page turners

articles on bugs and Lifelong Books): Q+A

Megan Rose
litterbugs, a treatise A lesbian farmer on
on flag burning and a a sustainable farm,
look at the state of the Catherine Friend (who

Gedris
independent media, this will be interviewed in
is not a book to read the November issue of
before bed, because you curve) writes passion-
probably won’t get much ately about “how to
sleep. (akpress.org) keep animals happy, Megan Rose Gedris, a 22-year-old graphic de-
— Jenna V. Loceff save Old MacDonald’s signer from Michigan, is the writer-artist of the
farm, reduce your hoof-
web comics Yu+Me and I Was Kidnapped
print and still eat meat.”
The Mandrake Broom, by Lesbian Pirates from Outer Space. Yu+Me
Her book is packed with
Jess Wells (Firebrand tips on how you can
is a very sweet, dreamy, manga-style teen-
Books): This richly avoid vegetarianism in age romance about a young woman who
detailed historical novel our age of factory farms is finding her way and her sexuality in a
is set in late 15th cen- while remaining an series of overbearing environments. I Was
tury Italy, a time when ethical eater. Her words Kidnapped by Lesbian Pirates from Outer Space is set in the 1950s, and
women were being give hope to those of us has a Lichtenstein-esque feel. It is a ribald adventure in space, with many
burned at the stake as who crave meat, but are familiar comic book themes throughout. Gedris feels that Lesbian Pirates
witches for practic- sickened by some mod-
ing herbal medicine. is different from anything she has experienced, but she would sure love to
ern farming practices. live it. — Richard A. Scott
The story follows the The Emotional Lives of (dacapopress.com) —
adventures of Luccia Animals, Marc Bekoff Kate Goldsworthy
Alimenti, the daughter What are your influences and favorite art styles?
(New World Library):
of a medical professor, The animal lover will I like mixed-media art. For me, the art isn’t just about what I’m drawing,
who is charged with the delight in this intel- but how I draw it.
responsibility of pass- ligent, conversational What about your writing?
ing herbal lore on to and convincing reflection I like writing that’s funny. If it takes itself too seriously, I’m going to lose
future generations even on animals’ capacity interest fast.
though the risks for for emotion. Though it The material in Yu+Me is reflective of a Catholic upbringing.
doing so were deadly. doesn’t skimp on the People assume I went to Catholic school. I didn’t. It comes from my dad
(firebrandbooks.com) — tear-jerking stories that
Kamala K. Puligandla and aunt telling stories of their Catholic-school upbringing. When I
make you say, “Aw!” it came out to my aunt and told her about the comics, she was tickled
avoids over-romanticism
that Fiona’s school experience was just like hers. Some of Yu+Me is
through the use of
my own experiences.
scientific stats and The Candidate,
You received $1,000 from Prism comics for publishing copies of
research. If you’re the Tracey Richardson
kind of dyke who just (Bella Books): Yu+Me, while Lesbian Pirates is being published through a deal
might love the family The romance in The by Platinum Studios. Care to elaborate?
dog more than the girl- Candidate is intense, I got both the Platinum deal and the Prism grant within a couple months
friend, you’ll devour this, captivating and, at of each other. I went from “Oh, I’m a web-comic artist who would
cover-to-cover, in days. times, heart-breaking. like to be published, but I’ll have to spend a lot of my own money to
(newworldlibrary.com) Jane Kincaid doesn’t do it, so I’ll do it in five years when I’m better off...” to
— Catherine Plato believe she can run for “Oh, I have money for printing comics now.” I’ve
president and have just accomplished my five-year plan in less than
Tipping the Sacred a lesbian lover too.
Cow, Ed. Brian five months. What am I going to do for the next
This notion is
Awehali (AK Press): five years? The next five years will get spent making more
challenged, raising
Over the course of 11 very important comics. What these two deals did was get me the funds to
years, the magazine questions about start my own self-publishing endeavor, and get me into the
LiP: Informed Revolt whether out and industry on a semi-professional level.
brought its own form proud lesbians must Ever thought about having Lesbian Pirates as a
of subversive politics, sacrifice our personal cartoon or a movie?
Lewis Reynolds (Gedris)

sex and culture to the lives for our careers, I always thought it would be neat to have a cartoon on Adult
world. LiP is on an especially if we are Swim. To me, it seems like they’ve given up trying to get gay
indefinite hiatus but in the public eye.
fans can rejoice at the characters into the mainstream. I want nothing less than to see
The Compassionate (bellabooks. Lesbian Pirates from Outer Space up there after The Venture Bros.
publication of Tipping Carnivore, Catherine com) — Kathi
the Sacred Cow. With If I did this, it wouldn’t be done halfway. I wouldn’t settle for
Friend (Da Capo Isserman
anything less than total awesomeness. n

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