David Kelly (comic artist)

David Kelly (born December 17, 1965)^[1] is an American cartoonist and comics creator. He is best known for his strip, Steven’s Comics, which ran in LGBT and alternative newspapers and zines from 1994 to 1998.^[2] His strip has won the Xeric award^[3] and he has worked alongside critically acclaimed cartoonist Robert Kirby. He and Kirby co-edited the gay comics zine series Boy Trouble.^[2]

Steven's Comics is set in the 1970s and tells the story of a young gay boy named Steven who draws comics about a super-heroine named Starwoman.^[4]

The story arcs in Steven’s Comics by David Kelly are a masterclass in subtle, emotionally resonant LGBTQ+ storytelling. Rather than overt declarations, the comic gently immerses readers in the lived experience of a queer child navigating a world that doesn’t yet have language or space for his identity. Kelly’s work is celebrated for its authenticity and emotional nuance. It doesn’t just tell a queer story—it invites readers to feel what it’s like to grow up queer in a world that’s not ready for you.

Here's how the arcs reflect LGBTQ+ themes:

Gender Nonconformity & Early Queer Identity: Steven’s longing for a Wonder Woman toy isn’t just about play—it’s a moment of self-expression. The shame and anxiety he feels when others react negatively reflect how gender norms suppress authentic identity. This arc captures the earliest stirrings of queerness, long before labels like “gay” are understood or embraced.

Queer Childhood & Emotional Isolation: Steven’s move to live with his grandmother and his discomfort around his mother’s boyfriend highlight the instability and emotional isolation many LGBTQ+ youth face. These arcs show how queer kids often feel like outsiders even within their own families.

Imagination as Survival: Starwoman, Steven’s superheroine creation, is more than a comic character—she’s a symbol of empowerment and escape. Through her, Steven reclaims agency and strength, reflecting how many queer individuals use creativity to cope and thrive in hostile environments.

Friendship & Queer Kinship: The sleepover arc with Steven’s best friend hints at the possibility of queer kinship—finding someone who “gets” you, even if neither of you can articulate why. These moments of connection are vital in LGBTQ+ narratives, offering glimpses of belonging and hope.

Microaggressions & Internalized Shame: From subtle bullying to the fear of being “found out,” Steven’s experiences mirror the quiet traumas many LGBTQ+ youth endure. The comic doesn’t dramatize these moments—it lets them simmer, which makes their emotional impact even more profound.

"David Kelly captures the solitude and magic of queer childhood with an eerie realness. The detritus of seventies pop culture that generously litters his panels adds deliciously to the bittersweet mood", Alison Bechdel, creator of Dykes to Watch Out For and Fun Home.

All of Steven’s Comics has been compiled into an anthology graphic novel titled Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven's Comics, published by Northwest Press, with foreword by Dan Savage and some exclusive material made specifically for the volume.^[5] Before that, there were several other compilation volumes. The original Xeric award-winning compilation was Steven’s Comics #3: We Are Family. The others are Steven's Comics #1: Premiere Edition!, Steven's Comics #2/Starwoman Comics, and Steven's Comics #4: New Best Friend.^[6]

• The Book of Boy Trouble: Gay Boy Comics with a New Attitude ISBN 978-1931160452
• Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven's Comics ISBN 978-0984594023

• Seattle Arts, A Publication of the Seattle Arts Commission June 1991, 'The Bus Ride'.
• Boy Trouble #2, 3, 4, 5 ISBN 9780974885506
• Gay Comics #23, 25 ISBN 0-452-26229-1
• Juicy Mother 2: How They Met, edited by Jennifer Camper, Manic D Press, 2007 ISBN 978-1-933149-20-2
• Young Bottoms In Love, edited by Tim Fish, Poison Press, 2007 ISBN 978-0-9762786-7-2
• No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics, edited by Justin Hall, Fantagraphics, 2012 ISBN 978-1-60699-506-8
• QU33R^[7] ISBN 9781938720369
• The Stranger^[2]
• Three #2 ISBN 9780615480619
• Unsafe for All Ages 2^[8]

• David Kelly's Instagram
• Steven's Comics Instagram