“The radical lesbians of the early 1970s who declared that ‘a lesbian is the rage of all women condensed to the point of explosion’ were speaking figuratively. But when Hothead Paisan hit the scene twenty years later, the blast was literal and resounding…. Thank god these comics are back in print because we need Hothead now more than ever.” —Alison Bechdel, creator of Dykes to Watch Out For

HOTHEAD PAISAN

HOMICIDAL LESBIAN TERRORIST

Diane DiMassa
Introduction by Sarah Schulman
Interview by Jay Graham

Hothead Paisan is an icon of the ’90s lesbian DIY scene, a patron saint of those who wonder if going off the deep end is the only sane response to life in modern America.

Diane DiMassa’s Hothead starts out in a murderous frenzy—taking out a variety of chauvinists and creeps—but soon deepens into a reflection on oppression, self-destruction, and living it up outside the conservative norms of the ’90s. Hothead’s rage is stoked by her inner demon, Personality #2, but sometimes tempered with the help of Roz, her friend who offers Zen wisdom and tough love, and Chicken, her cat and constant companion.

This edition of Hothead Paisan includes an introduction by Sarah Schulman and an illuminating new interview with DiMassa by Jay Graham, which dives into the origins of Hothead, the evolution of the character, and the community that formed around the series throughout its original run.

“As a brand-new baby trans woman in the early 1990s, I looked everywhere to find out how to be a proper lesbian. And I almost succeeded, when happily and just in time, Hothead Paisan helped me find my inner badass dyke. Chicken rules!” —Kate Bornstein

For three days only, Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist is available at 25% off.

BUY THE BOOK

Events for Hothead Paisan with Diane DiMassa

Thursday, August 21, at 5pm ET
MASS MoCA
1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
Get tickets here

Tuesday, September 9th, at 6pm ET
Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore
with Kate Bornstein
116 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002

Sunday, September 21
Brooklyn Book Festival
with Alison Bechdel
Time and location will be listed soon on the BKBF website

Monday, October 6th, at 7pm ET
Picture + Panel Series
Produced in partnership with Porter Square Books, the Boston Figurative Art Center, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA 02143