William "Willy" Murphy[1] (October 12, 1936[2]–March 2, 1976)[3] was an American undergroundcartoonist and editor. Murphy's humor focused on hippies and the counterculture. His signature character was Arnold Peck the Human Wreck, "a mid-30s beanpole with wry observations about his own life and the community around him."[4] Murphy's solo title was called Flamed-Out Funnies; in addition, he contributed to such seminal underground anthologies as Arcade, Bijou Funnies, and San Francisco Comic Book, as well as the National Lampoon.
Murphy's work was of the "bigfoot" style of cartooning, with characters having long, droopy noses; and was characterized by strong, humorous writing.[5]
Murphy was born in New York City in 1936.[6] Before becoming a cartoonist, he worked for eight years as an advertising copywriter at J. Walter Thompson[6] in New York City.[7] The upheaval of the late 1960s, including experimenting with drug use and opposition to the Vietnam War, led Murphy to leave that world behind and dedicate himself to social commentary though his cartooning.[6] In 1969, Murphy contributed to the all-comics tabloid Gothic Blimp Works. Moving to San Francisco around 1970, he was a key contributor to San Francisco Comic Book, and illustrated the cover of the fourth issue.
In early 1972, Murphy edited the comics section of Sunday Paper, the ambitious but brief-lived broadsheet section of underground comics published by John Bryan.
Murphy illustrated the convention program of Berkeleycon 73, the first comic convention that really highlighted underground comix.[8]
Murphy illustrated three early stories by Harvey Pekar, which were published in Murphy's own Flamed-Out Funnies #1 (Keith Green, 1975) and later appeared in one of Pekar's American Splendor collections (although not in the actual comic book series American Splendor).
Cartoonists at Murphy's funeral included Ted Richards, Melinda Gebbie, and Justin Green.[10] Richards, who was Murphy's best friend, wrote a eulogy for him which was later published in Arcade #6 (Summer 1976).[11] That issue also featured a portfolio of Murphy's work.
Flamed-Out Funnies #2 was published posthumously by Rip Off Press in November 1976. Some of Murphy's comics were also posthumously published in San Francisco Comic Book issue #5 and #7, released in 1980 and 1983 respectively.
^Holland, Debbie. "A Death in the Family," Artists in Print (1976).
^Richards, Ted. "The Outline," Arcade, the Comics Revue #6 (Summer 1976).
External links
Post about Murphy at Larry Rippee's website
Post about Murphy at Matty Boy Anderson's BANDS I USETA LIKE
January 06, 2023
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For other people named Willie Murphy see Willie Murphy disambiguation William Willy Murphy 1 October 12 1936 2 March 2 1976 3 was an American underground cartoonist and editor Murphy s humor focused on hippies and the counterculture His signature character was Arnold Peck the Human Wreck a mid 30s beanpole with wry observations about his own life and the community around him 4 Murphy s solo title was called Flamed Out Funnies in addition he contributed to such seminal underground anthologies as Arcade Bijou Funnies and San Francisco Comic Book as well as the National Lampoon Willy MurphyBorn 1936 10 12 October 12 1936New York CityDiedMarch 2 1976 1976 03 02 aged 39 San FranciscoNationalityAmericanArea s Editor cartoonistNotable worksArnold Peck the Human WreckFlamed Out FunniesMurphy s work was of the bigfoot style of cartooning with characters having long droopy noses and was characterized by strong humorous writing 5 Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Death 2 Legacy 3 Bibliography 4 Further reading 5 References 6 External linksBiography EditMurphy was born in New York City in 1936 6 Before becoming a cartoonist he worked for eight years as an advertising copywriter at J Walter Thompson 6 in New York City 7 The upheaval of the late 1960s including experimenting with drug use and opposition to the Vietnam War led Murphy to leave that world behind and dedicate himself to social commentary though his cartooning 6 In 1969 Murphy contributed to the all comics tabloid Gothic Blimp Works Moving to San Francisco around 1970 he was a key contributor to San Francisco Comic Book and