Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Vivian Kleiman confronts the underground comic world, unearthing the inspiring stories of five queer comic artists and their daring fight for justice, representation, and personal expression.
“People were giving you a gift, and one that doesn’t happen very often in our daily lives. So, I thought that documentary filmmaking was just miraculous in that regard.” – Vivien Kleiman
Vivian Kleiman is a Peabody Award winning filmmaker and Emmy Award nominated producer/director. She is renowned for her challenging subjects and edgy film approaches and has received support from the MacArthur and Ford Foundations. Her documentary, No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics, premieres on PBS January 23, 2023.
No Straight Lines Website: www.nslthefilm.com
No Straight Lines on Instagram: @nostraightlinesfilm
Vivien Kleiman is a Peabody Award-winning filmmaker whose work is known for its challenging subjects and edgy film approaches. Vivien’s upcoming documentary, No Straight Lines The Rise of Queer Comics, is set to premier on PBS and covers the lives of five queer comic artists from the early 70s. Vivien’s work is full of affirming stories that she wishes she had when she was younger and has won multiple awards for excellence in journalism. Having a crew of people focus on a person’s story is a gift, and Vivien is here to share her gift with us.
The comic book industry has long been a traditional boys club, but in the early 70s, Mary Wings, a San Francisco artist, created the first comic book about a queer subject by and out lesbian. And the underground comic book movement that followed has been an incredibly powerful tool for LGBTQ+ people to tell their stories and have their voices heard. Vivien Kleiman is a Peabody Award winning filmmaker who has been a part of this movement, producing and directing the documentary, No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics. Her film follows five queer comic artists as they tell stories of their lives, and in doing so, challenge traditional stereotypes of the comic book industry and create a more inclusive, affirming space for readers. In this article, join us as we explore the fascinating history of queer comics with Vivien Kleiman, who has won numerous awards for her work in the industry, including a National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association award for excellence in journalism for her documentary. Find out what inspired Vivien to make the film, how queer comics have evolved through the decades, and why reading comics is so important for young people.
In order to educate people about the history of queer comics and the pioneers of the movement, it is important to understand the underground comics movement and how queer comics grew out of it. This movement, led by Robert Crumb, was a reaction to the Comic Code Authority, which aimed to “protect” young people from comics that were too adult. Underground comics were sold in head shops and alternative stores, and did not adhere to the code. Queer comics grew out of this movement, and was led by Mary Wings, who wanted to correct the presentation of lesbian life. Her comic book, Come Out Comics, was the first comic book about a queer subject created by an out lesbian. In addition to understanding the history of queer comics, it is important to highlight the pioneers of the movement. This includes Mary Wings, Alison Bechtel, Jen Camper, David Voynerch, and Howard Cruz. Each of these individuals had unique stories and perspectives that contributed to the overall narrative of the rise of queer comics. To highlight these individuals, it is important to emphasize the stories of their lives, as well as how their individual art evolved over the years. It is also important to highlight their contributions to the civil rights movement, and to how they helped bring queer themes to the mainstream. Finally, it is important to recognize the role humor played in their work, as it was often used to bring light to even the darkest of moments.
