Crack

A Swedish comics anthology launched in 1984 by the non-profit Stödföreningen ETC, Crack is a short but striking two-issue series that pairs the meticulous, surreal linework of Charles Burns with the raw, untamed imagination of Fletcher Hanks. Burns, who both wrote and drew for the series, brings his signature blend of eerie suburban dread, while Hanks’s bizarre, pulp-infused cosmic morality tales offer a jarring, unforgettable counterpoint. Though brief, Crack stands as a fascinating curatorial artifact, showcasing two visionary artists whose styles couldn’t be more different yet share a compulsive, off-kilter energy. It’s a snapshot of mid-80s alternative comics, capturing a moment when underground sensibilities were colliding with a new, more polished weirdness.