Like Art Spiegelman or David Rees, Brooklyn’s Abby Denson is another graphic novelist aiming to make comics socially relevant. While Denson has written for the graphic incarnations of The Simpsons, Powerpuff Girls and Josie and the Pussycats, her debut book, Tough Love: High School Confidential (Manic D. Press) easily commands attention as her most noteworthy production. Initially appearing in 1996 as a serial comic for gay publication BY Magazine, Tough Love uses Japanese manga inspired illustration to portray gay students coming to terms with their sexuality amidst the social carnage of high school. Since the comic first appeared, Abby has been regarded as something of a gay subculture icon, despite being a straight girl. In this last leg of her book signing tour, Denson is joined by fellow Manic D. Press author Shannon O’Leary who serves as a bit of an Adam Walsh for the four-legged set by editing Pet Noir: A Comic Book Anthology of Strange But True Pet Crimes. 

Dec. 15. Bluestockings Books, 172 Allen St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), no phone; 7, free. www.bluestockings.com.