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 Indecent Publications Tribunal 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 is the stage name of Susan "Susie" Jensen, (though very few of the other characters know her real name) 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.
- Shelly Hine, an exotic dancer and Omaha's best friend. She was gunned down by a man named "Andre DeRoc" and is now in a wheelchar. Shelly was Charles Tabey, Sr.'s lover and confidant.
- 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. She was blackmailed into leaving by Calvin Bonner over her homosexual brother.
- Senator Calvin Bonner, a right-wing senator and business tycoon. A vocal public morality crusader and a complete hypocrite since he is one of Joanne's regular, and more abusive, customers.
- George, owner of the "Kitty Korner Klub", Omaha and Shelly worked at.
- Ceecee and Angie two homosexual exotic dancers who work at Mr.Pip's Nite Club.
[edit] Plot summary
- Volumes are bast on Amerotica by NBM Publishing
[edit] Volume One
Susan "Susie" Jensen a wannabe model from the midwest who starts working at "Kitty Korner Klub" with her best friend Shelly Hine, going under the named Omaha. She beings well know after is in "Pet Magazine" a adult entertainment magazine as "Kitten of the Month". Later she and Shelly meet Chuck Katt a arts who starts felling in love with her and is "normal". After a new Blue Law is past, "all strip club to be closed down", Omaha and Shelly are now out of work. Shelly finds a secret sub-basement at the restaurant a man named Charles Tabey a powerful, yet mentally ill business tycoon, who is Shelly mistress. With Omaha out of work Chuck Katt starts working for Andre DeRoc arch-rival of Charles Tabey and meet a old girlfirend named JoAnne Follett who is Andre DeRoc personal secretary. Charles Tabey who fell in love with Omaha would like her to dance for the grand opening. But Andre DeRoc sabotage the night by placing an chemical in the liquor truning the crowd into a violent mob, all three rush to escape through the back door. But a hitman hired to kill Charles Tabey mistaking Chuck Katt for him and shoots Shelly Hine, who tells the two to find JoAnne Follett so the couple goto her. But finds her in bed with Charles Tabey, Chuck Katt reveals to Omaha his real name is Charles Tabey, Jr. his son. After that the two get back in their car and dive to San Francisco
But the car breaks down. The two are picked up by a man and woman, who claim to run a modeling ageny in San Francisco and promises work for Omaha. She and Chuck for settles in a penthouse aparment. Well Chuck is out running necessities, the real owner comes home and it is JoAnne Follett said she stopped working for Andre DeRoc and now wroks for Charles Tabey bring money so Chuck and her can hide out for as long as thet need to. After Chuck comes back the three go out to shopping and partying later back as the aparment a little tipsy a threesome starts. Omaha and Chuck fall asleep giving JoAnne alone, she is surprised by the man who claim to run a modeling ageny but real working for Andre DeRoc and nearly throws her off the blcony but Omaha wakes up and knocked him out and escapes, the two go to bed together leaving Chuck to sleep in the living room.
