Spawn of Dykes to Watch Out For

Dykes to Watch Out For #5

by Alison Bechdel

Toni and Clarice are having a baby, and Alison Bechdel -- the lesbian community's premier visual archivist -- is right there to record the blessed event Her fifth cartoon collection gives new meaning to rituals like baby showers, teething rings and the Mammo Pump!

Genres: Queer, Comics, Graphic Novels, Humor, LGBT, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

132 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

Reviews

[Emily]

I cried when Rafael was born

[Leah Horlick]

Dear god. This must contain the longest, if not the only, dyke labour scene in graphic novel history!

[rowan]

Why I read it: ........and I'm running out of things to say about these.........

Thoughts: I seem to have cursed some of relationships in my review of book #4. Lois's situationship is nowhere to be seen (though she is happier about it than I expected), Mo and Harriet went bust, as did Ginger and her long-distance thing, and even Thea's chill vibes were slightly at risk. Clarice and Toni's baby journey sure was a journey. I don't foresee it going super smoothly, what with Clarice being a Career Woman™, but who's to say? Anyway, the labour/birth stuff was intense and sweet. Good for them.

Would I recommend it: Yes.

[Steven]

Mo has a broken heart. Harriet just broke up with and they both felt bad. Toni got pregnant, and many months later, she’s bringing the baby to term. And the whole gang were here to help. Mo got a crush on Tess. Everybody knew that, but Mo didn’t want to admit it at first. While Mo felt pangs of jealousy when she spotted her ex with her new girlfriend. Many things are still happening. Will Mo ever get another girlfriend? Who knows? Intend to keep reading more.

[Krisztina]

On the one hand, nothing changes in American politics: Democratics and Republicans have always been terrible, on the other hand you can really see the political gains made for queer families since the 90s.

[Jessie]

Most accurate depiction of birth I've ever seen.

[Nicole]

See other reviews of Dykes to Watch out For

[Dhwani]

As fun and witty as the previous books in the series. The birth of Clarice and Toni's baby had me all teary-eyed! Can't wait to see what happens next!

[row]

such a delight

[Rhiannon Rees]

the labour scenes i cant!!!! i love them

[Mali]

too real

[K G]

fun and interesting to have a glimpse into lesbian culture in the early 90s. going to try to obtain the rest of the books in the series

[Alex Bones]

Genuinely lovely read. Many parts hit way too close to home as they are still incredibly accurate which makes me sad for the world but the book is still great.

[HeavyReader]

Dykes have babies! Follow Toni (a really hottie!) and Clarice as they go from the trials and tribulations of artificial insemination to the miracle of birth. A really lovely, fun book.

I love that a midwife delivers Toni and Clarice's baby!

[Quinn]

This is probably one of the more respectable comic books I enjoy. They are entertaining and politically interesting.
I get so caught up in the lives and dramas of these characters! This one in particular is heart warming and lovely.

[Misha]

I loved this one! The politics of 1992 still get me down--because the characters are bitching about the same things liberals are bitching about 15 years later: Bush, the war, homophobia, you name it. The birth scene at the end was amazing--I totally got teary.

[Scott]

Valuable reflection on ways that "community" can be preserved despite challenges (break-ups, falling-outs, for example). A couple of randomly transphobic moments, but otherwise pretty politically open and thorough. Fantastic birth at the end.

[Tonks]

It's a comic strip with continuing plotlines, but it wasn't too hard to pick up this volume without having read any others (though now I want to!). Funny slice of life with likable characters and even-handed treatment of issues. Dated (1993) but in an amusing way.

[Arjuna G]

Some odd moments of biphobia, (or just addressing biphobia? hard to tell) and a lot has changed in 20 years, but there is so much amazing about this book, especially the last few pages with the birth.

[BRAIN_QUEEN]

a friend gave this to me for my 16th birthday along with some porn. hm.............

[Ricky]

This one is a lot happier than the others, so it felt less political, less intense, less memorable. Though, beware the drawings of the baby being born...