Albany native Douglas Arthur is the President of Dougside Syndicate, a multi-platform content company which produces and publishes comics, music, and podcasts. Doug is the creator of the long-running independent comic strip Tales From The Dougside, the musical mind behind the experimental, ambient electronic band Flaming Schwarzkopf Experience, as well as the host of the genre-bending podcast Assault Of The 2-Headed Space Mules.
2017 marks Doug’s second appearance at Flower City Comic Con and he brings with him his 12th book, We All Travel Time, a full-color anthology done in collaboration with brother, and former TMNT artist, Rick Arthur. It is also the first book in full-color that his Dougside Syndicate Press imprint has published, and the first time the brothers have collaborated on a project since they were teens in the early 1980’s! The exclusive First Printing of We All Travel Time will have 8 extra pages of color comics featuring the infamous Robert Fripp, Agent of KRIMSON story that has never been seen before, so be sure to stop! Doug will also be bringing the recently released Deluxe 20th Anniversary re-issues of his first four book collections which include new material, painted covers and behind the scenes goodies. Originally released in 1995-1997 in Buffalo, these books had been long out of print. Doug also will have limited edition color prints, original artwork, CDs, and podcast samplers available at his table, and will gladly sign autographs at no extra fee!
Tales From the Dougside began its life as a featured weekly strip inside the pages of Generation Magazine on the campus of the University At Buffalo back in February 1988. It later moved into the pages of Nightlife Magazine (and briefly Metro Weekend) where it ran until November 1998. It continues to be published online on the official Tales From the Dougside Facebook page.
In 2000, his book Tainted Circus was featured in an exhibit on Underground Publishing in Buffalo, NY curated by Michael Basinski at the University At Buffalo’s prestigious Poetry And Rare Books Collection. Slackjaw, The Disparity Of Gravy, and Bad Mustard joined the collection in 2003. In 2012, a seven page short story was serialized on the rock band King Crimson’s official website, DGMLive. Doug’s art has also graced the pages of such diverse publications as Bartman, Fresh, and ASTRE. August 2013 saw Doug’s return to “active duty” with the publication of a giant 392 page compendium entitled Antisocial Lawnmower, as well as his first convention appearances since 1997.
Doug’s experimental one-man-band Flaming Schwarzkopf Experience began as a joke inside the comic strip, but became a reality in 2010 with the release of his first CD Flying To Orlando. Four more albums of experimental ambient and percussive music have since been released since then, including his latest CD Train Wrecks And Hobo Love Songs, Volume 2, just this February. The music of Flaming Schwarzkopf Experience has been described as a mélange of styles influences by such diverse artists as Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Mark Mothersbaugh, Trent Reznor, with a dash or two of avant gardists like Steve Reich and John Cage. The albums are available digitally on all major retailers and streaming services including iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal, Spotify, and more. Physical copies of the albums are available from Amazon.com.
In addition, Doug’s podcast, Assault of the Two-Headed Space Mules recently eclipsed 40 episodes. Recent topics have included: Cartoon theme songs, URGH! A Music War, a two part tribute to David Bowie, and an in depth look at musical albums by Traci Lords, Crispin Glover, and The Residents. All episodes are available to download or stream from Wordpress.com, and the most recent episodes are always available from iTunes.
Steve Persall of the Tampa Bay Times called Dougside, “Trés cool…amazing, twisted imagery!”
Robert Fripp of King Crimson calls Doug’s work, “A hoot!” and “Superb work.”
Jeff Gilbert of Mansplat Magazine, Drinkin’ And Drive-in, and Guitar World proclaimed Dougside, “…a series of rather disturbed genius zines written and illustrated by the terrifically bent Douglas Arthur. It’s like he stuck his brain in a dishwasher with a TV Guide, every movie ever made, some UFOs, and beer…cool inkwork, loads of belly laughs, and pretzel logic.”
Paul Kazee of Subway Cinema, The New York Asia Film Festival, and It Came From Schenectady Productions had this to say in his introduction to Bad Mustard: “While he takes swipes at politicians, celebrities, the church, popular culture and blockbuster movies, he never bores us or tries our patience by taking himself too seriously. Instead, his target is just as often himself. Unlike the Tattooed Man in one of his most hilarious panels, he is neither putting up a front, nor blind to what he may personally be lacking… With my background in Asian cinema, how could I not immediately warm to a man who admits to sitting in the dark for hours watching Godzilla?”
