No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics Documentary Needs Your Help

In 2012, cartoonist Justin Hall curated the anthology book, No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics, which featured a varied array of contributions from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer comics creators.​ Now he’s hoping to be able to bring No Straight Lines to the screen as a documentary, looking at the history of queer comics, and some of the current key figures behind the LGBTQ comic diversity that’s on the page but hasn’t really been seen in the big budget comic book movies.

In order to get it made, a Kickstarter has launched to get some funding for the film. Much of the filming has already taken place but it now needs help to get across the finishing line.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘NO STRAIGHT LINES tells the story of 6 queer cartoonists as they develop a unique underground art scene in the early 1970’s through today’s greater recognition and acceptance. The film follows these artists’ work and their personal stories as they tackle complex issues of identity and a changing society with intelligence, humor, and imagination. Marginalized for decades, queer comics existed in a parallel universe, appearing in LGBTQ newspapers and bookstores but isolated from mainstream distribution and comic book stores. These comics are an uncensored conversation within queer communities, commenting on everything from the AIDS crisis, workplace discrimination, and marriage equality, to the search for love, solidarity, and a good haircut. With bigotry decreasing and comics commanding greater respect, queer cartoonists are now coming into their own; NO STRAIGHT LINES follows this remarkable journey.

‘NO STRAIGHT LINES will profile the stories of 6 major artists, among them Alison Bechdel (Fun Home) and her mentor Howard Cruse, as well as Jennifer Camper and Rupert Kinnard (creator of the first black queer comics). The film will focus on literary comics and will span the gamut of LGBTQ identities and expressions.’

Take a look at the crowdfunding video/trailer below, and if you like what your see, head over to Kickstarter to help out.