Queer comic artist Kate Leth (“It rhymes with ‘death’ and ‘meth'”) is someone you would be friends with if you knew her in real life. She likes to draw, she likes to talk about her cat and pretty ladies, and she loves discussing sex in an open, positive way. You’re basically best friends already.
You almost certainly know her from the internet: Posting her work on Tumblr and writing a regular column for Comics Bulletin, Kate has achieved anย increasinglyย visible level of internet fame by drawing and writing about her personal life for the entire world to see andย criticize. The subjects of her work are sometimes controversial, sometimes heartbreaking, and always on-point.
Despite her grouchy, injured cat’s protests, Kate talked over the phone about being queer, drawing for women (and herself), and what makes a comic worth reading.ย She even drew Autostraddle a sexy comic! It’s at the very end. No peeking, just keep reading. All good things to those who wait, including gentle bondage drawings. (Especially gentle bondage drawings.)
Let’s start with an origin story. How did you get to where you are now, comic-wise?
I started about a year ago, a little more than that, just sort of drawing one-off pages on the internet at the behest of my boss at work. I work in a comic book store called Strange Adventures, and I was being really pushed to draw about comics and about working in the comic book store, and I thought, โWell, I do like writing about that sometimes, but there are a lot of other things I want to address.” So I started writing more autobiographically and writing more personal strips, which ended up being a lot more popular. Thatโs how I got started, and now Iโve been promoting my things through Tumblr and getting involved with other people in comics, and itโs been progressing since then.
Itโs weird. I really hadnโt expected it to go beyond my circle of friends, and Iโm still honestly shocked when anyone knows my stuff or my website or me. I always find it really strange, even though I know my stuff is out there for everyone. It never really feels like there are real people at the other end of the internet.
What do you think originally sparked your love of comic books and drawing?
Iโve always been drawing. It was sort of a nervous habit when I was younger. In class, I was always the person who doodled and drew on things and got into trouble for that. When I graduated high school, I went to art school, NSCAD, to pursue art in general because I didnโt really know what I wanted to do. I tried to go into photography, but it didnโt really take because I donโt think Iโm very good at collaborating. I think thatโs why comics work so well for me right now — because I write and draw and color and promote everything myself, I get a lot less anxious.
If you were to give a state of the union address about women in comics and their place within the comic community, what sort of things do you think you would say?
The only downside about the conversation about women in comics is that it still has to happen. It still seems, even though there are so many women working in the comic book industry in every field and on every level, it still always seems to be a big deal. And thatโs a shame because it shouldnโt, but it definitely is a hard thing to break into. I think itโs easier in webcomics and in indie comics, but when it comes to superhero stuff and big companies, there are definitely a lot fewer women. It can be very unwelcoming, especially when youโre dealing with comics that don’t always depict women in the best way. I like where I am in the indie comics, in the alternative press community. Itโs pretty much half men and half women, and that works for me really well.
What kinds of problems are there in the way women are often portrayed in comics? Why do you think things like that persist?
There is a really good post on Comics Alliance where they were talking about how a lot of men, not just men but creators in the Big Two [Marvel and DC] in comics, donโt understand the difference between being sexy and being objectifying, and I think that can be really hard. You know, they make a comic, and theyโre like, โOh yeah, girls are going to read it. Itโs starring a female lead. Itโs a strong female character!” And then they put her in a thong, and sheโs got her tits falling out everywhere, and girls are like, โI donโt want to read that. Thatโs not what I want.” Like, youโre making this comic about a strong female character, but itโs clearly aimed at men, and I think thatโs a problem for sure.
There are good female characters out there, and I think people need to look at that and the fact that theyโre doing really well. The new Batwoman series is awesome. A great lead, a great character, really well-written. And the new Wonder Woman! You know, sheโs badass, and sheโs tough, and her boobs arenโt falling out! Itโs great. I love that.
Ok, well, what if youโre just the average reader? What can you do to combat misogyny in comics?
Donโt buy shitty comics. [Laughs] I try to do my part at the store. When girls pick up Catwoman I say, โHmm, maybe this isnโt the best title for you. You maybe donโt want to see that. You maybe want to try these older issues of Catwoman that Darwyn Cook did that are really, really awesome without being super gross.” Donโt buy the things that bother you, and tell people. Youโd be surprised what you can do with social media. People will listen after a while. Seek out more positive role models, not even necessarily created by women. The Buffy comics are really great. There are lots of awesome female characters in other comics, and you can find them if you look. Youโve gotta dig them out, and that really sucks, but theyโre there. You have to sift.
Would you say itโs getting better?
