{{Short description|American cartoonist Bill Schmeling (1938–2019)}} {{Infobox artist | signature = File:Bill Schmeling The Hun Signature.jpg | image = Bill Schmeling The Hun.jpg | birth_date = {{birth date|1938|04|30}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2019|11|12|1938|4|30}} | death_place = Portland, Oregon | notable_works = ''Hun Comics'', ''Gohr'' | partner = Roland Bynum | known_for = Erotic illustration | birth_name = Bill Schmeling | style = Cartoonist }} '''Bill Schmeling''' (April 30, 1938 – September 12, 2019), better known by his pen name '''The Hun''', was an American artist active in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, known for his explicit, homoerotic fetish illustrations and comics.<ref name="Lambiek">{{Cite web |title=Bill Schmeling |url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/schmeling_bill.htm |access-date=2017-01-27 |website=lambiek.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coffeecakeandkink.com/news-a-features/item/spotlight-on-the-hun|title=Spotlight on...The Hun|last=cck|website=www.coffeecakeandkink.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034428/http://www.coffeecakeandkink.com/news-a-features/item/spotlight-on-the-hun|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Galleries |url=https://www.tomoffinland.org/toff-gallery/wppaspec/oc1/lnen/cv0/abzG4z8vGe1oen |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Tom of Finland Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>

Recurring characters in his comics include Big Sig (a naïve but sexually adventurous, semi-literate young man) and Gohr (a barbarian living in a brutal, post-apocalyptic world).<ref name="LeatherArchives">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Leather Archives & Museum, Bill Schmeling, a.k.a. "The Hun", is a Portland,... |url=http://leatherarchives.tumblr.com/post/96636108465/bill-schmeling-aka-the-hun-is-a-portland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060629/http://leatherarchives.tumblr.com/post/96636108465/bill-schmeling-aka-the-hun-is-a-portland |archive-date=2017-02-02 |access-date=2017-01-27 |website=Leather Archives & Museum |language=en}}</ref> His art is characterized by hyper-masculine characters with exaggerated muscles, nipples, and genitalia.<ref name="LeatherArchives" /> Sex scenes routinely involve BDSM with an emphasis on bodily fluids, including urolagnia and scatophilia.<ref name="LeatherArchives" /><ref name="Lambiek" /> Prison rape, fisting, leather and uniform fetishes, and police and military settings are also commonplace.<ref name=":0" />

== Biography == frame|Cover of ''Hun Comics'' #12 by Schmeling Schmeling lived in Portland, Oregon.<ref name="LeatherArchives" /><ref name=":5" /> At the age of five, he began drawing what he described as "hunky dudes in varying stages of undress, duress, and excess."<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /> He received no formal training, but cited Tom of Finland, Dom Orejudos, A. Jay, Rex, and Bill Ward as having considerably influenced his style.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" />

He began professionally producing erotic art in the 1960s, doing work for ''Physique Pictorial'' and other beefcake magazines, initially under the name ''Torro''.<ref name="Lambiek" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Champ |date=2022-05-12 |title="AllTogether" {{!}} Sultan, The Hun and Victor Arimondi |url=https://www.tomoffinland.org/alltogether-sultan-the-hun-and-victor-arimondi/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Tom of Finland Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> Using the pen name ''The Hun'', he produced series of comics – ''Hun Comics'' and ''Gohr –'' featuring fantasy sexual adventures of gay men. Stories by Schmeling became regular features in publications such as ''Meatmen,''<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://search.worldcat.org/title/Meatmen-:-an-anthology-of-gay-male-comics/oclc/504438267 |title=Meatmen: An anthology of gay male comics |publisher=Leyland Publications |year=1989 |isbn=9780943595207 |editor-last=Leyland |editor-first=Winston |edition=1st |volume=6 |publication-place=San Francisco |quote=Authors:Winston Leyland (Editor), Tom (Illustrator), Jerry Mills (Illustrator), Howard Stangroom (Illustrator), Stephen Lowther (Illustrator), Domingo Orejudos (Illustrator), Kurt Erichsen (Illustrator), John Klamik (Illustrator), Rupert Kinnard (Illustrator), Gerard P. Donelan (Illustrator), Jeffrey A. Krell (Illustrator), Michael Goldberg (Illustrator), Brad Parker (Illustrator), Bruce Billings (Illustrator), Hun (Illustrator), A. J. Toos (Illustrator), Rick Campbell (Illustrator), Leyland Publications (Publisher) |via=WorldCat}}</ref> ''Drummer'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drummer Magazine No 15 May 1977 |url=https://jackfritscher.com/Drummer/Contents/Contents-HTML/001-025/Drummer_015_Contents.html |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Jack Fritscher}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Drummer Magazine No 19 December 1977 |url=https://jackfritscher.com/Drummer/Contents/Contents-HTML/001-025/Drummer_019_Contents.html |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Jack Fritscher}}</ref> and ''Handjobs'' magazine.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-09-02 |title=Art & Artists Online Gallery: The Hun |url=https://www.tomoffinland.org/art-artists-online-gallery-the-hun/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Tom of Finland Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> Schmeling also produced artwork for gay bars and businesses such as Bunkhouse (Los Angeles),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bunkhouse : you're invited! (UC12351203) |url=https://doi.org/10.25549/one-c4-44084 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=USC Libraries |date=2021 |doi=10.25549/one-c4-44084 |via=ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives}}</ref> Manhole (Chicago),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manhole Chicago (UC12351939) |url=https://doi.org/10.25549/one-c4-44006 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=USC Libraries |date=2021 |doi=10.25549/one-c4-44006 |via=ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives}}</ref> Mineshaft (New York City),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Hew |date=2022-01-24 |title=A Dominating Narrative: The Mineshaft and BDSM Culture in the Meatpacking District |url=https://www.villagepreservation.org/2022/01/24/the-mineshaft/,%20https://www.villagepreservation.org/2022/01/24/the-mineshaft/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mineshaft School for Lower Education (3000101006) |url=https://leatherarchives.org/ca/index.php/Detail/objects/97011 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=leatherarchives.org}}</ref> and Studstore (San Francisco),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Studstore (UC12349620) |url=https://doi.org/10.25549/one-c4-44215 |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=USC Libraries |date=2021 |doi=10.25549/one-c4-44215 |via=ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives}}</ref> as well as commissions for private collectors.<ref name=":5" />

