The Austin-American Statesman looks back at the career of Jack Jackson, founder of Rip Off Press and author of Fantagraphics’ first book, Los Tejanos. Jackson died June 8.

In 1964, Jackson created “God Nose,” regarded widely as the first commercially available underground comic, featuring discussions between the Almighty and “the fools he rules.”

” ‘God Nose’ was printed in secret in the basement of the Texas State Capitol building on a state-owned printing press,” said Moriaty. “He hawked it on the Drag. Little old ladies claimed he was a godless Communist and others claimed he was a fascist. It was a nice, middle-of-the-road comic book.”

Jackson, along with Dave Moriaty, Gilbert Shelton, and Fred Todd, went on to found Rip Off Press in 1969 after moving to San Francisco. In the late 1970s, he returned to Texas and focused on creating comics about Texas history, including Los Tejanos for Fantagraphics.

For more information on Jackson, check out his Wikipedia entry or the Comic Reporter’s write-up on his passing.

Update: Also check out two pieces on Jackson from the Austin Chronicle.

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