What Right?: Graphic Interpretations Against Censorship

by Robin Fisher (Editor)

What Right? and its adult-themed companion What’s Wrong? are graphic interpretations of what it means to live in a society where we presumably enjoy the right to free speech, and what happens when that right is -challenged. What Right? collects comic art that confronts the serious issues around the denial of civil rights and freedom of speech in particular, and includes work by such familiar artists as Dan -Piraro (Bizarro), Bill Griffith (Zippy the Pinhead) and many others. A fundraising project for the Little Sister’s Defence Fund (to assist the Vancouver gay and lesbian bookstore’s legal challenge to the customs seizures they’ve been plagued by for the last 15 years), Arsenal Pulp Press is donating all proceeds over and above its production costs, and all individuals involved have donated their time, energy, and creative talents to create two marvelous collections of engaging comic art. With an introduction by author Mark Macdonald, buyer for Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium. Robin Fisher is a comic activist in Vancouver.

Genres: Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jan Philipzig · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I am generally happy to support the Little Sister's Defense Fund's fight against discriminatory forms of censorship, the vast majority of the contributions collected in this anthology are overly simplistic and poorly drawn, many even ideologically problematic in their black-and-white approach. I liked exactly one story: the witty Shannon Wheeler one-pager that features the Too Much Coffee Man and sums things up nicely.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of two anthologies published in 2002, with sales going to Little Sister’s Defense Fund. Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium is an LGBTQ+ bookstore in Vancouver, BC. Their stock shipments are prone to seizure by Canadian Customs, and, for better or worse, they tend to be on the forefront of Canadian Free Speech and Censorship issues.

The anthology showcases the work of dozens of creators, with stories and illustrations revolving around the issue of Free Speech. Some deal with the subject obliquely. Others tackle it head on.

There are a wide range of styles and talent on display. Off the top of my head, I recall Roberta Gregory, Alison Bechdel, Bill Griffith, Dan Piraro, Colin Upton, Evan Dorkin, Frank Miller, Bryan Talbot, Peter Kuper, Joyce Farmer … Some of them appear courtesy of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and their contributions have appeared elsewhere, not that this diminishes in any way their participation in this project.

With so much material to choose from, there's something here for everyone. This many years after the fact, I imagine that the book is no longer in print, so probably buying it no longer supports such a worthy cause (hopefully Little Sister’s is still in business after all these years. The world needs quality LGBTQ+ bookstores.) The book will always be worth reading, though. Stories about censorship are, alas, always timely. Recommended!

[Elfdart · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a collection of graphic interpretations on how censorship does nothing beneficial for society. it discusses mostly the censorship of books and ideas through that medium, but some of the comics just deal with the censorship of ideas themselves, or the way in which ideas are expressed. overall i’d say it’s a good collection of comic strips speaking against censorship.

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was mainly published to raise money for Little Sisters in B.C., and to prove a point to officials.
As I borrowed it from the library long after Little Sisters had won their battle.... Well, it was interesting, a little. Not a hugely heavy read, despite the theme, but some small gems.