Asaboy,Tom’sfirstcrushwasastrappingyoungfarmhandwhoworkedthefieldsaroundhisfamilyhome.Finlandisalandoftoughphysicalmen,catchingfishintheicysea;cuttinglogsintheendlessforests;threshingoats,rye,andbarleyonthefarms.Tom,amoresensitiveboy,admiredtheseroughmenandtheirdistinctiveclothing,designedforprotectionandutility.Helatersaid,“WhenIwasyoung,leatherwaswornbypeoplewhoworkedoutsidebecauseitwaswarm.Allthemenwhoworeleather,theywerethetypeofmenwhichIadored.“Whenhebegantodrawhecelebratedtheseearlyidols,improvingtheirwardrobeswithtightjeans,fadedT-shirts,andthigh-highbeak-toedLappishboots.Itwasayoungloggerinthisgearwhoappearedonthespring1957coverofPhysiquePictorial,introducingTomtotheworld.InthedecadestofollowTomaddedtruckers,repairmen,constructionworkers,circusroustabouts,andtheAmericancowboytohisrosterofworking-classheroes.Thoughjustsexualfantasiesforhim,hisportrayalofblue-collarlovershelpedworkingclassgaysaccepttheirtrueselves.TheLittleBookofTom:BlueCollartracesTom’sfascinationwithworkingmeninonecompactandaffordablepackage.Abrawnylineupofmulti-panelcomicsandsingle-paneldrawingsandpaintingsissetalongsidearchivalandcontextualmaterial,includinghistoricfilmstillsandposters,personalphotosofTom,sketches,andTom’sownreferencephotos.
