'Breaking Out', It Ain't Me, Babe, 1970.
Carole is an American female underground comix artist who contributed the feminist comic 'Breaking Out' to the first issue of 'It Ain't Me, Babe' (1970). The story, in which famous female comic characters take matters into their own hands, is the best remembered comic in this one-shot magazine. Not much else about her life or further comics career is known.
It Ain't Me, Babe
In 1970 Trina Robbins stepped up to give a feminist's answer to the sexist ways women had been portrayed in both mainstream and underground comix until that point. She published an all-female underground comic book: 'It Ain't Me, Babe' (Last Gasp, July 1970). All stories portray women or famous female comic characters rising up against sexism and gender roles. Carole was one of the many contributors. Apart from her and Robbins, other artists who published in It Ain't Me, Babe were Nancy Burton, Lisa Lyons, Willy Mendes (Barbara Mendes), Michele Robinson and Meredith Kurtzman (daughter of Harvey Kurtzman).
The book proved very influential and led to similar all-female underground comix like 'Tits and Clits Comix' (1972) and 'Abortion Eve' (1973) by Joyce Farmer and Lyn Chevli, 'Wimmen's Comix' (1972) by Robbins and Michele Brand and 'Twisted Sisters' (1975) by Aline Kominsky and Diane Noomin.
Breaking Out
While 'It Ain't Me, Babe' was a noble initiative, only a few contributors had graphic skill and experience. Many others, including Carole, had never drawn a comic strip before. The script of Carole's three-page comic, 'Breakin' Out', is credited to "the It Ain't Me Babe Basement Collective". In the story, various iconic female characters reach a point of self realisation. Marge's Little Lulu wants to play along with the boys in her neighborhood, but they tell her "no girls are allowed". The little girl is surprised at first, then utters the immortal line: "Fuck this shit!". In Elliot Caplin and Stan Drake's 'The Heart of Juliet Jones', Juliet is committing herself to her boyfriend until she realizes how "inane" her romantic dialogue is. Betty and Veronica from Bob Montana's Archie Comics come to the conclusion that they've always been much better friends with each other than with Archie. Supergirl is tired of being bossed around by Superman and flies off. Meanwhile, Porky Pig from 'Looney Tunes' is stunned that Petunia Pig suddenly leaves him because she's tired of being his house servant and cook. All female characters gather at Witch Hazel's place (presumably the Disney character), who instigated their rebellion. They realize they don't need men and take their lives into their own hands...
'Breaking Out', It Ain't Me, Babe, 1971.
Identity mystery
As memorable as 'Breaking Out' is, Carole's own identity has been lost in the mist of times. Her last name was never printed in 'It Ain't Me, Babe', because - as Trina Robbins explained: "...we dumped our 'slave names' and used only our first names." Decades later, Robbins felt it was a shame that none of them could remember Carole's last name, especially since she had been in touch with her through e-mail in later years, but again lost their correspondence. Some sources have mistakeningly claimed that Carole's last name was "Kalish", suggesting a family connection with fellow It Ain't Me, Babe contributor Nancy Kalish. However, this is merely a result of confusion, presumably the result of both their comics being printed next to each other in the final pages of the comic. In an e-mail to our Comiclopedia, sent on 24 September 2022, Nancy Kalish confirmed that she is not related to Carole and never met her either.
Carole appears to have never made another comic strip again. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
The 'It Ain't Me Babe' group photo. Carole is the blonde girl in the top left.