This review originally ran at Heroes & Heartbreakers in January of 2017. It applies to the 2014 Edition, but the original, published in 2012, is linked in the entry below. In 2016, the first themed volume, My Monster Boyfriend, was released, and a 2018 volume is in the works right now. I hear there will be robots. ;)
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Last time I wrote about comics, I gave them a rating based upon the subjective criteria “can you read this on the train” and “how explicit is this.” This time, I’m just going to tell you: do not read this on the train unless you want some awkward pants feelings with sweaty strangers giving you creepy looks. I also suggest reading this book when not in the presence of children, your parents, etc. I DO suggest reading it with your significant other (battery-operated or human).
Smut Peddler, aka The Best Name Ever, is an anthology of dirty comics written by an all-star team of writers and illustrators in the indie comics world. I was brought to the volume by my love for one of the contributors, Jess Fink. Her comic, Chester 5000 XYZ is AMAZING. (It’s a steampunk sexy romance with a robot and you can read it for free here.) Chester was my first erotic comic and I haven’t talked about it much because it felt like talking about porn, which isn’t something we do in “polite company.” Erotic comics have always felt more accessible to me though because they aren’t real people, which removes the icky ethical issues that have always stopped me from enjoying porn. (This isn’t a judgment of anyone who does watch porn, as I know it’s a healthy part of many people’s sexual experiences.) ANYWAY, I’m going to tell you about Smut Peddler and if you like what I have to say, please buy the comic and support a fantastic group of female artists.
This review is based on the 2014 Edition, a thick volume in black and white that showed up on my doorstep in a completely innocuous media mail envelope. Little did my mail carrier know, subversive comics lay within! The subheading on this book is “A Superior Pornucopia for Classy Dames (and the Forward-Thinking Gentleman).” With that in mind, here we go!
The stats:
- 25 individual stories of varying length
- 344 pages of comics
- Something for everyone, with straight, bi, gay and trans relationships. Also aliens, married folks, meet cutes, light BDSM and all the other things you could want. All body types represented, not just the “ideal.”
- Consent. Present and enthusiastic.
- Sweet, sassy, angsty, mysterious, funny… you name it.
Since there are 25 stories and I can’t fairly give you a synopsis of all of them, here are a few of my favorites:
Smut Peddler 2014
Big Booty Jane: Galactic Space Cop by Arie Monroe and John A Wilcox
A funny space adventure featuring a plus sized woman who gets butt implants that grant her special crime-fighting abilities. (And sexing abilities, natch.) M/f with giggles.
How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm by Jess Fink
A sweet (historical?) story featuring a young man being harassed by his peers for being different. He’s a tinker, so when an alien spacecraft crashes in his backyard, the sexy alien needs his help to fix the craft. M/m with a HEA.
Tiger Bride by Lin Visel
A very sexy arranged marriage story in which the arranged couple discovers an unexpected passion.
One Night Off by Lenny Broadfoot and Rowan Woodcock
A sweet and funny story featuring a gay couple having a night off from their kids. Particularly resonant with those of us who have kids and need a reminder of what it’s like to reconnect with a partner.
Destination Wedding by Dummy Gladhands
A special present for the bride from the groom (and a friend) on their wedding day. Reads sort of like some of the erotic romance I’ve read in the past.
Glasses & Jones by Jujunghe
Two female classmates discover they have a kink in common through the magic of an online blog. Beautiful art and a portrayal of light BDSM that’s refreshing for both its levity and f/f premise.
End verdict: if you’re looking for something a bit more visual than the erotic romance novels you’ve been reading, this is for you. If you want something fun and different to read with or without a partner, this is for you. If explicit portrayals of sex and bodies aren’t your thing, this isn’t for you.
