Young Romance's "That Strange Girl" - An LGBT Romance Comic Book Story - Or Is It?

Today's story, "That Strange Girl" from Young Romance #197 (January/February 1974) with art by Creig Flessel is one of the more "infamous" romance comic book stories of the 1970s.

Billed on the cover as "The Story They Dared Us to Print!" it tells the tale of Liz Baker -- tomboy extraordinaire. Enjoy, and be sure to stick around after the story for a few thoughts from yours truly!



The splash page introduces us to narrator and protagonist, Liz. She explains her reasoning for telling the ensuing painful story -- to ease the hurt of other girls like her.


Liz and her father are close. They frequently work on household projects together, including odd jobs for the neighbors. She spends her 16th birthday helping him install a fence. While working on the fence, two classmates walk by. One, named Fred, seems to be interested in Liz. His friend tells him to forget it -- "Liz isn't interested in boys!"


Later that evening, the family has a little birthday party for Liz. Her mother is concerned that they didn't invite any of her friends, but Liz isn't worried. She explains that later that evening, her friend Agnes will be treating her to a movie. Before Liz leaves for the movie, her mother asks her if she has any interest in boys. Liz (who has never gone out with a boy) responds, "Boys are a drag! Besides, I don't have anything to wear." Her mother quickly remedies the wardrobe issue by presenting Liz with a series of the latest fashions -- dresses and "other frilly junk." A fight between mother and daughter ensues when her mother makes an insinuation about her sexuality. Liz leaves the house and spends the night at Agnes's. Liz narrates, "Agnes didn't go out with boys either, but her family was more understanding."


One day at an after-school basketball game, while in the process of executing a lay-up, Liz crashes into Fred Reese. He tells her he will meet her outside the locker room after the game, as he wants her to help him "limp home." A fellow classmate turns to Fred as he waits for Liz and declares, "You must have hit your head, Fred! She doesn't go for boys!" Fred ignores the bully and proceeds to walk with his crush, Liz.


Fred draws Liz in for a kiss, but she quickly pushes him away, feeling frightened and ashamed. Fred asks if she likes him, and she tells him no -- she thinks that he is making fun of her like the rest of their peers. Fred retorts, "Liz, the way you kissed me... you can't be... I mean you have to be normal!" Fred's choice of words infuriates Liz. He then tells her he is in love with her, while Liz simultaneously yells that she hates him. Liz runs home, completely confused about her feelings.

I was all mixed up inside. Were they right?
Was there something wrong with me?
I ran home crying, hating them...hating myself!

Upon returning home, Liz's parents comfort her. Fred appears, having followed Liz back home. He tells her he loves her and kisses her and subsequently, Fred becomes Liz's first boyfriend.


Quite a story, huh?! Flessel really had a knack for capturing the awkwardness of teenage-hood, and his art fits the story of Liz's trials and tribulations perfectly!

I have read this story many times, but I am still not absolutely sure where I stand on its interpretation. On one hand, it does very much seem to a thinly-veiled look into the life of a young lesbian. Just the mere cover blurb, "The Story They Dared Us to Print!" points to a coded story. On the other hand, without knowing the exact intentions of the creators, it could be interpreted more literally -- as a story of the hardships of a "strange" teenage girl. If it is the latter, I can identify.

When I was in high school, I was a little "quirky" you could say. My hair was big, I was cursed with braces, and I was a theater nerd. By no means was I one of the "popular" kids, but I still managed to have a pretty good time. In pursuit of academic and extra-curricular excellence, boys were lower down on the list of priorities. It wasn't that I didn't like them, because I certainly did. I think that any of my high school friends could attest to the fact that I was a wee bit "boy crazy." But, as luck would have it, none of the guys seemed to like me! So I dealt with it, and concentrated on my quest for future fame and world domination -- still workin' on that, by the way! Anyhow, the fact that I didn't have a steady or an endless stream of dates, greatly worried my grandmother. She was like, distraught. And so, she went to my mother with her concerns and I distinctly remember my mom awkwardly insinuating at the behest of her mother, that perhaps I didn't like boys after all. Liz's reaction on the third page, "Mother! How could you?" was my reaction as well. The horror that someone would think I was something I knew I wasn't, stressed me out!

