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

In his mission statement for the groundbreaking comic book series, Gay Comix (1980), Howard Cruse wrote, It’s time to take some risks in the service of truth. Howard Cruse’s life and career as a cartoonist followed that philosophy, from his earliest work in underground comix, through the creation of Gay Comix, to his seminal graphic novel, Stuck Rubber Baby. During his lifetime, Cruse also mentored and supported generations of queer cartoonists. The Life and Comics of Howard Cruse offers a critical biography that covers the extraordinary career of this vital and essential figure in comics history. It also features some of his most significant comics work, including autobiography, social commentary and satire, and parodies of other comics. This is an essential book for both long-time fans of Cruse’s comics and new readers who are getting their first exposure to this remarkable cartoonist whose impact on comics is unmeasurable.