Joyce Brabner (born 1952) is a writer of political comics and sometimes collaborator with her husband Harvey Pekar. As Pekar's third wife, she has appeared as a character in many of his American Splendor stories. She is also a cultural worker and liberal social activist, most recently championing the neighborhood (Coventry Village in Cleveland Heights, OH) where she and Pekar reside, by organizing a series of imaginative special events (A Celebration of Coventry) now in its second year at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland Heights. In addition to Pekar and American Splendor, Brabner has worked with many of independent comics' highest-profile writers and artists. She edited Eclipse’s Real War Stories, which brought Mike W. Barr, Steve Bissette, Brian Bolland, Rebecca Huntington, Paul Mavrides, Dean Motter, Denny O'Neil and John Totleben (among others) together on behalf of the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors and Citizen Soldier. She has also written "Activists!" and "Animal Rights Comics." Her work on Brought to Light with Alan Moore and Bill Sienkiewicz brought critical praise from both the artistic and activist communities. In 1994, Pekar and Brabner collaborated with artist Frank Stack on the Harvey Award-winning graphic novel, Our Cancer Year. Our Cancer Year takes readers through Pekar’s struggles with lymphoma, as well as serving as a social commentary on events of that year. Her newest work can be found in Jason Rodriguez' "Postcards" series, as well as an about-to-be-released anthology (with Pekar and others) on the Beat Generation. Brabner met Pekar through her job as co-owner of a Delaware comic book & theatrical costumes store. She also ran a non-profit culture based support program for inmates in the Delaware correctional system and was a founder and manager of a small theater space in Wilmington, Delaware: the Rondo Hatton Center for the Deforming Arts. (Hatton played horror roles-- The Creeper-- in the early 1940s without makeup because he was severely disfigured by a glandular disease.) When one of Brabner's partners sold the last copy of American Splendor #6" without her getting a chance to read it, Brabner sent Pekar a postcard asking for another one. The two started corresponding and eventually developed a phone relationship. After a stay in the hospital by Brabner, Pekar spoke to her daily and sent her a collection of old records. This motivated them to meet in person, and Brabner flew out to Cleveland. They decided to get married the day they actually met. On their second date, they bought rings, and the third date they tied the knot. It is Brabner's second marriage and Pekar's third. In the early 1990s, Brabner and Pekar become guardians of a young girl, Danielle Batone, who has also become a recurring character in American Splendor. Brabner appeared in the 2003 film adaptation of American Splendor, and was also portrayed by actress Hope Davis.
