Inside the Erotic Cartoonist's Studio (12): Exploring 'Omaha' the Cat Dancer.

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Hello, watchers!

I’ve recently started reading Omaha the Cat Dancer by Reed Waller and Kate Worley. I haven’t finished the series yet, as it’s not easy to find the complete volumes, but I’m definitely on the hunt for them! I’m diving into this anthropomorphic universe, and I have to say—it’s incredibly addictive.

I’m surprised I didn’t discover this series sooner! I’ve read a lot of comics, especially in the erotic genre for obvious reasons, so I’m wondering why it took me so long to find Omaha. Where was it hiding all this time? It was a chance encounter that led me to it, and I’m grateful for that, as I’m now enjoying the fantastic art of Waller and the engaging stories by Worley. Let’s dive into their world!

Who is “Omaha”?

“Omaha” is the nickname of Susan Jensen, an anthropomorphic feline stripper. She’s in love with Chuck Katt, a struggling artist who is, in fact, the heir to a powerful business tycoon. Omaha gains notoriety after being featured for the first time in Pet Magazine, an adult entertainment publication, as the centerfold “Kitten of the Month.”

The beginning of the story is quite suggestive—no, it’s clearly explicit. This explicitness is a defining characteristic of the comic. Sex is woven into the narrative naturally, not merely for shock value or to titillate readers, although I believe there are a few scenes that lean toward eroticism. It’s this natural portrayal of sex that lends the story both its freshness and its controversy.

We must consider the era when the comic was created—in the early 1980s. Reed Waller drew inspiration from Fritz the Cat and likely from anthropomorphic Disney characters as well. This period marked a golden age for underground comics, where creators felt liberated to express their realities through ink strokes.

Portraying characters as anthropomorphic animals serves as a metaphor for the diverse personalities within society: cats embody independence and strong personalities, while dogs represent loyalty, and the antagonist often takes the form of a bull. This approach adds a layer of charm that a more realistic depiction might lack. That's something logical minds can understand, right?

However, let’s not jump ahead; let’s return to the 1980s. This was a time of mafia intrigue, corruption, drugs, sexual identity freedom, illness, and loss. These realities are vividly reflected in the Omaha series, which features a complex plot filled with deep characters and conflicts that resonate even today.

Above all, the heart of the story lies in the relationship between Omaha and Chuck. It explores partner conflicts, the dynamics of good and bad sex, hurt feelings, doubts about monogamy, and more. Interestingly, the authors, Reed and Kate, were in a romantic relationship while creating the series. I can imagine that many of the conflicts and scenes are drawn from their real-life experiences. In a word: sincerity.

Applause and Controversies

The series garnered contributions and recognition from prominent comic artists like Alan Moore, Frank Miller, and Neil Gaiman. It was also nominated for Eisner Awards in 1989 and 1991. Such accolades should have ensured its place in all specialized libraries. However, it faced unjust attacks from narrow-minded critics who didn’t take the time to read it.

According to Wikipedia, in 1988, Friendly Frank's, a comic book store in suburban Chicago, was fined $750 for selling "obscene" material, including Omaha the Cat Dancer. This controversy led to the formation of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. In 1990, New Zealand authorities seized issues of Omaha the Cat Dancer, but the country’s Obscene Publications Tribunal ruled that the series was not indecent. That same year, police in Toronto confiscated copies of the comic, claiming it depicted bestiality.

What!? Bestiality? Seriously?! I'm shocked. You might think all this controversy was limited to the 1990s, but it seems like moralizing is getting even worse today. Interestingly, the plot in Omaha mirrors this struggle. In the comic, Omaha is fighting to keep dancing without a stitch on, against powerful moralists who are shutting down the nightlife scene—yet behind the scenes, they indulge in even more extreme perversions. The hypocrisy is staggering, and it feels like that battle is still ongoing, but now on social media and e-commerce platforms. Adult content creators are constantly targeted, facing modern-day witch hunts. Omaha was a heroine back then, and she remains one today!

Personal Opinion

Regarding the art, I find it exquisite; the lines are clean and beautiful. The story is engaging as well, though it may feel a bit slow for contemporary tastes—we live in such an accelerated world! The characters are delightfully eccentric, making for an addictive read that is more than worth your time.

What stands out most to me is the genuine pleasure of reading an adult comic crafted by and for adults, without shying away from depicting sex in the spaces between the panels. As Neil Gaiman commented about the series:

“it's neither erotica nor pornography -- simply a story in which the virtual cameras continue to roll while people take their clothes off and make love (just as they do in the world you and I inhabit) -- delineated with an unblinking charm which has the odd effect (for me, at least) of making one wonder where all the sex has gone in the other fictions one reads or hears or sees…”

Indeed, I wonder where all the sex has gone in fiction. If an alien were to try to understand humans through our fiction, they wouldn’t grasp how we reproduce. We must admit that we are a repressed society. Animals don't feel ashamed of their sexual instincts as we do, and I believe it's detrimental to relegate sex exclusively to porn. After all, porn doesn't accurately represent the real sex lives of normal people.

The Omaha series is a bold example of how sex can be well-integrated into a fictional narrative that, as Gaiman points out, isn’t just erotica. I agree; while it contains elements of eroticism, it’s not purely focused on that aspect. I can't recommend Omaha as an erotic comic for readers looking to get aroused. No, that’s not its goal. It’s a mature read, intended for a mature audience that can truly appreciate its depth and value.

It’s a pity that censorship—both direct and shadow banning—restricts our reading choices and keeps hidden gems like Omaha, the Cat Dancer from the public eye. Even worse, it’s a real shame that other authors may hesitate to create similar works for fear of conflict. Omaha rightfully deserves its place in comic history! Otherwise, it would be a significant loss for humanity.

There, I said it! Now, I need to get back to drawing my own stories. But Omaha has definitely got me thinking. It could be a great influence for my erotic comics—who knows? Until next month, Bye!