New graphic novel is 'all dolled up' to go somewhere
Toolbox
By DANIEL BARLOW VERMONT PRESS BUREAU - Published: October 21, 2009
MONTPELIER – Don't be surprised by the doll gender-bending in Abby Denson's "Dolltopia," her new graphic novel about a hidden sanctuary for toys who shed their traditional roles and embrace individuality.
The New York City cartoonist, in Vermont Thursday for a book release party and signing, says that she grew up with a mismatched doll gender count: A single Ken doll and an army of Barbies.
"Tons of lesbian kissing broke out among the dolls, I'm sure," Denson joked last week, as she traveled to Toronto as part of her new book tour. "I think it may have been the same for lots of girls … 20 Barbies and one token Ken doll."
"Dolltopia," Denson's second full-length graphic novel, looks deceptively like a children's book, with its wide-eyed and simple strokes. The story focuses on Kitty, a ballerina doll, who ditches her seemingly predestined role as, well, a ballerina doll, to join a renegade group living outside society.
"I look just like all the other Kitty ballerina dolls," she cries as she escapes from her owner, a young girl who insists on marrying her to a dull doll named Soccer Steve. "But I can't be satisfied with playing house like I'm supposed to."
Kitty searches for the meaning of her life – and she finds it in the ragtag group of dolls in the village of Dolltopia, including a Dr. Frankenstein-like mad scientist and Army Jim, a G.I. Joe-like war hero who feels more comfortable in a kilt.
But the story aims for high metaphors. The dolls are us – and their decision to leave behind the expectations others place on them and go soul searching for life, love and community are radical expressions of empowerment.
Denson was struck by the parallel relationship between God, humans and dolls. Just as humankind according to the Bible, was made in the image of God, so too are dolls made in the image of humans.
"It really can be about anyone and their relationship to authority figures," she explained. "On one hand, they strive to be like them. On the other, they resent them and want to pursue their own freedom."
Denson's dolls just want to get away from humans (although they do team up with a neighborhood stray cat, Mr. M., who provides some speedy transportation). But at the same time they want to be more like humans – including asking The Doctor, the town's experimental surgeon, to give them, say, opposable arm joints.
"Not all dolls want to run away to Dolltopia," she said. "Only the ones who begin to question their very existence."
Throughout the 120-page graphic novel, released in September by Green Candy Press, the residents of Dolltopia live in commune hotels, barter for what they need and carry out a raid at the doll factory for more recruits. The climactic battle is between a lobster and a giant doll head with robotic tentacles.
Denson, whose last graphic novel, "Tough Love: High School Confidential," focused on gay high school students coming out, said Dolltopia started as a stream-of-consciousness art project. The first page of Kitty coming down the factory assembly line asking, "Who am I?" led to more and more pages, and finally, a handful of popular self-published comics.
The "Dolltopia" graphic novel is the first time the complete story has been seen and the book package is a far cry from its indie roots. Swirling with pink and white, the book's French flaps and chapter breaks feature cutout dolls of the characters.
"I was lucky to find a publisher who understood the project," explained Denson, who said she was allowed complete artistic freedom. "They were behind it from the start."
Despite that some of the dolls embrace fluid gender identities, "Dolltopia" is 100 percent free of sex. Dolls are friendly and intimate, but the relationships all remain innocent. The steamiest scene is when the dolls' cat friend, Mr. M, cuddles with a female cat who helps them escape from danger.
"I do see this as a romantic book, except only the cats are the ones kissing," she said. "Two of the characters, Candy X and Candy O, are a same-gender couple. But they're not human … they're dolls, so there really couldn't be any physical sex."
Barbie, the doll America fell in love with, turned 50 years old in 2009. But growing up, the doll that Denson said she would always remember was Jem, the pink-haired rocker from a short-lived 1980s television show, Jem and the Holograms.
Jem, unlike her buxom and unrealistic cousin at the other end of aisle, had a weight-proportionate body, relatively flat chest and – shockingly – feet that were not molded to fit in high heels, Denson said. There were other considerations, as well.
"She also had flashing electronic earrings," she said.
Denson will sign copies of "Dolltopia" at Revolution, 26 North Main Street in White River Junction at 6 p.m. Thursday. For more information, visit www.abbycomix.com.
daniel.barlow@rutlandherald.com
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