30 review for Read Yourself Raw

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Hamish – Mar 08, 2012

   There's no description here, so just to briefly explain: This book contains excerpts from the first three issues of Art Spiegelman's RAW magazine, which was sort of an early-80s successor to the underground comix anthologies of the 70s (ie Arcade), but a bit more arty/avante-garde-ish. RAW (based in Soho) employed a similar aesthetic to the downtown Manhattan music and film scenes of the late 70s/early 80s, and as a big fan of that era this was a very exciting discovery for me. It's difficult to There's no description here, so just to briefly explain: This book contains excerpts from the first three issues of Art Spiegelman's RAW magazine, which was sort of an early-80s successor to the underground comix anthologies of the 70s (ie Arcade), but a bit more arty/avante-garde-ish. RAW (based in Soho) employed a similar aesthetic to the downtown Manhattan music and film scenes of the late 70s/early 80s, and as a big fan of that era this was a very exciting discovery for me. It's difficult to put my finger on what exactly it is, but even across a wide number of creators there's a certain conceptual similarity that I really liked. Kind of helped bring the whole era to life for me. As with any anthology, Read yourself RAW is kind of a mixed bag. There were a few pieces that I outright disliked, a couple that seemed more interesting conceptually than enjoyable to read, but there were several that I loved. Jacque's Tardi's "Manhattan" was by far my favorite...just an incredible piece. Also loved Munoz's short story and Spiegelman's "Two-Fisted Painters". Most pieces are short, which in some cases does the creators a disservice. For example, you'd be hard pressed to realize Charles Burns's (unquestionable) genius from his two one-page stories. There's also a prevailing tone of artistic detachment and irony throughout the book (not necessarily a criticism), which makes it funny to think that something as serious and human as Spiegelman's Maus came out of RAW. Due to wide variations in quality I feel like I can't give this more than three stars, but I don't want to give the impression that this isn't worth tracking down. I found a used copy for $25 (which I considered reasonable), and it was easily worth it just as a window to a fascinating time for underground culture and for introducing me to several outstanding creators (especially Jacques Tardi).

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Cindy – Dec 29, 2017

   A reproduction compilation of bits from the first three issues of Speigleman's RAW - worth having in the collection for the history of it, and worth reading for the fun old comics included. Found my copy in a thrift store and it was exciting to discover it still included the mini comic and comics trading cards. A fun romp! A reproduction compilation of bits from the first three issues of Speigleman's RAW - worth having in the collection for the history of it, and worth reading for the fun old comics included. Found my copy in a thrift store and it was exciting to discover it still included the mini comic and comics trading cards. A fun romp!

3. 

   5 out of 5

   BLASUEM – May 06, 2022

   It's okey if I read this raw? It's okey if I read this raw?

4. 

   4 out of 5

   D.M. – Sep 04, 2013

   I'd like to say that this oversized reproduction of Art Spiegelman & Francoise Mouly's 1980s independent 'graphix' magazine is a constantly surprising and utterly remarkable collection of early independent comics. But it's not. It's not far off the mark, and really is a fun bunch of varied styles and genres within the medium at a time when 'independent comics' wasn't even really a phrase yet. This book collects selected bits from the original first three issues of RAW magazine, but we're not rea I'd like to say that this oversized reproduction of Art Spiegelman & Francoise Mouly's 1980s independent 'graphix' magazine is a constantly surprising and utterly remarkable collection of early independent comics. But it's not. It's not far off the mark, and really is a fun bunch of varied styles and genres within the medium at a time when 'independent comics' wasn't even really a phrase yet. This book collects selected bits from the original first three issues of RAW magazine, but we're not really told what has been left out (or why). It is inspirational in making me wonder what the rest of the series was like, but not enough to make me track them down. We get to see work from eventual indie stalwarts like Bill Griffiths, Drew & Josh Alan Friedman, Mark Beyer, Joost Swarte, Charles Burns and of course Spiegelman & Mouly themselves. For the most part, these fall in the left-of-center suburban flipside kind of story and do a fine job at what they do. None of them, however, is really remarkable and there are even a couple that are just downright incomprehensible. I'm glad I have this book, as it marks an important point of transition between the 'hippy' comics of the 1970s and the indie boom of the late-80s/early-90s. It's an entertaining bunch of stuff, but not what I'd call 'essential.' This edition includes a colour insert 'Two-Fisted Painters' mini-comic, all eight of full-colour cardstock Mark Beyer 'City of Terror' trading cards, an informative and interesting intro from Spiegelman & Mouly, and short bios/bibliographies of all the contributors.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Shoshanna – Jan 20, 2015

   The introduction to this book gives a good history and pre-history to RAW, like what was going on in the comics world to bring us there. I think what I find so incredible about this is the very overt influence of Francoise Mouly. There are more European artists (I really like Joost Swarte) and just other aspects of design that feel more "eighties" for a lack of a better term. I also really liked Mark Beyer's work, which has this new style. Spiegelman's Arcade really was a continuation of the Und The introduction to this book gives a good history and pre-history to RAW, like what was going on in the comics world to bring us there. I think what I find so incredible about this is the very overt influence of Francoise Mouly. There are more European artists (I really like Joost Swarte) and just other aspects of design that feel more "eighties" for a lack of a better term. I also really liked Mark Beyer's work, which has this new style. Spiegelman's Arcade really was a continuation of the Underground style and even Wierdo, which R. Crumb led during the eighties, the same time as RAW, was also a continuation. RAW is a break in style and vibe, and I really appreciate that. A lot of what I think of as "eighties" style, I now think of as the influence of Francoise Mouly. :) Mouly even writes an article about how processed American food is and there are a lot of art type pieces in here that I barely understand. :p Also makes me think of "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz. :p

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Rory Tregaskis – Jul 30, 2016

   Some weird shit in this comic.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Johnny Moxley –

8. 

   5 out of 5

   John Snyder –

9. 

   5 out of 5

   CR –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Adam Bessie –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Diana G Rodriguez –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Robert Boyd –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    christopher –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Phillip Lozano –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Craig Pittman –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Robert –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Josh –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Mark Andre –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Mike –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Marisa Fulper –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Laura –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Capree –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    BobFish –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Micky –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Acton Northrop –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Mark Spiers –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Thomas –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Greg Carter –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Richard Hare –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Jackson –