Local Hero RR Anderson Saves Humanity @ 100 Tacomics Book Release
by Electric Elliot
Kings Books was packed with familiar faces Monday night for cartoonist RR Anderson’s 100 Tacomics: Volume 001. The first 48 guests where treated to delicious “Paleteria la Michoacana” ice cream bar from Jeff’s Ice Cream. A cartoonist of the people, RR Anderson spent much of his release stamping books and signing the books of a long line of fans while donning a rubber glove to “protect [his] drawing hand.”
Midway through the festivities, RR tore himself away from the masses to make an official presentation. Before taking the stage, RR was opened by Tacoma Attorney and community blogger Erik Bjornson, also known as the Tacoma Urbanist. To the 1950′s sounds playing from a small tape-recorder in RR’s lap, Erik offered some insight into the beginning of RR’s rise. At first, Erik explained, RR was merely an overexcited and often censored commenter. It wasn’t until he started creating his Tacomics did Tacoma really realize his genius. Soon RR’s comics were appearing on FeedTacoma.com on within the Weekly Volcano. Through every strange political session filled with absurd politicians and even more absurd decisions, the people of Tacoma could count on RR’s Tacomic coming out every Tuesday to reveal the sometimes hideous face of reality with a stunning wit.
RR was then introduced and took the stage silently with his tape recording playing old Monty Python-esc tunes. When the song had reached its close, RR hit STOP and addressed his audience. He begin by outlining the importance of localized cartoonists and the downfall of society into existences based more in television than reality. RR recounted a story in which he overheard people talking about television characters as opposed to real people, and cited community driven cartooning and community organizing in general as solutions to this disease. He went on to read a couple excepts from his book before returning to the unwashed masses and continuing to sign through the night.
Just 80 pages in, 100 Tacomics is a blast to read. Filled with more Tacoma history, than most Tacomans could possibly be aware of, this collection should be taught in classes in Tacoma and perhaps around the world. There are perhaps few comparable presentations of such brilliant renderings catologed with careful historical detail. Some pages will make you laugh out loud (or LOL for the kids); some will make you grin from ear to ear; some will make you angry at injustice; some may “stimulate” arousal, and some may even make those with weaker stomachs share their passion with a toilet.
Many art releases have been called a tour de force in contemporary media. RR’s book deserves far better than that played phase. RR’s 100 Tacomics is a spinning tea cup amusement park ride de force (or a STCAPR de force, for those that need an easy to remember acronym).
While the book release at Kings was filled with many great people (in fact most of the people worth knowing in Tacoma) and much excitement (they had nuts, beef jerky and free ice cream), no amount of thanks and enthusiasm is a proper fit for the sweaty community love and genuine altruism embodied in 100 Tacomics and its author. A Tacoma without its Tacomic is house without a home. I can’t wait for Volume 002.
Here’s a video of RR’s presentation and reading from Adam the Alien:
And here’s a recap from Adam as well:
