Max & Lily

Let's Begin Again - by Kris Dresen
#012 July 04, 1996 I really hate loud noises and explosions. The story about the kid not being allowed to use the garden hose (“You’d BETTER not get my CAR WET.”) yet being allowed a lighter and fireworks is true. As I was drawing this comic, said child - who was all of maybe ten - was in the middle of the street after dark shooting off sparkly balls of fire. The rest of his kin were setting off firecrackers and quarter sticks all night. In the morning when I went out to my car, it was covered with the papery remains of hundreds of firecrackers. The jerks were tossing them at the cars that lined the street. (“Do NOT take away my God-given right to learn that gasoline is combustible the hard way!”)In a few more weeks, a strip comes up where these fine, fine neighbors played another “WTF is WRONG with you?” role. No, wait. It’s not loud noises and explosions I hate. It’s people.

#012 July 04, 1996

I really hate loud noises and explosions.

The story about the kid not being allowed to use the garden hose (“You’d BETTER not get my CAR WET.”) yet being allowed a lighter and fireworks is true. As I was drawing this comic, said child - who was all of maybe ten - was in the middle of the street after dark shooting off sparkly balls of fire. The rest of his kin were setting off firecrackers and quarter sticks all night. In the morning when I went out to my car, it was covered with the papery remains of hundreds of firecrackers. The jerks were tossing them at the cars that lined the street. (“Do NOT take away my God-given right to learn that gasoline is combustible the hard way!”)

In a few more weeks, a strip comes up where these fine, fine neighbors played another “WTF is WRONG with you?” role.

No, wait. It’s not loud noises and explosions I hate. It’s people.

#011 June(?) 1996Another undated comic. I’m guessing June since the next strip is dated and because this one is about being queer. A regular Sherlock, I am.Oh, the absurdity of rampant speculation. How very trendy back then. Oh, wait…As this posts I will be on my way to Bethesda, MD for the gathering of comics that is known as SPX. I will be tabling with the always magnificent Jenn Manley Lee at table G10. If you’re there please come say hello! I’ll have all of my books available and it’s a rare opportunity to see me out in the wild!

#011 June(?) 1996

Another undated comic. I’m guessing June since the next strip is dated and because this one is about being queer. A regular Sherlock, I am.

Oh, the absurdity of rampant speculation. How very trendy back then. Oh, wait…

As this posts I will be on my way to Bethesda, MD for the gathering of comics that is known as SPX. I will be tabling with the always magnificent Jenn Manley Lee at table G10. If you’re there please come say hello! I’ll have all of my books available and it’s a rare opportunity to see me out in the wild!

#010 April(?) 1996This must be the first strip after I ditched the “based on a news event of the week” format. The strip is not dated but does have “the incident” written on the back.I have absolutely no idea what that means.But, y’know, I was 29, political-ish, living the life of an artist, wore black all the time, had a kickin’ black leather motorcycle jacket, and had oh so much to be oh so very angry about. *eyeroll*

#010 April(?) 1996

This must be the first strip after I ditched the “based on a news event of the week” format. The strip is not dated but does have “the incident” written on the back.

I have absolutely no idea what that means.

But, y’know, I was 29, political-ish, living the life of an artist, wore black all the time, had a kickin’ black leather motorcycle jacket, and had oh so much to be oh so very angry about.

*eyeroll*






#009 March 29, 1996 So I understand that schools let you go to prom without dates now.Mmmm, yeah. I still wouldn’t go.

#009 March 29, 1996

So I understand that schools let you go to prom without dates now.

Mmmm, yeah. I still wouldn’t go.

#008 March 22, 1996Anyone remember Comet Hyakutake? The Great Comet of 1996?Yeah, me either. I only know the name because I wrote it on the back of this strip. But that spring it was a BIG DEAL. I recall watching the news and there were nightly directions on where to look in the sky to see this “amazing sight.” You didn’t dare miss it!Which, I think, proves the point of this comic. We see what we want to.

#008 March 22, 1996

Anyone remember Comet Hyakutake? The Great Comet of 1996?

Yeah, me either. I only know the name because I wrote it on the back of this strip. But that spring it was a BIG DEAL. I recall watching the news and there were nightly directions on where to look in the sky to see this “amazing sight.” You didn’t dare miss it!

