A Tribute to a Publisher, Underground Cartoonist, and Activist
Publisher. Underground Cartoonist. Activist. Historian. Quirky Collector. Troublemaker. Denis Kitchen has been taking on the establishment for decades. Now an all-new documentary, Oddly Compelling, highlights Kitchen’s long, strange trip — from his early days as a hippie cartoonist, to his thirty years as one of the most important independent comic book publishers, and his work as a fierce advocate for the First Amendment. Oddly Compelling is now on Kickstarter.
Filmmakers Soren Christiansen and Ted Intorcio have captured hours of in-depth, candid conversations with Denis Kitchen, as well as fellow cartoonists and colleagues including Alison Bechdel, Daniel Clowes, Emil Ferris, Noah Van Sciver, Derf Backderf, Warren Bernard, Eddie Campbell, Paul Gravett, Karen Green, Justin Hall, Gary Hallgren,Tom Heintjes, MariNaomi, Peter Poplaski, Carol Tyler, Joel Christian Gill, Jonathan Todd, Mile High Comics’ Chuck Rozanski, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Interim Director Jeff Trexler. The film also features rare archival footage of comic book legends Robert Crumb, Will Eisner, and Harvey Kurtzman, along with new animation of Kitchen’s iconic cartooning. The film charts Kitchen’s career — as an indie cartoonist, a provocateur and publisher, and founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
In 1969 Denis Kitchen founded Kitchen Sink Press and, for more than 30 years, he published many of the most prominent and innovative creators in comics, including such legends as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Robert Crumb, Charles Burns, Al Capp, Milton Caniff, Howard Cruse, Trina Robbins, Mark Schultz, Art Spiegelman, Scott McCloud, Alan Moore, the ground-breaking Gay Comix series, and countless others. In 1989, Kitchen formed the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund after comic store manager Michael Correa was convicted of possession and sale of so-called “obscene” material, which included a series published by Kitchen Sink Press.
Kitchen subsequently raised money for experienced defense attorneys, resulting in the overturn of Correa’s conviction on appeal, and the organization Kitchen founded continues to fight ongoing First Amendment cases. Denis Kitchen’s comics have been collected in multiple books; his most recent is the acclaimed Creatures From the Subconscious from Tinto Press. His original art has been in numerous one-man and group exhibitions, and he was just granted an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Wisconsin.
“Who would’ve thought that in the 21st century the world would watch Americans ban books, challenge free speech, and threaten its own democratic principles,” said Soren Christiansen. “We’ve had threats to our democracy before, and every time these threats occurred, it took people, like Denis, to stand up and fight for those inalienable rights. He may be the least appreciated of the underground legends, in part because he devoted a disproportionate amount of his career to publishing the work of others. He was there at the very beginning of the Underground Comix movement, and his contributions, starting with Mom’s Homemade Comics, Krupp, Distribution, and Kitchen Sink Press are responsible for bringing ground-breaking and much-loved content to a much wider audience.”
“Let’s face it, Denis Kitchen is needed now more than ever,” said Ted Intorcio. “We want people to know about Denis Kitchen to benefit or learn from his struggles in confronting their own challenges. Denis has been (and continues to fight be) an advocate for artists, free speech, and underrepresented voices. The work he published under Kitchen Sink Press and his formation of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund have provided untold assistance to comics retailers busted for product that offends local authorities and creators feeling the pressure of censorship and cancellation.”
The Oddly Compelling will document Kitchen’s career and activism and also explore his personal collection of curiosities. Kitchen has amassed an astonishing array of unusual collectibles, from over 100,000 vintage postcards, scores of Big Boy, Kewpie, and celluloid figures, metal toys and robots, to original comic art and political buttons. He has also spent years creating “The Valley of Frankenstein Dolls,” an eccentric outdoor art project that offers unique eye candy throughout the documentary.
In collaboration with Tinto Press and Denis Kitchen Archives, the Oddly Compelling will be offering rare Underground Comix, remarqued books, personalized prints, film posters, and original Kitchen art, along with streaming and Blu-ray versions of the documentary.
“The lion’s share of the Oddly Compelling documentary footage has been captured, although there are some elusive interviews we hope to secure,” said Christiansen. “Our goal is to raise enough to finish editing and production and prepare for the festival circuit. We estimate several months of work remain to finish shooting, edits, adding effects, animation of Kitchen creatures, and sound design.”
For more information follow Denis Kitchen on Instagram, follow Tinto Press on Facebook and Instagram and follow Oddly Compelling on YouTube.
To support the campaign, visit Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tinto-press/1807725876?ref=1euiax
About the Cartoonist
Denis Kitchen, one of the original “underground” cartoonists in the late 60s, founded Kitchen Sink Press (1969-99), a leading independent publisher. He also founded the non-profit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in 1986, chairing it for 18 years. His agencies represent numerous artists and estates. He’s co-written biographies on cartoonists Al Capp (Bloomsbury), Harvey Kurtzman (Abrams), Harrison Cady (Beehive) and on Underground Classics (Abrams). Books about him include the monograph, “The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen” (Dark Horse) and “Everything Including the Kitchen Sink” by Jon Cooke. He curates exhibits of comic art in the US & Europe, and gives talks. He has won multiple Harvey and Eisner Awards. Kitchen was a first ballot inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, received a Life Achievement Award from the Museum of Wisconsin Art, has had several one-man art exhibits, and was granted an honorary doctorate by the University of Wisconsin in 2024. His latest book, “Creatures From the Subconscious” (Tinto Press) will be followed by a book of 3-D drawings from Fantagraphics in 2025. He is also reputed to be part of the secretive Bushmiller Society.
About the Filmmakers
Soren Christiansen began his career as a copywriter at McCann-Erickson and then as a senior producer for CNN On-Air Promotion. In 2014, left CNN to become managing partner of the video production company, SkySee Video, doing work for clients including PBS, Al Hurra MBN, Emory University, Georgia Quick Start, Hyundai HCEA, XCMG, SitusAMC, Blowing Rock Tourism, the documentary film ‘The Fight For Haiti’s Diaspora,’ and more. As the executive producer, cinematographer, drone pilot and editor of Oddly Compelling, Soren is able to combine his professional skillset with his love of history and the counterculture. His hope is to shine a light on the dark moments of our past; not to point at or punish, but to call attention to, so that history does not repeat, or force us to retreat. Oddly Compelling is an historically important film about publisher & artist Denis Kitchen, his role in the Underground Comix movement, and one of many necessary fights for our First Amendment Rights. Soren’s use of intimate, engaging interviews combined with historical data and archival research allows viewers to examine our past to properly prepare for their future.
Employed as a career motion designer, animator and art director for Turner and Starz networks, Ted Intorcio has delighted audiences with trailers, promos, fx, motion typography and character-based animation for many years. A generalist by nature, with a passion for drawing, comics and good design, Ted made a foray into publishing comics under his Tinto Press label in 2012. His own comics such as DOA: The Death of Alfalfa and others explore the lives of real people with fascinating stories. Since launching Tinto Design in 2019, Ted has contributed to several documentaries, shows and animated programs, both promotional and content-driven, including the docu-series Awkward Family Photos and Ignore Heroes, the story of TSOL.
Dan Kleiner