About Kim A. Munson (author, curator, art historian)

Kim A Munson (MA SFSU) is the editor of the Eisner Award-nominated anthology Comic Art in Museums (University Press of Mississippi press release) the first academic book to explore the evolution of thought about comic art 1930-present as manifested in art exhibitions. Kim is an art historian, author, artist, and curator living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has contributed essays on comic art, museum exhibitions, labor emblems, and other topics to numerous books and journals including The Cambridge Companion to Comics, The Comics of R. Crumb: Underground in the Art Museum, Source: Notes in the History of Art, International Journal of Comic Art, and Places Journal. She was a 2022 Eisner Awards Judge and the curator of Women in Comics (NY, Rome, Napoli), Colleen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman (NY, San Diego), and Beautiful Monsters: The Art of Emil Ferris (NY). Denis Kitchen: Conversations and Trina Robbins: Conversations are forthcoming from UPM in 2025.

Denis Kitchen Conversations

Newly available from UPM! An in-depth exploration of the multifaceted career of one of the most influential figures in the world of comics

Description

Conversations with Denis Kitchen offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted career of Denis Kitchen (b. 1946), one of the most influential figures in the world of comics. This book, comprised of interviews spanning decades, provides a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who has worn many hats—publisher, cartoonist, writer, and advocate. Beginning with Kitchen’s early days selling his self-created Mom’s Homemade Comics at a parade in 1969, the interviews chronicle the rise of Kitchen Sink Press, the underground comix movement, founding the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and the challenges of navigating the rapidly changing comics industry.

The interviews delve into the key phases of Kitchen’s career, from his work with underground comix icons like Robert Crumb and Trina Robbins to his efforts in revitalizing the careers of legends like Will Eisner and Harvey Kurtzman. The book also covers the tumultuous merger with Tundra Publishing in the 1990s, the eventual downfall of Kitchen Sink Press, and Kitchen’s successful reinvention as an agent, curator, and publisher in collaboration with Dark Horse.

More than just a retrospective, this book captures Kitchen’s ongoing influence on the comics world, highlighting his enduring commitment to creative freedom, his battles against censorship, and his recent projects in curation and art. Conversations with Denis Kitchen is an essential read for anyone interested in the history and future of comics, offering a personal and comprehensive look at a career defined by innovation, resilience, and a deep love for the medium.

Support Kitchen’s upcoming documentary on Kickstarter.

Beautiful Monsters: The Art of Emil Ferris

Two galleries of original art by Emil Ferris were on view at the Society of Illustrators, NY 7/31 - 10/19, featuring a large selection from My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2. Forbes | Vulture | SOI Hall of Fame Pix

Arabelle Liepold (SOI director), Kim, Emil Ferris

Scary, Scary Night

Documentary: Lichtenstein and Comics

i was recently included in this fascinating documentary about Lichtenstien’s comics paintings. My part was filmed in 2017. Here I’m talking about Lichtenstein and Russ Heath, the artist who drew several of the war comics Lichtenstein appropriated in some of his most famous paintings. I had just seen Russ at the Big Wow! comics convention in San Jose. He passed in 2018. The film has gotten a lot of press including ArtNet and this year-end list from The Week, “Art That Made the News.”

Washington Post: “Did Lichtenstien create art or copy it? A new documentary stokes the controversy.”

Upcoming Books & Events

American Book Review journal: I guest-edited a symposium on Emil Ferris’s “My Favorite Things is Monsters 2” in conjunction with Paul Buhle. Expected July 2025.

Recent Appearances

College Arts Assoc (CAA): Presenting on the life and career of Trina Robbins 2/15/25. The panel celebrated Trina and women cartoonists. Photo by Ruthellen Cunnally.

Fan Expo SF 2024: Comic Writing, Publishing, and Promotion, 11/29- Phillip Ginn, Marc Greenberg, Jameson Rohrer, Alex Grand, Kim. Watch panel on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uADvL8R2t60

San Diego State University: On November 13, I did a guest lecture on my collaboration with Emil Ferris on Beautiful Monsters for Neil Kendrick’s Comics & History class.

CXC Columbus 2024: Presenting a tribute to Trina Robbins with Sydney Heifler and Matt Smith.

SDCC 2024: Tribute to Trina Robbins - Lee Marrs, Heidi McDonald, Kim Munson, Roberta Gregory, Casey Robbins, Barbara Mendes. Photo by Michael Dooley. A transcript of the SDCC tribute will be published in the International Journal of Comic Art, Spring 2025. Tribute articles: Forbes by Rob Salkowitz | CNN | NYT | WaPo | Today Show | Comics Journal | Heidi McDonald Oral Histories.

Rescue at Sea by Patrick McDonnell

SDCC 24: Patrick McDonnell'sSuper Hero's Journey. Kim (moderator), Patrick McDonnell, Charles Hatfield, Glen David Gold, Charlie Kochman. Photo by Bruce Gutherie. See a video of his work on show at the New Jersey Arts Council Gallery.

Wondercon 2024: Spotlight on Colleen Doran, Wondercon, Saturday, 3/30/24. I was also on Comic Culture in Museums: Pop Culture on Display! moderated by Patrick Reed. Photo by Danny barer.