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'''Howard Cruse''' (born [[May 2]], [[1944]]) is a notable cartoonist and gay activist.
'''Howard Cruse''' (born [[May 2]], [[1944]]) is a notable cartoonist and gay activist.


Born in [[1944]] to a Baptist preacher, Cruse grew up in a small house in [[Springville]]. He attended [[Indian Springs School]] and edited the "ISSINFO" school newspaper. In high school he worked as a camp counselor at [[Utopia School Camp]]. The already-prolific teenager had panels published in ''The Baptist Student'' and ''Mad'' Magazine knock-offs ''Fooey'' and ''Sick''. He carried on a correspondence with Milton Caniff, the creator of "Terry and the Pirates" and "Steve Canyon" comic strips. His week-long visit to New York City highlighted by lunch at Sardi's with Caniff (and a two day stay at the Sloane House YMCA) made the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald|Post-Herald]]''.
Born in [[Birmingham]] in [[1944]] Cruse's family moved to [[Springville]] when his father, then a Methodist minister, was assigned to [[Springville Methodist Church]]. The posting lasted only a year, after which he was ordained in the Baptist faith and accepted short-term postings while also working in photo-journalism.


He went on to [[Birmingham-Southern College]] where a four-page comic strip satirizing the John Birch society earned the disdain of the faculty advisor to the ''Quad'' literary magazine. It ran, but with a full-page disclaimer. He was a contributor to the 'zine ''[[Granny Takes a Trip]]'' founded by fellow student Julie Brumlik.
Cruse attended [[Indian Springs School]] and edited the "ISSINFO" school newspaper. In high school he worked as a camp counselor at [[Camp Utopia]], a combination camp and summer school. The already-prolific teenager had panels published in ''The Baptist Student'' and ''Mad'' Magazine knock-offs ''Fooey'' and ''Sick''. He carried on a correspondence with Milton Caniff, the creator of "Terry and the Pirates" and "Steve Canyon" comic strips. His week-long visit to New York City highlighted by lunch at Sardi's with Caniff (and a two day stay at the Sloane House YMCA) made the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald|Post-Herald]]''.


Cruse was active in the Birmingham-Southern theater under director [[Arnold Powell]], performing in "The Visit", "One Way Pendulum", "The Imaginary Invalid", and Samuel Beckett's "Endgame". He also met "the first love of his life" Don Higdon, while at college. Cruse's mainstay comic strip, "Barefootz" got its first serial run in the [[University of Alabama]]'s ''Crimson White'' and survived the 1970s in a variety of publications, and was reincarnated as a web comic .
He went on to [[Birmingham-Southern College]], but did not proceed straight through, instead interrupting his undergraduate career three times. The longest period away involved his full-time employment at [[WAPI-TV]] ([[1964]]-[[1965|65]]) where he served as assistant art director under [[Cliff Holman, Sr]], the father of legendary local TV personality “[[Cousin Cliff]]”.


After graduating, he worked as an assistant art director for [[WAPI 13]] and co-created a children's show for the start-up [[ETV]] public educational tv network. From there he moved on to become the puppeteer on the [[Sergeant Jack Show]] on [[WBMG 42]].
He was drawn back to BSC because of his enthusiasm for the college's theatre program created by playwright/director [[Arnold Powell]]. The transformation of that program in 1966 from an extra-curricular activity to a full Department of Drama and Speech offering a major provided the crucial incentive for Cruse to finally complete his diploma.


In [[1977]], Cruse moved to New York to try his hand at becoming a full-time cartoonist. He got a one year job as art director for ''Starlog'' magazine before realizing his goal. In New York he also met his current partner Eddie Sedarbaum (a gay activist and [[1998]] candidate for New York State Senate). The couple moved to North Adams, Massachusetts in [[2003]] and were married in [[2004]].
Among the plays in which Cruse acted during his years at Birmingham-Southern Cruse were "The Visit", "One Way Pendulum", "The Imaginary Invalid", and Samuel Beckett's "Endgame". He also designed sets for “Ernest In Love”, “Women of Trachis”, “Blood Wedding”, and “Endgame”. Cruse's own full-length play “The Sixth Story” was given a workshop production, which Cruse himself directed as part of Dr Powell’s Advanced Playwrights Lab  during his senior year.


From 1980-84, Cruse edited an anthology for gay and lesbian cartoonists called ''Gay Comix''. Then, from 1983-1985 and 1986-1989 he drew a gay-themed strip called "Wendel", which was published in the ''Advocate''. The magazine gave Cruse freedom to depict sexuality and social issues with unusual frankness in an era when AIDS and homosexual rights were daily news. He also contributed frequently to the ''Village Voice''.
While studying, Cruse drew a cartoon series called “Cruse Nest” for the college’s student newspaper and was a contributor to the 'zine "[[Granny Takes a Trip]],” which was founded by fellow student [[Julie Brumlik]]. His four-page comic strip satirizing the John Birch society earned the disdain of the faculty advisor to the ''[[Quad]]'' literary magazine. It did run, but was accompanied by a full-page disclaimer.


