Eric Orner’s groundbreaking comic strip debuted in 1990 and appeared in papers in a hundred cities across the US, Canada and the UK. Now, for the first time, every subversive, laugh-out-loud funny, and occasionally surreal episode from the gay everyman’s 15 years in print is in one deluxe collection.
Eric Orner's work has appeared in mainstream, alt weekly and digital publications. A feature film adaptation of his comic strip The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green staring Meredith Baxter, Daniel Letterle, and Shanola Hampton was released in 2006. Eric's story "Weekends Abroad" for the Robert Kirby anthology THREE was included in Houghton Mifflin's Best American Comics 2011. A complete collection of his Ethan Green strips was published by Northwest Press as the 2014 book The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green. Current work of Eric's is often published on the lit-crit website theRumpus.net.
Eric Orner’s groundbreaking comic strip, “The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green”, debuted in 1990 and appeared in papers in a hundred cities across the US, Canada and the UK. Now, for the first time, every subversive, laugh-out-loud funny, and occasionally surreal episode from the gay everyman’s 15 years in print is in one deluxe collection. Includes behind-the-scenes stories from the author, bonus strips, and a foreword by New York Times bestselling author David Ebershoff.
“In his introduction, NYT-bestselling author David Ebershoff highlights the comparisons drawn between Eric Orner and Alison Bechdel, and writes that ‘Orner first drew Ethan Green for other gay men, and in doing so ended up creating something universal’. Once again, Northwest Press is living up to its motto that ‘Comics are for everyone’.” Read Tom Murphy’s review on Broken Frontier.
Comics Grinder –
“Eric Orner is one of the pioneers in LGBT comics. The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green, published by Northwest Press, is a great way to not only further establish him in the canon of LGBT comics, but simply to showcase the work of an excellent cartoonist.” Read Henry Chamberlain’s review on Comics Grinder.
The Bay Area Reporter –
“Ethan is gay, Jewish, lives in Boston, and suffers the usual indignities of a full sex life. Orner’s touch is light, text-driven, rings true. Some references (video store, AZT) are dated, but most (exes, coupled friends) are not. Serious issues (serodiscordant couples) are treated seriously. For Ethan’s mother, the fact that Ethan is dating a Cirque du Soleil performer (‘an acrobat, or clown, or something’) is a serious issue.” Read Roberto Friedman’s review on The Bay Area Reporter.
Sequential Tart –
Rated 4 out of 5
“I enjoyed this book from start to finish… it is very well drawn and the characters, the settings, the emotions and the situations all comes across very real and authentic from the very first panel.” Read Patti Martinson’s review on Sequential Tart.
Lambda Literary –
“Orner’s book is a treasure trove of emotions, queer characters you both know and want to know, engrossing art, humor and good storytelling. I recommend curling up with this book and reading it cover to cover. Both old fans and new readers alike will relish this collection.” Read Cathy Camper’s review on Lambda Literary.
“Orner’s comic covers the funny, subversive, and occasionally surreal events in the life of a gay everyman. This deluxe edition compiles all of the misadventures, false starts, and excessive worrying of Ethan Green.” Read Bradley Donalson’s review on Out Smart.
The Comics Journal –
“The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green is important not only as a historical artifact but also as the rare strip that follows its characters over time and makes the reader care about their evolution.” Read Rob Clough’s review on The Comics Journal.
Daily Xtra –
“Now Eric Orner, the cartoonist who invented Ethan, has released a compendium called The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green. In it, we relive the dramas and wisecracks that kept fans returning weekly to follow the cast of colourful characters Orner imagined.” Read Pat Johnson’s interview with Eric Orner on Daily Xtra.
Amos Lassen –
“Ethan lives a mostly ‘unfabulous’ life, hence the title. Sometimes we forget that a boring life can also be a source for comedy and we see that in Ethan. Both the stories and the artwork are filled with details and sometimes we have to look for these. This is a wonderful addition to every gay man’s library and it is filled with emotions and men who we want to know and those we do not.” Read Amos Lassen’s review with Eric Orner on Reviews by Amos Lassen.
Jon Macy, longtime contributor to gay comics publications such as Gay Comics and Boy Trouble, has adapted a moving and erotic gay love story from the classic Teleny: Or the Reverse of the Medal. attributed to Oscar Wilde and his circle of writers and poets.
Camille, a wealthy young gentleman in Victorian London, falls in love with the handsome and mesmerizing pianist Teleny. While Teleny performs on stage, the two star-crossed lovers discover they share a psychic link in the form of an erotic vision. While Camille struggles to resist his homosexuality Teleny is being pursued by others. After telepathically witnessing the erotic encounters Teleny has with both sexes, Camille attempts suicide. Teleny rescues Camille physically and emotionally with his rapturous love forsaking all others. In this newfound happiness Camille tries to forget that Teleny owes much of his success to the generosity of the women who desire him.
Fans of gay comics and gay love stories will devour this sensual tome.
Winner of the 2010 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica!
