Walt drew a pleasingly plump, smiling mouse and built a home for him in Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. Big Daddy Roth created a sweaty-palmed, bloodshot, orbed rodent who looked like he frequented the seedier side of the Golden State. Fittingly, Ed Roth ended up spending the sunset days of his career at Knott’s Berry Farm, which was known for shoot ‘em up tableaux and way scarier rides. I stopped by Robert and Suzanne’s homestead to get a firsthand spin from the flinty eyed Williams himself.

Oakland, CA based artist Sean Aaberg follows in the lowbrow tradition of the late great Ed Roth with his own brand of uncanny psyched-out caricatures. Aaberg's cast of characters are equal parts grotesque and goofy, which he renders with meticulous detail -- warts, ooze, rotten teeth and all. Amidst a variety of artistic endeavors, Aaberg also runs Pork Magazine.

This past Saturday night in Santa Monica, Copro Gallery opened a special exhibition, Juxtapoz Turns 18, a retrospective and collection of artworks and artists who have helped shape our publication over nearly two decades. Hundreds upon hundreds of artists and gallery-goers made it out to the opening, enjoying a look at what has made the magazine a leading voice in underground and contemporary art for 20 years.

In honor of the Juxtapoz April 2012 issue, we bring you a selection of some of Ed Roth's epic illustration work, only a portion of what this insanley masterful man was capable of. Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, a hot-roddin', gear head, mad scientist, and struggling artist who financed his inventions by selling drawings and t-shirts at drag events, fairs, and car shows...

As mailboxes are starting to get filled with April 2012 issues of Juxtapoz, we think it may be time to make our announcement of the issue. In honor of his longtime friend, and legendary artist, we have a special piece on the legacy of Big Daddy Roth and his infamous Rat Fink character by Robert Williams. As we embark on our 18th year as a print publication, we wanted to give a historical perspective of one of our earliest inspirations. Full run-down after the jump . ..