Issue of the LGBT magazine The Advocate, No. 571, dated February 26, 1991, ninety pages, 8 x 10.5, with the front cover featuring an image of the characters Akbar and Jeff, with cover story text: “A ‘Life in Hell’ Valentine, Cartoonist Matt Groening Outs Akbar and Jeff.” Signed on the front cover in red felt tip, "Matt Groening, 6-23-1993," who adds four character sketches of Bart Simpson, Akbar and Jeff, and Maggie Simpson, with Groening adding a speech bubble inscription above, “For Michael!!" In fine condition. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of transmittal from Jeannine Crowell of Matt Groening Productions, dated September 29, 1993, typed on The Simpsons letterhead.
Akbar and Jeff were initially described in various strips and interviews as 'either brothers or lovers — or both,' with Groening later affirming that the fez-wearing characters from the Life In Hell comic strip—created from failed attempts to draw Charlie Brown from Peanuts—are in fact gay in an article printed in this issue of The Advocate. While Akbar and Jeff were perhaps Groening’s first homosexual characters, they were not his last: Waylon Smithers, the do-all assistant of billionaire Montgomery Burns, and Patty Bouvier, the sister of Marge Simpson, are popular gay side characters on The Simpsons. A decidedly uncommon Groening sketch—with a rare Bart and Maggie combo—featuring characters that helped further the presence of the LGBT culture in comics, cartoons, and animation.
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