When Barefootz debuted as a comic character in 1971, Cruse was still in the closet about being gay. Cruse later admitted Barefootz was not the most representative of his own personality, since Barefootz wasn't gay. But in Barefootz #2, Cruse reveals that Barefootz's artist buddy Headrack is gay. This type of revelation ran counter to Barefootz's reputation as being too cutesy to be part of the underground comic revolution, but it still didn't win many more fans for this comic book or for its lead character. Barefootz still has a few years of life left in him, but his creator will ultimately decide that he can't go on much longer.
HISTORICAL FOOTNOTES:
Kitchen Sink printed approximately 10,000 copies of this comic book. It has not been reprinted.