Robin from The Onomatopoeia Show stops by to chat about comics with us. Check out the

Podcast here

The following is a run down of what was mentioned:

A Mini History.

 "Terry & The Pirates" had one of the first trans-gendered characters in the 40's in the character Capt. Sanjack. 

(http://www.ireference.ca/search/Terry and the Pirates (comicstrip)/)

In 1972 "Wimmen's Comix" #1. published the first lesbian comic story, titled "Sandy Comes Out."  Written and illustrated by Trina Robbins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimmen's_Comix)

In 1976 Roberta Gregory was the first lesbian to self publish, "Dynamite Damsels" (http://www.lastgasp.com/d/1377/)

In 1977, Canadian Rand Holmes was publishing the "Tales of Harold Hedd", the bisexual, dope smoking adventurer. (http://sirrealcomix.mrainey.com/page/h/HaroldHedd01-1.htm)

"Gay Comix" was started in 1980 and went onto be a very successful underground comic anthology, running for 25 issues and showcasing all sorts of gay and lesbian talent. 

(http://www.gayleague.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/looking-back-at-gay-comix-1/)

1993 was the landmark "For Better or For Worse" outing of Lawrence, the second gay character to appear in a mainstream comic strip. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Better_or_For_Worse)

Since that time the LGBTQ comic book scene has been flourishing. 

Some Men we like.........

P.Craig Russell - More of a mainstream illustrator and writer, he is incredibly prolific and adept at drawing classically beautiful men and women. He has translated "The Fairy tales of Oscar Wilde" and the Opera, "Ring of the Nieblung" into comic book format. 

(http://www.nbmpub.com/fairytales/russell/russell2.html)

Howard Cruse - Editor at "Gay Comix" for the first 5 issues. He came to widespread attention when his graphic novel, "Stuck Rubber Baby" was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1995. Cruse has a stippling style that creates a visual density that matches his writing. The tale of Toland Polk coming to terms with his sexuality during the already tumultuous times of the Civil Rights Movement, while living in the South, still makes a major impact today. (http://www.howardcruse.com/howardsite/aboutbooks/stuckrubberbook/) 

In the 1982 Cruse also created one of the first comic strips that revolved around gay characters and their everyday life, in "Wendel" for the Advocate. (http://www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid1136867816,17006,)

Maurice Vellekoop - A super talented Canadian cartoonist, his work is poignant, fresh, fashionable, sweet and savvy.  Drawn & Quarterly has done an excellent and extensive collection of his work entitled "Vellevision" You will also find his "Gay ABC's Book" a delight.  

(http://www.mauricevellekoop.com/)

David Kelly - His adorable mini-comic "Steven’s Comics" are about young Steven, growing up gay in an environment that doesn't quite understand. The subtitles of the writing make "Steven Comics" a treasure for all ages. Completely bittersweet, yet very easy to relate to. 

(http://www.rainydayrecess.com/)

Roberto Baldazzini - An Italian artist that has a penchant for drawing impossibly sexy transsexuals. Erotic comics with clean, bold, and confident brush strokes. Standouts include, "Casa Howhard" and "Fortezza Del Dolore" (http://www.baldazzini.it/gallery/indice.htm)

Michael Manning - Employing his brush like woodblock prints. Providing each image with so much detail, the eyes are drawn to the panel again and again. Gender bending, extreme bondage and animal anthropomorphism all contribute to the sublime, one of a kind, world of Mr Manning. Some favourites of his ovure, "Spider Garden", "Hydrophinian", and "Tranceptor" 

(http://www.thespidergarden.net/)

Ross Campbell - Knows how to draw luscious ladies.  Of all shapes and sizes, with incredible fashion sense, and perfect funky hair. Ladies that make no bones about who they choose to make out with that week. Gay, straight, bisexual, man or woman, it's all good in Campbell-land. From the long running "Wet Moon" to his heart wrenching zombie comic "The Abandoned", you will be titillated and you will fall in love with his characters.  Oh and he's three issues into "Mountain Girl" which you need to see to believe. 

