Weho Cartoonist Combats Bullying with 'Magnificent Woman'

For decades comic book superheroes have fought for the underdogs, swooping in to rescue those in distress. But now West Hollywood cartoonist Michael Troy, author of the anti-bullying themed The Boy Who Loved Magnificent Woman, is hoping that these cartoon heroes can save some real-life people as well.

“I want to spread this story to as many people as possible as I believe it has a strong emotional resonance,” Troy says. “I think it is disgusting that out of fear and insecurity we encourage people to beat things down— physically and metaphorically—for being different or ‘unacceptable.’ ”

Building off his own childhood appreciation of the comic book heroine Wonder Woman, Troy, 38, developed the characters of Magnificent Woman and Mickey, the boy who loves her despite criticism and bullying from his father and classmates. 

“I was ridiculed as a young boy for idolizing [Wonder Woman]. It is my dream to tell a Wonder Woman story and I think this is the closest I'll get,” he says. “What happened to Matthew Shepard also influenced this story.”

With all the recent attention that bullying has been receiving in the media lately, Troy felt it was the perfect time to publish his comic online.

"I'm very proud of it and have been touched by the encouraging comments of people that have read it. I just want people to read it and be moved by its message,” Troy says. 

The Magnificent Woman story was something he had been formulating for a while and was first seen as part of a “backup story” in a previous issue of The Blonde Squad—another of Troy's cartoons about four blond “superheroes” in search of fame, including a closeted gay superhero.

“As a gay man, an artist and a human being, themes and beliefs that are important to me will always be evident in my work,” he says.

But even so, the Magnificent Woman project is a passion project that Troy feels everyone can relate to.

“Everyone has a personal history with bullying,” says Troy, who was personally called “fag” as he walked on stage to accept his high school diploma. “Bullying is encouraged in our society. Bullies were bullied and that is why they bully.” 

Now that Magnificent Woman has been published on his blog, Troy hopes to get it printed and perhaps even develop it for other forums as well.

“I would love to turn it into a cartoon or short [film] for Logo or someone,” he says.

Although Troy claims he is not political, and could not “pick Laura Bush out of a lineup,” that does not mean he plans on shying away from politically charged cartoons in the future.

“I am proud to be gay and honor the sacrifices people like Harvey Milk, Matthew Shepard and so many others have made for the gay community, he says. “Some battles are worth fighting. This is one of them.”

If you'd like to read more of Troy's work, visit his website here. 

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