Howard Cruse

A feature-length documentary film-in-progress chronicling the birth and development of LGBTQ comics through the eyes of several of its pioneers. The film was inspired by the Lambda award-winning book of the same name, and dives deeper into the personal stories at the heart of this unique underground artistic scene. Featuring Alison Bechdel (Fun Home), the recently departed Howard Cruse (Stuck Rubber Baby, Gay Comix), and others, this film aims to show how DIY queer cartoonists have represented, poked fun at, and celebrated LGBTQ lives and experiences in challenging, humorous, and profound ways.

Dirty Sexy Comics explores gay erotic comics, past and present, tracing the roots of the medium and shining a spotlight on the giants of the industry. It’s a story about people who have been marginalized and an art form that’s been ignored. The history of gay erotic comics is the history of the gay rights movement. It’s a story of people who risked everything to express themselves. It’s a story of rebellion, of artists refusing to conform and doing it with style and beauty.