Fandom Promo: Desert Peach
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historiumNote: If anyone who has read this comic wants to weigh in with things that should go under ’content warning’, I’ll be happy to know.
Title: Peach Melba!
Author: SailorKitty
Fandom: Desert Peach
Historical Connection: Historical Fiction, WWII, Afrikan Campaign, Underground Comic.
Content Warning: Takes place on German Front during WWII, some characters display period attitudes to ethnicity and gender/sexuality. Out of ca 30 chapters, 3 deal directly with the Holocaust. 1-2 occurrences of graphic violence. Nazism is never portrayed in a positive light, but does feature. Erwin Rommel appears as a character. Swastikas. Rape via sex pollen in order to turn character straight (Treated as rape by the narrative).
Canon Recap
Colonel Pfirsich Manfred von Rommel is a pacifist who doesn’t like war. He runs a grave-digging battalion full of men who are not fit to fight for the German army, and thus have been given over to his command.
Pfirsich is a kind gentleman who dislikes Nazis and racism. His days are spent making sure the men don’t blow each other up with Tellerminen, or fending off/giving in to overt public advances made by his fiance, a Luftwaffe pilot named Rosen Kavalier.
The series mainly chronicles camp life and the ridiculous escapades therein. Later, more serious stories chronicle the character’s lives during the end of, and beyond the war.
Historical Connection
This series is set on the German front during the North Afrikan campaign in 1941. The (left wing) author has a deep interest in German history and culture, giving the comic plenty of ’local flavour’.
Characters:
Pfirsich Rommel
Udo Schmidt
Grumpy orderly of the above. Streetsmart Berliner from a working class home. A gardener at heart, pushed into the army by way of family tradition. Talks big, but ends up jumping into Pfirsich’s arms when threatened. Chew-toy of the universe. Don’t touch Pfirsich, or Udo will bite you.
At least he really and truly seems to love his one male partner, to the point of putting a ring on him. And makes good on it, too.
Kjars Winzig
The comic is for sale here. It costs 1.5 dollars for half the comic, which is around 800 pages. That’s right; The entire thing is 3 dollars for a digital download!
If you prefer paperback, that’s also an option for ca 23 dollars. Amazon ships it to Europe.
The Musical (1992)
The Desert Peach originally began as a series of silly stageplays that ran alongside the comic, featuring exaggerated characters from the early issues. Somewhere along the line, Barr turned them into a musical.
And it’s not bad!
The plot is ’business as usual’. The first comic issue is loosely adapted, complete with Pfirsich’s very high-pitched aria about picnics. The real-life Valkyrie plot features in several sometimes hilarious, sometimes chilling numbers that feel a bit too well-done for a farcical opera. Oh, and did we mention the love song between Rosen and Pfirsich? In 1992? Concluding with them dancing off of the stage.
You can listen to it here.
-Ships
Rosen/Pfirsich
The canon couple with explosive chemistry.
Rosen likes sex, wants it all the time, and can’t resist fondling Pfirsich in public. Pfirisch isn’t a fan of this, particularly when it keeps happening in front of his men. The two have explosive chemistry - Pfirsich shifts between being annoyed at Rosen, to melting in his arms. Rosen is a pure and utter cad, but he does love Pfirsich from the bottom of his heart.
Winzig/Udo
Winzig is prissy, insecure, and unstable. Udo is coarse, street-smart, and not happy about Winzig’s authority. They both enjoy getting the better of one-another, though they will have the occasional truce for the sake of the unit. They also work together later on, with deliciously loaded tension.
Jeff/Winzig
Jeff is the German-American P.O.W. As such, he’s responsible for editing the camp newspaper. He also happens to share the same tent as Lt. Winzig, and a mutual love for jazz. They two often bicker like an old couple, despite caring for each other deeply.
Pfirsich/Udo
The two are shown to care deeply for each other, and there are moments when Udo seems to have an older-brother crush on Pfirsich. Not to mention the recurring images of Udo burying his face in Pfirsich’s chest, while Pfirsich pats his back and goes ’There, there’.
