GENERAL GORGEOUS

New York: S.i., 1976. First Edition. Stage play by one of the principal figures of the Beat Generation, a parody of comic book superheroes. Centered around General Gorgeous, "a purple-costumed, 29-year-old superhero, eager to fight evil," the Blue Mutant, "a supervillain with electric blue hair," and his sexy henchwomen, the Pink Mutations. Described as a humorous, high-energy show - a great example of "physical theatre," including flying, stage combat, and special effects. "Its postmodern satire targets New Age philosophy, environmentalism, ethics, and the contradictions of the "good vs. evil" paradigm" (Review of the October 1999 performance at Stetson University's Stover Theatre). Uncommon, unlike the perfect-bound edition published by the Dramatists Play Service (1982); OCLC finds 2 holdings (Yale, UNC Chapel Hill), and we note one other held at the Danowski Poetry Collection at Emory. Original play script, a photoreproduction of McClure's original typescript, printed on white stock (measuring 8.5" x 11"); [Title leaf], ii, I-1-58, [Act 2], II-1-43. Title leaf extra-illustrated by McClure in black ball-point pen, titled "B.M. vs. G.G." (Blue Mutant vs. General Gorgeous). Light wear and handling, with a few faint creases smoothed out, particularly to title and terminal leaves; faint paper-clip impression to upper margin of first few leaves; Near Fine.