Amanda A Dream Come True Cartoon By Steve Strange Top [ 2026 Update ]

Title: The Synthesis of Nostalgia and Futurism: An Analysis of Steve Strange’s "Amanda – A Dream Come True"

Abstract

This paper examines the cultural and artistic significance of the "Amanda – A Dream Come True" cartoon illustration by Steve Strange. As a prominent figure in the New Romantic movement and the frontman of Visage, Strange’s visual output extended beyond music into the realm of graphic art and fashion direction. This analysis explores the illustration "Amanda" as a quintessential example of the New Romantic aesthetic, investigating how Strange utilized the medium of cartooning to synthesize high fashion, escapist fantasy, and the fluidity of identity. The paper argues that the work serves not merely as a character sketch, but as a manifesto of the era’s defining visual ethos: the deliberate blurring of the lines between reality and theatrical performance.

1. Introduction

The late 1970s and early 1980s witnessed the emergence of the New Romantic movement in the United Kingdom, a subculture defined by its rejection of the stark minimalism of punk in favor of flamboyance, androgyny, and historical pastiche. At the forefront of this movement was Steve Strange (born Steven Harrington), the Welsh frontman of the synth-pop band Visage. While primarily known for hits like "Fade to Grey," Strange was also a pivotal visual artist and club promoter (notably at the Blitz Club in London).

The subject of this paper is the artwork titled "Amanda – A Dream Come True," a cartoon illustration by Strange. While often categorized merely as merchandise or memorabilia, this piece represents a microcosm of Strange’s artistic philosophy. By analyzing the composition, stylistic choices, and thematic content of "Amanda," one gains insight into how the "cartoon" format was utilized by New Romantics to construct idealized, dreamlike personas that challenged the rigid gender norms and social realities of the Thatcher era. amanda a dream come true cartoon by steve strange top

2. The New Romantic Aesthetic and the Cartoon Medium

To understand the significance of "Amanda," one must contextualize the role of visual art in the New Romantic movement. The movement was inherently visual, relying on the concept of the "dandy" and the "poseur." In this context, the "cartoon" was not a medium for childish simplicity, but a vehicle for exaggeration and idealization.

Strange’s artistic style in "Amanda" aligns with the pop-art sensibilities of the 1980s—clean lines, bold color blocking, and a focus on surface aesthetics. The medium allowed Strange to strip away the messy imperfections of reality and present a world governed entirely by style. The cartoon format served as a literalization of the movement's ethos: life was viewed as a performance, and individuals were the stylized characters within their own narrative.

3. Visual Analysis of "Amanda"

The illustration "Amanda – A Dream Come True" depicts a stylized female figure, embodying the "Amanda" referenced in the title. A close reading of the image reveals several key stylistic components: Title: The Synthesis of Nostalgia and Futurism: An

Androgyny and Fashion: True to the Blitz Club dress code, the character Amanda is rendered with a mix of masculine and feminine signifiers, or perhaps a hyper-stylized femininity that borders on drag. The clothing depicted typically features the sharp tailoring, ruffles, and high collars synonymous with the "Blitz Kids." The figure acts as a mannequin for the fashion sensibilities that Strange championed.
The Gaze and the Pose: The character’s posture and expression are central to the work's impact. Typical of Strange’s figures, there is a sense of aloofness or detachment—a cool, distant gaze that invites the viewer to observe but not touch. This reflects the "pose" culture of the New Romantic clubs, where being seen was the primary activity.
Line and Color: Strange’s technique favors fluidity. The lines are curvilinear yet precise, creating a sense of movement even in a static image. The use of color—often pastel or high-contrast neon in his broader portfolio—evokes the lighting of underground nightclubs, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that aligns with the title "A Dream Come True."

4. Thematic Interpretation: Escapism and Identity

The title "A Dream Come True" offers the primary interpretative key for the work. In the context of Steve Strange’s career, "Amanda" represents an aspirational figure.

