The Life and Comics of Howard Cruse: Taking Risks in the Service of Truth

The Life and Comics of Howard Cruse is a 2022 Eisner Award-nominated academic/scholarly work that explores the fifty-year career of the pioneering gay comics artist, Howard Cruse. It chronicles his life, work, and the dramatic changes in gay culture over his lifetime, highlighting his skills as a satirist and social commentator.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Nominated for the 2022 Eisner Award for Best Academic/Scholarly Work, The Life and Comics of Howard Cruse delves into the captivating journey of a self-proclaimed "preachers kid" from Birmingham, Alabama, who rose to prominence as the "Godfather of Gay Comics." This comprehensive study showcases a remarkable fifty-year career that encompassed contributions to the 1970s underground comics scene, assuming the role of founding editor of the groundbreaking anthology series Gay Comix, and the publication of the graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby, which drew inspiration from his personal experiences during the Civil Rights era.

In his exploration of Cruse's life and work, Andrew J. Kunka not only chronicles the profound shifts in gay culture throughout Cruse's lifetime but also delves into the dramatic ways in which American politics, mainstream comics culture, and the norms within the gay community underwent transformation. Kunka highlights Cruse's exceptional skills as a trenchant satirist and social commentator, examining how he offered a queer perspective on American politics, mainstream comics culture, and the customs of the gay community.

Lavishly illustrated with a wide array of comics from Cruse's career, this study serves as an ideal introduction to this pioneering cartoonist, as well as a thought-provoking read for fans who have already been captivated by his work, which paved the way for a new vision of gay life.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978818859