Sam Sees Stuff

I dunno how these things work. I draw comics. You can find them here: www.roostertailscomic.com var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-12541534-3']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[samorchard]

Ten Years

Usually I do a year in review comic for the new year, but considering this is the tenth birthday of Rooster Tails, and 2019 was really up and down – I decided to do this one instead. Thanks s…

Ten years of Rooster Tails: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/ten-years/

Usually I do a year in review comic for the new year, but considering this is the tenth birthday of Rooster Tails, and 2019 was really up and down – I decided to do this one instead.

Thanks so much for sticking around and reading my reckons for ten whole years.

[samorchard]

The Too Wound – Part 1

I wrote this comic as I was thinking about the joint submission that my friend Moira wrote for us for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill. The one recommendation was to include ‘R…

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/the-too-wound-part-1/

I wrote this comic as I was thinking about the joint submission that my friend Moira wrote for us for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill. The one recommendation was to include ‘Rainbow Communities’ as a named population in the Bill. Rainbow Communities have a history of being left off of suicide prevention and national mental health blueprints – so it was great news when we were named in the Mental Health Inquiry as a key population. Heaps of us submitted to the inquiry, I helped coordinate the Out Loud project for it, and we were named in the Mental Health Inquiry report, as well as the preamble to the bill. So it was pretty shocking to then, somehow, get left off the actual Bill. This, and the fact that it’s Christmas time, made me come up with this comic. It’s three pages, and it’s sad and angry and – yeah.

[samorchard]

Waves

Break ups are hard. HARD. Why did no one tell me this?? Also – today is the year anniversary of top surgery. What a weird, intense year it’s been. Like the worst year, peppered with som…

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/waves/

Break ups are hard. HARD. Why did no one tell me this??

Also – today is the year anniversary of top surgery. What a weird, intense year it’s been. Like the worst year, peppered with some really amazing stuff. I keep thinking about how important it is to have accessible and adequate healthcare for trans people – I’ve never had much success navigating the public health system as a trans person, and it’s had such a big, negative impact on my life. Being able to get on hormones and have top surgery has made an immeasurably positive difference in my life, and I’m really grateful for being able to have alternatives available, but I’m aware that’s not something everyone has. So my wish for the next year is for accessible trans healthcare.

[samorchard]

Comic Alternatives

For people outside of New Zealand – this week there were some really yuck comics published in national newspapers. It’s not unheard of – there’s a couple of high profile com…

For people outside of New Zealand – this week there were some really yuck comics published in national newspapers. It’s not unheard of – there’s a couple of high profile comic artists who have a habit of creating racist or ignorant comics. It’s super boring, especially considering the talented comic artists here.

I made a super short list for this comic, and there’s heaps more. So I’m sorry if I missed you off the list (although, if you’re a white dude I missed you off on purpose ’cause we don’t need more platforms tbh)…

Here’s where you can find the people:

Sharon Murdoch

Cocosolid

Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

Taupuruariki Brightwell

Fu Fighter Arts

Jem Yoshioka

Michel Mulipola

Zak Waipara

Pepper Raccoon

Pinky Fang

Rachel Smythe

Ant Sang

Indira Neville

King Kez

Sarah Lund

Becky Hunt

Ruby Jones

Sarah Laing

Chelsey Furedi

Katie O’Neill

Li Chen

Tara Black

Kale de Wild

Semira Davis

Alisha Henry

Oh sheesh, there’s seriously so many people missing from this list, and there’s already so much talent on there!!

[samorchard]

Trans Awareness

It’s actually been a really poop time for trans folk in NZ the last few weeks (or maybe, like the whole year…?) and I felt like I couldn’t say any more about trans week of awarene…

New comic is up - Trans Awareness: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/trans-awareness/

It’s actually been a really poop time for trans folk in NZ the last few weeks (or maybe, like the whole year…?) and I felt like I couldn’t say any more trans awareness orvisibility than I’ve already said. So instead I’ve gone in a different direction. I’m definitely top hat on a dapper cat.

Also, please enjoy this gender reveal video: https://twitter.com/SatansJacuzzi/status/1181324095008444416

[samorchard]

Hair Don’ts

Eeek. At least hair grows back fast.

New comic is up! Hair Don’ts: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/hair-donts/

Eeek. At least hair grows back fast.

[samorchard]

Paekakariki Pride Quiz

There’s a little village a short drive out of Wellington called Paekakariki, and for the last few years they’ve been running a little pride festival. It’s very small, and very swe…

New comic is up! Paekakariki Pride Quiz: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/paekakariki-pride-quiz/

There’s a little village a short drive out of Wellington called Paekakariki, and for the last few years they’ve been running a little pride festival. It’s very small, and very sweet – and I got to go along to the quiz this year. It was so fun, and it turns out my teammates were geniuses.

Look at this adorable team!

[samorchard]

Ok Ok Ok

When Joey and I started talking about separating people were like ‘you’re going to learn so much’, and I groaned at them, but it’s true. It’s a lot. I think mostly I&#…

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/ok-ok-ok/

When Joey and I started talking about separating people were like ‘you’re going to learn so much’, and I groaned at them, but it’s true. It’s a lot. I think mostly I’m learning to have feelings again and not get too undone by them, and to tread water during the more wavey times, and to reach out if I need to, and and and.

Yeah. It’s a lot.

