Document Type

Other

Screwballs comic "Rude Awakening"

Authors

Tom Higgins, University of Maine

Publication Title

The Maine Campus

Publication Date

1-14-1987

First Page

2

Issue Number

3

Volume Number

100

Abstract/ Summary

A four-panel black and white comic strip drawn and authored by Tom Higgins depicting a homophobic athlete. Long Description.

Panel one depicts two figures in bed in a darkened room. In the background there is a shelf lined with trophies that speak to the macho, athletic background of the room's primary male occupant. The athletic male figure is depicted seated in bed, bare chested with a blonde crewcut. He is looking at a sleeping bearded figure next to him in confusion. The athlete's confusion is emphasized by a short series of question marks and an exclamation mark hanging over his head. The sleeping figure beside him is depicted with long hair, a beard and mustache, suggesting that the figure is male. On the floor beside the bed is a piece of crumpled clothing and a single high-heel shoe.

Panel two, the sleeping, bearded figure wakes and stretches with a yawn, still covered by a rumpled blanket. The athlete cowers behind his the blanket he has pulled up to his nose. Sweat beads fly around his head as he stares wide-eyed at the waking figure. The room background setting is the same.

Panel three shows the formerly sleeping bearded figure standing beside the bed, pulling on a robe and slipping into the high-heel shoes. The cowering athlete is drawn with exaggerated, raised eye brows and a large exclamation mark of surprise over his head. The back of the robe pulled on by the bearded figure bears the script lettering: "Ding A'Ling Bros. Circus Bearded Lady" and a portrait of the bearded figure below the lettering. The woman's identity is reinforced by a printed caption "Bearded Lady" and a dotted-line arrow pointing to the figure, making certain the viewer understands that the sleeping bearded figure was, in fact, a female.

Panel four shows a close up of the macho athlete bare chested with an expression of relief on his face. His eyes are half-closed and cheeks puffed out as he exhales a breath cloud superimposed with the word, "Whew!" A thought bubble beside the athlete's head contains the lettering, "I knew I wasn't that drunk last night" followed by two exclamation marks.

Identifier

Social Justice_Maine_Campus_vol_100_no_3_p-2-1987-01-14

Repository Citation

Higgins, Tom, "Screwballs comic "Rude Awakening"" (1987). Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. 669.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/social_justice/669

Version

publisher's version of the published document

Rights and Access Note

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).