- Joined
- Nov 5, 2006
- Messages
- 17,865
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- dunking doughnuts at Dunkin' Donuts
Howard Cruse introduced me to the world of underground comix as one of the founders of the anthology Gay Comix/Comics, serving as an editor and contributor. Later, I'd subscribed to The Advocate when his series "Wendell" was published there, also buying the anthologies. During his run in Gay Comix, he ran a few strips from an earlier feature called Barefootz, and I developed a mad crush on Barefootz's gay hippie artist friend Headrack (he had such a knack for naming his characters. One story had somebody named Newton Borp and another featured the exploits of Dexter Mixmaster; through him and his work, I learned the importance of getting a character's name just right). Recently, he'd announced his seminal semi-autobiographical graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby is due for a 25th anniversary reissue next year, but he passed away today at the age of 75 from cancer. I'd followed him on Facebook, so it's rather difficult seeing the tributes to such an important part of my gay babyhood pour onto my feed. Fare thee well, Mr. Cruse, on to your next level of existence. You will be missed.
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