Rediscovering Rupert Kinnard: Celebrating 50 Years of Black and Gay Comic History in Portland

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Pioneering Comic Artist Rupert Kinnard Celebrates 50 Years of Groundbreaking Work

Portland, Oregon – The vibrant smile of Rupert Kinnard greets visitors on a downtown mural, a testament to his enduring legacy as a queer icon and comic artist. Kinnard, alongside Kathleen Saadat and Lynn Nakamoto, is immortalized in art, but it’s the figures at the mural’s base – the Brown Bomber and Diva Touché Flambé – that truly encapsulate his revolutionary spirit.

The Birth of ‘Cathartic Comics‘

For nearly a decade, from the 1980s through the 1990s, Kinnard’s ‘Cathartic Comics’ graced the pages of choice weeklies and queer newspapers. Much like contemporaries such as ‘Doonesbury’ and ‘Dykes to Watch Out For,’ the comic offered sharp social commentary.However, ‘Cathartic Comics’ distinguished itself with its uniquely Black, gay, and intersectional lens, a perspective largely absent in mainstream comics at the time.

from Chicago Roots to Portland Activism

kinnard’s artistic journey began in Chicago, fueled by a lifelong passion for drawing and superhero comics. He questioned the lack of representation in the genre and began creating his own characters, inspired by figures like Muhammad Ali. This led to the creation of the Brown Bomber, initially conceived as a sketchbook character.

The Brown Bomber debuted in Kinnard’s college newspaper, evolving from playful student commentary to a platform for addressing deeper issues. In his senior year, Kinnard boldly navigated the character through a coming-out narrative, marking a pivotal moment in queer representation in comics.

Relocating to Portland in the late 1970s, Kinnard was drawn to the city’s burgeoning queer and African American communities. He quickly became involved in local activism, contributing to the formation of the first Pride Parade and co-founding Just out, where the Brown Bomber made its Portland debut.

Introducing Diva Touché Flambé

The Brown Bomber was soon joined by Diva Touché Flambé, an equally outspoken and unapologetically Black and gay character. While the Brown Bomber represented naiveté, the Diva embodied worldly wisdom and a “perpetual nonchalance.” Together, they tackled a range of topics, from gay dating trends and AIDS drug costs to racial disparities and societal hypocrisy.

Did You Know? In 1994, a stage play titled Out of the Inkwell brought the Brown Bomber to life, with a 25-year-old Colman Domingo taking on the role.

Recognition and a New Collection

Kinnard’s work gained wider recognition with his inclusion in the 2021 documentary, No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics, alongside other pioneering queer comic creators. His original artwork was also featured in the Portland Art Museum’s Black Artists of oregon 2023 exhibition.

Artwork Recognition	Year
Documentary Feature	2021
Portland Art museum Exhibition	2023

‘Ooops… I catharted!’: A Comprehensive Retrospective

For decades, the only available collection of ‘Cathartic Comics’ was a limited 1992 printing. Now, Stacked Deck Press has published Ooops … I Catharted: fifty Years of Cathartic Comics, a comprehensive retrospective of Kinnard’s work. This book isn’t merely a compilation of strips; it’s a detailed archive of his life, activism, and artistic evolution.

The book includes photographs, early sketches, annotated strips, and character backgrounds, offering a complete picture of Kinnard’s career. It also reprints the foreword by filmmaker Marlon Riggs,a kindred spirit who championed Black gay voices through his own art.

A Legacy of Activism and Artistic Innovation

Kinnard’s impact extends beyond the realm of comics. he has been a dedicated community organizer, working with organizations like Brother to Brother Portland and actively advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, including challenging discriminatory legislation like Measure 36.

Pro Tip: Discover more about Kinnard’s work and Portland’s queer history by visiting the Northwest Museum of Cartoon Arts booth at rose city Comic Con on September 6th.

Inspired by emerging cartoonists of color, Kinnard’s work serves as a crucial bridge between generations, reminding us of the importance of representation and intersectionality in art.

Rupert kinnard, courtesy of Stacked Deck Press

The Enduring Relevance of ‘Cathartic Comics’

The themes explored in ‘Cathartic Comics’ – racial injustice, homophobia, political hypocrisy – remain profoundly relevant today. Kinnard’s work provides a historical context for current social movements and highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and representation. As contemporary comics continue to embrace diverse voices,Kinnard’s legacy serves as a crucial reminder of the pioneers who paved the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rupert Kinnard and ‘Cathartic Comics’

• What is ‘Cathartic Comics’ known for? ‘Cathartic Comics’ is renowned for its groundbreaking representation of Black, gay experiences in the world of comics, offering sharp social commentary with humor and honesty.
• Who created the Brown Bomber and Diva Touché Flambé? Rupert Kinnard created both the Brown Bomber and Diva Touché Flambé as central characters in his ‘Cathartic Comics’ series.
• Where can I find the complete collection of ‘Cathartic Comics’? The comprehensive collection, Ooops … I Catharted: Fifty Years of Cathartic Comics, is now available from stacked Deck Press.
• What was Rupert Kinnard’s involvement in Portland’s LGBTQ+ community? Kinnard was a key figure in Portland’s LGBTQ+ activism, co-founding Just Out, founding Brother to Brother Portland, and challenging discriminatory legislation.
• What impact did Marlon Riggs have on Kinnard’s work? Filmmaker Marlon Riggs was a kindred spirit and friend to Kinnard, providing a foreword for the 1992 collection of ‘cathartic Comics’ and championing Black gay voices through his art.

