Comic gay books
Supporting Queer Comics & Creators
In the early days of Comic Book Herald, I’d occasionally get promotional Kickstarter emails teasing a “queer sci-fi saga” (or some such), and I’ll fully admit, I did not understand what sexuality had to do with the promotion. What did the “queerness” of this perform have to do with selling me on the story and artistic vision of the comic book?
I’m not a part of the community, and there’s a lot I still don’t understand, but I see now that there’s inherent value in marginalized perspectives in story, and there’s worth in supporting the voices that aim to tell them. So many of my favorite comic books are either directly or indirectly about queer people, relationships, and community, and vast amounts of my favorite comic book creators identify as gay, lesbian, trans, fluid or other identifiers in the LGBTQIA+ range. The simple reality is that the more queer stories and creators at the forefront of comics, the better variety of fresh, exciting works we acquire to enjoy.
It’s a treacherous time to be lgbtq+ in America. We don’t get to simply solve that by supporting
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First serialized on Webtoon and now published in partnership with GLAAD, Always Human by Ari North is a sweet sci-fi romance about two adolescent women who learn that imperfections contribute to beautifully uncommon personalities. --From the publisher
Be Gay, Do Comics is filled with dozens of comics about LGBTQIA experiences, ranging from personal stories to queer history to cutting satire about pronoun panic and brands desperate to co-opt lgbtq+ fest. Brimming with resilience, inspiration, and humor,…
A collection of the first half, freshmen and sophomore year, of the megapopular webcomic series of the same mention, Check, Please!: #Hockey is the first book of a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to…
Eric Bittle is heading into his junior year at Samwell University, and not only does he have new teammates―he has a brand new boyfriend! Bitty and Jack must navigate their new, classified, long-distance relationship, and choose how to reveal their…
The Deep & Dark Cerulean is a lavishly illustrated epic fantasy for middle schoolers. Set in a fantasy world with magic, a pair of royal twins find themselves on the run
Earlier this year, Netflix released Heartstopper, the screen adaptation of Alice Oseman’s bestselling series of the same identify. With pastel colours, an upbeat soundtrack and a sugar-sweet queer romance at its heart, Heartstopper has proven to be an instant hit among fresh and young-at-heart LGBTQ audiences. But what to scan after you have already binged the series and devoured the novels? Adv, while we wait for the second season of Nick and Charlie’s story, here are ten delightful graphic novels by lgbtq+ creators, with LGBTQ advocacy that will charm all readers.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki
Written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, this novel follows Frederica “Freddy” Riley throughout her struggles with her on-again, off-again bond with the eponymous Laura Dean. Illustrated in dark and white, with pops of pastel pink, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me is ideal for Heartstopper fans intrigued by the Ben-Charlie dynamic!
On a Sunbeam by Tille Walden
In this gorgeously illustrated sci-fi comic, a juvenile girl named Mia joins a ragtag maintenance crew a
20 Essential Homosexual Comics from the Past Five Years
MariNaomi is an Eisner Award–nominated and SPACE Award–winning cartoonist and the founder and administrator of the Cartoonists of Color, Gay Cartoonists, and Disabled Cartoonists databases. Their graphic novelLosing the Girl was among those banned in the Katy, Tex., school district in 2022. In May, Fieldmouse Press will publish their ninth book, the graphic memoirI Thought You Loved Me.
These books contain a variety of subjects, themes, moods, and styles, all queer books by queer authors. I’ve mixed it up in order to give an idea of how diverse queer comics can be, through my particular lens—my tastes skew toward mature personal narratives and indie artwork. It is in no way a accomplish list, just a taste.
1. 1001 Black Men by Ajuan Mance (Stacked Deck)
Mance’s book is a care letter to the Dark men she deems as often overlooked by traditional media. Sometimes stories or poems accompany the portraits, sometimes the images converse for themselves.
2. Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden (First Second)
This dreamlike graphic novel, set in a mag
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