Conversations with Denis Kitchen

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.

Kim A. Munson has contributed to many publications, including TheCambridge Companion to Comics, The Comics of R. Crumb: Underground in the Art Museum, International Journal of Comic Art, and Places Journal. She is editor of the Eisner-nominated anthology Comic Art in Museums, published by University Press of Mississippi.