Tom of Finland. The Complete Kake Comics. 45th Edition

Back in an era when masculinity was boldly celebrated and sexual expression was liberated, Tom of Finland conceived a striking character to embody these ideals. In 1965, he explored various archetypes for his narrative panels, initially experimenting with a blonde named Vicky—an unexpectedly common Finnish male name—and a character influenced by Tarzan, called Jack. By 1968, Tom finally created Kake, a dark-haired, mustachioed leatherman, frequently donning a snug white T-shirt emblazoned with the word "Fucker." Kake epitomized this identity, akin to a post-Stonewall, hyper-masculine Johnny Appleseed, journeying across the globe on his motorcycle to advocate for an uninhibited and mutually gratifying form of gay sexuality. Through Kake, Tom of Finland expressed several personal fantasies, leading to Kake's emergence as a prototype for the iconic gay clone aesthetic of the 1970s. From 1968 to 1986, 26 episodes of Kake’s escapades were released, mainly in 20-page booklet formats. The compilation "Tom of Finland – The Complete Kake Comics" brings these tales together in a single collection. Revisit a time defined by bold masculinity, liberated sexuality, and defining thick mustaches with Kake.