kids responded by filing suit for trademark infringement
Trademark infringement
Trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attaching to a trademark without the authorization of the trademark owner or any licensees...
since their logo appeared in the comic.
A settlement between the New Kids and Revolutionary was reached in August 1990. It permanently enjoined Revolutionary from “advertising, manufacturing, distributing and/or selling or otherwise commercially exploiting any publication displaying the trademark and/or logo of the New Kids on the Block, either as a group or individually.” Loren promptly reprinted the New Kids story in magazine format, without depicting the band’s logo anywhere in the story. Ironically, this and the other lawsuits garnered Revolutionary worldwide press, eventually resulting in record-breaking sales for an indie comic publisher.
Documentary film
In 2005, BulletProof Film released a documentary film Unauthorized and Proud Of It: Todd Loren’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics. The film features interviews with Loren's family, surviving Revolutionaries, comic book colleagues, adversaries, supporters and past and present rock 'n' roll stars featured in Revolutionary’s comics. Appearing in the film are Alice CooperAlice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, publishers Gary Groth
Gary Groth
Gary Groth is an American comic book editor, publisher and critic. He is editor-in-chief of The Comics Journal and a co-founder of Fantagraphics Books.-Early life:...
(Fantagraphics) and Denis Kitchen
Denis Kitchen
Denis Kitchen is an American underground cartoonist, publisher, author, and agent from Wisconsin, and the founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.-Early life:...
(Kitchen Sink Press
Kitchen Sink Press
Kitchen Sink Press was a comic book publishing company founded by Denis Kitchen in 1970. Kitchen owned and operated Kitchen Sink Press until 1999. Kitchen Sink Press was a pioneering publisher of underground comics, and was also responsible for numerous republications of classic comic strips in...
), famed groupie Cynthia Plaster Caster
Cynthia Plaster Caster
Cynthia Plaster Caster , whose real name is Cynthia Albritton, is an artist and self-described "recovering groupie" who creates plaster casts of famous persons' penises and breasts. She began her career in 1968 by casting penises of rock musicians. She later expanded her subjects to include...
, underground painter and RevCom cover artist Robert Williams
Robert Williams (artist)
Robert Williams is an American painter, cartoonist, and founder of Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine.Williams was part of the Zap Collective, along with other underground cartoonists such as Robert Crumb and Gilbert Shelton...
(known for his controversial album art for the first Guns N' Roses LP), Jay Allen Sanford, Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
(audio only), and more.
Creators associated with Revolutionary Comics
- Dick AyersDick AyersRichard "Dick" Ayers is an American comic book artist and cartoonist best known for his work as one of Jack Kirby's inkers during the late-1950s and 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comics, including on some of the earliest issues of Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four, and as the signature...
- Del Barras
- Robert BlochRobert BlochRobert Albert Bloch was a prolific American writer, primarily of crime, horror and science fiction. He is best known as the writer of Psycho, the basis for the film of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock...
- Rich BucklerRich BucklerRich Buckler is an American comic book artist and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four in the mid-1970s and, with writer Doug Moench, co-creating the character Deathlok in Astonishing Tales #25...
- SS Crompton
- Terry DodsonTerry DodsonTerrence "Terry" Dodson is an American comic book artist and penciller. He is best known for his work on titles such as Harley Quinn, Trouble, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and Uncanny X-Men...
- Earl Ferguson
- Lyndal Ferguson
- Greg FoxGreg FoxGreg Fox may refer to:*Greg Fox *Greg Fox...
- David L. Frink
- Phil Garris
- Rick GearyRick GearyRick Geary is an American cartoonist and illustrator.-Biography:Rick Geary was born on February 25, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri. Geary was initially introduced to comics readers with his contributions to the Heavy Metal and National Lampoon magazines...
- Holly GolightlyHolly GolightlyHolly Golightly is a British singer-songwriter. Her mother christened her after the protagonist in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her musical style ranges from garage rock to R&B.-Musical career:...
- Daerick Gross
- Stuart ImmonenStuart ImmonenStuart Immonen is a Canadian comic book artist. He is best known for his work on Nextwave, Ultimate X-Men, The New Avengers and Ultimate Spider-Man...
- Scott Jackson
- George Clayton JohnsonGeorge Clayton JohnsonGeorge Clayton Johnson is an American science fiction writer most famous for co-writing the novel Logan's Run with William F. Nolan...
- Bill Kieffer
- Len Kirk
- Ken Landgraf
- Todd LorenTodd LorenTodd Loren was an American comic book publisher, owner of Revolutionary Comics and its title Rock 'N' Roll Comics.- Biography :...
- Tom LuthTom LuthTom Luth is best known for his work as the colorist for the Sergio Aragonés comic series, Groo the Wanderer. Luth's work has also appeared in a number of other comics and national periodicals, such as MAD magazine.-References:****...
- Seppo Mäkinen
- Patrick McCrayPatrick McCrayPatrick McCray is an American comic book author, actor, director, and voice actor. His most famous work, the comic series Elvis Shrugged was published by Todd Loren's Revolutionary Comics has been cited by Ayn Rand scholars and Elvis scholars alike...
- Bart MendozaBart MendozaBart Mendoza is an American journalist, musician and songwriter.From 1981 to 1990, he was frontman and chief songwriter for mod-influenced group Manual Scan. Since 1991 he has performed with power-pop group The Shambles...
- Larry Nadolsky
- Larry NivenLarry NivenLaurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
- Spain RodriguezSpain RodriguezManuel Rodriguez , better known as Spain or Spain Rodriguez, is an American underground cartoonist who created the character Trashman. His experiences on the road with the biker gang, the Road Vultures, provided inspiration for his work, as did his left-wing politics.-Biography:Born in Buffalo, New...
- Jay Allen SanfordJay Allen SanfordJay Allen Sanford is an American author and cartoonist best known for his work with Revolutionary Comics, Carnal Comics, and Pacific Comics. He co-created the comic book Rock ‘N’ Roll Comics with Todd Loren in 1989, which is still being published in 2011 by Bluewater Productions...
(San Diego ReaderSan Diego ReaderThe San Diego Reader is the largest alternative press paper in the county of San Diego, distributed free in stands and private businesses throughout the county, funded by advertisements...
) - Robert SchnakenbergRobert SchnakenbergRobert Schnakenberg , also known as Nguyen van Foch, is the author of more than a dozen books, including Sci-Fi Baby Names, Secret Lives of Great Authors, and The Encyclopedia Shatnerica...
- Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
- Aaron SowdAaron SowdAaron Sowd is an American comic book creator, writer and artist. Sowd began his comic book career as an inker for Top Cow, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. He currently works as an illustrator and storyboard artist.-Biography:...
- Robert WilliamsRobert Williams (artist)Robert Williams is an American painter, cartoonist, and founder of Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine.Williams was part of the Zap Collective, along with other underground cartoonists such as Robert Crumb and Gilbert Shelton...
External links
- An interview with Jay Allen Sanford on Cosmic Book News, 2010
- "Rock 'N' Roll Comics: The Inside Story" San Diego Reader blog (September 12, 2007).
- "Komplete Kiss Comix Kronicles," San Diego Reader blog (September 12, 2007).