Collections: ACCIDENTAL AMBASSADOR

 In September, 2000, cartoonist and author R.C. Harvey released his iconic biography of Gus Arriola with Accidental Ambassador: The Comic Strip Art of Gus Arriola. The sizable tome includes extensive interviews with Arriola, recalling the eras that stretch from his birthplace in Florence, AZ, to his longtime home in Carmel, with all destinations in-between. It's the definitive document on the life story of Gus Arriola, and boasts dozens of pages of strips, both daily and Sundays! 

Harvey and Arriola were good friends, and the interview sections frequently reflect that level of casual intimacy. While the topics discussed relate exclusively to dates and milestones in Arriola's career and family life, the atmosphere is engrossingly conversational.

Used copies of the book often pop up online and at book resellers. Copies are also available through the University of Mississippi Press website. 

With so few collections of Gordo out there, this is not only a comprehensive memoir of Arriola's work but one of its most important archives!

My personal copy of Accidental Ambassador, riddled with post-it notes.

Arriola and Harvey discussing the origins of El Cometa Halley, with reference.

Several large passages of the book are quality reprints.

Some of the reprinted strips in detail.