The Church of the SubGenius is a parody religion that satirizes better-known belief systems. It teaches a complex philosophy that focuses on J. R. "Bob" Dobbs, purportedly a salesman from the 1950s, who is revered as a prophet by the Church. SubGenius leaders have developed detailed narratives about Dobbs and his relationship to various gods and conspiracies. Their central deity, Jehovah 1, is accompanied by other gods drawn from ancient myth and popular fiction. SubGenius literature describes a grand conspiracy that seeks to brainwash the world and oppress Dobbs's followers. In its narratives, the Church presents a blend of cultural references in an elaborate remix of the sources.
Jehovah 1, the primary deity of the Church of the SubGenius
Dobbs's appearance is often compared to that of fictional character Ward Cleaver (right).
R. Crumb, a cartoonist who helped publicize the Church
Klaatu, a character from the 1951 American science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still, who is celebrated by the Church of the SubGenius
J. R. "Bob" Dobbs is the figurehead of the parody religion
the Church of the SubGenius. His image is derived from a collection of clip art distributed by the Bell Telephone Company of West Texas in 1946.
Connie Dobbs, the Blessed Anti-Virgin
This 1956 image bears similarity to the one created later depicting Dobbs