I think so, and maybe itโs becoming increasingly a part of the women in comics community, but it feels very hopeful. Especially with books like Womanthology coming out and the crazy, rampant enthusiasm that that created, itโs justโฆ obviously, thereโs a market for it. Obviously, people want it. Weโre at a point where itโs not a guyโs world anymore, and it hasnโt been for a long time. It feels very positive, despite what maybe the numbers are saying, it at least feels good.
Do you have any recommendations for someone who wants to start reading comics?
If youโre looking to get into an ongoing series, something you can pick up at a comic book store every month, Batwoman and Wonder Woman are my top two. Theyโre really great stories. Batwoman is loftier in terms of its ambitions. Itโs really, really well-drawn. The art is beautiful, even when the story gets confusing, itโs so good looking, it really doesnโt matter. Wonder Woman has a really good story. They sort of changed her origin around, and people got mad because, you know, her whole thing originally was that she was made out of clay. She was the daughter of no man, but now theyโve changed it so that sheโs the daughter of Zeus, so people got really mad and were saying that itโs very against her origin that she came from a man, but what theyโre doing with it is actually really neat. I think itโs a cool story.
If youโre just going to pick up a book or something you donโt have to commit to once a month, Batwomanโs origin book Elegy is awesome, and you can read that totally self-contained. You donโt have to know anything, so itโs a really good story. If you can find it because itโs out of print, check out Batgirl: Year 1, which is the origin of Barbra Gordon as Batgirl. That oneโs really, really good.
Iโd also recommend DAR! by Erika Moen for some amazing autobiographical comics and Chester 5000ย [NSFW] by Jess Fink.
Letโs talk about sex for a minute.
Thatโs so funny, I was driving home, and I was like, โWhen I talk to Autostraddle, I bet theyโre going to ask me sexy questions.โ
I mean, you have to ask a sexy question to get a sexy answer. Well, why donโt we start with Chester 5000. What do you think makes that a successful sexy comic?
Chester 5000 is sexy because itโs fun. Jess Fink has a really fun approach to sex in general where itโs not exploitative. Sheโs looking at sex as being silly and naughty and joyful as opposed to being extreme and where everyoneโs drawn very disproportionately and unrealistically and no one is connecting on a real level. In her comics, the characters are in love, theyโre in relationships, and they have feelings for each other without being a paperback romance. Because itโs filthy. [Laughs] Itโs really filthy. So I look to her all the time as the model for when I draw filthy comics, which is to straddle that line between keeping it fun and keeping it dirty without making anyone feel bad.
Why do you like writing filthy comics?
Because I donโt find a lot of stuff that I like in terms of filthy comics. I think itโs really difficult, not just for girls but for everybody who likes writing sexy stuff and who is into that sort of thing but wants it to matter to the characters. I like writing it. I think itโs fun, but I was really hesitant. Even when I started doing comics, I always wanted to do more adult comics, more erotic comics, but I wasnโt very good at drawing bodies. [Laughs] My anatomy was not so great, and nobody wants to look at that. So I gave myself some time, and I do a lot of sketching, and now Iโm to the point where Iโm more comfortable drawing, not necessarily wholly realistic but fun, sexy comics.
I wrote about how Iโm conflicted about drawing sex in comics right now or putting sexy stuff on my website because a lot of teenagers read it, but at the same time, Iโm not putting anything out there that they havenโt seen in way worse incarnations that aren’t sex positive or feminist on any level. I donโt feel bad about it. I could add that to my resume: sexy and fun but not horrifying.
You should totally do that.ย How do you identify, sexually? Wow, that sounded a lot less creepy in my head.
[Laughing] No, thatโs ok! I think the best word for me is โqueer.” I donโt have a gender preference. I never have. I came out as liking both girls and boys when I was 10. It doesnโt seem strange to me. It seems more strange to have to have a label for it, so โqueer” works for me.
How does being queer impact what you draw and how you draw?
Well, I donโt draw for the male gaze. I donโt draw the women I draw to be sexy for men. I draw them to be sexy for me, if that makes any sense. I think some women will draw for the male gaze, especially if theyโre trying to fit into a world where women are drawn that way, but I kind of canโt because thatโs not what I find attractive. So I think thatโs different for me. When I draw erotic comics, I think it should be more than โnaked man and woman have parts put together.” I feel like Iโm open to trying a lot of different things.
I like drawing comics about queer topics, especially because I think that as much as itโs in the news and people talk about it, parts of it are still nobody talks about. Like when I did the bisexuality comics, they seemed so shocking to a lot of people, but I was like, โThis is just my take on it. There’s more out there.” It definitely affects the stuff I do when itโs autobiographical and when itโs erotic. The silly stuff I do, I donโt know if it really has any effect on that. Except Spiderman and Deadpool. Together. Theyโre my favorite gay couple that doesnโt exist.
