Golden Pasha Tryout

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' dates from the nineteen sixties. It appears to be related in concept and a precursor to, the better known 'Sailors Beware' story, which came out in its first version shortly after 'Pasha', judging by the Kris' Catalogue numbering. 

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha', Original Catalogue images
(rearranged from a vertical strip)

The Kris Catalogue entry for 'Pasha' showed 6 images, with all characters respectably 'draped'. Three of them were also published in a large format, in a different catalogue. I found the uncensored version featured below on the Tim In Vermont website before it was taken down, it didn't give any source information. The three earlier variants are included in the article below in the appropriate places. Unlike the revised version of 'Sailor Beware', the underlying images don't seem to have been significantly altered other than replacing the loin-cloths and pouches with not quite erect organs. No sex is shown.  

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 1

 

The Golden Pasha lounges in luxury while around him a harem of conspicuously naked, young men entertain him with music, grovel and pamper him. Notice the phallic uprights of his throne.

 

Stephen was quite fond of depicting musicians at this time. I suppose there's a certain innuendo in the horn blowing and string plucking.

 

 

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 1 (original version)

This earlier version shows all the characters in exactly the same positions. The three on the right have acquired pouches which seem to be carefully detailed with patterns (and jewels in the Pasha's case). The covering of the guard at the back, however, seems to have been painted on rather clumsily by comparison. The Pasha's pantaloons have also been altered, extending all the way up to his waist rather than finishing high up on the thigh. 

 

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 2

 

The Pasha seems to be a hard master to serve. In the dungeon below, those who displease him are chained up, and he personally punishes each of them with his whip. His suspender belt is impressively jewelled, and it's apparent that the 'Golden' tag relates to his wealth, not his personality.

 

 

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 3

His maltreatment of his slaves means he must watch them with an eagle eye for any signs of rebellion. But one slave at least has had enough. He has somehow procured a sleeping potion and secretly drugs the Pasha's wine. 

This picture almost seems to shift the scene to Japan, as witness the bonsai-like trees and the intricate decoration of the pillar on the left which includes a Fuji-like mountain, a stylised chrysanthemum and typically Japanese style patterns in-between.

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 3 (original version)

The earlier version differs little. Again, the Pasha's pants have become thigh-wraps and his dick is covered by a jock-like, ribbed pouch (jewel encrusted!). We can also see more of the foreground, bottom left, which turns out to be a pool with fish and lilies. A show of his opulence.

 

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 4

Once the Pasha has fallen asleep, his slaves rise up against him. Some have weapons, perhaps taken from the Palace Guards who seem to have deserted their master. Someone, at some point, has removed his pants and boots. The Pasha lies in an inviting, splayed legs position*. One of the rebels seems to be inviting everyone to have a go. 

*A favourite pose of Stephen's, it seems to turn up in many stories, twice in Night Patrol, image 5 and image 8. The Pasha version is more convincing than some.

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 5

The Pasha awakes to find a knife menacing his chest and his treasure chest being looted. Perhaps more startlingly for him, his legs are in physical contact with the intimate regions of two of his slaves. One is resting between the buns of the looter. Worse than that, the other is raised between the legs of his immediate attacker, almost as if they had just had intercourse. Who knows? The threat of the knife seems to be equated with the threat of his dick.

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 5 (original)

In the original version of image 5, pouches have sprouted once again, to conceal the less offensive weapons of the attackers.  The disappearance of the primary attacker's dick makes his knife seem a lot more menacing, although he's deliberately angling it out from his groin. 

 The Pasha's modesty is protected by a casually draped cloth, looking a bit like leopard skin. Oddly enough, that device makes his nudity and vulnerability seem more apparent. His hairy legs, glimpsed in earlier pictures, come to the fore.

 All the slaves' faces have been upgraded in the nude version, in line with Stephen's later technique. In the original, we can see more of the architectural detail of the room, which adds greatly to the depth of the image. We can also see some subtle shading in the trees, which is probably washed out in the later version by the reproduction process.

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 6

In the final image, the Pasha himself is chained like a slave and forced to kneel, cringing in submission to his former slaves. He is stripped of his turban, the symbol of his rank, as well as the last vestiges of his clothing (except for one sock). He looks very naked now, and the raised position of his hands suggest he's desperately trying to free himself. Aware perhaps that he will soon make his first acquaintance with the business end of his own vengeful whip in the dungeon. 

 

This is an interesting study of feet, which are less evident in the earlier pictures, but soon became Stephen's unique trademark. Perhaps the Pasha is being invited to address them with respectful lips. Their exaggerated size here creates a sense of powerful men and menace surrounding the cowed ruler. The intertwining of feet with Stephen's signature seems to be deliberate, but it's unclear why, perhaps indicative of his personal fascination with them. I'm afraid it reminds me of sticky carpets in sleazy bars!

 

Stephen's 'Golden Pasha' 6 (original)

This cropped version comes from Drummer in 1976. It's interesting that that particular publication should decide to crop out the whip. Interesting too, that they don't seem to have had the nude version (unless, of course, they preferred the contrast and subtle power of nude vs clothed, i.e. CMNM). It's a tribute to the power of Stephen's drawing.

 

~ 

 

The Golden Pasha doesn't quite have the power of other Etienne stories, the sexuality is subdued but bubbles beneath the surface. The simple morality of the story is a far cry from the aggressive sexual subjugations of Night Patrol, Marine Training, Here Comes the Groom to name just a few of his later creations. Perhaps that reflects the political changes of the 60s and the greater freedom of expression afforded to gay men subsequently.