Relive an Evening with Peter Bagge!

reason's resident cartoonist speaks on comics, politics, and much more.

On September 5, Peter Bagge appeared at reason's DC headquarters, entertaining guests with tales of art school politics, how his creative process works, and his first trip to the nation's capital in years.

Comments

[Warren]

I like Bagge as much as the next guy. Well I don't know who the next guy is going to be so maybe not. But you know, he's ok. Sometimes he makes me laugh. And sometimes I think he really nails it. But sometimes I think he's just a stooge with a box of crayons.

But what I want to know is: When did Bagge get the exclusive rights to the Reason Cover art? Did you have to cut the Adobe license renewal out of the budget? What's up with shipping Reason in a plain Bagge cover?

[Kwix]

Warren,
As Bagge explained it to me, in the past reason has seen an increase in over the counter purchases of the magazine when the cover is illustrated rather than photographic. Hence they have opted to try running varying covers by Bagge and (I believe)Bok to see how they sell.

[Kwix]

I am a shill for plastic Bagge.

[Jesse Walker]

We've been using him a lot, but not exclusively. Terry Colon did the October cover, for example.

[Taktix?]

We've been using him a lot, but not exclusively. Terry Colon did the October cover, for example.

Great. Now you have two alumni from the Mad Magazine Institute of Illustration 😉

[Warren]

Terry Colon did the October cover, for example.

Oh right my bad. But you got to admit. They all look alike.

[BakedPenguin]

But you got to admit. [Bagge and Colon] look alike.

That's funny - I first came across Bagge's work in R Crumb's Weirdo in the mid 80's. I found his style (and his subject matter at the time) unique and disturbing.

When I saw he was doing cartoon for Reason, I no longer viewed his style as being so radical, and I had no issues with the subject matter. I don't know if this has more to do with him changing his style, or the fact that I quit doing drugs in the late 80's.

[Soccer Mom]

My kid will only pick up the mag if there is a cartoon cover. So keep 'em coming!

[me4]

It's not as radical as Metal Machine Music but I liked the extensive use of feedback in this piece. My compliments to the sound crew.

[Rob McMillin]

Peter Bagge is l33t.

[Robert]

I like the way T. Colon signs. Anyway, Reason's best covers were frequently a photo sometimes enhanced by a punch line.

My all time favorite was one that got away from me: the photo of Jimmy Stevens in full Regalia. I wasn't a subscriber back then, but Mike Parisi (or maybe it was Mike Woloshin) gave me his copy, which after I arrived in NY I passed around at a meeting and someone made off with it. I sent for a reprint, but they only had B&W Xeroxes!

Jacob Sullum's adopted daughter was soooo cute.

I did enjoy "I didn't know the bazooka was loaded, honest!", even if it wasn't Bagge's preferred attitude. (Actually I liked it better than what he had in mind.)

[Tom W]

Bagge is great, but I also like the work of Rick Altergott (Doofus). There's something about his characters that's simply wonderful.