Cruse's [[1995]] graphic novel "[[Stuck Rubber Baby]]" has garnered favorable critical comparisons to landmarks of the genre like ''Maus''. So far it has been translated into German, French and Italian, with Spanish and Dutch editions planned.
Cruse continued to pursue television work, as well. During the [[1963]] summer term at Birmingham-Southern he and [[Leeds]] resident [[Grady Clarkson]] co-created a children's show for the start-up [[ETV]] public educational TV network. “[[The Grady and Howard Show]]” launched a productive relationship with [[WBIQ-TV]] that led to two Christmas specials for which Cruse provided drawings and that culminated with the station’s [[1972]] broadcast of his one-act play “[[Three Clowns on a Journey]]”. The program was produced by station manager [[Evelyn Walker]] with Cruse directing.
 
Cruse finally graduated from Birmingham-Southern in [[1968]] and moved to New York City for a year. He returned to [[Birmingham]] in [[1969]] and became an art director for [[WBMG-TV]] and performed as a puppeteer on the [[Sergeant Jack Show]]. It was during that period that he met "the first love of his life" [[Don Higdon]], who was a sophomore drama student at Birmingham-Southern at the time of Cruse’s return to the city.
 
In his off hours Cruse created a cartoon panel about two squirrels, “[[Tops & Button]],” which ran daily in ''[[The Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' from [[1970]]-[[1072|72]]. During the same period his mainstay comic strip, "[[Barefootz]]" got its first serial run in the [[University of Alabama]]'s ''[[Crimson White]]''. “Barefootz” survived the 1970s in a variety of Birmingham-area publications and eventually in a series of underground comic books. It was reincarnated many years later as a web comic.
 
In [[1972]] Cruse left WBMG and moved with Higdon to Atlanta, where the two of them worked as actors and set-design assistants at the Atlanta Children’s Theatre. When his relationship with Higdon ended, Cruse returned to Birmingham and soon found work as a paste-up artist at Birmingham’s [[Luckie & Forney Advertising Agency]].
 
In [[1977]] Cruse decided to return to New York City and make a fresh try at forging a full-time cartooning career. After some false starts and eight months spent art directing ''Starlog'' magazine, Cruse was finally able to leave day jobs behind and make cartooning his full-time profession. In New York he also met his current partner Eddie Sedarbaum (a gay activist and [[1998]] candidate for New York State Senate). The couple moved to North Adams, Massachusetts in [[2003]] and were married in [[2004]].
 
From [[1980]]-[[1984|84]], Cruse edited an anthology for gay and lesbian cartoonists called ''Gay Comix''. Then, from [[1983]]-[[1985|85]] and [[1986]]-[[1989|89]] he drew a gay-themed strip called "Wendel", which was published in the ''Advocate''. The magazine gave Cruse freedom to depict sexuality and social issues with unusual frankness in an era when AIDS and homosexual rights were daily news. He also contributed frequently to the ''Village Voice''.
 
Cruse's [[1995]] graphic novel "[[Stuck Rubber Baby]]" has garnered favorable critical comparisons to landmarks of the genre like ''Maus''. So far it has been translated into German, French, Italian and Spanish. ''Wendel'' has also been translated into Spanish.


==Publications==
==Publications==
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* "Young Artist Lunches With Great One" (July 18, 19__) ''Birmingham Post-Herald.''
* "Young Artist Lunches With Great One" (July 18, 19__) ''Birmingham Post-Herald.''
* Bass, Greg (January 25, 2007) [http://www.wbhm.org/Tapestry/howardcruse1.m3u Interview with Howard Cruse]. ''[[Tapestry]]'' on WBHM-FM.
* Bass, Greg (January 25, 2007) [http://www.wbhm.org/Tapestry/howardcruse1.m3u Interview with Howard Cruse]. ''[[Tapestry]]'' on WBHM-FM.
* Personal communication from Howard Cruse (see [[Talk:Howard Cruse]])


[[Category:1944 births|Cruse, Howard]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruse, Howard}}
[[Category:Living people|Cruse, Howard]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Authors|Cruse, Howard]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Cartoonists|Cruse, Howard]]
[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Indian Springs graduates|Cruse, Howard]]
[[Category:Cartoonists]]
[[Category:Birmingham-Southern alumni|Cruse, Howard]]
[[Category:Indian Springs graduates]]
[[Category:Birmingham-Southern alumni]]

Revision as of 13:29, 19 July 2008

Howard Cruse (born May 2, 1944) is a notable cartoonist and gay activist.

Born in Birmingham in 1944 Cruse's family moved to Springville when his father, then a Methodist minister, was assigned to Springville Methodist Church. The posting lasted only a year, after which he was ordained in the Baptist faith and accepted short-term postings while also working in photo-journalism.

Cruse attended Indian Springs School and edited the "ISSINFO" school newspaper. In high school he worked as a camp counselor at Camp Utopia, a combination camp and summer school. The already-prolific teenager had panels published in The Baptist Student and Mad Magazine knock-offs Fooey and Sick. He carried on a correspondence with Milton Caniff, the creator of "Terry and the Pirates" and "Steve Canyon" comic strips. His week-long visit to New York City highlighted by lunch at Sardi's with Caniff (and a two day stay at the Sloane House YMCA) made the Post-Herald.

