Jake The Rake

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Interview about JtR at bi.org.au

In October 2000 Jake the Rake debuted on the internet as "Possibly the Internet's only webcomic about polyamorous bisexuals!"

Initially drawn on a computer as his scanner was broken, the style quickly stuck and remained the same for the entire run. When he eventually switched to a TabletPC and drew the strips electronically he still used the same look for the characters.

Jake The Rake was the most popular part of Marcus's old website, and by its peak was read by several thousand readers worldwide. The strips centred around three bisexuals Jake, Dave and Kara and their circle of friends and lovers. When Marcus was presented with the "Cake" award at BiCon 2002 the popularity of the strip was cited as one of the reasons.

Marcus has allowed the strip to be reprinted in UK bisexual publications such as Bi Community News.

One hiatus followed another and the strip was retired in 2003.

In Chronological Order

Jake was a difficult child, so he's decided to be an easy adult. He doesn't plan his life very far, which is one reason he's always falling into and out of relationships. He's been with Kara for several years now, but is just starting with Tony. He's always tried to be 'out' to his peers, which has resulted in him walking off the end of a few.

31/Oct/00: Justifiable Absence

02/Nov/00: Whose Wife Is This?

07/Nov/00: Identity Crisis

10/Nov/00: Circular Argument

14/Nov/00: Dish of the Day

20/Nov/00: Subtle, Us?

24/Nov/00: Mundane Myths

30/Nov/00: Dinner Dilemma

Some say Kara is embroiled in too many relationships, but she thinks there's nothing wrong with sorting out your social calendar with algorithms and spreadsheets. She's so organised other people ring her up to ask what they're doing with their partners. And she tells them.

07/Dec/00: Festive "Friends"

14/Dec/00: At the Party

19/Dec/00: Xmas Special

03/Jan/01: Presents Presence

12/Jan/01: Them!

19/Jan/01: Debris...

26/Jan/01: Explode Assumptions

02/Feb/01: Mundane Myths II

09/Feb/01: Cupid Costs

Tony works with Jake, Raj and Dave. He's the office queen, a title he's used to and he's a little put out to arrive in the company and find it doesn't make him the weirdest employee this time. He has an on/off boyfriend called Tom too, and they can't decide if they're a couple still or not. Trying to work out if you're both single makes for strange pillow talk.

16/Feb/01: Wanton Whispers

23/Feb/01: Thought That Counts

01/Mar/01: Gender Mindbender

08/Mar/01: Side Issues

29/Mar/01: Customs Confusion

19/Apr/01: Imagine the Eggs

27/Apr/01: Just Add Milk

11/May/01: No Worries

Dave is Kara's husband. He's poly in theory but doesn't actually bother dating anyone else. If you pressed him he would either say that Kara dates enough for both of them or "Ow! Careful with the pointy fingers, freak!". He's slept with Jake in the past, but only as a casual mutual-husband bonding thing, you know - the one you hear so much about.

16/May/01: Evil Kara

25/May/01: Deja Voodoo

01/Jun/01: Him Indoors

15/Jun/01: Top Spin

22/Jun/01: Gossip Gunge

29/Jun/01: Mardi Gras Pride

06/Jul/01: Relativity

13/Jul/01: The Game We All Play

20/Jul/01: Pride Paraphernalia

Raj says he's as normal as the next guy, provided the next guy isn't Jake. He seems quietly amused by the antics of the others. No-one has actually met his 'partner' or caught him out with the pronoun game yet. Stay tuned...

27/Jul/01: Tedrosexual

03/Aug/01: Very Best Man

10/Aug/01: Cantspeak

22/Aug/01: Workshopsexual?

31/Aug/01: This Happens

07/Sep/01: Yousexual

21/Sep/01: Plus ca change

05/Oct/01: Polly Wanna

11/Oct/01: Parental Guidance

Theresa isn't a bisexual, and will punch anyone who says she is. Unless she happens to be in bed with them at the time. She's one of Kara's partners and although she gets on okay with Jake it seems Dave can't stand her.

22/Oct/01: Introducing...

26/Oct/01: Standard Reply

02/Nov/01: Terse Terminology

09/Nov/01: Humpty Dumpty

16/Nov/01: Everyone I Talk To

23/Nov/01: Seasonal Stumper

30/Nov/01: Seen but not Heard

07/Dec/01: This Could Happen

Zie is something of a mystery. For ages Jake and Tony played the 'pronoun game' with Raj, trying to get him to reveal if he had a boyfriend or girlfriend. Now they've met Zie in person, and they're still none the wiser.

14/Dec/01: Hot Bedding

20/Dec/01: Mistletoe Where?

04/Jan/02: Jason the Sockcooker

11/Jan/02: Ted's Back(s)

18/Jan/02: Wat's In A Name?

25/Jan/02: Before and After

01/Feb/02: String Or Nothing

08/Feb/02: Mungokara

15/Feb/02: Romantic View

Melissa isn't interested in labels, she's interested in cool kinky sex with cute people. When asked if she meant men and women, she replied "Amongst others". She's the hunted, not the hunter but always manages to arrange to be chased by the right person.

22/Feb/02: A Look at Books

01/Mar/02: Fetish Where?

08/Mar/02: Speed Trials

22/Mar/02: Past Parsing

03/Apr/02: Hippy Easter

12/Apr/02: Furtive Froth

19/Apr/02: Tony's New Thing

26/Apr/02: Mundane Myths III

03/May/02: Duelling Sheds

Jason doesn't appear in Jake The Rake very often, as he's usually too busy drawing it. As the secret alias of the writer he likes getting shut in boxes, playing the Sims and cock.

17/May/02: Change Ends

24/May/02: Attack of the Clowns

31/May/02: Hats No Excuse

07/Jun/02: Instant Divorce

14/Jun/02: Everything Was Bigger

21/Jun/02: Poh Tay Toe

28/Jun/02: Mum's The Word

19/Jul/02: Pre Party Pondering

26/Jul/02: Clue Noodling

The Boss, traditionally, doesn't have a name, and also appears to have a typical cartoon boss haircut. Oh well. We're not sure what the company does yet. Suggestions on a postcard or back of a sealed down envelope as ever.

02/Aug/02: Not With A Whimper

09/Aug/02: Spend A Weekend

21/Aug/02: Heteronormativity

29/Aug/02: Queer Question

13/Sep/02: Ba-Dum Tish!

20/Sep/02: And Up He Rises

27/Sep/02: Etiquettal Black

11/Oct/02: Brood Beckons

21/Oct/02: Maternal Movements

31/Oct/02: Commitment Counts