Soviet and Soviet-Themed Comics I Love and/or Lust After
Crocodile Magazine
I am guessing that Crocodile Magazine was the Soviet answer to Punch, though I lack the historical documentation to confirm it. Its pages are full of propaganda and gracefully drawn comics. Some of the humor is confusing out of context, though some of the panels made me laugh aloud. It’s worth looking at for the artwork alone. There’s a fantastic online archive, if you want to check it out.
The Unknown Russian Comics
These are totally fake satires, but I really wish they were real. The art is just fantastic!
Octobriana (NSFW)
Although it is an extremely elaborate literary hoax created by a Czech art thief to cover up his misdeeds, it’s hard for me not to like the concept Octobriana. She was sold as the iconic and sexually-charged heroine of the Russian Underground. Because of the wide confusion about her exact provenance, and the futility of enforcing copyrights over a character that was released into public domain by her fraudulent creator, many comic artist have incorporated her in their own works. My first encounter with Octobriana was in Cherry Comics (NSFW).
Having a series of Soviet Russia-themed comics, I am actually surprised that I haven’t played around with Octobriana,yet. Maybe I should.
Vladrushka (REALLY NSFW – 18+)
John Linton Roberson’s Vladrushka comes across as unspeakably dirty, maddeningly offensive and yet, it’s surprisingly intelligent and scathing satire. The stylized artwork is unusual, elegantly gritty and surprisingly effective at conveying the decadent lifestyle of the protagonist and her equally insatiable co-stars.
Do You Have A Favorite Soviet or Cold War Themed Comic That You Love?
If so, let me know in the comments section!
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