Meta
The humor in this comic is ’Allo Allo on speed’. It feels like a European comic, like The Bluecoats or Cybersix, in that most stories are based on the zany misadventures of a specific set of characters while trying to stave off the boredom. Like M*A*S*H*, Hogan's Heroes, or any other military sitcom. It helps that the author based the comic on her time in army, which is very evident in the colourful swearing. The art seems influenced by the Marcinelle school, which helps make it feel less ’serious American Comic’ and more ’Silly adventures that aren’t meant to be taken too seriously’. When they do turn more serious in the last fourth of the comic, the art adapts spectacularly, evoking images of folk horror.
The characters are well-rounded, and the stories are heartfelt. It’s hard to make the weak-hearted political turncoat induce sympathy, but Barr manages to pull it off, without making excuses or seeming heavy-handed.
The boys have strongly-bonded friendships, like the normally peace-loving Pfirsich going savage on anyone who dares harm Udo, or Winzig’s Guts-And-Glory facade completely breaking down when Jeff is wounded. Oh, and the men all love Pfirsich. Love in the victorian ’A father to his men’ way. And Pfirsich deserves it, because he is rarely anything but an (exasperated) father to his stray puppies.
The setting is never only window dressing. German phrases appear here and there with the same frequency of Fangirl Japanese back in the day, and the stereotypes, music, and pop culture references all date back to the German 1940’s or earlier. While the idea of a gay colonel is initially hard to buy, the amount of love and care put into the setting makes it easier to forgive. (It’s also implied that Pfirsich is only able to be flamboyant in Afrika, far away from the governing party.) Homophobia is part of the setting, but never a direct threat. Nor is Pfirsich ashamed, though he will sigh and roll his eyes at anyone who has a problem with his preferences. He has been gay for over 20 years, and isn’t going to change.
Fandom Guide
Barrvaria is a comm for The Works Of Donna Barr. Here, you’ll find links and resources to every single small side-story that the members could find, along with information on where to find Barr's other works. (Membership is screened)
Title: Peach Melba!
Author: SailorKitty
Fandom: Desert Peach
Historical Connection: Historical Fiction, WWII, Afrikan Campaign, Underground Comic.
Content Warning: Takes place on German Front during WWII, some characters display period attitudes to ethnicity and gender/sexuality. Out of ca 30 chapters, 3 deal directly with the Holocaust. 1-2 occurrences of graphic violence. Nazism is never portrayed in a positive light, but does feature. Erwin Rommel appears as a character. Swastikas. Rape via sex pollen in order to turn character straight (Treated as rape by the narrative).
Canon Recap
Colonel Pfirsich Manfred von Rommel is a pacifist who doesn’t like war. He runs a grave-digging battalion full of men who are not fit to fight for the German army, and thus have been given over to his command.
Pfirsich is a kind gentleman who dislikes Nazis and racism. His days are spent making sure the men don’t blow each other up with Tellerminen, or fending off/giving in to overt public advances made by his fiance, a Luftwaffe pilot named Rosen Kavalier.
The series mainly chronicles camp life and the ridiculous escapades therein. Later, more serious stories chronicle the character’s lives during the end of, and beyond the war.
Historical Connection
This series is set on the German front during the North Afrikan campaign in 1941. The (left wing) author has a deep interest in German history and culture, giving the comic plenty of ’local flavour’.
Characters:
Pfirsich Rommel
A classy, old-fashioned gentleman who used to be a schoolteacher. Doesn’t care much for violence or warfare, but will swoon over deerskin gloves. Sees his battalion as loved but unruly schoolchildren. Is prone to mother-hen anyone who needs it. Has organised an unofficial truce with local allied forces. Brother of The Desert Fox (Erwin Rommel). Patience of an angel, though the men do test it frequently.
Udo Schmidt
Grumpy orderly of the above. Streetsmart Berliner from a working class home. A gardener at heart, pushed into the army by way of family tradition. Talks big, but ends up jumping into Pfirsich’s arms when threatened. Chew-toy of the universe. Don’t touch Pfirsich, or Udo will bite you.
Rosen Kavalier
At least he really and truly seems to love his one male partner, to the point of putting a ring on him. And makes good on it, too.
Kjars Winzig
Lt. Winzig is an insecure political fanatic who keeps propping himself up. Nobody likes him. Though he is fun to poke, because he keeps blowing up in people’s faces.
Where to find itThe comic is for sale here. It costs 1.5 dollars for half the comic, which is around 800 pages. That’s right; The entire thing is 3 dollars for a digital download!
If you prefer paperback, that’s also an option for ca 23 dollars. Amazon ships it to Europe.
