Juicy Mother: Celebration

This is a tremendous compilation of comix. Kudos to editor Jennifer Camper - you can tell from this volume that careful and loving editing is what makes a collection a useful collection rather than an incoherent jumble. I read it in one sitting - couldn't put it down.

Edited by Jennifer Camper, Juicy Mother is self-described as commix for discerning homosexuals, uppity ladies, fierce people of color, and all of their friends. You'll certainly find all of that in more in this compilation trade paperback from Soft Skull Press. The 150 page book features an eclectic array of comic strips that run the gamut from very rough, to professionally polished (although they may be reluctant to admit to it). What's evident in reading the book is the passion that the artists and writers have for the subject matter. "Doll Face" by Stephen Winter and Robert Kirby is a bittersweet tale of love, found and then lost, by a gay black man who describes himself as "old". We see his excursion through the gay community and feel his pain but rejoice in his eventually maturation process. "Italian Cousin" is a rather twisted tale by Serena Pillai. Chris' 15 year old cousin from Italy comes to stay with he and his wife, and spends the entire time trying to seduce the middle-aged Chris. "Teddy Bear's Wedding" is a delightfully screwball tale of gay marriage long before states were allowing it and before the heated debate. Two, middle-aged, overweight men plan a wedding in the park and use just about every homosexual cliché in this wacky, and wonderfully illustrated story by Robert Tripton. "Look! Look!" is a different take on old grammar school reading primers as it tells the story of two lesbians as Delta just gets out of jail and goes out on the town with Peanut. A trip to a bar turns into a brawl as the pair teach a couple of overzealous men a lesson they will never forget with lines like "See Delta Kick Ass!" and "Hear Peanut Crunch Heads." This story features the best art in the entire book, shot directly from G.B. Jones' pencils with words by Jennifer Camper. Other talents in the book include Ariel Schrag, Leanne Franson, and a wonderful cartoon jam by Camper, Howard Cruse, Diane DiMassa, Rupert Kinnard, Alison Bechdel, and Ivan Velez, Jr. This book shows off the true essence of underground/alternative comix.

I don't know what it's like in the Big City, but here in the Hinterlands this book arrived like a bolt of lightning from the sky. The good kind of lightning. I've had friends who tried to get me into alternative "ooh so cool" comix before, ie the famous R. Crumb. Yes there's a certain level of wackyness that could be appreciated but I, frankly, have never fully enjoyed cause everyone was well, hetero and WHITE yo. Hey I have nothing against the caucasians of this country (my best friend is white), but it's quite different to read a supposed "alternative" comic and realize it's all the same frou-frou with added crass, sex, and naked boobies. Whatever. This collection on the other hand, IS actually from the left wing nutters, homos, freaks, and rejects. Oh and of course, it's a helluva fun. However, I do have one complaint - it's too short! When's the next one coming out? I. Want. More.

I can't stop rereading Juicy Mother. Every piece in this underground queer comix anthology has its merits, but Ramadan by Jennifer Camper is an exquisitely funny/serious departure from her usual rowdy debauchery. Also not to be missed is the huge outrageous cartoon jam with Camper, Howard Cruse, Diane DiMassa, Alison Bechdel, Ivan Velez Jr. and Rupert Kinnard each taking a turn in the story. Give us more Juicy Mother, more, more, more, but buy it and you'll be satisfied.

How refreshing. A Comix about an Arab Muslim dyke. It even starts with a verse from the 1st chapter in the Qur'an. Well drawn, in the tradition of "dykes to watch out for", Jennifer Camper's "Ramadan" Comix is part of the anthology debut of Juicy Mother. It caught my attention `cuz it explores a Lebanese Lesbian (I never tire of hearing those words together) day's journey of fasting during Ramadan. It has everything: Flash back to childhood memories, culture-conformity in the work place, Nicely introduced Islamic concepts like " Suhoor" & "Shari'a" (if you want to know what they are: buy the book), coming out to religious parents, and even some post 911 reflections. A few concise and delightfully illustrated panels takes you through what is usually a life time worth of wisdom in drawing parallels between Anti-Arab hysteria and home-grown homophobia. JC even manages to bring up the subject of hijab and veiling without degrading the point in discussing clothes and oppression `a la usual western way. Arab/Muslim/Dyke oppression is ultimately triumphed over when one sticks to her cultural customs despites all detractors.