Sean (cartoonist)
| Sean | |
|---|---|
 Biff Bound, a comic by Klamik | |
| Born | John Klamik July 22, 1935 Chicago |
| Died | January 5, 2005 (aged 69) |
| Nationality | American |
| Area(s) | Cartoonist |
| Pseudonym(s) | Sean, Shawn |
Notable works | "Gayer than Strange" "Up the Block" "Dick Darling, Hollywood Cover Boy" |
| Partner(s) | Jim Newberry |
Sean and Shawn were the pen-names of John Klamik (July 22, 1935 – January 5, 2005), was an American artist specializing in gay male erotica and comics.[1] His homosexual-themed cartoons were among the first to appear in US publications, including a regular feature in the early years of The Advocate. He worked under two pen names: Shawn for more mainstream gay publications such as In Touch,[2] and Sean for fetish publications such as Drummer and Bound & Gagged.[3][4]
Career
Klamik was born on July 22, 1935, in Chicago, and studied at the Art Institute.[1] He moved to West Hollywood, California in the mid 1960s,[4][3] where he worked in an art factory producing paintings for hotel rooms,[2] and as Display Director for the Akron stores.[1]
His first erotic work was "published" in 1963, by taking photographs of the illustrations and making prints in home darkrooms.[2] In 1965, he began doing editorial and gag comics for The Advocate, and in the late 1960s did a half-page series under the title "Gayer Than Strange".[2]
In the 1970s he did both softcore and hardcore illustrations for erotic novels and collections of short stories published by Larry Townsend, and his Leatherman’s Handbook.[2] In the mid 1970s he created stand-alone wordless hardcore comics Biff and Biff Bound for San Francisco publisher Le Salon, which featured centerfolds with 10 and 15 men having sex, respectively.[2] During this time he produced eighteen 10-page comics stories for hardcore photo-story magazines published by Nova Studios, which were reprinted in Meatmen.[2] In the 1980s he also did art direction for some of Nova's porn films and videos.
In the late 1980s Klamik produced "Up the Block", a humor comic strip set in a gay neighborhood, for Frontiers. He produced 27 installments of "Jake", a 4-page series for Jock magazine; over 20 episodes of "Dick Darling, Hollywood Cover Boy", a 2- or 4-page strip for a twink-themed porn magazine; and 7 episodes of "Johnny Guitar" for another magazine.[2] In 1986, Klamik was featured in Naked Eyes, an artist showcase organized by Olaf Odegaard that highlighted gay men's visual art for the International Gay and Lesbian Archives.[5]
At the end of the 1980s, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and continued to work with California publishers by mail.[2] Some of his art is housed at the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago.[6]
Personal life
Klamik advocated for gay rights by participating in picket lines and sit-ins and by helping plan the Los Angeles and West Hollywood annual gay pride parades.[4]
In 1965 Klamik began a relationship with Jim Newberry; they remained companions until Klamik's death from lung cancer[1] in 2005.[4][3]
Klamik was a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts and reportedly rode every roller coaster in the United States, fulfilling a lifelong dream.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d "John Klamik". lambiek.net. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "A Sean interview « The Gay Comics List". gaycomicslist.free.fr. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- ^ a b c "Untitled Document". 1226608.sites.myregisteredsite.com. Archived from the original on 2009-09-13. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- ^ a b c d e "PASSSAGES John 'Shawn' Klamik". Windy City Times. 2005-01-26. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ "Finding Aid to the International Gay and Lesbian Archives Records, 1958-2002 Coll2012-002". Online Archives of California. Coll2012-002, Subseries 6.2. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "Untitled print by Sean (2002077001)". leatherarchives.org. Retrieved 2024-07-11.