In 1995, DC published Stuck Rubber Baby, arguably Cruse’s most significant work. The graphic novel tells the story of Toland Polk, a gas station attendant in the American South of the 1960s who gets caught up in the civil rights struggle of the period as he explores his own sexuality. Published in multiple editions by DC across a 15-year period, it is scheduled for a 25th anniversary release next year from First Second Books.

Cruse continued to work following the success of Stuck Rubber Baby, which garnered multiple awards as it was translated internationally. He illustrated 2004’s The Swimmer With a Rope in His Teeth, and both wrote and illustrated 2008’s Felix’s Friends: A Story for Grown-Ups and Unpleasant Children, in addition to contributing to anthologies including Juicy Mother and Qu33r and overseeing collections of his earlier work.

In addition to his daughter, Cruse is survived by his husband, Eddie Sedarbaum, and brother, Allan Cruse.