Home > Letters to CR Clif Gifford on R. Crumb and Joe Simon posted December 28, 2006
At the very least R. Crumb's publisher should give credit to the Joe Simon Studios for "The National Crumb" cover art and make it clear in the book that the art was produced by Simon's team or else remove "The National Crumb" art from the Crumb "autobiographical" book. Can’t believe R. Crumb thinks its his work, and I can’t understand why the publisher did not check its facts or -- if the publisher did check its facts and discovered "The National Crumb" cover art was by Simon Studio -- the publisher should have requested permission from the Simons to use the art.
R. Crumb should not be given credit for the work of others even if he believes the art is his. The publisher is wrong insisting its Crumb's work as well. Both publisher and Crumb look ridiculous. They did not do their homework. I don’t blame the Simons for being upset with these guys and don't understand why your reporter Dirk Deppey puts the blame on Simon. This treatment of a Simon and his team of artists and designers whispers of all those years the old comic book publishers ripped off the great artists and writers by not giving them credit, due compensation, or by stealing their properties outright. Has change in the comics field been so little since Siegel & Shuster, Kirby, Simon, and all the other golden agers?