(http://www.greenoblivion.com/)

Patrick Fillion - Picking up where Tom of Finland left off, size wise. (You have been warned.) Canadian Patrick Fillion's art brings a twinkle to every mans eye, with his homo-erotic hotties.  Playful, fun and artistically stellar, Patrick's work is a joy to behold. Far from shallow there's an in-depth history and lots of comics about each of his characters and literally something for everyone. There are the super heroic men of "Naked Justice", Camili-cat and his space adventures, and "Zahn" the barbarian series, just to name a few. In Patrick's free time he runs Class Comics with his partner, Robert Fraser, providing a hub for other gay erotic cartoonists. (http://patrickfillion.com/)                   (http://www.classcomics.com/)

Steve MacIssac - Does a wonderful comic called "Shirtlifter". Filled with coming out tales, meditations on gay pornography, and dealing with love and loss in the bear scene, "Shirtlifter" is one of kind.  Heartfelt, honest and distinctly Canadian, MacIssac pulls no punches story wise and we are the richer for it. His drawing style grows and gets better with each issue, but it's the content that  draws you back, time and time again. 

(http://www.stevemacisaac.com/)

Some Ladies we love...........

Roberta Gregory – Long considered the first Lesbian to self publish, Gregory's been championing women in the comics world for over 3 decades. Mostly know for her comic “Bitchy Bitch” (It was even a cartoon on the Oprah Network!) It’s actually “Bitchy Butch” that I like best. Labeled as the worlds angriest dyke it initially was a way for Gregory to vent about extremes.  Though Butchy did go on to gain dimension, have a life and not just react negatively to the straight world around her.  Gregory's line work is loose and easy, with ample background detail and tons of emotion ooozing off the page. Also it's funny, with a sly sense of humour.  One of my favourite images is when Butchy realizes she's gay, she has 9 tiny arms connected to her, reaching for the girl she wants to cuddle with. Basically every girl should have some Gregory on her shelf, regardless of sexual orientation.  

(http://www.robertagregory.com/)

Colleen Coover - Used to do the cutest erotic lesbian comic around called "Small Favours".  Funny, romantic, sexy and fun, it detailed the lives of Annie and her girlfriend, Nibbil (who is actually supposed to be her conscience, chastising her for constant lust but in reality likes to have sex just as much as Annie, if not more.) Sweetly drawn, incredibly playful, absolutely adorable and full to the brim of Sappho sex, sex, sex. Definitely one of the best girlie porno comics out there. (http://www.colleencoover.net/)

Molly Kiely - If Bettie Page drew comics, this is what they would look like. Sexy romps with grit, with classy ladies full of wit. Kiely's style is breathtaking with it's expansive style and honey sweet sensibilities. Doe eyes, raven tresses and long shots of desert, all culminate into a laid back cool lesbian eroticism.  Some faves, "That Kind of Girl.", "Tecopa Jane" and "Menange a Tois" #5 & #7.  (http://www.comicartcollective.com/molly/)

Ariel Schrag – Indie lesbian darling, Ms Schrag has gone to great lengths to detail her life. From junior high to high school and her coming out in between, we are privileged to see it All. The break outs and break ups, the sex and the drugs, no rock is unturned. Ambitious and insanely talented, Ariels standouts are “Potential” and “Likewise” (http://www.arielschrag.com/press/)   

Alison Bechdel – A lesbian cartoonist that honed her talents on her long running comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For” Top quality drawing coalesces with humane, sensitive, realistic and hilarious writing. Her first graphic novel “Funhome” was welcomed with rave reviews. An autobio story about the lies we tell each other, and the facades we maintain, drawn with her meticulously Edward Gorey like line work. “Funhome” is considered genius by all who read it. To be honest, all of  Bechdel's work is to be cherished. 

(http://dykestowatchoutfor.com/ )

Diane DiMassa – When “Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist” came out, most were shocked by it’s reactionary, unchecked gleeful anger, others found it cathartic but yet, all could relate. With an initial thin shaky line, the pages exude humour and rage. Rage at idiots, rage at ignorance, rage at injustice and rage for the sake of it. There is no other like it and there has been no other since. 