[samorchard]

Poutokomanawa Part Four

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/poutokomanawa-part-four/

<3

[samorchard]

Poutokomanawa Part three

So here’s part three of the comic reflecting on the Poutokomanawa exhibition (you can read part one and two here). The counting ourselves report makes for some pretty sobering reading, but it…

Catching up posting comics on here

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/poutokomanawa-part-three/

So here’s part three of the comic reflecting on the Poutokomanawa exhibition (you can read part one and two here). The counting ourselves report makes for some pretty sobering reading, but it’s a really powerful tool to advocate for some systemic change and action. So, here’s hoping.

One more to go in the series, then stay tuned for updates on how the shift to the new city, and new single life of Sam.

[samorchard]

Poutokomanawa Part Two

This is part two of the Carmen Rupe comic – I’ve taken some inspiration from the images from Chrissy Witoko’s collages that sit in Te Papa (they’re really worth checking out…

Updating the tumblr to link to my comics!

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/poutokomanawa-part-two/

This is part two of the Carmen Rupe comic – I’ve taken some inspiration from the images from Chrissy Witoko’s collages that sit in Te Papa (they’re really worth checking out).

In terms of the things referenced in the panel – Carmen used the slogan ‘Get in behind Carmen’ when she ran for Mayor of Wellington against Bob Jones – you can read all about it here. She also got called to the Privileges Committee by the Prime Minister after she insinuated that some MPs would frequent her establishment. Vivian St was home to a lot of the clubs and coffee houses like ‘Carmen’s International Coffee Lounge’, ‘The Evergreen’ and ‘The Nutcracker’. Aaaand in 1966 she was arrested and charged with “offensive behaviour” and Rupe’s lawyer successfully argued that there was nothing offensive about her behaviour and no law against men dressing as women.   This case established really important precedent that was able to strike down laws against public crossdressing laws all over the world.

And that’s part two, with a little history lesson Part three looks a little further forward in time…

[samorchard]

Poutokomanawa Part One

I went to the opening of the exhibition in honour of Nicolette Page’s portrait of Carmen at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. I was lucky enough to have one of my comics picked to be a part o…

Catching up on posting comics on here

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/poutokomanawa-part-one/

I went to the opening of the exhibition in honour of Nicolette Page’s portrait of Carmen at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. I was lucky enough to have one of my comics picked to be a part of the exhibition, and I was really moved by Ariki Brightwell’s piece in it. It made me want to talk about the important women who have paved the way for trans people in this country. Carmen’s story, in particular, is really interesting so it’s well worth reading up about her, or if you’re in Wellington heading along to the exhibition. Anyway, as per usual I have more to say on this topic, so this is part 1 of 4…

[samorchard]

Wellington

So, gosh, yes it seems like I’m going to stay here for a bit. I’m gonna postpone my South Island trip, because I have some meetings and whatnot that I need to be in the North Island for…

Just catching up on popping my comics on here, ‘cause I keep forgetting.

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/wellington/

So, gosh, yes it seems like I’m going to stay here for a bit. I’m gonna postpone my South Island trip, because I have some meetings and whatnot that I need to be in the North Island for – but never fear I’ll be there later in the year! Things are weird and hard, and also kinda – ok and good??

[samorchard]

Road Trip Hazards

Ok – gosh, it’s taken me a while to post an update because it turns out that I have very specific criteria for scanning my comics – and this was the best I could get. Road trip is…

Updating all the comics I’ve forgotten to share on tumblr!

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/road-trip-hazards/

Ok – gosh, it’s taken me a while to post an update because it turns out that I have very specific criteria for scanning my comics – and this was the best I could get. Road trip is going well, I’m in Wellington at the moment – next update will actually update you as to where I’m at with that! And – as you can see I’m getting some pretty hardcore driving under my fanbelt.

[samorchard]

Joeys Birthday

Eek. I wish there was a manual for breakups and how to do it smoothly.

Catching up posting things to tumblr

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/joeys-birthday/

Eek. I wish there was a manual for breakups and how to do it smoothly.

[samorchard]

Up or Down

I’m off! As of this afternoon I’ve officially moved all my stuff out of the house, and am currently without an abode. It’s pretty sad, and daunting, but also exciting. My current …

Catching up on old comics because I keep forgetting to share them on here

Link: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/up-or-down/

I’m off! As of this afternoon I’ve officially moved all my stuff out of the house, and am currently without an abode. It’s pretty sad, and daunting, but also exciting. My current plans for travel are:

Aug 12-19: Travelling north of Auckland

Aug 20-21: Back in Auckland for my final hurrah

Aug 21-27: Somewhere between Auckland-Wellington

Aug 27- Sept 15: Wellington

Sept 15-22: Christchurch

Sept 22-30: Dunedin

Aaaand that’s about as far as I’ve gotten… It’s all a bit vague, but yeah – I can officially, legally, drive around so that’s something!

[samorchard]

Zoom

I got a new car, because my old one can’t drive more than about 20 minutes without overheating, and I’m planning a road trip to try and find myself post separation. I got given a lovely…

Comic catch up! Posting these to tumblr cos I keep forgetting to.

Link to comic: http://www.roostertailscomic.com/comic/zoom/

I got a new car, because my old one can’t drive more than about 20 minutes without overheating, and I’m planning a road trip to try and find myself post separation. I got given a lovely little Steven Universe figurine to pop on my dashboard to keep me company on the trip.

Because I’m queer I still only have my learners license, but I’m sitting the test next week (Eeek!). So the timing of my road trip start date depends on when I pass the test, but my plan is to zoom around New Zealand for a month or so working out of libraries and cafes (’cause the bonus of being an untethered artist is that I can work from anywhere). So yeah – if you have any suggestions of places to go, if you wanna meet up for coffees, or karaoke (I don’t really know why, but the idea of doing karaoke is appealing right now) do let me know.

So yeah, here I go wobbling on with Steven.