John Thompson was born in Carmel California in 1945, then moved to San Francisco the following year. While attending the University of California he became active in anti-war and civil rights activities, as well as creating posters, cartoons and writings for on campus events. An early cover artist for the Berkeley Barb, his work frequently appeared in the underground press and some two dozen posters were published.
After graduating in Art History in 1967 he did two years of Consciencious Objector service through Glide Church in S.F. His work appeared in the S.F. Oracle, S.F. Express Times, and Haight Ashbury Tribune. Beginning in 1967 through 1973 a dozen of his comic books were published and in "The History Of Underground Comix" he is mentioned as "the most noted mystical cartoonist." His work is also mentioned in "History Of The Haight Ashbury" and "Berkeley At War" by Oxford Press.
Throughout the Seventies and Eighties he was involved in education and health advocacy, and in the Nineties returned to journalism and art work in his hometown of Carmel. His son Quinn is a Berkeley rock guitarist and his baby daughter, Magdalena Elana is a more recent inspiration. He can be contacted through Freedom Of Speech, a paper he helped found, in Carmel California.
