Rick Griffin
by Max Mollhagen-Jaksa
Fall 2004

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Griffin’s work, I feel, stands apart from several of the other original “underground” creators. Instead of strictly adhering to some of the “safer” themes of underground comics, Griffin goes out on a limb by introducing completely original narratives, many of which are grounded in pure surrealism. I feel that this is important because underground comics, like any other facet of a medium, is typically characterized by a handful of features. Risqué images, sex, drugs, the denouncement of religion. While these themes hardly encompass underground comics, they definitely play a large role in the identification of underground comics. Comics not for kids. Griffin’s work, while not entirely exempt from these themes, seems to be more concerned with building visual vocabularies (the flying eyeball is perhaps the most outstanding member of Griffin’s established vocabularies) and pushing the limits of the form than anything else.

Born Richard Alden Griffin in 1944, Rick spent most of his life on the west coast. Growing up in California, American southwest, and Mexico. Rick always drew—is work not only took the form of comics, but also served as promotional and cover art for many bands and movies.

Additionally, he was one of the co-innovators of psychedelic art. Aside from drawing, Rick was a lifelong surfer, with other interests in music, cars, and motorcycles.

In 1991, Rick Griffin was killed in a motorcycle accident. He will be forever remembered by comics artists and fans alike

Rick Griffin: panel from this page | another page

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