Frumpy the Clown, Volume 2: The Fat Lady Sings

by Judd Winick

Frumpy is not your typical clown. He doesn't do birthday parties, he isn't in the circus, and he's never run for public office. Instead, Frumpy is a chain-smoking, cynical anarchist who is more interested in sticking it to the stuffed-shirt establishment than making balloon animals or performing in the center ring. Whether he's filling in for the elementary school music teacher, dishing legal advice to the kids, or going paintballing with the guys, Frumpy entertains, enlightens and always surprises. Judd Winick's early newspaper work tells of one clown's attempts to assimilate into suburban life, or at least get suburban life to assimilate to him.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Humor, Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Judd Winick is an American cartoonist, comic book writer, screenwriter, and former reality television personality known for his diverse contributions to storytelling across multiple media. He first entered the public eye in 1994 as a cast member on The Real World: San Francisco, where he formed a close friendship with AIDS educator Pedro Zamora, an experience that deeply influenced his later work. Winick memorialized their bond in Pedro and Me, a critically acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel that earned several literary awards and became a staple in school curricula.

Winick's career in comics took off with The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius and continued with major runs at DC Comics, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman. His stories often explored socially relevant themes, such as HIV, homophobia, and identity. He was recognized for introducing gay characters and tackling difficult subjects with empathy and clarity. His work on Batman notably included resurrecting the character Jason Todd as the Red Hood, a storyline later adapted into the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, for which Winick wrote the screenplay.

Beyond comics, he created The Life and Times of Juniper Lee for Cartoon Network and served as head writer for Hulu's The Awesomes. In 2015, he launched the Hilo series, an all-ages sci-fi adventure inspired by his own children. The bestselling series has been widely praised and is expected to reach its eleventh volume in 2025.

Winick lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling, also a Real World alum, and their two children. He continues to create heartfelt and imaginative stories for audiences of all ages.