Alison Bechdel’s popular strip “Dykes to Watch Out For” was for years a countercultural staple in this paper and other publications across the country — until the Vermont-based cartoonist gave it up in 2008 to focus on writing graphic memoirs. Her first was Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. Published in 2006, it was not only an award-winning best seller but the basis, several years later, for Fun Home the Musical.
Created by Lisa Kron (book and lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (score), the show debuted off-Broadway at New York City’s Public Theater in October 2013. Two years later, a revamped version opened at Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre. Enthusiastically received by audiences and critics, Fun Home took home five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, last year.
In the middle of this meteoric success, Bechdel was named a MacArthur Fellow — a recipient of the so-called “genius award.” The 56-year-old cartoonist, who lives with her spouse, Holly Rae Taylor, in Bolton, remains modest and unassuming. But, like many Vermonters, Bechdel has been feeling distraught about the election results. While others have taken to the streets, Facebook and/or the liquor cabinet, she went back to the drawing board. And she emailed Seven Days to see if we’d be interested in publishing this strip.
Obviously, we said yes — and Bechdel said yes to a bonus cover cartoon, as well. Longtime fans who’ve missed DTWOF will no doubt be heartened to see, and read, her characters again. As was their creator.
“Working on it made me feel a little less awful,” Bechdel said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the last year of DTWOF.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Cartoon Catharsis”
Related Stories
This article appears in Nov 23-29, 2016.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
I’ll give thanks
For getting to read this!!
I love and have missed DTWOF!!! I came out and transitioned with the crew!!! Thank you for your work. I am going to see Fun Home this December and I cannot wait!!!
I’ve so missed the crew. Thank you so much for a brief peek.
“I find your ideas intriguing and would like to subscribe to your newsletter”
I’ve owned every comic for years spreading the insight to many over the years. Truly happy to have more to enjoy. Thank you
So welcome!! to see this. I think Alison Bechdel makes the best drawings, well comparisons are odious, but those drawings are so specific and witty about the people I see around, the haircuts, the actual drawing of the faces, just wildly good. Plus the political and verbal content, dynamite. Is this just a one time thing or will there be more?? I also like Peter Schumann’s visual stuff, posters and more. So clear and legible, dare I say formal elements are not ignored. but the details, that spunky little girl, they all slay me. I feel much better in these dark days.
When i taught Drawing at Johnson State I had my classes look at her work right along with Van Gogh, Daumier, Titian, Goya, the Alice in Wonderland drawings, by Sir John Tenniel, Faith Ringold,Clark Derbes, and and on into the ocean of fabulous visual art. Thank you Pamela Polston, the whole paper is a treasure, much better than what i can find in Amherst, MA area where our daughter lives.