What are yoru thoughts on the importance of diverse representation in comics and art? How does Kinnard’s work speak to contemporary social issues?

How does Kinnard’s self-publishing approach relate to his ability to address marginalized experiences in his comics?

Rediscovering Rupert Kinnard: Celebrating 50 Years of Black adn Gay Comic History in Portland

the Pioneering Work of Rupert Kinnard

Rupert Kinnard, a name frequently enough absent from mainstream comic history, is a vital figure in the landscape of self-reliant and LGBTQ+ comics. For over 50 years, Kinnard has been creating work that boldly addresses themes of race, sexuality, and identity, often with a satirical and deeply personal edge. His journey, largely rooted in Portland, Oregon, represents a meaningful, yet frequently enough overlooked, contribution to American comic art. Kinnard’s work predates widespread LGBTQ+ representation in comics, making him a true pioneer. he’s a self-published comic artist, known for his mini-comics and zines, a crucial part of the option comics scene.

Kinnard’s Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Born in 1948, Kinnard’s early life experiences profoundly shaped his artistic vision. Growing up as a Black, gay man in a racially and socially conservative era, he faced discrimination and marginalization. These experiences fueled his desire to create art that reflected his reality and challenged societal norms.

early Influences: Kinnard cites influences ranging from classic comic strips like Krazy Kat to the work of underground comix artists like Robert Crumb.

Portland as a Hub: Portland, in the 1970s and 80s, offered a relatively accepting habitat for alternative artists, allowing Kinnard to develop his unique style and voice.The city’s thriving zine scene provided a platform for his early work.

Self-Publishing Roots: Kinnard embraced self-publishing early on,recognizing the limitations and biases of mainstream publishing houses. This allowed him complete creative control over his narratives.

Key Themes and Recurring motifs in Kinnard’s Comics

Kinnard’s work is characterized by its unflinching honesty and willingness to tackle tough subjects. Several key themes consistently appear throughout his extensive body of work:

Race and Racism: Kinnard directly confronts issues of racial prejudice and systemic racism, often using satire and caricature to expose the absurdity of discriminatory attitudes.

Sexuality and Homophobia: His comics openly explore gay desire, relationships, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a homophobic society. he was one of the frist to depict explicitly gay characters and narratives in comics.

Identity and Self-Discovery: Kinnard’s characters often grapple with questions of identity, belonging, and the search for self-acceptance.

Political Commentary: Kinnard frequently uses his comics to critique political systems, social injustices, and cultural norms.

autobiographical Elements: Many of his comics draw heavily from his own life experiences, offering a deeply personal and intimate viewpoint.

Brown Sugar and the Evolution of Kinnard’s Style

Perhaps Kinnard’s most well-known work is Brown Sugar, a series of comics that began in the 1980s and continues to this day. Brown Sugar is a semi-autobiographical series that follows the adventures of a black, gay man navigating life in Portland.

Unique Visual Style: Kinnard’s art style is distinctive, characterized by its raw energy, expressive lines, and frequently enough deliberately crude aesthetic. This style reflects the immediacy and emotional intensity of his narratives.

Narrative Experimentation: Brown Sugar showcases Kinnard’s willingness to experiment with narrative structure, often employing fragmented storytelling, stream-of-consciousness narration, and unconventional panel layouts.

Impact on Independent Comics: Brown Sugar helped pave the way for other independent and LGBTQ+ comics artists,demonstrating the power of self-publishing and the importance of diverse voices in the medium.

Kinnard’s Influence and Legacy

Rupert Kinnard’s impact extends beyond his own artistic output. He has inspired generations of comic artists and activists to create work that is both politically engaged and personally meaningful.

Mentorship and Collaboration: Kinnard has mentored numerous young artists, providing guidance and support to those seeking to break into the comics industry.

Recognition and Awards: While often overlooked by mainstream awards, Kinnard has received increasing recognition in recent years, including the Inkpot Award in 2019.

Archival Efforts: Efforts are underway to preserve and archive Kinnard’s extensive body of work, ensuring that his contributions to comic history are not forgotten. The Oregon Historical Society holds a significant collection of his work.

Contemporary Relevance: Kinnard’s themes of race, sexuality, and identity remain powerfully relevant today, making his work essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the human experience.

Where to find Rupert Kinnard’s work

Accessing Kinnard’s work can be challenging due to its self-published nature, but several avenues exist:

Directly from the Artist: kinnard often sells his work directly through his website and at comic conventions.

independent Comic Shops: Some independent comic shops specialize in alternative and LGBTQ+ comics and may carry Kinnard’s work.

Online retailers: Websites like Etsy and eBay sometimes feature kinnard’s comics