Debra Boyask

Debra Jane Boyask (Chelmsford, England, 11 April 1966 – Bristol, England, 23 April 2013) was a comics artist and educational developer. Boyask was born and died in England, but lived for many years in New Zealand, after moving there with her family in 1974.

Education Boyask completed a Bachelor of Education (hons) at the University of Canterbury in 1992 and worked as an educational evaluator in New Zealand and then an educational developer on her return to the UK.

She continued to contribute to Funtime after moving back to England in the early 2000s. She also began publishing in a number of British anthologies including, Factor Fiction and the Girly Comics.

She organised Midwinter Comics Retreats for artists in both New Zealand and England and was known for her support of new artists.

Boyask produced comics under a number of pen names, including 'Teacake', 'Pelms' and 'Bad Astronaut'.

She was also actively involved in the LGBTI community, and to diversity issues within the comics community.

Publications Funtime Comics (1990-). Christchurch, New Zealand. The Ancient Geeks (2001). Self published, Christchurch, New Zealand. Adult issues (2001). Self published, Christchurch, New Zealand. Naughty tales from academia (2001). Self published, Christchurch, New Zealand. The sound of muzac (2001). Self published, Christchurch, New Zealand. The girly comic (2002 - ). England, Factor Fiction Press. Twelve Go Nuts in Gloucester (2005), with Jay Eales, Terry Wiley and others. England, Factor Fiction Press. Three Words: an anthology of Aotearoa/NZ women's comics (2016), edited by Rae Joyce, Sarah Laing and Indira Neville. Auckland, New Zealand, Beatnik.