Cover for Zap Comix issue #4.
Victor Moscoso is one of the main artists of the early American underground comix scene. Although mainly known as an illustrator of covers of psychedelic rock posters, Moscoso was one of the most important artists of Zap Comix, the underground comic magazine started by Robert Crumb. Moscoso was present from the first issue of Zap in 1968, also using his trademark graphic style with vibrating colors, illegible lettering and vintage graphics in his comics.
Guest appearance of Ignatz the Mouse, from 'Krazy Kat'.
Born in Oleiros, Galicia (Spain), Moscoso had a formal academic art training at the Cooper Union in New York City and at Yale University. He moved to San Francisco in 1959, where he became an instructor at the San Francisco Art Institute, and where he gained success with his rock art created for local dance halls and clubs. At first Moscoso was hesitant to devote himself to comic strips. He was already spending the better part of a week designing two and sometimes three rock posters, which were printed on good paper, sold for a dollar, and therefore more tangible than the underground tabloids which were printed on cheap newsprint and destined for oblivion. Victor Moscoso worked mainly with Rick Griffin on his comix for Zap, alternating in drawing the panels.
Victor Moscoso made a graphic contribution to 'The Beatles Illustrated Book' (Macdonald Unit 75, 1969).
Victor Moscoso was a huge influence on Charles Burns, Jean-Louis Lejeune, Alan Moore and Everett Peck.
'Zap Comix'.