Author: Noel Hemphill
Occidental’s once-defunct subversive magazine “The Fang” is returning to campus to take a bite into the literary arts world. Under the guide of senior Editors-in-Chief Gabriel Mathews, Ben Tuthill, Justin Berner and Landon Koenig-Muenster, “The Fang” is set to dig up counterculture sentiments and elicit conversation.
“We all came together because we felt a palpable need for something that would stir things up a bit,” Mathews said. “There is anger at Occidental that usually only manifests in pre-approved, expected ways. We wanted to do something a little bit unexpected. We are looking forward to bringing some people who are kind of ‘with us’ out of the woodwork and raise the vicious to the top.”
“The Fang” began in 1946 as a humorous, satirical literary magazine for Occidental students. Copies from the ’40s and ’50s reveal many cultural anecdotes from the time, including cartoons of Oswald the Tiger gracing the cover and advertisements for Camel and Chesterfield cigarettes spread across the back page. After a strong run that included Monty Python member and Occidental Alum Terry Gilliam ’62 on the staff, it died off in the 1960s. Despite a brief revival in the ’80s, the magazine and its ideals were shelved away in Special Collections in the Mary Norton Clapp Library. Discovered by Tuthill and Berner during summer research, the dormant publication was brought back into focus. The two hope to revive the spirit of humor, absurdity and weirdness “The Fang” was known to provide.
The editors are invested in finding quality submissions for the magazine that will continue to honor the tradition of thoughtful silliness. In order to further the goals of the publication – which Berner stated are to combine entertainment with artistic value – the editors have called upon the entire campus to submit original poems, stories and artwork. Reviewing old copies of “The Fang” is a must for the editors, who hope that staff members involved with the older issues will provide submissions for the new “The Fang.” New elements to this historic magazine will be brought in, including a gossip column, a superlatives section to be called “Unpopular Opinions” and pieces regarding issues going on at the school. In a slaying of cultural norms, the old “Fang Girls” section that included a photo spread and cheeky interview from one of Occidental’s young ladies, the editors will have “Fang Boys” posing as centerfolds.
“I personally signed on to be part of a vicious rag that could deal out acidic attacks,” Koenig-Muenster said. “Our campus is devoid of culture, and we wanted to return something to it. We all wanted a more frequently published literary arts magazine for people to read, something you could casually pick up off the Green Bean bookshelves.”
“The Fang” will be Occidental’s second literary magazine in addition to Occidental’s “Feast.” The editors agreed that “Feast” is a more emotional publication.
“The Fang is this Absurdist endeavor. It is an angry outlet. The other literary outlet is more dignified and grounded in emotion. There isn’t the same opportunity for humor. We are more of the underground,” Koenig-Muenster said.
The editors plan to publish the first edition of “The Fang” by the end of the semester with quarterly publications planned for the next academic year. Currently, “The Fang” is accepting any writing and art submissions (to be printed in black and white) until April 15 through their email thefang@oxy.edu. Further information about “The Fang” can be found in Special Collections where many vintage copies are preserved.
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