He went on to Birmingham-Southern College, but did not proceed straight through, instead interrupting his undergraduate career three times. The longest period away involved his full-time employment at WAPI-TV (1964-65) where he served as assistant art director under Cliff Holman, Sr, the father of legendary local TV personality “Cousin Cliff”.

He was drawn back to BSC because of his enthusiasm for the college's theatre program created by playwright/director Arnold Powell. The transformation of that program in 1966 from an extra-curricular activity to a full Department of Drama and Speech offering a major provided the crucial incentive for Cruse to finally complete his diploma.

Among the plays in which Cruse acted during his years at Birmingham-Southern Cruse were "The Visit", "One Way Pendulum", "The Imaginary Invalid", and Samuel Beckett's "Endgame". He also designed sets for “Ernest In Love”, “Women of Trachis”, “Blood Wedding”, and “Endgame”. Cruse's own full-length play “The Sixth Story” was given a workshop production, which Cruse himself directed as part of Dr Powell’s Advanced Playwrights Lab during his senior year.

While studying, Cruse drew a cartoon series called “Cruse Nest” for the college’s student newspaper and was a contributor to the 'zine "Granny Takes a Trip,” which was founded by fellow student Julie Brumlik. His four-page comic strip satirizing the John Birch society earned the disdain of the faculty advisor to the Quad literary magazine. It did run, but was accompanied by a full-page disclaimer.

Cruse continued to pursue television work, as well. During the 1963 summer term at Birmingham-Southern he and Leeds resident Grady Clarkson co-created a children's show for the start-up ETV public educational TV network. “The Grady and Howard Show” launched a productive relationship with WBIQ-TV that led to two Christmas specials for which Cruse provided drawings and that culminated with the station’s 1972 broadcast of his one-act play “Three Clowns on a Journey”. The program was produced by station manager Evelyn Walker with Cruse directing.

Cruse finally graduated from Birmingham-Southern in 1968 and moved to New York City for a year. He returned to Birmingham in 1969 and became an art director for WBMG-TV and performed as a puppeteer on the Sergeant Jack Show. It was during that period that he met "the first love of his life" Don Higdon, who was a sophomore drama student at Birmingham-Southern at the time of Cruse’s return to the city.

In his off hours Cruse created a cartoon panel about two squirrels, “Tops & Button,” which ran daily in The Birmingham Post-Herald from 1970-72. During the same period his mainstay comic strip, "Barefootz" got its first serial run in the University of Alabama's Crimson White. “Barefootz” survived the 1970s in a variety of Birmingham-area publications and eventually in a series of underground comic books. It was reincarnated many years later as a web comic.

In 1972 Cruse left WBMG and moved with Higdon to Atlanta, where the two of them worked as actors and set-design assistants at the Atlanta Children’s Theatre. When his relationship with Higdon ended, Cruse returned to Birmingham and soon found work as a paste-up artist at Birmingham’s Luckie & Forney Advertising Agency.

In 1977 Cruse decided to return to New York City and make a fresh try at forging a full-time cartooning career. After some false starts and eight months spent art directing Starlog magazine, Cruse was finally able to leave day jobs behind and make cartooning his full-time profession. In New York he also met his current partner Eddie Sedarbaum (a gay activist and 1998 candidate for New York State Senate). The couple moved to North Adams, Massachusetts in 2003 and were married in 2004.

From 1980-84, Cruse edited an anthology for gay and lesbian cartoonists called Gay Comix. Then, from 1983-85 and 1986-89 he drew a gay-themed strip called "Wendel", which was published in the Advocate. The magazine gave Cruse freedom to depict sexuality and social issues with unusual frankness in an era when AIDS and homosexual rights were daily news. He also contributed frequently to the Village Voice.

Cruse's 1995 graphic novel "Stuck Rubber Baby" has garnered favorable critical comparisons to landmarks of the genre like Maus. So far it has been translated into German, French, Italian and Spanish. Wendel has also been translated into Spanish.

Publications

  • Cruse, Howard. (1985) Wendel New York: Gay Presses of New York. ISBN 0914017101
  • Cruse, Howard. (1986) Howard Cruse's Barefootz: The Comix Book stories. Renegade Press. ASIN B00072X5YY
  • Cruse, Howard. (1987) Dancin' Nekkid with the Angels. St Martin's Press. ISBN 0312011040
  • Cruse, Howard. (1989) Wendel on the Rebound. St Martin's Press. ISBN 0312030029
  • Cruse, Howard. (1990) Early Barefootz. Fantagraphics Books. ISBN 1560970529
  • Cruse, Howard. (1995) Stuck Rubber Baby. Paradox Press. ISBN 1563892553
  • Cruse, Howard. (2001) Wendel All Together. Olmstead Press. ISBN 1587540126
  • Shaffer, Jeanne E. (April 2004) "The Swimmer with a Rope in his Teeth" illustrated by Howard Cruse. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. ISBN 1591021812

External links

References

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