Join us for Eric Orner’s funny and engaging reading, his unique perspective on American politics, and a lively conversation between two longtime friends about the cartooning life in America today
Smahtguy offsets the brilliant, raucous, and combative story of Barney Frank’s public life against the personal turmoil he experienced struggling to emerge as both a gay person and a senior member of Congress.
Earlier in his career, Eric Orner created “The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green,” one of the most popular and widely published comics strips about LGBTQ life during its long (1989-2005) run. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The New Republic. He also worked extensively in the animation industry, as a story artist at Disney and other Los Angeles studios.
In addition to his artistic life, Orner moonlighted as a political staffer serving as press secretary for Frank (and later, as a speechwriter for Congresswoman Maxine Waters). In Smahtguy he combines arch cartooning, illustration and design skills with insider political access to craft an unforgettable portrayal of a singular American political life.
Alison Bechdel is the internationally renowned author of Fun Home, The Secret to Superhuman Strength, Are You My Mother and the trailblazing comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For.