A nerdy comics-centric project I’m working on has left me with a byproduct that I figured might be of interest to a few weirdos out there, so I’ve uploaded it to the internet.

The “byproduct” is a photoset containing a decent percentage of the covers to Chicago’s “NewCity” (A free arts weekly) published from 1992ish through 1997ish (Actually: the oldest cover is from 1991, and the most recent is from November 18th, 1999 – but there are gaps throughout). A wealth of 90’s design!

Why do I have these? Comic artist Chris Ware published much of his “Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth” graphic novel serially in the pages of NewCity throughout the 90’s, and I’ve been steadily accumulating issues for awhile now. The bulk of these issues were handed off by Steve Dalber, who will probably be shocked to see I’m finally doing something with them.

Some “highlights,” from my skewed perspective:

  • 12/26/1991 – I think this cover is Ware’s first’s published work in Chicago?
  • 5/21/1992 – “Acme Cartoons” officially starts running – teaser on the cover in vibrant magenta!
  • 12/31/1992 – Ben Katchor cover.
  • 7/29/1993 – The Liz Phair backlash begins…
  • 9/30/1993 – Ware’s “Best of Chicago” cover.
  • 4/14/1994 – Chicago weighs in on Kurt Cobain’s Suicide.
  • 12/29/1994 – Ware / Walt Holcombe cover collaboration.
  • 9/28/1995 – Mitch O’Connell’s “Best of Chicago” cover.
  • 1/18/1996 – Tortoise grace the cover.
  • 3/7/1996 – Another Mitch O’Connell cover.
  • 10/24/1996 – A young-looking Wilco on the cover.
  • 12/25/1997 – Another Ware cover – this one’s a wraparound.

If you should have any desire to own ~230 issues of “NewCity” minus the comics, get in touch – you can have them for the cost of shipping.