Unfortunately, in this story we learn more about Liz via her bullies than through her. Perhaps if we as the reader would have been privy to more conversations between Liz and her friend Agnes, the story would be more clear cut. Modern inclination may be to get snarky or be mad that romance comics couldn't just be cool with publishing a story of non-heteronormativity. But we have to remember, it was the early '70s and homosexuality was not accepted in mainstream media like it is today -- much less in a venue for adolescent girls.

Which ever way our main girl, Liz swings, she certainly is loveable. She reminds us that being a teenager is hard, and the external and internal pressures to fit in with the crowd creates incredible turmoil in the hearts of the young. In that light, "That Strange Girl" really isn't any different than other comic book romance stories of the 1960s and '70s.

Now that you are familiar with the story, what do you think? Was Liz really as "strange" as everyone made her out to be, or was she just undergoing the typical trials of youth?

Romance Under the Covers - My Romantic Adventures #127 (October/November 1962)

As you probably know, I am a huge fan of the DC romance comics, especially the ones from the late '60s and 1970s. But the old saying, "variety is the spice of life" rings true here at Sequential Crush and today I present for your reading enjoyment, ACG's My Romantic Adventures #127 (October/November 1962)!* And what an adventure it is!

Standing for American Comics Group, ACG published only a handful of romance issues (254 to be exact) during its existence. Most were edited by a fellow by the name of Richard Hughes, who also happened to write many of the company's stories. This particular title, My Romantic Adventures was known simply as Romantic Adventures up until issue #68 (August 1956), when the "My" was added.

The first story, "The Brainless Type" sports art by the talented Ogden Whitney -- the original artist responsible for the rotund character, Herbie. Starting on this awesome splash page, Margie Tucker relays that she has "never been one for heavy thinking" and therefore cooking has become her default occupation.


When it is announced that a new manufacturing plant is opening up in town, Margie is eager (along with the rest of the locals) to witness the plant president, Dr. Joel Bentley give his speech. In need of temporary lodging, Dr. Bentley considers Margie's offer to stay at her farmhouse. Lured partially by her prettiness (and partially by her promise of good cooking) Joel moves in immediately. Naturally, the two become quite fond of each other and a romance blooms.


Margie eventually takes a position at the plant, primarily to be around her increasingly busy beau. Margie is understanding of his duties, but her world is shattered when the beautiful, smart and wealthy Catherine Carr drops in for a visit. Catherine isn't just any old flame of Joel's -- she is the girl who broke his heart at the senior prom.


Catherine doesn't let her past behavior get in the way of stealing Joel from Margie -- she hops right in! From the foul way she treats Margie, it is obvious Catherine has not gotten any sweeter with time. Joel is not phased however, and continues to take Catherine for a tour of the plant.


Suddenly, the operations of the factory begin to break down after the workers are told that mandatory overtime is expected due to a regional labor shortage. The workers aren't pleased with the situation and decide to go on strike the next day. Margie tries to warn Joel, but is caught off-guard when she finds him and Catherine smooching in his office. Though Margie is there only to warn him, both Catherine and Joel start taking jabs at Margie's intelligence. Poor patriotic Margie!


Putting her pride (and shock of Joel's betrayal) on the line, Margie speaks out against the strike. You go girl!

"...If you stick by this walkout, the plant will close. Not only will he lose, but America will, too, because it needs the products we turn out. Would you rather let our enemies win out -- and work even longer hours for practically nothing and
not be allowed to complain?"

