REBEL VISIONS seized by Canada customs

History of underground comics held

By Mike Whybark     January 20, 2003
Source: BoingBoing, CINESCAPE reporting

Canadian customs officials have held REBEL VISIONS, a comprehensive history of underground comics, at the border. Fantagraphics recently published the book.

Patrick Rosenkranz, the book's author, is quoted at the web site BoingBoing writing, "REBEL VISIONS was busted in Canada! I sent a contributor's copy to cartoonist George Metzger, who called me to say he got a letter from Customs & Revenue that stated the book was obscene, and that it contained sex with mutilation, bestiality, and incest. I guess the bestiality must refer to Wonder Wart-Hog and Lois Lamebrain. I sent him a copy of your article to use as proof of artistic and critical merit. He plans to protest the seizure."

Fantagraphics' Director of Public Relations, Eric Reynolds, confirmed the situation, noting, "I wish I could say it's a surprise or that it was especially unusual, but Canadian customs is not the most progressive arbiter of content. I think many of them would seize Benny Hill videos if they felt they could. We will of course be fighting it."

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