Rupert Kinnard, a prominent figure in Portland’s mural scene and queer history, is celebrated for his comic series, Cathartic Comics, which features the characters Brown Bomber and Diva Touché Flambé. The comic, running in the '80s and '90s, provided a unique Black, gay perspective while critiquing societal issues such as Republican hypocrisy and celebrity culture. Kinnard's journey began in Chicago, where he felt represented by fighters like Muhammad Ali, eventually leading him to create characters that combined humor with social commentary. His work continues to reflect important intersections of identity in their narratives.
Kinnard never expected the Brown Bomber to appear anywhere other than his sketchbook until the editor of his college newspaper asked him to contribute comics weekly.
Cathartic Comics came from a uniquely Black, gay, and intersectional perspective, calling out Republican hypocrites and celebrity foibles in a humorous way.
He started questioning why comic book characters were all white, so he started drawing his own, including one styled after Muhammad Ali.
Kinnard sits between Kathleen Saadat and Lynn Nakamoto, two other icons of Portland's queer history, highlighting the impact of his work.
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