Joyce Brabner was a comic book writer, social activist, and the widow of independent comics creator Harvey Pekar (1939–2010).
- Died: August 1, 2024 (Who else died on August 1?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 72.
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Joyce Brabner’s legacy
Joyce Brabner read and loved comic books her entire life, but her professional career began elsewhere. For many years, she worked with prison inmates and troubled youth in Delaware, helping them improve their lives and chances for post-incarceration success through the arts and theater. The work made a difference, but over time it became emotionally draining, prompting her transition into other work.
When Brabner became co-owner of a comic shop in Wilmington, Delaware, she made an unlikely connection with a giant of independent comics, Harvey Pekar, while ordering an issue for the store. A correspondence began. And then a romance. And then they were married. Like so much of Pekar’s life, she became a character in his landmark book, “American Splendor.” She even portrayed herself in the 2003 film adaptation of the same name. She also portrayed herself in the 2015 Bobcat Goldthwait film, “Call Me Lucky.”
Brabner was a comics writer and creator in her own right. She wrote with legendary writer Alan Moore and artist Bill Sienkiewicz on the politically-driven “Brought to Light” graphic novel anthologies. She also was editor of “Real War Stories” by Eclipse Comics and worked on comics promoting animal rights and AIDS/HIV awareness, among many other projects. She and Pekar won a Harvey Award for their graphic novel, “Our Cancer Year,” and she won an Inkpot Award in 2011 for career achievement. She was also a 2015 Lambda Literary Award recipient.
On working with an art and theater program for prison inmates
“Nobody cared about these folks. I wanted them to see themselves in ways they’d never imagined. Imagination can make success possible.”—Interview with Cleveland Magazine, 2013
Tributes to Joyce Brabner
Full obituary: CBR