Does being a queer lady impact how youโre treated within the comic community?
I donโt know, because I donโt know if everyone cares. Iโve never had anybody say anything to me about it at work. Iโve never had anybody make any negative comments. I think part of that comes from what Iโve seen referred to as โbisexual passing guilt,” where youโre a bisexual woman and youโre in a relationship with a man so everyone forgets youโre queer, which I definitely have. I donโt know, the comic community is pretty accepting, at least where I am.
What about on the internet?
Well, Tumblr is super gay. I feel like Tumblr has a large community of isolated teenagers who donโt have a lot of outlets, and thatโs what initially drew me to it because those are my people. I was that kid. Iโve had a lot of people send me some really heartfelt messages, especially in response to comics Iโve done about sexuality or self-injury or about depression, and theyโll say things like, โIโve never had anybody say this in a way I could identify with,” or Iโve had people send me messages that were like, โI came out to my friend because of your comic.” Thatโs the reason I do everything.
Iโve never had anybody be really mean about it. Iโve had people accuse me of the bisexuality comics being exploitative and for doing it for shock value, but I was never saying all people are like this. Iโm saying, โThis is my perspective.โ
The whole thing Iโm trying to do with my comic is to create a space where Iโm very honest about myself, and thereโs so little that I filter, and I want to have honest, open dialogue with people. Sometimes I say the wrong thing, or I use an un-PC term, and people get really nit-picky, but Iโm trying to get better. People will tell me when I mess up.
Mhmm, the internet is really good at that. What sorts of things are you working on right now?
Right now, Iโm finishing reading proposals for an anthology that Iโm working on with Megan Gedris, who is another lady who draws sexy comics, and weโre doing a book called Drawn Out, which is a big anthology of coming out stories, which we were shocked didnโt already exist. I mean, Iโm sure it has in novel form, but not in comic form.
Iโm really hoping over the next couple of months to start a more regularly updating webcomic. I also sold a massive number of prints to help with my catโs vet bills, so that was fun.
Is there anything else you want to talk about?
My cat is trying to eat a fork right now. Also, I have a big crush on Autostraddle.
I feel bad at the internet for not knowing about Kate Leth before this article. BUT I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR HER EXISTENCE NOW!
I’ve been following Kate on Tumbler for awhile, ever since the bisexuality comics came across my dash. In my mind, we are friends. Like the sort of friend who I want to send copies of all my ultra-secret erotic poetry to because it wouldn’t be awkward.
It totally wouldn’t, and you totally should.
Oh Kate. You are going to get All The Secret Erotic Poetry in your email now.
My spidey sense is tingling… yeah, we’ll call it that.
Also I feel this is appropriate.
the magical appearance of the actual image in this comment is brought to you by vegan unicorns and the autostraddle community managerettes
Wonderful!!! Thank you, Autostraddle, for being awesome and giving me the push I needed to start reading comics regularly again! Time to go to my local comic shop. And the best part is that shop happens to be Strange Adventures. I feel like I’m winning all the things today :)
I love love love her. She’s great and always makes my day on Tumblr!
Yes yes yes! Excellent interview with an excellent queer-lady cartoonist. GOOD JOB EVERYONE.
I’ve been following Kate on tumblr for a while now, and I love her art!
This is extremely relevant to my interests.
I love these comic posts sooo much. I always end up adding things to my ‘to reads’ list. #appreciation
I’m jealous of people with the ability to get to Strange Adventures. I follow another Canada based artist, Faith Erin Hicks, and she talks about that shop all the time. There is nothing resembling a local comic shop near me, and it makes me sad.
Yep, I’m one of the teenagers that stalk-*cough* follows Kate on Tumblr. She rocks!
Hiiiiii O_O
Evidently she lives in my (tiny) city and I’ve never heard of her. I need to get out from under my rock more often.
evidently there are a whole lot of Haligonians on here!
…and even some misplaced Haligonians who somehow got stuck in New Brunswick.
To be fair though, Fredericton (NB) also has a Strange Adventures, but the one in Halifax has better vibes.
trop bien
This was a spectaular interview! I always love the Autostraddle interviews because while I’ve been out for a long time, and I’m really knowledgeable about politics, my “culture” knowledge is lacking. I’m feeling more enlightened by the second :P
Also…now I wanna go read comics.
Ehat are your thoughts on Orson Scott Card and superman??