Bully Says: Comics Oughta Be Fun!

Friday, May 20, 2022

Today in Comics History, May 20: Happy Birthday, Jane Wiedlin!

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published May 20, 2012.

Born on this day: Singer/songwriter/subject of my affection Jane Wiedlin! Hi Jane!

Not shown: us kissin'.

...so I want to wish her a very happy birthday! Yay, Jane!

In past years I have celebrated Jane's Birthday by showing you some of her music videos...

"Rush Hour" by Jane Wiedlin (EMI-Manhattan, 1988), written by Jane Wiedli and Peter Rafelson
...but I figgered I'd do something different this year and show you her many and varied comic book appearances! Here she is as Joan of Arc in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure:

Lucky, lucky Alex Winters.

Hey, it's the comic book adaptation of 'Xanadu.'

from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure one-shot (DC, 1989), script by Bob Rozakis, pencils and inks by Angelo Torres, colors by Barry Goldberg, letters by Jon D'Agostino
...and reprising the role in one of my favorite comic series of all time, Bill and Ted's Excellent Comic:

That chicken was one of Jane's best pals.

That chicken was one of Jane's best pals.

from Bill and Ted's Excellent Comic Book #1 (Marvel, December 1991), script and pencils by Evan Dorkin, inks by Stephen DeStefano, colors by Robbie Busch
...a comic book that gave the effervescent Ms. Arc a totally happy ending!

Please ignore the error that the colorist made Phil caucasian. Phil is black. One of the first great interracial relationships in pop culture that ALSO INVOLVES JANE WIEDLIN, folks!

Please ignore the error that the colorist made Phil caucasian. Phil is black. One of the first great interracial relationships in pop culture that ALSO INVOLVES JANE WIEDLIN, folks!

from Bill and Ted's Excellent Comic Book #12 (Marvel, November 1992), script and pencils by Evan Dorkin, inks by Marie Severin, colors by Robbie Busch and Evan Skolnick, letters by Kurt Hathaway
Of course, who can forget Jane's very own comic book (and you can tell because her name's in it), Jane Wiedlin's Lady Robotika!

At long last I finally understand that Devo song.

At long last I finally understand that Devo song.

from Lady Robotika #1 (Image, July 2010), script by Jane Wiedlin and Bill Morrison, pencils by Bill Morrison and Tone Rodrigues, inks by Bill Morrison and Dan Davis, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, letters by Tony Fleecs
Here's a tiny-print interview with Jane about the comic book:

"Getting Comical with Jane Wiedlin" from Heavy Metal v.33 #4 (Heavy Metal, July 2009), interview by Steve Ringgenberg
(Click picture to big crush on Jane-size)
In the comic, Jane plays a perky punky rock grrrl (so, not really flexing her comic book dramatic chops here).

'She must be on the greyhounds!'

Out in the crowd she spots a mysterious handsome sexy stranger who immediately captures her attention and affection. (Note: the following two panels might have been very slightly edited for content.)

It's all true. I was at that concert.

Yes Jane, lay off the greyhounds!

Later, Jane is mysteriously abducted by aliens! With a special guest appearance by Homer Simpson! It's a Bongo Comics Crossover!

Cameo appearance: Maurice.

Anyway, Jane is kidnapped by aliens and she's given a cybernetic arm! Who among us can say that's never happened to us? Sit down, Bucky.

'And if your hands were made of metal, that would mean something. Oh, wait. It DOES mean something!'

'And if your hands were made of metal, that would mean something. Oh, wait. It DOES mean something!'

The story continues in Lady Robotika #2, which I can't find my copy of. But then the comci endswit ha cliffhanger! Bring back Lady R., Jane! The world cannot wait any longer! Well, mostly me.

Speaking of science fiction, everybody knows that Jane was in Star Trek IV: The One with the Whales!...

Jane Wiedlin as Trillya in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Paramount, I.R.S., 1982), directed by Leonard Nimoy
...and she should have been in the comic book adaptation of the movie, in this very scene, but they left her out (probably for fear that she totally out-awesomed Shatner). Here's the scene in which she appeared, but no, she's not in the comic. I call that a crime.

Geez, answer the freakin' question, Aaron Stempel.

Geez, answer the freakin' question, Aaron Stempel.

from Star Trek Movie Special #2 [Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home] (DC, 1987), script by Mike W. Barr, pencils by Tom Sutton, inks by Ricardo Villagran, colors by Michele Wolfman, letters by Agustin Mas
Jane Wiedlin and the Simpsons: you've already see they're two great things that go together. But didja know that Jane wrote a Simpsons Comics story?!? You do now!

Well, the answer is whichever horrible pun the title of the cartoon is. If it's 'Axe Me No Questions,' it's the axe. If it's 'Zamboni Lies Over the Scratchy,' it's a hockey stick.

Well, the answer is whichever horrible pun the title of the cartoon is. If it's 'Axe Me No Questions,' it's the axe. If it's 'Zamboni Lies Over the Scratchy,' it's a hockey stick.

from Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo, September 2011), script by Jane Wiedlin, pencils and inks by Tom Hodges, colors by Nathan Hamill, letters by Karen Bates
Look, she's a nerd just like us! Just like us!

Marge as Aayla Secura is a fetish for somebody. And when I say somebody, I mean everybody.

Marge as Aayla Secura is a fetish for somebody. And when I say somebody, I mean everybody.

So there you go. Happy Birthday, Jane Wiedlin! Please enjoy the day.

Then, get back to writing your comic book series, willya?

'Except take that adorable little stuffed bull out for pizza and colas.'

'Except take that adorable little stuffed bull out for pizza and colas.'

Friday, May 20, 2022

Today in Comics History, May 20: Happy Birthday, Jane Wiedlin!

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