Jason Atomic in the studio (photo: Anthony Lycett)
Jason Atomic’s Freak Scenes! Comix! Dark Arts! Subversions!
The “X” in comix is a distinguisher in the same way that the “K” is in magick. One peek through any underground comix from the late 60’s makes it clear very quick that the X stands for X-Rated. Adult themed comics lit up the underground as the surge of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll found expression in all forms of DIY media. Artistic giants of the era like Robert Crumb, thrived publishing with an indie press working well outside of the restrictive Comics Code Authority.
These outsider artists took irreverence towards religion, conservatism, and all forms of authority and the status quo to heart. Their influence was felt aboveground in places like Playboy, National Lampoon and animated films made in Hollywood. By the 1980’s mainstream comic publishers began creating alternative lines in order to lure serious artists with the promise of freedom to create stories with dark and adult oriented themes.
Jason Atomic as the editor-in-chief of Satanic Mojo Comix, is a 21st Century underground torchbearer, specializing in subversion, smut and Satan. Aside from writing and drawing for the series, he excels at bringing together exceptional creative collaborators to produce wildly diverse issues.
While there’s admittedly plenty of self-styled “Satanic” art that has flooded into pop culture, what makes Atomic and his projects really intriguing is the delightful sense of humor and devilish mischief he mixes together with a healthy dose of homage to the 70’s wave of Satanic B-movies.
This is not the take yourself too seriously, sneering Satanism. No, these comix are all about getting raunchy and explicit while thumbing your nose at the moral majority with a sly grin. Having participated in subculture scenes in London and Tokyo, Atomic is a master of a unique blend of vintage occult, horror, punk, Golden Age comics, goth and psychedelics.
Mexican Masks
2009 -Jason Atomic
acrylic ,marker, oil pastel, spray, oil and household varnish on canvas.
When he’s not making his Satan soaked brand of comix, Atomic stays busy with a number of other collaborative endeavors ranging from curating gallery exhibitions, managing a modeling collective or customizing prosthetic limbs. Yep, he really is that cool. If you’re not convinced yet, just read a little further and you will be. Unless of course, you’re really uptight and prudish, in which case you’re going to fucking hate this.