Schmeling met his lifelong partner Roland Bynum in 1978.<ref name=":5" />

Schmeling developed a close friendship with Tom of Finland during the 1980s when they lived in Los Angeles; the two men set up artist salons in their homes and shared their practices.<ref name=":1" />

During the 1980s, Schmeling frequently donated art to charity auctions for AIDS patients across the country.<ref name=":3" /> In 1983, his work was exhibited at The Drum in Houston.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Drum presents the Hun (UC12328585) |url=https://doi.org/10.25549/one-c4-47263 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=USC Libraries |date=2021 |doi=10.25549/one-c4-47263 |via=ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives}}</ref> Fey-Way Studios also exhibited his work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heigl |first=Alex |date=2020-02-09 |title=Oscars 2020: The true story of Robert Opel, the 1974 Academy Awards streaker |url=https://nypost.com/2020/02/09/the-life-and-tragic-death-of-infamous-oscars-streaker-robert-opel/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1986, he was featured in ''Naked Eyes,'' an artist showcase organized by Olaf Odegaard that highlighted gay men's visual art for the International Gay and Lesbian Archives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finding Aid to the International Gay and Lesbian Archives Records, 1958-2002 Coll2012-002 |url=https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8jm2816/entire_text/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Online Archives of California |series=Coll2012-002, Subseries 6.2}}</ref>

In 1988, Schmeling collaborated with Jack Fritscher to produce two feature-length films for Palm Drive Video that highlighted hundreds of his drawings: ''The Hun Video Gallery 1: Rainy Night in Georgia'' and ''The Hun Video Gallery 2: Chain Gang Bang''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Fisk |first=Peter |date=2019-10-02 |title=Drummer Legends: "The Hun" |url=https://drummermen.com/drummer-legends-the-hun/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Drummer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6" />

In 1997, Schmeling wrote a forward for ''<nowiki/>'Rasslers, 'Ranglers & Rough Guys: The Erotic of Matt,'' in which he expressed his longtime admiration for fellow erotic artist Charles Kerbs.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VIEHtwAACAAJ |title='Rasslers, 'Ranglers & Rough Guys: The Erotic Art of Matt |publisher=Bush Creek Media |others=Introduced by The Hun and Doug McClermont |year=1997 |editor-last=Bean |editor-first=Joseph W. |series=Brush Creek Media Artist Series: Volume 3 |location=San Francisco}}</ref> In 1998, the Tom of Finland Company published ''The Hun Book'', a collection of his work.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |title=The Tom of Finland Company Presents The Hun Book |publisher=Tom of Finland Company |year=1998 |isbn=1879055422 |editor-last=Dehner |editor-first=Durk |location=Los Angeles |editor-last2=Hawkins |editor-first2=Richard}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> In 2004, Nazca Plains published a second book, ''Fetish and Fetters: A Selection of Artwork.''<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MVp0AAAACAAJ |title=Fetish and Fetters: A Selection of Artwork |publisher=Nazca Plains |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-887895-35-4 |editor-last=Bean |editor-first=Joseph W. |location=Las Vegas |language=en}}</ref>

