Harvey Pekar's Partner and Comic Writer Joyce Brabner Dies After Battle with Cancer
CLEVELAND - Joyce Brabner, acclaimed comic book writer and wife of the late Harvey Pekar, died on August 1 at the age of 72 after a prolonged battle with cancer, confirmed by her partner of 14 years, Lee Batdorf, in a Facebook post. Brabner is remembered for her influential role in the comic book industry and her commitment to exploring complex social issues through her work. “I think anybody who met Joyce understood that she was her own person. She had her own agenda—I mean, she supported Harvey. But she was not in his shadow," said Suzanne DaGaetano, owner of Mac's Backs Books on Coventry and a friend of Brabner, according to Cleveland Scene.
Born on March 1, 1952, in Wilmington, Delaware, Brabner developed an early interest in comics and libraries. Her career included teaching creative writing and carpentry at a detention center and co-owning Xanadu Comics & Collectibles, where she first encountered Pekar's work. This led to a correspondence and eventual marriage to Pekar in 1985. They quickly became collaborators in both life and work, chronicling ordinary life in Cleveland through Pekar's anthology American Splendor, which gained widespread acclaim. Their collaboration was highlighted in the 2003 film American Splendor, where Brabner was portrayed by actress Hope Davis.
Despite being closely associated with Pekar, Brabner carved out her own career in alternative comics, often addressing political and social issues. Her work included editing Real War Stories, a collection of Cold War counterpropaganda comics, and Brought to Light, a graphic novel with Alan Moore that explored the CIA's involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair. Her contributions to these works drew attention from the Department of Defense due to their controversial content.
Brabner's most celebrated work, Our Cancer Year, chronicled Pekar's battle with lymphoma and provided insight into their lives. The graphic novel, co-written with Pekar and illustrated by Frank Stack, earned the couple a Harvey Award in 1995. Brabner continued to write and publish posthumous works of Pekar, including Harvey Pekar's Cleveland and Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me, ensuring his legacy endured after his death in 2010.
Her later works, including Second Avenue Caper: When Goodfellas, Divas, and Dealers Plotted Against the Plague, earned her a Lambda Literary Award for "LGBT Graphic Novel" in 2015. The book, illustrated by Mark Zingarelli, highlighted the AIDS epidemic's impact on New York City.
Brabner's career extended beyond comics, as she performed in storytelling and comedy shows and co-authored The Courage Party: Helping Our Resilient Children Understand and Survive Sexual Assault with her foster daughter Danielle Batone. Her impact on the comic industry and her advocacy for marginalized voices continue to resonate.
Amy Roth, a violist with the Workmen's Circle Klezmer Orchestra, recalled meeting Brabner at the premiere of the American Splendor film, describing her as "a very sweet person" concerned about her husband’s health but enjoying the event.
Brabner leaves behind a legacy of challenging the norms of the comic book industry and advocating for truth and social justice. Her work remains a testament to her dedication to exploring the complexities of the human condition.
Additional news coverage on this, from other local networks, can be found at the following sources:
Cleveland Scene, "Joyce Brabner, Comic Book Writer and Wife of Late Harvey Pekar, Dies at 72," published on August 7, 2024. Available online.
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