Sunday, November 10, 2013

Split-Level Dykes to Watch Out For

1998, possible first edition, published by Firebrand Books
Alison Bechdel
Split-Level Dykes to Watch Out For
Bought new for $10.95
Slightly worn paperback
B

The title this time comes from Toni, Clarice, and Raffi's move to a better neighborhood.  At the same time, in the bonus story (with a nifty map), Sydney moves in with Mo, and Ginger buys the house she, Lois, and Sparrow have been living in, although they have to have Sparrow's new sweetie move in.  June, who we never saw much of, moves to Boston and then Sparrow, well.

LOIS: (on the phone) Hey, Ginger!  Sounds like Sparrow's home.  And I think she might have the mystery date in tow.
GINGER: (off-panel) Really?  Who is it?  What's she look like?
LOIS:  Uh...kinda like Richard Dreyfuss in "Jaws," only balder.

Yes, Sparrow is dating a man, a white man, although she's still identifying as a lesbian.  Meanwhile, Ginger and Toni are both reminiscing about their one-night stand of a decade ago, although this time it doesn't get beyond some flirting and sexual tension.  As in the other recent collections, there's not much about politics, although Mo makes the point (one Deborah Rhode might agree with) that people would rather talk about the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal than about more serious issues.

I found this on a level with most of the other collections, probably the funniest moment being a cigar-smoking Lois's Groucho imitation.  Next time, Post-Dykes to Watch Out For (2000)....

No comments:

Post a Comment