Morgan Calabrese: The Movie

by N. Leigh Dunlap

Book by Dunlap, N. Leigh

Genres: Queer, Graphic Novels, Comics

150 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1987

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-panel comic strips from 1987, depicting lesbian life with a recurring cast of characters, including some gay men. The art is awesome. Morgan, the central character, goes around dressed like a cowboy most of the time, with a very wide-brimmed, low-fitting hat and a handkerchief around her neck. The situations are familiar in the way of "what goes around comes around," the queer folks in here are worried about Republican politicians. They play baseball, go out for coffee, have crushes and relationships. A couple of strips talk about navigating Christmas as gay non-Christians.

Recommended if you like "Dykes to Watch Out For." I am just old enough to understand most of the references but some will inevitably be confusing to 21st century readers.

The copy I read is falling apart.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

October 2009
I'm saddened this comic strip isn't well known; it's a witty presentation of lesbian and gay life in the 1980s, with one of the best cartoon protagonists I've ever encountered. Open the pages and travel back to a time of Ronald Reagan, Miami Vice, punk, feminism, Jerry Falwell, the E.R.A., AIDS, Georgia's sodomy law, Ollie North for President, girls who play sports, and - memorably - "A Support Group for Non-Christian Lesbians and Gays Surrounded by Christmas Mania."

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection and its sequel were some of the earliest queer comics I ever encountered, and they remain some of the best, an absolute 80s classic in the best way.

[Sheherazahde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm surprized more people have not heard of this artist/author. Morgan Calabrese is that rare thing - a lesbian cartoon that is funny, political, and well drawn. The art and the humor are reminiscent of Gerard Donelan's work but for lesbians. [return][return]I highly recommend this book