Dame Darcy Pleasant[1] (born June 19, 1971, Caldwell, Idaho),[2] better known by the pen nameDame Darcy, is an alternativecartoonist,[3] fine artist, musician, cabaret performer, and animator/filmmaker. Her "Neo-Victorian"[4] comic book series Meat Cake was published by Fantagraphics Books from 1993 to 2008. The Meat Cake Bible compilation was released in June 2016[5] and nominated for The Eisner Award July 2017.[6]Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal, with Fashion, Makeup & Wedding Tips, written by Maya Gottfried and illustrated by Dame Darcy, was the Silver Medalist winners of the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2018.[7]
Her self-published Tarot decks went viral world wide in 2012 with a second wave in 2018 for the Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot Gold Edition deck and Queen Alice Tarot deck and were listed as Etsy Bestsellers in 2018.[8] Dame Darcy's autobiographical graphic novel, Hi Jax & Hi Jinx (Life's a Pitch and Then You Live Forever), was published by Feral House in 2019 [9] Other graphic novels include Handbook for Hot Witches, The Illustrated Jane Eyre,[10]Frightful Fairytales, Gasoline, and Dollerium.[10]
She worked with writer Alan Moore and for such publishers as America's Best Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, Kitchen Sink Press, Starhead Comix,[11]Penguin Putnam, PressPop Tokyo, Merrell, Henry Holt and Company, and Seven Stories Press. Dame Darcy published over 100 books internationally, with her comics being translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, among others. Her films and animation won awards and have been shown internationally. Her fine art and dolls were exhibited and sold in art galleries globally for more than 20 years. In the late 1990s director Lisa Hammer and Dame Darcy produced a variety TV show titled Turn Of The Century profiling their short "silent film" style movies for Manhattan public access, which is now part of the Getty Museum Collection.[12]Turn Of The Century is currently streaming on Night Flight Plus as of 2024.
Biography
Dame Darcy acquired her initial skill set while still a child and teen working as an apprentice to her father in his sign-painting studio, Green Tree Graphics. She began her own career at age 17 when she won a scholarship to the San Francisco Art Institute.[1] During this time, she acted in films by George Kuchar.[13]
She made her first publishing deal at the age of 21 when her comic book series Meat Cake was picked up by Fantagraphics Books.[1] She originally considered using the pen name "Richard Dirt" but her father suggested adding a title to her own first name instead, so Darcy used the name Richard Dirt as a character in her comic book.[14]
She performed for a time with Lisa Crystal Carver and Jean-Louis Costes's underground cabaret Suckdog Circus.[15]SUCKDOG Reunion Tour 2016,[16] a documentary concert film starring Lisa Carver (Lisa Suckdog) as "The Dish" and Dame Darcy as "Ghost Mother" is currently available as a DVD.[17]
Her latest books as of 2016 are Lady Killers (Harper Collins), The Jaywalker, with Lisa Carver, Lucky, and other compilations. Dame Darcy's autobiography, Hi Jax & Hi Jinx, was published by Feral House in 2019, and has a feature film screenplay attached.[9] Her self-published Mermaid Tarot and Queen Alicetarot card decks are independently distributed.[18][19]
She has illustrated for fashion designers Anna Sui and Gothic Lolita designers CWC, Baby Doll, Ku, Coi Girl Magic and Jared Gold[20] while working as a runway model in NYC and LA.
In the 1990s, Dame Darcy made a doll for Courtney Love which included hair from the late Kurt Cobain. The doll was a gift to Love's daughter Frances Bean Cobain.[21] Dame Darcy planned to auction some of Kurt Cobain's leftover hair in 2015[22] but withdrew it following a complaint from Love.[23]
Her teaching experience varies among all ages and contexts. Dame Darcy taught an independent comics publishing course at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, as well as lecturing and workshops at Columbia University, and in Europe and Japan.
Dame Darcy is married to J. Pleasant as of 2023.
