Part biography, part anthology, part social commentary, “The R. Crumb Handbook” is an insightful and entertaining introduction to the weirdo cartoonist.

Robert Crumb was a founder and leader of the underground comics movement that began in the 1960s. His sexually and politically outrageous work influenced scores of artists over the years, and some of his cartoons, such as Fritz the Cat and Keep on Truckin’, have even crept into the mainstream.

“The R. Crumb Handbook” weaves photos, images, and comics through Crumb’s narrative of his evolution from a tormented child to “America’s best-loved underground cartoonist.” Crumb also discusses the influence of other artists, such as Carl Banks and Will Eisner, on his work, and his thoughts on media and comics.

The book contains reprints of Mr. Natural and Fritz the Cat as well as new work. There are also reprints of record covers, oil paintings, and scultptures created by Crumb.