Omaha the Cat Dancer
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Omaha the Cat Dancer is a highly acclaimed and controversial furry comic book created and drawn by Reed Waller and predominantly written by Kate Worley.
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[edit] History
This comic was one of the first major furry series to introduce a furry subgenre called "slice of life", in which the furry nature of the characters is mostly a cosmetic artistic style for realistic stories anchored in contemporary human society. The furry nature is usually restricted to animals' heads, fur colour, and tails. It deserves mention that Reed Waller has on several occasions demurred at the terms "furry" and "anthropomorphic", and described his work as belonging firmly in the category funny animal.
Omaha was written like a sexually explicit soap opera in plot structure and melodrama. It was highly praised for its writing, especially for its confident feminist sensibility. However, it lies firmly within the camp of sex-positive feminism, with the lead character usually enjoying her work and preferring it to other careers. For example, Omaha once works in a clerical setting, but feels humiliated and belittled with the sexist management. In response, she quits in defiance and immediately successfully auditions at the local strip club which proves a more acceptable work environment for her.
The series drew considerable controversy with numerous obscenity charges for its sexual content. The Toronto police department, in one raid of a comic book store, charged that it depicted bestiality, an accusation fans dismissed as ludicrous. By contrast, in 1991 the New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification ruled that since the series depicted sexuality in the context of an ongoing emotional relationships between the characters in a mature and realistic way, it was not indecent. (Omaha #16, p32).
The comic had an erratic publishing history aggravated by a serious accident suffered by Worley and the ensuing poor medical care for it. In addition, Waller developed cancer, prompting two fundraising comics titled Images of Omaha, published by Kitchen Sink Press in 1992 but further interfering with publication. Additionally, there was growing friction between the partners (Waller and Worley had married) which culminated in a violent incident at a convention. After that, the team disbanded and the comic ceased publication.
In early 2004, Waller and Worley had moved beyond their disagreement, and were collaborating to finish the hanging storyline. However, Worley's death interrupted that work. Her widower, Jim Vance, using her notes, took her place. The title has been picked up by NBM Publishing, and has resumed publication as of November, 2005 with the new work being serialized in the magazine Sizzle, as well as bringing back into print new trade paperback collections of the comics.
Its influence is noted in the furry comic book scene, with Shanda the Panda being the most successful series to emulate Omaha in many respects.
[edit] Characters
- Omaha (her real name is Susan Jensen, though very few of the other characters know it), an anthropomorphic feline exotic dancer. She has a pet Ferret named Squeak. She was previously married years before meeting Charles Jr., but a divorce was later amicably arranged with her separated husband.
- Charles "Chuck" Tabey, Jr aka Chuck Katt, who turns out to be the heir to Charles Tabey, Sr and lover to Omaha.
- Charles Tabey, Sr, a powerful, yet mentally ill business tycoon. He dies by issue four.
- Shelly Hine, an exotic dancer and Omaha's best friend. She was shot and is now in a wheelchar. Shelly was Charles Tabey, Sr.'s lover and confidant. Her religion is Pagan.
- Joanne Follett, a bisexual prostitute.
- Huddle Johnson, Shelly's nurse and later lover. Huddle was the personal assistant and valet to Tabey, Sr.
- Rob Shaw, a homosexual photographer.
- Maria Elandos Tabey, Chuck Tabey's mother, whom he has not seen for years.
- Senator Bonner, a right-wing senator and business tycoon.
- George, owner of the club Omaha and Shelly worked at.