Bibliography
Comics/graphic novels
Turning the Tables - Published by Harper Collins 2024 Dame Darcy illustrates a comic for Tori Amos- A Revolutionary History from NPR Music. Drawn from NPR Music's acclaimed, groundbreaking series Turning the Tables, the definitive book on the vital role of Women in Music—from Beyoncé to Odetta, Taylor Swift to Joan Baez, Joan Jett to Dolly Parton—featuring archival interviews, essays, photographs, and illustrations.
Dame Darcy's Witchy Cat Tarot (2021)
Musings And Meanings - Scrapbook style tarot meanings book based on Ryder Waite Smith with journal and creative writing prompts (2021)
X (10) The 10th Annual Anniversary Comic Compilation from the Montreal Comic Festival PRESSES DU FBDM / MCAF PRESS book series Lettres à Montreal (2021)
Library of Esoterica Tarot- Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot cards included in this Taschen anthology (2020)
Scorched Earth - Post Apocalyptic Graphic Novel Published by Paper Movies (2020) - by Janet Montgomery and Erik Olsen, writers: Dame Darcy, Shane Riches, illustrated by : Daniele Nicotra
Hi Jax & Hi Jinx — Dame Darcy's autobiography graphic novel (Feral House, 2019)
Dame Darcy's Mermaid Tarot (2012–present)
Dame Darcy's Queen Alice Tarot (2018–present)
Lady Killers (HarperCollins, 2017) — illustrations for a novel by Tori Telfer
Mirror Mirror (2d Cloud, 2017) — comics anthology edited by Sean T. Collins and Julia Gfrörer
Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal, with Fashion, Makeup & Wedding Tips (Skyhorse Publishing, 2017) — illustrations for a book by Maya Gottfried
Lisa Carver's Jaywalker (Suckdog, 2016) — illustrations for a book by Lisa Carver
The Meat Cake Bible (Fantagraphics Books, July 2016) — every story from all 17 issues of Meat Cake (1993–2008), as well as new stories from the unpublished 18th issue; over 400 pages of comics
Tarzan and the Comics of Idaho #1 (Idaho Comics Group, August 2014) — anthology edited by Albert Asker; Darcy contributed the story "Voyage of the Temptress"
Dame Darcy's Meat Cake Compilation (Fantagraphics Books, 2003; reprint edition, 2010); ISBN978-1560975328 — collects material from the first decade of Meat Cake; includes "Hungry is the Heart," a collaboration between Dame Darcy and Alan Moore
Curated by Nicolas Ballet: Compilation Book (2024) published by Centre Pompidou museum in Paris, featuring Dame Darcy illustrated movie posters for experimental films made in collaboration with Lisa Hammer (Empire of Ache) and Rachel Amodeo (Rest in Peace).
