Let’s finish this off true believers. Here are Jon’s top 5 comic album covers.

5. Supersuckers – The Smoke of Hell

This was the first studio album by the self-proclaimed “Greatest Rock ‘n Roll Band in the World” featuring art work by post-underground icon Dan Clowes. It very much resembles the “Like a Velvet Glove” era of the artist’s work. Honorable mention: The Supersuckers had an equal awesome comic cover to the 7″ single for “Saddle Tramp.”

4. The Yardbirds – Roger the Engineer

The cover designed by Yardbirds rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja features the oafish Roger the engineer surrounded by a cluster of retarded looking birds on the back cover. It also features the best garage rock song of all time “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago.”

3. Sup Pop 200 Compilation

The legendary compilation features early artwork by Seattle alum Charles Burns and some of the first recordings by Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden Beat Happening and Cat Butt(?). Burns’ “rocker with a monkey on his back” image was the perfect statement for the burgeoning “Seattle scene.” I recommend the haunting spoken-word piece by Steven Jesse Bernstein, “Come out Tonight.”

2. Melvins – Houdini

I had this album cover on my wall for about two years before I moved into my current apartment. The image my Frank Kozik is associated with the Melvins first major label album. Delving into the context behind the art one can imagine the two kids as clueless industry reps signing a two headed mutated dog version of the Melvins, conflicted between their underground roots and the outrageousness that such an odd bad was being signed to a major label in the first place.

1. Big Brother & the Holding Company – Cheap Thrills

The album that made Janis Joplin and R. Crumb famous. This is the one that started it all and put underground comics on the fast-track to middle america. In retrospect, it’s funny to think that Crumb largely despised the hippie counterculture but was able to so accurately encapsulate it.

Honorable Mentions:
Mudhoney – Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Boston – Self-Titled
Daniel Johnston – Hi, How Are You?
Sesame Street Fever

-Jon

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