PREVIEW:
Read the entire first chapter right now! (This preview has had a few images obscured in order to make it more acceptable for general audiences; the full graphic novel is sexually explicit and is intended for adult readers only.)
INTERVIEWS:
Interview with Outlook Columbus — “The bottom line? This book is fun. It’s unique, academic and sexy. Teleny and Camille is far and away the most innovative gay novel of the past few years. I caught up with other Jon Macy to talk about his creation.” — Mackenzie Worrall
Interview on The Feast of Fun podcast — “Based on Teleny, the secret round-robin novel written by Oscar Wilde and his anonymous circle of friends, the classic work of erotica is now visually re-interpreted by Macy in all its lush, sexual excess. Join us as we take a look at the origins of modern gay culture in Victorian England, the origins of one guy one jar, the complicated man that was Oscar Wilde and how to cruise for sex in ye merrie olde England.”
During a stormy night and under the influence of some surprisingly strong pipe weed, Bold Riley glimpses a shape of what’s to come. Now, somewhat less burdened by sorrow, she heads towards the Atratan Desert in search of the powerful city state of Kabumzala.
Written by Leia Weathington and illustrated by Joanna Estep. With color by Nechama Frier, a pinup by Gisele Jobateh, and a cover by Genue Revuelta.
Zita Makara is out for blood and Dash is in her sights! Can he stop her before another life is lost? Is she really the monster she appears to be…or is someone else pulling the strings?
Worried about Rick’s prospects for a successful art career, his creations decide he needs some inspiration. They set out to find his favorite artist, the reclusive Bill Watterson, whether Watterson wants to be found or not.
Rickets the broken robot and Prester the born again teddy bear finally discover the whereabouts of the elusive Bill Watterson; he’s spent decades as the prisoner of a deranged Jim Davis, forced to draw Garfield comics! Can our heroes rescue Watterson from the clutches of this commercial enterprise, or have they arrived too late?
Broken Frontier –
“In his introduction, NYT-bestselling author David Ebershoff highlights the comparisons drawn between Eric Orner and Alison Bechdel, and writes that ‘Orner first drew Ethan Green for other gay men, and in doing so ended up creating something universal’. Once again, Northwest Press is living up to its motto that ‘Comics are for everyone’.” Read Tom Murphy’s review on Broken Frontier.
Comics Grinder –
“Eric Orner is one of the pioneers in LGBT comics. The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green, published by Northwest Press, is a great way to not only further establish him in the canon of LGBT comics, but simply to showcase the work of an excellent cartoonist.” Read Henry Chamberlain’s review on Comics Grinder.
The Bay Area Reporter –
“Ethan is gay, Jewish, lives in Boston, and suffers the usual indignities of a full sex life. Orner’s touch is light, text-driven, rings true. Some references (video store, AZT) are dated, but most (exes, coupled friends) are not. Serious issues (serodiscordant couples) are treated seriously. For Ethan’s mother, the fact that Ethan is dating a Cirque du Soleil performer (‘an acrobat, or clown, or something’) is a serious issue.” Read Roberto Friedman’s review on The Bay Area Reporter.
Sequential Tart –
“I enjoyed this book from start to finish… it is very well drawn and the characters, the settings, the emotions and the situations all comes across very real and authentic from the very first panel.” Read Patti Martinson’s review on Sequential Tart.
Lambda Literary –
“Orner’s book is a treasure trove of emotions, queer characters you both know and want to know, engrossing art, humor and good storytelling. I recommend curling up with this book and reading it cover to cover. Both old fans and new readers alike will relish this collection.” Read Cathy Camper’s review on Lambda Literary.
Journal of the Lincoln Heights Literary Society –
“The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green is a great collection. It is another beautifully designed and published book by Northwest Press.” Read Ginger Mayerson’s review on Journal of the Lincoln Heights Literary Society.
Out Smart –
“Orner’s comic covers the funny, subversive, and occasionally surreal events in the life of a gay everyman. This deluxe edition compiles all of the misadventures, false starts, and excessive worrying of Ethan Green.” Read Bradley Donalson’s review on Out Smart.
The Comics Journal –
“The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green is important not only as a historical artifact but also as the rare strip that follows its characters over time and makes the reader care about their evolution.” Read Rob Clough’s review on The Comics Journal.
Daily Xtra –
“Now Eric Orner, the cartoonist who invented Ethan, has released a compendium called The Completely Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green. In it, we relive the dramas and wisecracks that kept fans returning weekly to follow the cast of colourful characters Orner imagined.” Read Pat Johnson’s interview with Eric Orner on Daily Xtra.
Amos Lassen –
“Ethan lives a mostly ‘unfabulous’ life, hence the title. Sometimes we forget that a boring life can also be a source for comedy and we see that in Ethan. Both the stories and the artwork are filled with details and sometimes we have to look for these. This is a wonderful addition to every gay man’s library and it is filled with emotions and men who we want to know and those we do not.” Read Amos Lassen’s review with Eric Orner on Reviews by Amos Lassen.