The Penalty of Hope: Poems, by Vincent D. Dominion (2010)
Blythe (CWC, 2006) — doll book produced by Hasbro, featuring the fashion doll Blythe
(Death By Doll) Gasoline (Emperor Penguin Recordings, 2006)
Horse Hospital (Infinite Chug Records, 2008)
(Death By Doll) Cabin Fever (Emperor Penguin Recordings, 2008)
(Death By Doll) ElectroRococo (February 2019)
Fine Art Exhibitions
Nicolas Ballet profiling Lisa Hammer and Dame Darcy's surrealist short film Elaborate Empire Of Ache in Paris - L'Empire de la douleur. Le surrealism noir de Johanna Went et de Dame Darcy. Museum of Strasbourg 2022
McMullen Museum in Boston - alternative comics exhibit from Sept.-Dec. 2022, raw comics weirdo and beyond - Dame Darcy's Meat Cake issue 2 1994 published by Fantagraphics
Bust Magazine Group show for contributors DD original comics 2013
Solo Show Smart Clothes Gallery NYC 2012
Bert Green Fine Art Chicago 2012
Dame Darcy is currently represented by Sloan Fine Art NYC
Pony Show gallery 2009
Meyer Gallery Zurich Switzerland Gasoline solo exhibit 2009
Civilian Art Projects Washington DC Gasoline exhibit 2009
Claire Obscura Gallery LA Gasoline exhibit 2008
Bert Green Fine Art LA solo Gasoline exhibit 2008
Sloan Fine Art solo Gasoline exhibit 2008
Show Cave Gallery LA solo exhibit 2008
Gallery Le Le Tokyo 2007
Regent Gallery Group show LA 2007
Hyena Gallery solo show LA 2007
Black Chandelier Gallery LA 2007
Museum of Contemporary Comics NY 2007
Maude Carrin, LA, CA, 2007
Eagle Rock Museum Idaho 2006
Kunsthaus Museum exhibition + performance with Gelitin Bregens Austria 2006
Comics Art Museum NY 2006
Galleria Italia Italy 2006
Milk Gallery NY 2005
Copro‐Nasson group show Burgamot Station Santa Monica 2005
2024 feature film The Tony Millionaire Maakies Show! - 1h 39m, directed by Tim Maloney, produced by Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee. Featuring interviews with over 50 cartoonists, artists, editors, and musicians.
Turn of the Century, a variety show with experimental film, cabaret, and animation. From NYC in the 90’s. Directed and produced by Lisa Hammer, 40 + episodes, starring and produced by Dame Darcy. Now streaming on Night Flight Plus, 2024.
Duchess and Doppelganger, Cell animation vignette. Animation and artwork by Dame Darcy, 12/95.
Turn of the Century, title sequence for Dame Darcy public access television, program.
Art design and music by Dame Darcy, computer animation by Chris Kirella, 1996.
Golden Shoes, computer-animated vignette. Animation and artwork by Dame Darcy. Animated by Adam Gravois. Toured with LowRes Festival, 4/96 and won First Prize for Experimental Animation at the New York Animation Festival, 1999. Presented by Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO.
The Victorians, animated segue for PBS special, art and design by Dame Darcy. Computer animation by Adam Gravois, 5/96.
MTV Station Identification, art, design and music by Dame Darcy, 7/96. Computer animation by Eric Calderone.
Mistakes, vignette for Cartoon Network, art design by Dame Darcy. Storyboard by Mike Bade and stop motion animation by Ben Goldman, 7/97.
Paper Doll Fun, computer-animated paper doll game. Art and music by Dame Darcy, Animation by Daron Murphy, 1997.
Planet Blue, Paper Online. Serialized installments of a partially animated comic, based on the screenplay for the feature film of the same name, 1999‐2000.
Apple Blossom Time, short animated film with Lisa Barnstone 2000.
Jim! Press Pop animation release Tokyo 2005.
Rasputina Video 2007.
Gasoline animation with Corey Michael Simthson 2008.
Paper Doll On line Animation for Dame Darcy.com 2010.
ACTING & PERFORMANCE
Independent Films by George Kuchar, San Francisco, CA, 1989‐1991
Caroliner Rainbow, played banjo and recorded four albums & tour between 1989‐91.
Suckdog, performance troupe, national tours, 1992 and 1998.
Check Out Time, starred in independent feature film directed by Scott Hamrah, 1993.
America's Best Eye Glasses, voice over for an animated television commercial directed by M. Henry Jones, 1995.
Kitty Winder, acted in and designed sets for rock videos, 1995.
Dame Darcy Plays, starred in short film directed by E. Steven Fried, 1995. GenArt Film Festival Benefit.
Turn of the Century, hosts and produces cable access television show on Manhattan neighborhood network, 1996‐Present.
Risque Reverie, starred in short film directed by E. Steven Fried, 1996.
