Wendel

Wendel collects comics from Howard Cruse's strip that ran in The Advocate from 1983-1989, following the story of Wendel Trupstock and his circle of friends in 1980s New York City. The comics chronicle Wendel's romantic relationships, career path, and life as a gay man during a pivotal decade for the LGBTQ+ community. The black and white artwork employs Cruse's distinctive cross-hatched style and attention to facial expressions and body language. Each installment combines elements of slice-of-life storytelling with social commentary relevant to the era. The characters navigate dating, relationships, career changes, and the AIDS crisis against the backdrop of Reagan-era America. Wendel and his friends encounter social prejudice while building community and pursuing their personal dreams. The collected comics serve as both a time capsule of gay life in 1980s New York and an exploration of universal themes around love, friendship, and the search for authenticity. Through humor and straightforward storytelling, the series documents a community's resilience during a transformative period.

Readers appreciate Wendel primarily for its honest depiction of gay relationships in the 1980s, with many noting how the comic captures everyday moments rather than focusing solely on coming-out narratives. The detailed artwork and character development receive frequent mention in reviews. Readers highlight: - Authentic relationship dynamics - Humor that balances serious themes - Historical documentation of gay life in NYC Common criticisms: - Some find the art style cluttered - Pacing can be uneven - Political references feel dated Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (30+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads notes: "These comics show gay men living normal lives during a time when that was radical." An Amazon reviewer writes: "Cruse creates characters who feel like friends you know." A minority of reviews mention struggling with the dense visual style, with one stating: "Sometimes hard to follow which panel to read next."

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel A graphic memoir explores a daughter's relationship with her closeted father while discovering her own queer identity through detailed illustrations and literary references.

Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse The narrative follows a young man's journey of sexual identity during the Civil Rights movement in the American South through stark black and white illustrations.

Blue Is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh This graphic novel chronicles a young woman's first love and sexual awakening through expressive artwork with selective use of blue coloring.

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin The interconnected stories of LGBTQ characters in 1970s San Francisco create a portrait of chosen family and self-discovery.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker Letters between sisters reveal a story of identity, sexuality, and liberation in the American South during the early 20th century.

🌈 Wendel was one of the first widely recognized gay-themed comic strips to be published regularly in mainstream LGBTQ+ press during the 1980s. 📚 Howard Cruse, known as the "Godfather of Queer Comics," created Wendel during the height of the AIDS crisis, incorporating real social issues and political commentary of the era into the storylines. 🎨 The comic strip ran in The Advocate magazine from 1983 to 1989, chronicling the relationship between Wendel Trupstock and Ollie Chalmers as they navigated life, love, and social change. ✍️ Before creating Wendel, Cruse founded and edited Gay Comix (later Gay Comics), an anthology series that gave voice to LGBTQ+ comic artists and storytellers. 🏆 The collected Wendel comics were published as "Wendel All Together" in 2001, and the work is considered a groundbreaking piece of LGBTQ+ literature that helped pave the way for future queer representation in comics.