Hunter S. Thompson and Bob Dylan
Holla! Did you guys hear I will be participating in a Batman-on-Robin comics show in February? (which is also my birthday month!) Not only will I draw something for it, but I will do a live reading. Faaaantastic!!
I totally have some pieces in here! As do many other great cartoonists! Buy a copy!
Recently arrived and now shipping from our mail-order department:
No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics
by various artists; edited by Justin Hall (cover art by Maurice Vellekoop)328-page black & white/color 7.75” x 10.25” hardcover • $35.00
ISBN: 978-1-60699-506-8Queer cartooning encompasses some of the best and most interesting comics of the last four decades, with creators tackling complex issues of identity and a changing society with intelligence, humor, and imagination. This book celebrates this vibrant artistic underground by gathering together a collection of excellent stories that can be enjoyed by all.
No Straight Lines showcases major names such as Alison Bechdel (whose book Fun Home was named Time Magazine’s 2006 Book of the Year), Howard Cruse (whose groundbreaking Stuck Rubber Baby is now back in print), and Ralf Koenig (one of Europe’s most popular cartoonists), as well as high-profile, crossover creators who have flirted with the world of LGBTQ comics, like legendary NYC artist David Wojnarowicz and media darling and advice columnist Dan Savage. No Straight Lines also spotlights many talented creators who never made it out of the queer comics ghetto, but produced amazing work that deserves wider attention.
Until recently, queer cartooning existed in a parallel universe to the rest of comics, appearing only in gay newspapers and gay bookstores and not in comic book stores, mainstream bookstores or newspapers. The insular nature of the world of queer cartooning, however, created a fascinating artistic scene. LGBT comics have been an uncensored, internal conversation within the queer community, and thus provide a unique window into the hopes, fears, and fantasies of queer people for the last four decades.
These comics have forged their aesthetics from the influences of underground comix, gay erotic art, punk zines, and the biting commentaries of drag queens, bull dykes, and other marginalized queers. They have analyzed their own communities, and their relationship with the broader society. They are smart, funny, and profound. No Straight Lines will be heralded by people interested in comics history, and people invested in LGBT culture will embrace it as a unique and invaluable collection.
“I discovered… what I was looking for, a queer world with stories and characters that I could recognize, that I could laugh with and care about. What I needed was a book like this: hairy legs and all.” – Lana Wachowski (The Matrix, Bound), from her introduction
“We’ve all been waiting too long for a collection like this! You must buy this book!” – Alison Bechdel (Fun Home, Dykes to Watch Out For)
Page six, NSFW obviously. Robin handcuffed to a headboard and getting fucked. I think I’ve waited my whole life to draw this page.
Page five, and now we’re at the point of well past NSFW. There are things going on in the dialog that aren’t apparent from the action, but I think as far as the general thrust (ha, thrust) of what’s going on on this page, I don’t have to explain too much, do I? If you’re confused about what’s happening here without me explaining it, go to your local library and look into what happens when two men love each other very much.
For the fifth panel, the script said a close-up of Robin’s dick, so I decided hey, close-up it is! And I made the largest panel on the page a huge dick shot. In the other panels, I tried to frame things to show the action best, not just to show off their dicks best, but Robin got that one panel of Mr. DeMille giving him what he asked for.
Anyway, I think there’s plenty of dick on the page. In the third panel, you can distinctly see the moment where the Dark Knight Rises. …Dark Knight Rises, get it? See what I did there? Oh, you saw, it just wasn’t clever? Well, whatever, fuck you all.
Step one: acquire plastic bags filled with air.
Step two: Cosplay Rob Liefeld’s Captain America.
PERFECT
How the Logic of "Friendzoning" Would Work If Applied in Other Instances:
*Man walks into a store and finds employee*
Man: Alright, I've had enough. Why haven't you guys hired me?!
Employee: Uh...well sir, when did you put in your application?
Man: I never filled out an application.
Employee: Well sir, we can't consider you for employment if you've never filled out an application.
Man: No, that's bullshit, because I've been coming here for years now, and every single time I tell you all how much I love this store and how much I appreciate your customer service, unlike some of your other customers might I add!
Employee: Well, but that doesn't-
Man: AND I even told you that I didn't have a job!
Employee: But sir, that doesn't indicate to us that you would like a job at our store. And again, if you've never filled out an application, we can't consider you. Besides, we're not hiring.
Man: OH! Not hiring, HA! What a laugh. I see your store go through seasonal workers all the time. They come and go like nothing, but you won't consider me as a part-time employee even though I KNOW you've been looking for workers to fill positions? That's insane!
Employee: Sir, we've been looking to hire a few people for management positions. Do you have any management experience?
Man: Well no, but what does that matter?
Employee: ...Well sir, that's what we're looking for. You won't be suitable for the position without management experience.
Man: Oh that's such a load of crap. You know, you'll be waiting around a long time for a manager if you don't lower your standards a little. Who cares if someone knows how to manage a store? I LOVE this store and I'm willing to work here, that's all that should matter to you.
Employee: That...doesn't make any sense.
Man: NO! I'm done. This is over. From now on, no more Mr. Nice Guy.
Employee:
Man:
Employee:
Man: Fuck you, slut.
