Paul Karasik presents the Fletcher Hank Experience @ Strands in NYC

Eric Reynolds wrote for the Fantagraphics Books blog: 

Paul Karasik and “The Fletcher Hanks Experience,” an illustrated tour over the brutally surreal Hanks mindscape narrated by the late Fletcher Hanks, Jr.

Part visionary lunatic, part vengeful alcoholic, part cartoonist, Fletcher Hanks created the weirdest comic book stories of all time. And he did them back before anyone even knew what a comic book really was.

Hanks worked during the first three years of the comic book industry and then vanished leaving behind 51 twisted tales of omnipotent superheroes and sexy jungle godesses. Unlike most comic book artists, Hanks was a genuine auteur: he wrote, pencilled, inked, and lettered his own stories. His work is even undiluted by the hand of an editor.

Cartoonist/editor, Paul Karasik, has edited two volumes of Hanks work. The latest, “You Shall Die By Your Own Evil Creation!” has just been released. Using evidence found at the scene of the grime he has created a composite profile of Hanks the man. The man makes the work and the work makes the man.

“The Fletcher Hanks Experience” is a multi-meda safari over the cragyy harsh landscape of the psyche of Fletcher Hanks. Combining archival audio of Hanks’ son with comic book panels, Karasik takes the audience into the mind of the man whom R. Crumb called, “A Twisted dude”.

WHERE: THE STRAND, New York City

WHEN: Wed., Sept. 16, 7PM

Alan’s note:  Catch my interview with Paul Karasik here.