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The World of Pandora's Box
June 1997
Pandora's Box is a comic strip I created as a fun expression of some of my many interests: Transgendered issues, Manga/Anime (Japanese comics and cartoons), and Graphic Arts, including Computer Graphics.
Pandora's Box was a regular feature in Cross-Talk magazine, a monthly, national periodical chronicling transgendered news, events, and issues. The strip ran from August 1995 until the demise of the magazine in October 1996. The strips for the November 1996 through April 1997 issues had already been completed, and I am holding onto them for future publication.

Q: Why is the strip named after the cat rather than the crossdresser?

A: I won't go into all the explanations, but the title "Pandora's Box" is at least a triple ententre. Anyway, Tina needs a little competition. One of the shortcomings I've seen from some of the members of the TG community is an excess of self-absorption. I do realize we all face some serious problems, but spiraling into an angry blue funk is no solution. From a competitive viewpoint, the only entity more self-absorbed than someone wrestling with gender issues would be a cat.

Q: What inspired you to do this comic strip?

A: I've always loved well-crafted comics -- especially those imbued with a certain dry wit. My favorite strip of all time is Pogo, by Walt Kelly... but I'm also a fan of Calvin and Hobbes, Bloom County, Doonesbury, Dilbert, Downstown, and Li'l Abner. Doing this artwork lets me exercise a little of my creative, feminine side. I think the sign of success is when a comic strip is cut out and affixed to the refrigerator or bulletin board. I'd like Pandora's Box to be the Dilbert of the TG world.

Q: How do you do the artwork?

A: I create pencil sketches of the characters individually. After some general cleanup of lines, I use an Epson ES-1000C flatbed scanner to scan the drawings into Belldandy, my PowerMac 8500. The images undergo additional cleanup in Adobe Photoshop. Depending on the effect desired, I'll pattern fill the outlines in Photoshop -- or wait until after I export the image to Deneba Canvas, where I do the final composition -- merging images, patterns, and text into the final layout. The artwork is prepared at a 300 dpi resolution, and camera-ready copy is printed on Mink, my HP LaserJet 5MP. I'd be embarassed to admit how long it takes me to do all this.

Q: Why does Tina have such big eyes?

A: I'm a big anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics) fan, so I'm imitating the style typical for those works.

Q: How much is Tina like you?

A: Well, Tina is indeed Amy's alter ego. (Amateur psychologists at home... see if you can follow that thread to its source!) Tina is more confident, more daring... and seems to be able to be dressed during all her off (work) hours -- after all, this is a fantasy. I'd like to think I'm not as prone to mishaps as Tina, but I have been known to trip in my high heels...

Q: Where can I read the strips?

A: Pandora's original home, Cross-Talk magazine, is no longer in business. I have received an offer from another national magazine to host the comic, but I've declined. I'm just too busy right now to add this commitment to my plate.

Someday, when many strips are behind me, I'd like to publish a compilation. (We are talking long term planning, here!) Several people have already shown interest. We'll see what develops...