The Hamptons International Film Festival, NY 1996
The Lower East Side Film Festival, NY 1996
Louisville Film & Video Festival, KY 1997
The GenArt Film Festival Benefit, NY 1997
Wilmington Exchange Festival, 1997
The Atlanta Film & Video Festival, 1998
Candela Film Festival. 1998
Elaborate Empire of Ache, starred in short film directed by Lisa Hammer, 1996
Chicago Film Festival, 1997
New York Underground Film Festival, 1998
European tour with Drift Distribution, 1997‐1998.
Rest In Peace, starred in an independent short film directed by Rachel Amedeo, 1997.
Dance of Death, starred and wrote independent short film, 1997.
New York Underground Film Festival, 1999.
Autohypnomania, starred in independent short film directed by Alexande Hazeltine, 1998.
Black Strap Molasses Family ‐ Appalachian Folk Band, 1998‐2000.
Silly Sauce, starred in independent short film directed by Marcel Dejure 1999
Cards With Cards ‐ starred and wrote independent short film, 1999.
Angels of Light ‐ Michael Gira project music tour 1999.
Centemeters Music Video by Charles Schneider, 2001.
CABARET Acts, 1998 ‐ Present, at the following venues in New York City: Deep Dish, Slipper Room, Shrine, Red Vixen, Blue Angel.
Toured with Nora Keyes in USA, Mar. 2003 Fever Performance in Slovenia at the City of Women Festival, 2002.
Suckdog Tour ‐ Performance/music US tour 2005.
Death By Doll ‐ Lady Fest Olympia, 2005.
Rasputina ‐ US music tour, 2005.
Death By Doll / Jane Eyre national book/music promotional US tour, 2006.
The Love Show ‐ Cabaret CIA LA, 2006
Gasoline graphic novel / Death By Doll CD national release promotional tour 2008
Naughty Nautical Nite Cabaret Hosted at the Slipper Room by Dame Darcy/ Jessica Delfino 2008
Further reading
Dark Stars Rising, by Shade Rupe — 24 years of interviews with various creators of darker art (Headpress, 2010)
A Conversation With Dame Darcy, By Ron Rege "Dame Darcy's Meat Cake was one of the most culturally visible alternative comic book titles of the 1990s." (The Comics Journal, 2016)
^ abDarcy, Dame (2019). Hi Jax & Hi Jinx: Life's a Pitch - and Then You Live Forever. Port Townsend, Washington: Feral House. p. 305. ISBN978-1627310697.
^Hammer, Lisa (March 14, 2008). "Empire of Ache - short film by Lisa Hammer". YouTube. Caught on the living celluloid for the first time- the hot-blooded mania of Dame Darcy conversing with dolls no bigger than Gods foot.
^"Dame Darcy". Lambiek Comiclopedia. December 13, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Darcy seriously began pursuing a life in art when she won a scholarship to the San Francisco Art Institute in 1989. She majored in film and studied animation...At the same time, she pursued a career as an actress with parts in local independent films by director George Kuchar
^Collins, Sean T. (August 11, 2016). "Let Us Play: Comics Artist Dame Darcy on Her Mind-Blowing Meat Cake Bible". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. When I first started self-publishing comics I wanted to experiment with having my pen name be Richard Dirt...My Dad advised against it, saying that if I add a title to my first name, like Queen Latifah or Dr. Seuss, I would not have to deal with the hassle of actually changing my last name. I came up with Dame because it is alliterative with my first name and is a ladies' title.
^Scott, Shannon (May 11, 2016). "My Interview With The Inimitable Dame Darcy". Shannonscott.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2016. She legitimately had in her possession some of Kurt Cobain's hair and nearly sold it for a significant sum of money before the auction was pulled because of Courtney Love's protest.
^Conner, Shawn (December 14, 2010). "Interview - Dame Darcy". Thesnipenews.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2015. Yeah, it's for the second issue of a comic called Women of Marvel. It's out now. It's a fairy tale with Invisible Girl [from the Fantastic Four], "Inviserella". The brother's gay, he gives her a beautiful new hairdo.