The Constructed Self: For Strange, identity was a canvas. In his autobiography, Blitzed!, he discusses the creation of his own persona, changing his name from Harrington to Strange to suit his new identity. "Amanda" can be read as an extension of this self-fashioning. Whether Amanda is a fictional muse or a representation of an idealized partner, she represents the triumph of imagination over reality.
Queer Coding: The New Romantic scene was a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ expression during a politically hostile time. The "cartoon" exaggeration of Amanda can be viewed through a queer theory lens as a form of "camp"—a love of the artificial and the exaggerated. By rendering Amanda as a cartoon, Strange emphasizes the performative nature of gender and beauty.
Commercial vs. Personal: It is worth noting that Strange often created illustrations for fan club newsletters, flyers, and later, art sales. "Amanda" sits at the intersection of personal artistic expression and the commodification of the "Blitz" lifestyle. It sold a dream to the audience, reinforcing the exclusivity and allure of the world Strange had created.

5. Conclusion

Steve Strange’s "Amanda – A Dream Come True" is more than a peripheral piece of pop culture ephemera; it is a distinct work of art that encapsulates the spirit of the New Romantic movement. Through the accessible medium of the cartoon, Strange successfully codified the movement’s obsession with fashion, performance, and escapism. The work serves as a visual document of a time when the nightclub became a theater, and the individual became a character in a dream. By analyzing "Amanda," we are reminded that for figures like Steve Strange, life was an art form to be curated, and reality was merely a rough draft for the cartoon dreams they brought to life.

References

Strange, S., & Gallucci, N. (2002). Blitzed!: The Autobiography of Steve Strange. Omnibus Press.
Rimmer, D. (2003). Like Punk Never Happened: Culture Club and the New Pop. Faber and Faber.
Garratt, J. (1984). Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: The Rise and Fall of the New Romantics. Portrait.
Hebdige, D. (1979). Subculture: The Meaning of Style. Routledge.

Beyond the Mainstream: How Steve Strange’s “Amanda: A Dream Come True” Became a Cult Classic

In the vast ocean of animated content, where corporate franchises and superhero epics dominate the headlines, it is easy to miss the small, passion-driven projects that speak directly to the soul. One such hidden gem is Steve Strange’s enchanting web series, Amanda: A Dream Come True. While it may not have the budget of a Disney feature or the marketing machine of a Netflix original, Strange’s creation has garnered a fiercely loyal following, earning its place as a "top" contender in the realm of independent, feel-good animation.

The Plot: More Than Just a Dream

At its surface level, Amanda: A Dream Come True follows a lonely cartoonist named Ben who draws a character named Amanda. One night, Amanda literally steps off the page into Ben’s cramped apartment.

However, Steve Strange subverts the typical "drawing comes to life" trope. Amanda is not a bubbly, helpful muse. She is fragmented—partially erased, conflicted, and aware that she exists only because of Ben’s sadness. The "dream come true" in the title is tragic. Ben’s dream isn't romance; it’s validation. He wants someone to witness his pain.

The cartoon’s most famous sequence—"The Ink Flood"—occurs when Ben’s subconscious breaks through. The black-and-white world of his sketchbook bleeds into the real world, drowning his furniture in ink. Strange animated this entire 45-second sequence on tracing paper without digital tweening, resulting in a fluid, nightmarish quality that feels organic.

3. Lyrical Analysis: The Unattainable Dream

Lyrically, "Amanda" functions as a classic synth-pop parable of longing. The protagonist sings of a woman who is elusive and perhaps imaginary. Lines such as "Amanda, don't leave me standing in the rain" evoke a sense of melodrama common in teenage tragedy songs of the 1950s and 60s, repackaged for the electronic age. Androgyny and Fashion: True to the Blitz Club

This intertextuality is vital. Strange and his peers were obsessed with the cinematic and the nostalgic. "Amanda" is a pastiche of a romantic ballad. It creates a "dream come true" for the listener by offering a simplified, romanticized version of love that feels safer and more glamorous than the messy reality of relationships in the early 80s.

The song fits the "dream" motif in two ways:

The Narrative Dream: The singer is chasing an ideal (Amanda), representing the human desire for perfection.
The Cultural Dream: The song itself is a product of the "Blitz Kid" dream—a world where working-class kids could reinvent themselves as aristocrats of style.