illustrated the cover of the fourth issue Some time in the early 1970s along with Larry Todd and Gary King Murphy began hanging around the Air Pirates collective Dan O Neill Shary Flenniken Bobby London Gary Hallgren and Ted Richards and contributing to their projects In early 1972 Murphy edited the comics section of Sunday Paper the ambitious but brief lived broadsheet section of underground comics published by John Bryan Murphy illustrated the convention program of Berkeleycon 73 the first comic convention that really highlighted underground comix 8 In 1973 1974 Murphy helped co found the self publishing venture Cartoonists Co Op Press with Jay Lynch Kim Deitch Bill Griffith Jerry Lane Diane Noomin and Art Spiegelman Murphy illustrated three early stories by Harvey Pekar which were published in Murphy s own Flamed Out Funnies 1 Keith Green 1975 and later appeared in one of Pekar s American Splendor collections although not in the actual comic book series American Splendor In 1976 Murphy and Gary Hallgren worked closely with Gilbert Shelton and Ted Richards on Give Me Liberty a Revised History of the American Revolution Rip Off Press comic about the hoopla surrounding the American Bicentennial 9 Death Edit After developing a cold Murphy died suddenly of pneumonia over the Washington s Birthday weekend in 1976 9 Cartoonists at Murphy s funeral included Ted Richards Melinda Gebbie and Justin Green 10 Richards who was Murphy s best friend wrote a eulogy for him which was later published in Arcade 6 Summer 1976 11 That issue also featured a portfolio of Murphy s work Flamed Out Funnies 2 was published posthumously by Rip Off Press in November 1976 Some of Murphy s comics were also posthumously published in San Francisco Comic Book issue 5 and 7 released in 1980 and 1983 respectively Legacy EditMurphy s work inspired later cartoonists like Gilbert Shelton Paul Mavrides 7 and Wayno 5 Bibliography EditGothic Blimp Works 4 East Village Other 1969 All Stars San Francisco Comic Book Company 1970 San Francisco Comic Book 1 5 7 San Francisco Comic Book Company Print Mint Last Gasp 1970 1983 Air Pirates Funnies Tabloid Air Pirates Collective 1972 contribution to the anthology Dopin Dan 1 Last Gasp May 1972 contribution to Ted Richards mostly solo title Left Field Funnies Apex Novelties late 1972 contribution to anthology mostly by members of the Air Pirates collective El Perfecto Print Mint 1973 contribution to anthology raising money for the Timothy Leary Defense Fund Bijou Funnies 8 Kitchen Sink Press Nov 1973 Short Order 2 Family Fun 1974 contribution to anthology edited by Art Spiegelman Apex Treasury of Underground Comics Links Books Quick Fox 1974 reprinted by Quick Fox 1981 1 reprints of material from other publications Manhunt Comix 2 Cartoonists Co Op Press Dec 1974 contributions to anthology edited by Terry Richards Arcade 1 6 Print Mint 1975 1976 Flamed Out Funnies 1 2 Keith Green Rip Off Press Summer 1975 Nov 1976 Two Fools Saving Grace a division of Keith Green Industrial Realities 1976 with Ted RichardsFurther reading EditRosenkranz Patrick amp Hugo van Baren Biographical entry in Artsy Fartsy Funnies Paranoia 1974 p 56 References Edit a b Murphy entry Who s Who of American Comic Books 1928 1999 Accessed Oct 21 2016 Rosenkranz Patrick Willy Murphy Rebel Visions The Underground Comix Revolution 1963 1975 Fantagraphics Books 2002 p 232 Flamed Out Funnies Grand Comics Database Accessed Aug 28 2019 Fox M Steven Flamed Out Funnies ComixJoint Accessed Oct 21 2016 a b Forbis Wil An Interview with Wayno Acid Logic April 16th 2003 a b c Donahue Don and Susan Goodrick Murphy bio The Apex Treasury of Underground Comics Apex Novelties 1974 a b Murphy entry Lambiek Comiclopedia Accessed Oct 22 2016 Beerbohm Robert Update to Comics Dealer Extraordinaire Robert Beerbohm In His Own Words Comic Convention Memories June 24 2010 a b Rip Off Press Ted Richards Holland Debbie A Death in the Family Artists in Print 1976 Richards Ted The Outline Arcade the Comics Revue 6 Summer 1976 External links EditPost about Murphy at Larry Rippee s website Post about Murphy at Matty Boy Anderson s BANDS I USETA LIKE Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Willy Murphy amp oldid 1120073264, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
