Comic gay books
Earlier this year, Netflix released Heartstopper, the screen adaptation of Alice Oseman’s bestselling series of the same name. With pastel colours, an upbeat soundtrack and a sugar-sweet homosexual romance at its heart, Heartstopper has proven to be an instant punch among young and young-at-heart LGBTQ audiences. But what to read after you have already binged the series and devoured the novels? Well, while we wait for the second season of Nick and Charlie’s story, here are ten wonderful graphic novels by homosexual creators, with LGBTQ representation 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 relationship with the eponymous Laura Dean. Illustrated in inky and white, with pops of pastel pink, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me is perfect for Heartstopper fans intrigued by the Ben-Charlie dynamic!
On a Sunbeam by Tille Walden
In this gorgeously illustrated sci-fi comic, a new girl named Mia joins a ragtag maintenance crew a
Supporting Queer Comics & Creators
In the early days of Comic Guide 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 work have to do with selling me on the story and artistic vision of the comic book?
I’m not a part of the society, and there’s a lot I still don’t understand, but I see now that there’s essential 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, transsexual, bisexual or other identifiers in the LGBTQIA+ range. The plain reality is that the more queer stories and creators at the forefront of comics, the better variety of new, stimulating works we get to enjoy.
It’s a dangerous time to be queer 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 passion about two childish women who absorb that imperfections contribute to beautifully uncommon personalities. --From the publisher
Be Gay, Perform 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 pride. Brimming with resilience, inspiration, and humor,…
A collection of the first half, freshmen and sophomore year, of the megapopular webcomic series of the same name, Review, Please!: #Hockey is the first guide 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 contain new teammates―he has a brand fresh boyfriend! Bitty and Jack must navigate their new, confidential, long-distance relationship, and decide how to reveal their…
The Profound & Dark Sky 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
20 Essential Lgbtq+ 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, Lgbtq+ 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 affection letter to the Jet men she deems as often overlooked by traditional media. Sometimes stories or poems accompany the portraits, sometimes the images utter for themselves.
2. Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden (First Second)
This dreamlike graphic novel, set in a mag