Tom of Finland: The Complete Kake Comics (German, English and French Edition) [Paperback]

Dian Hanson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

All 26 episodes of the Kake comic serial have been collected in one volume--a reflection of a time when gay men were men, sex was carefree, and everyone wore a big, thick, mustache.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Touko Laaksonen, the boy who would become Tom of Finland (1920-1991), began drawing cartoons at age five. His favorite subjects were the rough manly men of his native Finland, as Touko knew from an early age that men interested him more than women. His talents were further honed by art study in Helsinki. He found success in the Finnish advertising industry but secretly continued creating his increasingly erotic drawings of hyper-masculine men. In 1957 he submitted some drawings to the American magazine Physique Pictorial and the "Tom of Finland" legend was born. By the late '60s Tom's "dirty drawings" became the standard for gay art, and Tom's Men a template for a new gay masculinity. Tom's art continues to play an important role in promoting self-confidence, positive self-image and openness in the gay community. Dian Hanson is TASCHEN's sexy book editor. As a 25-year veteran of men's magazine publishing, she edited titles including Puritan, Oui, Outlaw Biker, Juggs, and Leg Show. Her many books for TASCHEN include Vanessa del Rio: 50 Years of Slightly Slutty Behavior and R. Crumb's Sex Obsessions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 703 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (April 1, 2008)
• Language: German, English, French
• ISBN-10: 3836502909
• ISBN-13: 978-3836502900
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars quite a complete collection, June 14, 2008

By 

C. Heng "Simpson Family" (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tom of Finland: The Complete Kake Comics (German, English and French Edition) (Paperback)

Wish it were in its original release size and not thick digest form.
Otherwise a comprehensive collection of Tom's work.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Flawed, but interesting for collectors, October 4, 2008

By 

Metalsmith "Metalsmith" (Reno, NV, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tom of Finland: The Complete Kake Comics (German, English and French Edition) (Paperback)

For openers, the material is well drawn and EXTREMELY exciting. This set of fantasies will set your fantasy engine on fire, and the printing is very nearly perfect with some breakup of electronically transmitted images seen as acute jaggies in the close-up pages. The paper is excellent; hi-clay art stock of sufficient weight to hold the large black areas without show-through.

Why only three stars? Two MAJOR flaws:

1) The book is too heavy and bulky to be held for easy (lustful) reading. The publisher would have done everyone a favor had each "Volume" been printed separately ( as in the originals) and then gathered into a single sleeve to show the "weight" of the publication. This may not bother collectors, but for those of us looking to resurrect years gone by, this volume is just too much for weakened old wrists.

2) The title is "The Complete Kake Comics". The collection --- isn't! "Beachboys", and what others are missing?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One word: Tom of Finland, September 13, 2008

By 

Eduardo Moreno "Randyan" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tom of Finland: The Complete Kake Comics (German, English and French Edition) (Paperback)

He transforms a sexual inclination into a concrete visual image. Many of them together to express a cohesive whole. It is very erotic, and I think should be erotic for just about anyone... I'm biased. Compelling, inspired, and high quality work.