Joyce Brabner

American writer and artist

Joyce Brabner (born March 1, 1952) is an American writer of political comics and the widow of Harvey Pekar.

Brabner recalls "read[ing] comics when I was five or six years old – including Mad magazine", her first exposure to political satire. crediting his work on "American Splendor [for giving her] a worm's eye view of what his other marriages were like," allowing for a greater degree of understanding and openness between the two of them. Danielle became a recurring character in American Splendor, alongside Pekar's diverse cast of family and friends.

In addition to Pekar and American Splendor, Brabner has worked with many of independent comics' highest profile writers and artists.

Brabner edited Eclipse Comics' Real War Stories (1987–1991), which brought Mike W. Barr, Steve Bissette, Brian Bolland, Paul Mavrides, Dean Motter, Denny O'Neil and John Totleben (among others) together on behalf of the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors and Citizen Soldier. Lou Ann Merkle, "an art student and activist living in Cleveland" began working with the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, a "military and draft counseling organization," and sought out Pekar for advice on the costs involved in creating a comic. brought critical praise from both the artistic and activist communities. Originally a joint publishing venture between Eclipse Comics and Warner Books, the 1989 graphic novel flip book Brought to Light dealt in part with the Central Intelligence Agency's involvement in the Iran–Contra affair. She has also written Activists! and the PETA supported Animal Rights Comics, as well as working on Strip AIDS and a book called Cambodia, USA. as well as an anthology (with Pekar, Ed Piskor and others) called The Beats (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008). In addition, Brabner's 2014 nonfiction comic book Second Avenue Caper: When Goodfellas, Divas, and Dealers Plotted Against the Plague was given the Lambda Literary Award for "LGBT Graphic Novel" at the 27th Lambda Literary Awards in 2015. Illustrated by Mark Zingarelli, the book was published by Hill & Wang. With Pekar, she co authored and appeared as herself in an opera performed by Real Time Opera in January 2009; the event was broadcast on the Internet from Oberlin College on January 31, 2009. She helped finish and publish two of Pekar's posthumously published works, Harvey Pekar's Cleveland (Zip Comics/Top Shelf Productions, 2012) and Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me, (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, July 2014). Also anticipated is another posthumous comic book from Pekar, another autobiography by Brabner, and new work with Danielle Batone. From 2015 to 2018 Brabner performed in storytelling and comedy shows that also featured Kevin Meaney, Marina Franklin, Lydia Lunch, Aparna Nancherla, Nonye Brown West, and Cassie J. Sneider. These shows took place at Ralph's Rock Diner (Worcester, Massachusetts) and venues in and near Boston. The shows were produced and hosted by comedian Matthew Flynn, and the shows were often called Guerrilla Theatre or Thought Bomb.

In 1995, Brabner and Pekar shared a Harvey Award (named after cartoonist Harvey Kurtzman) for "Best Original Graphic Novel" for Our Cancer Year. In 2011, Brabner was awarded an Inkpot Award in recognition of her work in comics. Second Avenue Caper: When Goodfellas, Divas, and Dealers Plotted Against the Plague won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award.

Brabner was portrayed by actress Hope Davis in the film adaptation of American Splendor (2003), and also appeared as herself in some scenes. Davis' performance was met with critical acclaim, and she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. Brabner appeared as herself in the 2015 documentary Call Me Lucky being interviewed about comedian and fellow activist Barry Crimmins.