Gilbert Shelton is an American underground comix icon. Now in his early 80’s the creator of self published and distributed characters like “Wonder Warthog” and “The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers” has been getting laughs from around the world beginning in the early 1960s. Fast-forward to 2021 and Shelton’s “Freak Brothers” have recently enjoyed renewed attention after being adapted into an animated series on Tubi, featuring the talents of Woody Harrelson (Freewheelin’ Franklin Freek), John Goodman (Fat Freddy Freekowtski), Pete Davidson (Phineas T. Phreakers), and Tiffany Haddish (Kitty) among other Hollywood veterans.
Gilbert Shelton’s career in cartooning began in 1961 with the creation of his character “Wonder Warthog.” The porcine antihero was a satire of mid-century super hero comics and began getting published around the country in college humor magazines. 1968 then saw the arrival of his famous trio, “The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers” whose satirical misadventures helped Americans laugh through an era of social and political turbulence.
In 1969 Gilbert joined a growing contingency of Texans moving to San Francisco and launched the Rip Off Press with his friends Fred Todd, Dave Moriaty, and Jack Jackson. Facing issues with censorship, FBI intimidation, distribution issues, and local obscenity ordinances they pressed on to publish and distribute satirical material that championed the freedom of artistic expression and flew in the face of the oppressive Comic Code Authority. Gilbert went on to join Robert Crumb’s all-star cast of ZAP contributors which also included S. Clay Wilson, Robert Williams, Spain Rodriguez, Victor Moscoso, and Rick Griffin. The ZAP collective went on to warp minds and define counterculture comix, eventually releasing 17 issues over 46 years.
Gilbert’s nephew, Gavin Shelton has been working on a research project about his cartoonist uncle since the beginning of COVID. “During lockdown I got to research and learn so much about …
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Author: Benjamin M. Adams / High Times
