“I went to law school, passed the Massachusetts Bar and found my way to a job on Barney’s staff, all while publishing widely as a cartoonist,” he said.Īt first, his early work for Frank focused on helping constituents who were involved in disputes with different federal agencies: “I’m a bit of a contrarian - the challenge of trying to interest readers who might be reluctant to immerse themselves in a story about political machinery, and the good it’s capable of, appealed to me.” “The thought I had was, I wanted to tell a story of someone from inside the system, someone doing the unglamorous, often demeaned work of legislating to advance American society in positive ways that included LGBTQ rights, voting rights for African Americans, elder rights, affordable housing, the home heating program, etc. “I think Americans are accustomed to admiring outsiders - activists who agitate successfully for social change: think Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, Harvey Milk,” Orner said. When he began writing and drawing “Smahtguy,” Orner was thinking that he wanted to tell the story of someone attempting to change things from within the system.

Frank retired from political life in 2013.ĭinners to go, coffee with a view: Here's what Charlotte's in Westport offers Barney Frank's career from his early days in politics to Congress where he rose to become one of the most powerful Democrats as the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Orner is also the author of the acclaimed comic strip “The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green,” which was adapted into a film in 2005. That’s exactly what artist and comic creator Eric Orner did with his graphic novel, “Smahtguy: The Life and Times of Barney Frank.” Unless of course your former aide decides you’re 'wicked smaht' and wants to tell that kind of story.

It’s not often that you get a graphic novel whose protagonist is someone working within a system, chipping away at systemic inequality while attempting to do the work of changing things. Sure, Batman works with Commissioner Gordon, but he doesn’t exactly answer to the Gotham PD. Lots of times these heroes are engaging in some form of vigilante justice, working outside of a system that they feel is either corrupt or ineffective. Most of the time, graphic novels are about superheroes who fight against astronomical odds or evil beings in order to save the people or places they care about. Watch Video: Comic-Con welcomes back excited fans

Smahtguy by Eric Orner