The Musical (1992)
The Desert Peach originally began as a series of silly stageplays that ran alongside the comic, featuring exaggerated characters from the early issues. Somewhere along the line, Barr turned them into a musical.
And it’s not bad!
The plot is ’business as usual’. The first comic issue is loosely adapted, complete with Pfirsich’s very high-pitched aria about picnics. The real-life Valkyrie plot features in several sometimes hilarious, sometimes chilling numbers that feel a bit too well-done for a farcical opera. Oh, and did we mention the love song between Rosen and Pfirsich? In 1992? Concluding with them dancing off of the stage.
You can listen to it here.
-Ships
Rosen/Pfirsich
The canon couple with explosive chemistry.
Rosen likes sex, wants it all the time, and can’t resist fondling Pfirsich in public. Pfirisch isn’t a fan of this, particularly when it keeps happening in front of his men. The two have explosive chemistry - Pfirsich shifts between being annoyed at Rosen, to melting in his arms. Rosen is a pure and utter cad, but he does love Pfirsich from the bottom of his heart.
Winzig/Udo
Winzig is prissy, insecure, and unstable. Udo is coarse, street-smart, and not happy about Winzig’s authority. They both enjoy getting the better of one-another, though they will have the occasional truce for the sake of the unit. They also work together later on, with deliciously loaded tension.
Jeff/Winzig
Jeff is the German-American P.O.W. As such, he’s responsible for editing the camp newspaper. He also happens to share the same tent as Lt. Winzig, and a mutual love for jazz. They two often bicker like an old couple, despite caring for each other deeply.
Pfirsich/Udo
The two are shown to care deeply for each other, and there are moments when Udo seems to have an older-brother crush on Pfirsich. Not to mention the recurring images of Udo burying his face in Pfirsich’s chest, while Pfirsich pats his back and goes ’There, there’.
Meta
The humor in this comic is ’Allo Allo on speed’. It feels like a European comic, like The Bluecoats or Cybersix, in that most stories are based on the zany misadventures of a specific set of characters while trying to stave off the boredom. Like M*A*S*H*, Hogan's Heroes, or any other military sitcom. It helps that the author based the comic on her time in army, which is very evident in the colourful swearing. The art seems influenced by the Marcinelle school, which helps make it feel less ’serious American Comic’ and more ’Silly adventures that aren’t meant to be taken too seriously’. When they do turn more serious in the last fourth of the comic, the art adapts spectacularly, evoking images of folk horror.
The characters are well-rounded, and the stories are heartfelt. It’s hard to make the weak-hearted political turncoat induce sympathy, but Barr manages to pull it off, without making excuses or seeming heavy-handed.
The boys have strongly-bonded friendships, like the normally peace-loving Pfirsich going savage on anyone who dares harm Udo, or Winzig’s Guts-And-Glory facade completely breaking down when Jeff is wounded. Oh, and the men all love Pfirsich. Love in the victorian ’A father to his men’ way. And Pfirsich deserves it, because he is rarely anything but an (exasperated) father to his stray puppies.
The setting is never only window dressing. German phrases appear here and there with the same frequency of Fangirl Japanese back in the day, and the stereotypes, music, and pop culture references all date back to the German 1940’s or earlier. While the idea of a gay colonel is initially hard to buy, the amount of love and care put into the setting makes it easier to forgive. (It’s also implied that Pfirsich is only able to be flamboyant in Afrika, far away from the governing party.) Homophobia is part of the setting, but never a direct threat. Nor is Pfirsich ashamed, though he will sigh and roll his eyes at anyone who has a problem with his preferences. He has been gay for over 20 years, and isn’t going to change.
Fandom Guide
Barrvaria is a comm for The Works Of Donna Barr. Here, you’ll find links and resources to every single small side-story that the members could find, along with information on where to find Barr's other works. (Membership is screened)
If you’re not sure about Barr’s style, her other comic Stinz is online over here.
Fanworks
Desert Interlude by Copperbeech, a crossover with Good Omens that is pitch-perfect in characterization and tone. Aziraphale has tea with Pfirsich, and discuss feelings for their respective partners.
Holy Night, Noisy Night by Vulgarweed, a Christmas special where Udo is asked to organise a Christmas party. The prose and characterization is like someone ripped Barr's drawings off of the page. Don't drink milk while reading this.
