Drawn Together: The Collected Works of R. and A. Crumb

Love, love, love this book! Favorite piece is when they go to Fashion Week event in NYC! I'm very sorry she's passed. Wishing family the best.

R Crumb is a comics genius. He has created some of the most interesting and compelling stories since he began back in the 60's. He is one of my favorite comic auteurs of all time. But when he works with Aline he drops to a whole 'nother level. The genius that gave us "That's Life" and "Patton" and "Treasure Island Days" takes a back seat to talky non-adventures drawn with the long-time love of his life, Aline Kominsky Crumb.It's not the autobiographical format that brings it down- he has created wonderful stuff focusing on himself. When Crumb does an ego trip, you see the many shades and nuances that he can spot in himself- his depth of perception is stunning- and he can weave a wonderful tale. Some of the unflinching self-portraits he has done in his strips over the years are priceless. It's just Aline's one-note repertoire. There has never been a more self-absorbed person working in comics. EVERY thing she draws or writes is 100% blindingly focused on the most amazing person in her life- namely, herself. How many times can she wax rhapsodic about her steely thighs, her well-developed back muscles, her stunning prowess at fellatio, and on and on and on? OK, I GET it- you consider yourself an amazing woman. Robert does, too- that's nice, and I'm happy that he's happy. But can we move on now, please?The problem is that we can't move on. That is where her narrative stays, despite the years of yoga and what you would think would be growth. She knows this, too; she often points out how self-centered she is. So does Robert. But she seems incapable of being anything else.Instead of growth there has been decline. When she started out her drawing had an interesting, unique "art brut" quality. Totally untutored, a real "outsider" style, like Rory Hayes in some ways. But nowadays she has absorbed too much "learning", I guess, or practiced a bit too much without really "seeing"- it's not good, it's just mediocre, like a teen-age girl might turn out in high school.Some of these stories are quite good despite this. Long-time Crumbheads will be fascinated to see the family reunion out in Minnesota farm country, and watching Sophie grow up and eventually take part in a few stories is neat, too. The thing I have to do is focus on the Crumb and quickly scan or just glance at the Aline (or sometimes just gloss over it when it gets to be too much) to minimize the impact. That's the only way I can avoid being blinded by her incredible aura.The book is typically top-notch quality- good paper, colored nicely in parts, nice and big to see all the linework. But if you want to read 5-star Crumb, get some old "Arcade" mags or "werdos". That's where his genius shines, not overpowered by Aline's incandescent personality.

From the best of the underground comics and his equally artistic in her way wife, the criss crossing and combining of their lives and work is a fascinating story - memoir in graphic novel form. A peep into the lives of some of the quirkiest artists of our time.

A great compilation of all the stuff Aline and Crumb have done together. Well printed on good solid paper, very well made book high quality stitched. The only problem is there is no Table of Contents nor any time of small article putting the art in the proper historical context. Definitely recommend it if you're a Crumb /Aline fan.

I purchased this book for a friend who had borrowed it from the library and wanted her own copy. It can faster than expected and I was able to give it to her for Christmas.It can be enjoyed over and over again and proves to be an inspiration for those who enjoy drawing. It can soothe you when you are feeling down and that is the greatest gift of all.

Okay. I admit it. I'm hooked...! At first I was just hooked to R. Crumb comics, but then I got to know Aline's comics as well as those they drew together, and I find her personality and humor astoundingly funny and addictive as well. What a team...!!! I was lucky to meet R. Crumb a couple years ago and he told me that Aline speaks French with a Brooklyn accent. I'm still trying to figure out what that would sound like. I'm ready for the talking funnies, you guys!

Aline Crumb is one of the funniest authors I know. I love the comments and dialogue in the book and the fact that we see Sophie, their daughter, grow up in the cartoons and eventually draws herself! A bit scary that she doesn't look too healthy towards the end. But I have heard that she is fine. I have read Robert Crumb's cartoons all my life (I am their age, 64), seen all the films about him and Aline and really identify with them.

I've been a big fan of Robert Crumbs and then I also became of Alines work. I have seen most of the storys in this book before, but this book also has story's that aren't in any previous books. Its great to have all of their work in one book. A must have for Crumb fans!

Wanted to get some insight on their relationship and their alternative approach to comic content and creation. I was happy that this saved me having to purchase the original comics secondhand, since they are now very pricey, rare and delicate.

"Drawn together" enthält also "the complete works" des zeichnenden Ehepaares Crumb. Im Jahr 2002 erschien im Zweitausendeins-Verlag der von Harry Rowohlt übersetzte "Schmutzige Wäsche Comics"-Band Band. Im Vergleich der beiden Bücher muss ich sagen, dass "Drawn together" nicht allzuviel zusätzliches Material enthält. Im Gegensatz zu "Schmutzige Wäsche" sind jedoch die Farbseiten auch wirklich farbig reproduziert, und auch die Cover-Illustrationen der US-Einzelhefte wurde farbig wiedergegeben."Drawn together" biete 264 Comic-Seiten, hauptsächlich in Schwarzweiß. Und was bei diesem Band die Crumb-Fans spaltet: Aline Kominsky-Crumb zeichnet im Gegensatz zum hochansprechenden Strich ihres Mannes sehr naiv und schlicht. Doch lesenswert ist der Band auf alle Fälle, denn die Crumbs geben expliziten Einblick in ihr (Ehe-)Leben, die Panels wurden jeweils von beiden Künstlern gezeichnet. Auch das damals heranwachsende Töchterchen der beiden, Sophie, hat zeichnerisch mitgewirkt.Herausgekommen ist eine direkte, private und deutliche Studie der Familie Crumb. Abgerundet wird "Drawn together" von zahlreichen Familienfotos, die am Anfang und Ende das Buch illustrieren. Das Hardcover wird mit einem Schutzumschlag ausgeliefert. Gedruckt wurde es in den USA.Fazit: Durch die Zeichnungen von Aline Kominsky-Crumb wird dieser Band zur Geschmackssache für Fans von R. Crumb. Inhaltlich ist er jedoch über jeden Zweifel erhaben. Wer des Englischen nicht mächtig ist, kann getrost auf den antiquarisch erhältlichen "Schmutzige Wäsche"-Band ausweichen. Besitzer dieses Bandes dürfen bei "Drawn together" nicht zuviel Neues erwarten. Knapp 50 Seiten sind neues Material (genau kann ich es nicht sagen, denn teilweise wurden die Panels für beide Bände unterschiedlich montiert. Vier von fünf Sternen - und eine Leseempfehlung.

A great collection of the colloborative work of Aline and Bob. While the genious of Bob is undisputed, it is Aline that adds the hilarity, the day to day honesty and hair. Aline lifts Bob's beautiful drawings into a 'slice o life ' masterwork.

Classic book that shows how two people CAN work together in this medium. Some deep insights into life, but you expect that from Crumb.

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