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Howard Cruse, Cartoonist, Dead at 75

By | November 26th, 2019
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Howard Cruse

Howard Cruse, the artist responsible for “Stuck Rubber Baby” and “From Headrack to Claude,” died today aged 75 after succumbing to cancer. Cruse was lauded for his anthology “Gay Comix,” which provided a voice to gay creators in the 1980s and onwards; a common theme through Cruse’s career.

Cruse was born on May 2nd 1944 and grew up in Alabama, where he began his cartooning career during high school. He first gained acclaim in the ’70s for his comic strip “Barefootz,” however his identity as a creator was solidified with the launch of his anthology series “Gay Comix,” where many gay creators could find a voice for their art. Arguably, Cruse defined his career with the DC Comics title “Stuck Rubber Baby,” the story of Toland Polk, who explores his sexuality during the ’60s Civil Rights Movement and as an American Southerner.

“He was a talented, kind, and at times quite brave man. I’m glad he was around,” writer Nat Gerler said in response to the news. Alison Bechdel, Carta Monir, Evan Dorkin, and Jen Sorensen are among those who have paid tribute to Cruse on Twitter.

Cruse is survived by his husband Eddie Sedarbaum, his brother Allan Cruse and his daughter Kimberly Kolze Venter. “Stuck Rubber Baby” will be reissued early next year by First Second Books for its 25th anniversary.


//TAGS | obit

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