The Dictionary defines 'Complete' as: "having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; entire, whole; finished; ended; concluded; thorough".

Unfortunately, Taschen has misrepresented this photo-facsimile reprint of the 26 Issues (not "Volumes", as it was an irregular serial publication) of John Willie's periodical (1946-59—not "1948-59", as incorrectly stated in three different places)—because it is not "Complete"!

To add insult to injury, Taschen has chosen to package this reprint in a vulgar manner, that makes it more suitable for display in Porno & Sex Shops, and which indicates a lack of respect for John Willie and his Work.

But—not to worry—it gets worse!

The Dictionary defines 'Edit' as: "to supervise or direct ...; to collect, prepare and arrange for publication; to revise and correct".

The Title Pages of this reprint state: "Edited by Eric Kroll", which is bizarre, indeed! Wasn't 'Bizarre' Edited by John Willie? In fact, it does not appear that Eric Kroll has actually "Edited" anything! But, if he had, perhaps E.K. was responsible for the misrepresentations, deletions and errors, that are noted above(?).

What Kroll has contributed is an essay, "John Willie is Bizarre", in which the writer talks more about Himself than about either 'John Willie' or 'Bizarre'! In this article, E.K. procedes to relate a lot of misinformation, inaccuracies and lies about J.W., and even manages to introduce some new fiction about the man! The only information about J.W. that Kroll relates here (aside from the report of the "drinking problem"), which can be taken at face value, are the Dates of the artist's Birth and Death!

Here are some Specifics (contrary to E.K.):

• John Willie was not a member of "a wealthy merchant banking family" (i.e., the 'Coutts Bank'); his Wife (Holly) did not move to New York City with him in the 1940's (she remained in Australia); nor were they ever "divorced" (pp 6); and, he did not die "penniless" (pp 7)!

• The story that was related by "Sir James" (pp 8) is certainly the product of his own imagination! It is Fiction: John Willie did not, as a rule, do "nude bondage" photography (although he did, on occasion) to draw from; nor did he ever "hog-tie" or "suspend" Betty Page (either fully clothed, or nude). It didn't happen—and—they never even met each other!

• Betty Page lived on 46th Street in N.Y.C., not on "47th" (pp 9).

• The pseudonym of 'John Willie' has nothing to do with "prick" in this case. It is also a colloquialism (in England) for a "small boy," which is the context in which the artist used it (pp 11).

• 'Sweet Gwendoline' (Cartoon Serial) ran in 'Wink' from June 1947 through February 1950 and ended abruptly, unfinished in that publication, not just in the (two) 1949 issues that E.K. mentions (pp 11).

• 'Bizarre' was sold by Willie to a close friend (R.E.B.), not to "Mahlon Blaine" (pp 11).

• J.W. did not keep "several residential apartments in New York City to shoot (photographs) in and produce his magazine" (pps 12-13). He was barely able to keep one roof over his own head, but did do some Photography and Work in the homes of close friends.

• Judy Ann Dull was not "the third victim of Harvey Glatman". She was the first (1 August 1957). The model who was involved in the capture of this sex-fiend, Lorraine Vigil (not "Virgil"), was not a model of J.W.'s (although J.A.D. was)—and the Court Records were "Sealed" by the Judge in the case (pp 13). [For those who may be interested, there is a recent book about Glatman, who was Executed on 18 September 1959: 'Rope; The Twisted Life And Crimes Of Harvey Glatman' by Michael Newton (New York: Pocket Books, 1998)].

These fabrications are followed by twenty-six pages of "Bizarre Highlights", also authored by Eric Kroll (perhaps this is the "Edited" part?), which is nothing more than an arbitrary and sophmoric tour through the contents of the reprint (as if the reader actually needs to be shown what to look at and to have it explained!). This commentary is often uninformed, subjective and ignorant, at best. For example, how does E.K. know the length of the heels on the shoes in Issues #1 (pp 12) and #3 (pp 32), which he describes as being "12" and "24" inches, respectively (this latter image was touched-up by J.W. to extend the heels!)?

Kroll also states that numerous Interior Illustrations (by J.W.) in 'Bizarre' are "watercolors"—which is Incorrect! The artist's work for these (Interiors) was almost always in Black & White (Brush & Ink Washes, with some opaque White & Gray added, at times).

Interestingly enough, E.K. specifically refers to the misplaced Inside- Rear-Cover of Issue #9 as being the (Front) Cover of Issue #10 (pp 64). So, maybe he is responsible for this mess!

Keeping these Caveats in mind, it must be said that this reprint does contain all 26 Issues of 'Bizarre', is reasonably well printed, on decent paper (although the insufficient margins are a problem), and has all of the Covers in Color (in the First Volume, as part of the "Bizarre Highlights", although they are in Black & White in the remainder of the work). And since the Retail Price is somewhat less than one would expect to pay for just one copy of the Original in the "Collector's Market," it is also a bargain, and is herewith recommended.

One can only hope that a proper, integral reprint of 'Bizarre' will one day appear. For the meantime, this is all we have (which is better than nothing). But, to paraphrase the Bard: Something Stinks in Cologne!

J. B. Rund