Some more thoughts on the lovely life of Trina Robbins from Andrew Farago at The Comics Journal, John Lent of the International Journal of Comic Art, and a few dozen more short remembrances from cartoonists and friends.
Andrew Farago at The Comics Journal has a wonderfully detailed (halfway between profile and biography) obituary.
Andrew and TCJ combine the obituary with remembrances from nearly three dozen people who knew Trina.
Lee Marrs:
… The woman had more energy than Niagara Falls. Although we disagreed A LOT, that made for good panels. I still can’t believe she’s gone. For a majority of my life, she’s been on the phone complaining, or arranging some grand pooba project or announcing a dinner for some comics dignitaries. To say that she’ll be sorely missed is an understatement.
Rebecca Wilson:
… Trina was one of the few people I know who continued to volunteer for progressive causes her whole life. Not just organizing comics, though she did lots of that, too — she was always out there for every march and never too proud to staff a phone line, address envelopes, and do the other grunt work any good cause requires. I will miss comparing notes with her about our various political activities but I know she’s out there somewhere egging me on.
Trina’s life force was so strong that it’s hard to imagine the world without her…
Nicole Georges:
Trina was bright and adventurous. She had a special scratchy voice and her smile shined brightest when she talked about her current book projects- always something to do with women’s history, empowerment, or bodily autonomy.
She was happy to be part of the gang, and I think she could have lived forever. I actually disagree with her not being immortal. It seems like an error.
Caryn Louise Leschen:
She and I shared a lot of background. Both from Queens, both Jewish, and speaking a little louder than other people, because of the Queens part. I felt like I understood her in a way that a lot of other people didn’t, because we had that same background. People said she talks loud, a little screechy, and I’d say, “that’s just being from Queens.”
And More. Yes, even from males of the species.
John Lent, of the International Journal of Comic Art, also wrote of his memories of Trina …
… To call Trina “a character” is a major understatement. Who else do you know who crammed into 85 years a few lifetimes of precedent-setting achievements in underground comix, women’s comic books, and what she termed comics “herstory”? Who shut herself in a room with a sewing machine, learned how to make clothes, and decked out the likes of popular musicians Mama Cass, David Crosby, and Donovan? Who partied (heartily) with Jim Morrison, the rest of The Doors, and The Byrds? Who was the first woman to produce a “Wonder Woman” mini-series? The variety of Trina’s activities was wide, from supporting Pro Choice and Strip AIDS USA through her drawings to producing a woman’s erotic comics anthology for Denis Kitchen. She was known and admired worldwide; in life, being the subject of popular singer Joni Mitchell’s song, “Ladies of the Canyon” …
John Lent also reproduces a 2002 essay by Trina from the IJoCA.
Further reading from The Comics Journal are an interview from 1980 and another from 2023.