In 2003, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art featured Schmeling alongside Michael Kirwan, Howard Cruse, Rob Clarke, and Adam (Jack Bozzi) in its ''Deliciously Depraved'' exhibit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snellen |first=Wayne |date=2003 |title="DELICIOUSLY DEPRAVED" Featuring THE HUN and MICHAEL KIRWAN, plus HOWARD CRUSE, ADAM, and ROB CLARKE. |url=http://www.fireislandqnews.com/sections/theater/art_7NYCPRESSLohman3.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Fire Island Q News}}</ref>

== Cultural impact and legacy == In 1995, Durk Dehner wrote:<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /><blockquote>

But the truly fortunate aspect of this work is that the Hun allows us to be pigs, to be as cruel as all hell, to endure excruciating pleasure, and to dish out or take the slimy, grunting, brutal, hairy, messy, expansive limits of taboo kink. And all this happens without committing unsafe acts or cruelty to animals – oh, I mean men. He is the ultimate safe sex provider. Thank you Hun!</blockquote>

The Tom of Finland Foundation awards a ''Bill "the Hun" Schmeling Single Figure Award'' each year as part of its annual Emerging Artist Competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emerging Artist Competition 2022 Winners |url=https://www.tomoffinland.org/emerging-artist-competition-2022-winners/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=Tom of Finland Foundation}}</ref> In a 2023 online exhibit, the foundation wrote:<blockquote>"His artist name (The Hun) personifies the intense subject matter of his work [...] The Hun’s works occupy a unique place among gay erotic artists. He has spearheaded a more intense style of artwork that captures scenes and fantasies often avoided by other artists as well as emphasizes a uniquely grotesque style involving oversized body parts, excess body fluids, and other features on a hyper-sexual scale."<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>In July 2019, Schmeling donated all of his remaining artwork, notes, and other materials to the Leather Archives & Museum (LA&M) in Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peregrin |first=Tony |date=18 February 2020 |title=Drawn together |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/bill-the-hun-schmeling-leather-archives-museum/Content?oid=77888481 |access-date=2020-05-08 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en}}</ref> The LA&M periodically sells comic reprints and merchandise featuring his art.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hun Collection at LAM |url=https://www.shopleatherarchives.com/shop/hun-collection-at-lam/8 |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Leather Archives & Museum Store |language=en}}</ref>

== Honors & awards ==

* In 1993, Schmeling received the Business of the Year award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards.<ref>🖉{{Cite web|url=https://www.theleatherjournal.com/pantheon-awards/recipients|title=Pantheon of Leather Awards All Time Recipients - The Leather Journal|website=www.theleatherjournal.com|access-date=2020-12-27|archive-date=2020-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228055005/https://www.theleatherjournal.com/pantheon-awards/recipients|url-status=dead}}</ref> * In 1999, Schmeling and Hardy Haberman received the Steve Maidhof Award for National or International Work from the National Leather Association International.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nla-international.com/list-of-winners-2.html |title=List of winners |publisher=NLA International |date=2019-03-14 |access-date=2020-05-08 |archive-date=2020-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103035305/http://nla-international.com/list-of-winners-2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> * In 2002, Schmeling was inducted into the Tom of Finland Foundation's Erotic Artist Hall of Fame.<ref name=":1" /> He was the third person to be inducted following Tom himself (Touko Laaksonen) and H. R. Giger.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-09-13 |title=Bill "The Hun" Schmeling {{!}} 30th April 1938 - 12th September 2019 |url=https://www.tomoffinland.org/bill-the-hun-schmeling-30th-april-1938-12th-september-2019/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Tom of Finland Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> * In 2004, Schmeling received the Northwest Regional Award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theleatherjournal.com/pantheon-awards/recipients|title=Pantheon of Leather Awards All Time Recipients - The Leather Journal|website=www.theleatherjournal.com|access-date=2020-12-27|archive-date=2020-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228055005/https://www.theleatherjournal.com/pantheon-awards/recipients|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{Underground comix cartoonists|state=collapsed}} {{Portal bar|LGBTQ|Human sexuality|Erotica and pornography|Comics|Biography}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hun, The}} Category:American comics writers Category:American comics artists Category:American erotic artists Category:Artists from Portland, Oregon Category:BDSM people Category:American gay artists Category:LGBTQ comics creators Category:Pseudonymous comics artists Category:Underground cartoonists Category:Year of birth missing Category:Place of birth missing Category:Fetish artists Category:Gay male BDSM Category:Gay male pornographic comics Category:2019 deaths Category:Gay male erotica artists Category:Leather subculture Category:Fisting subculture Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:LGBTQ people from Oregon