Book Of Genesis Illustrated By R Crumb, The [Hardcover]

It took Crumb over four years to complete the 201 pages of Genesis. It begs curiosity why the publisher Norton chose to give Crumb the assignment of adapting his talents to retelling and illustrating Genesis, the first book of the Jewish Talmud (and the Christian Old Testament). This is an artist who for half a century has become renowned for his visual satiric portrayal of the contemporary life of weirdos, potheads, misfits, wastrels and humanized animals—obsessive sexual proclivities included. Fans enjoyed his outrageous exaggerations poking fun at every human foible and self-indulgence. His fans could count on getting rewarded with the unexpected.

Bluntness and crassness has been de rigueur for Crumb. Sentimentality and nuance were not easily detectable in the storylines. Artistically his males were recognized for their lankiness, large kneecaps, sharp elbows, owlish eyes and slouching postures. His females were rendered with formidable calves, posteriors and jowls; their erect poking nipples became Crumb trademarks. Was the publisher counting on Crumb’s somewhat disreputable notoriety to kick-start demand for the book? It should be noted that Complete Crumb Works, published by Fantagraphics Books, now number seventeen volumes; there are also several other compilations in print, like The Crumb Compendium, Mr Natural and Sweeter Side of R Crumb. These have proven to be popular and many have been reprinted two or three times. Norton likely chose Crumb for a number of reasons which all added up to a profitable proposition.

Being a fan and collector of R Crumb (and his wife Aline Kominsky Crumb) I bought this book primarily to add it to my collection. Having also read various translations of Genesis numerous times I was very curious how Crumb would present this work of significant cultural and religious value. I was not disappointed. The man proves that he is a genius with the pen, a capable scripter (he used three sources to collaborate the text) and serious researcher of historical relevance. The detail is remarkable. His human figures are Crumb-like but much better proportioned than in his cartooning. His ability to draw distinguishable differences between characters (especially in the “begats”) shows patience and skill but I would have liked to see some happy faces—it is like these men were posing for passport photos, being prohibited from smiling. As far as the text goes, it is qualitatively a mixed bag, but close enough to be respectful to the original Hebrew for most Jews and Christians. I was glad he did not use a contemporary, colloquial, translation which would have ill suited the historical raiment and settings.

The work has received mixed reviews. Fact is if a hundred people start to read and look at the book they already have opinions and prejudices about Genesis that will flavour their judgement of Crumb’s output. Are they theologians? Then they will nit pick about how it was scripted and how creation, the flood and sinful acts are depicted. Are they atheists? Then they may complain about the work being dragged out, boring and repetitive. Are they historians? Then they may find fault with costumes, architecture and mythology. Are they comic book aficionados? Then they will present how Crumb failed to create dramatic effect and visual excitement. The book is Genesis as interpreted by Crumb. It is not intended to be neutral, unbiased or inoffensive. For many it will be too literal but if Crumb had introduced major improvisations he would have been berated by those who regard Genesis as the true Word of God. This book will probably not please—and may shock—many church-going Christians but for others I think it may help to provoke some serious thinking about how Genesis and the Old Testament have contributed to mold Western culture and civilization for three thousand years. The stories in Genesis deserve to be considered both in their religious and non-religious contexts and also in their literal and figurative interpretations.

For an interview with Crumb and numerous reviews, refer to The Comics Journal #301

I must admit I did a double take when I saw that this illustrated version of the Book of Genesis sprang from the pen of R. Crumb. For those who aren't familiar with Crumb's work, he's pretty much the father of underground comics, an artist whose provocative work has earned him great notoriety and more than a few charges of racism, sexism, and misogyny from his harshest critics. The women in his artwork tend to be rather buxom, overly sexual, and submissive to the men around them, while his depiction of blacks and other minorities oftentimes seem to be rooted in stereotypes. Of course, any great artist is going to have his detractors, and it must be said that Crumb's true genius lies in his satirical and sometimes subversive take on popular culture. Eschewing mainstream comic book culture and the publishing industry that drives it, he has more than earned his place as a cult hero and countercultural icon of the twentieth -- and now the twenty-first -- century.

Simply put, R. Crumb was one of the last artists I would ever have expected to take on the illustration of a significant portion of the Bible. Even more surprising is the fact that his approach to this illustrated version of the Book of Genesis is not of a satirical or hypercritical nature. This book was a serious effort that involved four years of effort, a great deal of research, and surprisingly serious reflection on Crumb's part. As an agnostic, he approached the Book of Genesis as a work of literature with deep roots in the public consciousness, and he strove to provide a literal presentation of the story (including all of the "begots"). I find a great deal of irony in that last point. At a time when many self-professed Christians and Bible translators are busy molding the words of the Bible to fit their own modern-day beliefs, this man who does not consider the Bible to be the inspired word of God set out to base his work as closely as possible on the original text of the Genesis story.

Will this work offend some readers, especially Christians? Obviously, it will -- and Crumb knows that. Many probably won't get past the "Adult supervision recommended for minors" label on the front cover. This is unfortunate because I -- as a Christian myself -- believe that this book holds great benefit to the faithful. What you get here is an amazingly visual, literal presentation of the first book of the Bible, free of the spin and reinterpretation of modern scholars seeking to reshape the story into something in line with their own personal thoughts and ideas. This is nothing less than an invaluable look at the story of Genesis as it was written. Those who get their panties in a bunch over the inclusion of some "graphic scenes" are obviously unaware that the Book of Genesis is a surprisingly graphic text -- teeming with sex and violence -- to begin with.

I can only marvel at what R. Crumb has accomplished with this unprecedented work, and I must say that I found his several pages of commentary regarding his own thoughts on the story of Genesis quite fascinating and thought-provoking. If nothing else, I believe The Book of Genesis Illustrated truly confirms Crumb's place in the modern-day pantheon of the world's most serious artists. I highly recommend the documentary film Crumb to those interested in learning more about the life and work of this uniquely fascinating artist.

R.Crumb's work, well known to many people and re-introduced to many more through Tery Zwygoff's documentary is by turns hilariously subversive or bitingly satirical. But the comic action often obscures his masterful ability as an illustrator.

In the Illustrated Genesis - he joins the ranks of Durer and Dore; so finely wrought are the compositions, so psychologically forceful are the figures, so cunning the draftsmanship that the work does honour to both the artist and the bible.

Expectations of a darkly satirical read are not surprising, they were mine as well - but I was wrong and glad I was. The unique character of this work is that EVERY aspect of the 50 chapters is depicted from the most well-known stories - Adam and Eve, The Tower of Babel, Noah, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Sarah, Joseph and his brothers etc, to the lesser known ones, moments that have perhaps never been depicted before. Crumb is respectful of the text throughout and his exhaustive research shows in the rich historical detail. There is always an artist's perspective at work here however, and the idiosyncratic style of Crumb is never absent. Women are "Crumb" women however they differ from one another. The figures of God and his messengers are solemn and majestic.

A uniquely fine biblical offering, and a masterpiece of illustrative art from a great genius. I heartily recommend it to anyone.