Following her rousing speech, Margie resigns from her position -- but not before Catherine slams her again for being too brainless to operate the machinery. Joel silently stands by, while Margie dashes out in tears. However, something changes in Joel and he refuses to continue to put up with Catherine's shenanigans. In the end, it is sweet and dutiful Margie who wins the man!


From today's perspective, the second story "Immune to Girls!" could very well be read as a thinly veiled story of a gay man. Or perhaps it is just the tale of a guy who couldn't find the right lady? After you read it -- feel free to weigh in!


Constantly chased and fawned over by the girls at school, Harvey Hayes grows up to be a "perennial bachelor." Save for Ann Harris (Harvey's best chum), Harvey prefers to avoid the company of women.


Avoiding beautiful and influential women is difficult in Harvey's line of work (race car driver) but none of them catch his fancy. He appreciates Ann for her loyalty, but Ann is frustrated by the front he puts on. She feels that deep down, he is just afraid of women. In an attempt to show him the error of his ways, Ann gives Harvey a big kiss.


After the lip-lock, Ann admits her affection for Harvey. Completely shocked, Harvey requests that they try kissing again. With another passionate embrace, Harvey has found what he wanted all along -- real love!


These two one-pagers, "Sure He's Handsome...But..." and "A Pretty Girl Can Be a Malady!" extol the virtues of humbleness and serve as cautionary tales for both guys and gals who are inclined to take vanity too far.

On to the next story, "The Right Kind of Marriage!" Clara Williamson is a (former) rich girl turned working girl -- thoroughly unexcited about the routinized life of a broke typist.

While helping to plan a friend's vacation, Clara decides that she could stand to liven things up by taking a trip herself. She doesn't want to go to just any resort, however. Clara decides to withdraw her entire savings (her only form of security) and head to the exclusive Star Beach Hotel. Since she plans to pretend to be a rich girl, she scoots off to the finest boutique in town to purchase a whole new summer wardrobe. While at the shop, one of the employees tells Clara about a wealthy man that she had heard of that runs a hot dog stand near the Star Beach Hotel. Intent on finding herself a sugar daddy to marry, Clara drops by the hot dog stand as soon as she gets into town to meet the proprietor, Fred.


After a few run-ins (including pulling Clara out of the water after accidentally knocking her in) the two go on a date on a sailboat that the increasingly broke Clara has chartered. After the romantic afternoon, Clara is brought down to reality by the hotel desk clerk who reminds her of her past due account with the hotel. Unable to pay her bill, Clara decides to just come out and tell Fred about the charges and ask for his assistance. Fred is horrified to learn of her scheme to find a rich husband and Clara is equally enraged by Fred's deception.


Clara leaves the resort, broke and alone. She heads back to her monotonous life as a typist. One day at work, just as she loses all hope of ever finding love, Fred walks in and the two make amends. But someone else walks in -- Clara's boss! Not a romantic, he promptly fires her for her indecent behavior. No worries though! Fred employs her at his hot dog stand -- making for a funny and oh-so-mid-century ending.


The final story, "The Odds are Against Us!" is a short little yarn about co-workers John and Mary -- both statisticians. Love grows between the two and naturally, John asks Mary to be his wife.


Mary turns him down. She reasons that mathematically speaking, the odds are against a happy life together and she would rather not risk everything to find out.


In an effort to show Mary that true love can prevail, John takes her on a few field trips. First, they visit John's grandparents who have been blissfully married for 60 years! Then it is off to meet a pair of John's friends who met accidentally, and now have a happy marriage and bouncy baby. He even brings Mary to the slums to show her that love can flourish even under the worst of circumstances. The lady-statistician softens around the edges and what do ya know? It seems that for John and Mary the odds aren't so bad after all!


So, what do you think of ACG's My Romantic Adventures? If you are hunkering for more, then head on over to the blog, Silver Age Comics which a few months back, covered the last issue of the title!

*The cover of My Romantic Adventures #127 is actually fashioned directly after the cover of

Confessions of the Lovelorn #78 (February 1957)!