Which, I think, proves the point of this comic. We see what we want to.

#007 March 15, 1996Oh, great, an election strip! This should be completely outdated, right? We have bigger and better issues dividing the country now. Nope. Man. Posting these comics is starting to get a bit depressing.

#007 March 15, 1996

Oh, great, an election strip! This should be completely outdated, right? We have bigger and better issues dividing the country now.

Nope.

Man. Posting these comics is starting to get a bit depressing.

#006 March 08, 1996My, my. How times have changed yet remained the same. Back in 1996 I was taking Cathy to task for waiting for the FDA to approve “fat cures.” Today? Others are taking to task all the artists who perpetuate the broke-back pose and utter lack of realistic bodies in female superhero characters. Keep fighting the good fight, ladies.Besides a bit off self-effacing on my part at the end, the “a woman who doesn’t define who she is by the ring on her finger” is a Jen Benka quote in reference to Manya, which she and I were publishing back then. Also - 15 years on I’m still drawing comics. I hope I don’t break a hip as I pat myself on the back here.

#006 March 08, 1996

My, my. How times have changed yet remained the same. Back in 1996 I was taking Cathy to task for waiting for the FDA to approve “fat cures.” Today? Others are taking to task all the artists who perpetuate the broke-back pose and utter lack of realistic bodies in female superhero characters. Keep fighting the good fight, ladies.

Besides a bit off self-effacing on my part at the end, the “a woman who doesn’t define who she is by the ring on her finger” is a Jen Benka quote in reference to Manya, which she and I were publishing back then.

Also - 15 years on I’m still drawing comics. I hope I don’t break a hip as I pat myself on the back here.

#005 March 01, 1996 (Women’s History Month) Ha ha! Remember when we were young and angry and spelled stuff wrong because it was edgy and rebellious and empowering? Now it’s called TEXTING.

#005 March 01, 1996 (Women’s History Month)

Ha ha! Remember when we were young and angry and spelled stuff wrong because it was edgy and rebellious and empowering?

Now it’s called TEXTING.

#004 February 24, 1996I haven’t read these early Max & Lily strips in probably, oh, more than ten years or so. So coming back to them is kind of an odd thing. I wonder if some will need deeper explanation of the subject or of the time the strip appeared in to put them in proper context. I pulled this strip out and thought, “Huh. AIDS. This might seem dated.” Upon reading it I am quite saddened to see that it is still relevant.

#004 February 24, 1996

I haven’t read these early Max & Lily strips in probably, oh, more than ten years or so. So coming back to them is kind of an odd thing. I wonder if some will need deeper explanation of the subject or of the time the strip appeared in to put them in proper context.

I pulled this strip out and thought, “Huh. AIDS. This might seem dated.”

Upon reading it I am quite saddened to see that it is still relevant.

#003 February 16, 1996 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME (SUBTLY) ADDRESSED IN THIS STRIP: 1) The only time I’ve ever rec’d roses is when a co-worker who was stalking me broke into my car to leave a dozen to show his intention to be my boyfriend. He did this twice. But he had never, ever spoken to me. When I busted him with sexual harassment he threatened to put a shotgun to my head and pull the trigger. Ain’t misguided like grand? Also, do not EVER give me flowers. I WILL call the police.2) I did not go to my prom. Please. 3) I did indeed end a relationship but uttering those very words. Why don’t people believe me when I tell them how anti-social I am? I freely document it all over the place. ALSO: Note the hint of the Manya cover in the first panel. MANYA!

#003 February 16, 1996

FUN FACTS ABOUT ME (SUBTLY) ADDRESSED IN THIS STRIP:

1) The only time I’ve ever rec’d roses is when a co-worker who was stalking me broke into my car to leave a dozen to show his intention to be my boyfriend. He did this twice. But he had never, ever spoken to me. When I busted him with sexual harassment he threatened to put a shotgun to my head and pull the trigger. Ain’t misguided like grand? Also, do not EVER give me flowers. I WILL call the police.

2) I did not go to my prom. Please.

3) I did indeed end a relationship but uttering those very words. Why don’t people believe me when I tell them how anti-social I am? I freely document it all over the place.

ALSO: Note the hint of the Manya cover in the first panel. MANYA!