(http://www.hotheadpaisan.com/ )

Leanne Franson – A Canadian cartoonist that has been doing her “Liliane” mini-comic since the 90’s. Autobio trials and tribulations of being a bi-dyke, working towards having children, enjoying her new found femininity, working on a phone sex line and surviving a long distance relationship. There have been three mini collections, illustrated in Franson's simple, cute, delicate, charming style.                   (http://liliane.comicgenesis.com/ )

Straight guys who do deep, sincere and riveting comics about lesbians.....

Terry Moore – “Strangers in Paradise” Available as 6 really thick digests.  It's a love story and no, it's not gratuitous. Francine and Katchoo have been best friends since high school.  Francine is your typical straight girl, she wants to marry a doctor and have lots of babies, the picket fence, etc.  Katchoo is not your typical lesbian, she wants to marry Francine and has a past as a high priced call girl working for one of the most powerful women in the world.  Not only is the art realistic and super cute cartoony at times. The story has two levels.  One is about Francines struggle to realize that one that loves her most is Katchoo and to accept it.  The other story is Katchoo's stormy violent past that continues to haunt her.  There are pages that Still make me sob uncontrollably.  “Strangers in Paradise” is gold. Pure, shiny and amazing on all levels, comic book gold.                                                                 (http://www.strangersinparadise.com/)

Jaime Hernandez - “Locas: The Maggie and Hopey story”  Starting waaaaaaaay back in the 80's, Maggie and Hopey first appeared in “Love & Rockets”.  Maggie’s bi, Hopeys gay, and they have a love that lasts the ages.  Starting out as street tuff punkette Chicano girls, Hernandez takes us all the way through to the girls in their late 30's with Real jobs and yet still besotted with each other.  Not graphic, just very real. And boy howdy can he draw. He makes chubby so unbelievably sexy, his brushwork, thick, graceful and sublime.  “Locas” has weight, heat and darkness, all wonderfully juxtaposed with sweet, goofy humour. Even the supporting characters are mega interesting and fun. Literally impossible to put down from start to finish. 

(http://www.gayleague.com/wordpress/2010/04/27/maggie-hopey/)

 Brain K Vaughn & Pia Gurrera - “Y the Last Man.”  A Sci-Fi comic that posits, what if all the men in the world died?  Definitely a comic to encourage much conversation. Guys think it’s all about the one man left, and for sure, Yoricks journey is what drives the plot. But to me, the meat and bones of the story is about the women left behind.  How they react, what they need and what their positions are in a world with no men.  A completely fascinating idea with incredible art. Certainly realistic, it's quite impressive the variety of women Ms Gurrera was able to delineate in her classy feathery style.  Always exciting, I almost hated reading it as it was coming out, because Vaughn was master of the cliffhanger.        (http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/graphic_novels/?gn=1736)

Lastly I would be remiss if I didn't mention these.........  

In 2002 I put together two comic book anthologies to raise money for Little Sister's Gay & Lesbian Bookstore’s Legal Defense Fund, in Vancouver.  It was to help them in their fight to stop the comic book censorship that was rampant at the Canadian Borders.  

The first book was entitled “What's Wrong?” and it encompassed all that Canadian Customs had censored.  An X-rated book full of porn for every orientation, it featured quite a few of the names mentioned above. (http://www.arsenalpulp.com/bookinfo.php?index=170)

The second book was called “What Right?” and it was a meditation on censorship.  A G-rated book with lots of comics that make you think and point out the hypocrisy of our censoring institutions.             (http://www.arsenalpulp.com/bookinfo.php?index=171)

You can still get both books pretty much anywhere.  Ideally buy it new, as all proceeds go to Little Sister's.

A great website for all things LBGTQ and comics is www.prisim.com  Extensive in its creators and character listings, it's insanely informative.  

If you want to learn more about the graphic arts listen to Robin's show on CJLO, Sundays from 3-4.  It’s called The Onomatopoeia Show.  Where we discuss, All  graphic arts, all the time.  Or check out her website for past podcasts. www.cartoongal.com and you can follow her on twitter @cartoongal