Queer Graphic Novels
Two Decades of Crucial LGBTQ+ Graphic Narratives: A Five-Year Retrospective
MariNaomi, a cartoonist honored with both an Eisner Award nomination and a SPACE Award, is also the visionary behind and overseer of the databases for Cartoonists of Color, Queer Cartoonists, and Disabled Cartoonists. Notably, their graphic novel, titled Losing the Girl, faced prohibition within the Katy, Texas, school system during 2022, being among several works targeted. Looking ahead to May, Fieldmouse Press is slated to release their ninth literary contribution, a graphic memoir entitled I Thought You Loved Me.
Each of these volumes encompasses a diverse array of subjects, overarching themes, emotional tones, and artistic styles, consistently featuring queer books penned by queer authors. I have curated this varied selection specifically to illustrate the remarkable breadth that queer comics can achieve, filtering this through my specific perspective—given that my preferences lean towards mature, intimate narratives and independent artistic creations. It is, by no means, an exhaustive compilation; instead, consider it merely a representative sampling.
One. Ajuan Mance's 1001 Black Men (Stacked Deck)
This volume by Mance serves as an affectionate ode to Black men, whom the author perceives as frequently disregarded by conventional media outlets. Occasionally, narratives or poetic verses complement these portraits, whereas at other times, the visual elements themselves convey their own profound messages.
Two. Tillie Walden's Are You Listening? (First Second)
This ethereal graphic novel, situated within a fantastical rendition of West Texas, skillfully depicts the nascent bond between a young queer individual and an elder lesbian. It illuminates a form of emotional mentorship that, while seldom depicted, is frequently observed among individuals accustomed to forging their own kinship networks.
Three. Be Gay, Do Comics, edited by Matt Bors (IDW)
Initially featured on The Nib website, these compelling comics span a spectrum from deeply personal accounts to significant historical chronicles, often focusing on narratives of social alienation or outsider experiences. Indeed, the contributing artists represent a true pantheon of leading figures in modern graphic artistry.
Four. Lawrence Lindell's Blackward (Drawn & Quarterly)
Lindell's narrative, which centers on a disparate collective of friends endeavoring to forge a collective bond, is slated for release this September. It proves to be captivating, exuberantly joyful, and most notably, profoundly engaging.
Five. Elizabeth Pich's Fungirl (Silver Sprocket)
Fungirl presents herself as a walking id—that endearing yet dreadful, crude, alluring, and captivating former flame whom you simply find impossible to shake off. It stands out as among the most genuinely enjoyable reads I have encountered in recent memory.
Six. Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer (Oni)
Kobabe's autobiographical account, detailing eir personal quest for gender self-definition, holds the distinction of being the most frequently prohibited publication in contemporary times. No further elaboration is necessary.
Seven. I'm a Wild Seed by Sharon Lee De La Cruz (Street Noise)
Within this memoir, the author unostentatiously reconciles with her sexuality. Notwithstanding its brevity, De La Cruz imparts a wealth of insights—ranging from a clarification of intersectional feminist principles to a compelling exposition on why protecting Black trans lives is paramount for safeguarding the well-being of every marginalized community.
Eight. Klaus Nomi: A Graphic Biography and Collaborative Anthology by Liz Yerby et al. (Sound Grounds Wreckin' Crew)
Klaus Nomi, the new wave icon, experienced a truncated yet impactful career, tragically ending as he became among the initial public figures to succumb to AIDS-related complications. Yerby partners with several exceptionally talented emerging artists to craft this magnificent biographical work.
Nine. Mariko Tamaki's Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell (First Second)
This exquisite Young Adult graphic novel explores the theme of romantic indecision and manipulation, and the concomitant damage to platonic bonds that can arise from such dynamics. The characters presented are convincingly imperfect, making them highly relatable.
Ten. Trung Le Nguyen's The Magic Fish (Random House Graphic)
This narrative depicting a Vietnamese American boy's journey of self-discovery regarding his identity is expertly conveyed through stunningly illustrated allegories. I strongly encourage everyone to experience this particular volume.
Eleven. Rob Kirby's Marry Me a Little (Graphic Mundi)
Renowned cartoonist Kirby explores his enduring indifference to matrimony (even as he prepares for his personal nuptials), concurrently examining thoroughly the evolution of same-gender matrimony in America.
Twelve. Tommi Parrish's Men I Trust (Fantagraphics)
The narrative concerns the intricate bond shared between a poet facing challenges and her devoted admirer. Each individual page constitutes a standalone work of art.
Thirteen. Laura Gao's Messy Roots (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray)
Gao, a native of Wuhan, China, recounts her experiences of maturing in the United States as an openly queer woman, as well as the unfavorable disposition she encountered from Caucasian Americans during the progression of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fourteen. Eric Kostiuk Williams's Our Wretched Town Hall (Retrofit Comics)
Williams's comics evoke the sensation of being tenderly awakened by a caress from the most resplendent of drag performers. This particular collection unquestionably lives up to expectations.
Fifteen. Alison Bechdel's The Secret to Superhuman Strength (Mariner)
Bechdel chronicles her sustained lifelong quest for corporeal resilience, specifically to immerse the audience in her intensely intellectual perspective. This represents the culminating work she developed utilizing her MacArthur fellowship—a truly commendable allocation of resources.
Sixteen. Eric Orner's Smahtguy (Metropolitan)
This is a visual biographical account detailing the well-known legislator Barney Frank, outlining his complex and eventful trajectory leading to his inadvertent entry into the political arena. Orner recounts the narrative employing unvarnished honesty, sharp humor, and profound empathy.
Seventeen. Maggie Tokuda-Hall's Squad, illustrated by Lisa Sterle (Greenwillow)
Within this Young Adult graphic novel, a clique of popular high school girls initiate a newcomer into their lycanthropic cohort, wherein they patrol lunar gatherings by devouring sexual predators. It elicited both laughter and tears, prompting a subsequent return to mirth.
Eighteen. Lee Lai's Stone Fruit (Fantagraphics)
The intricate connections of a trans woman—encompassing her relationship with herself, her family, and her girlfriend—are depicted with such exquisite draughtsmanship that I found it challenging to avert my gaze. Lee's profound examination of personal limits left a profound and lasting impression.
Nineteen. Emma Grove's The Third Person (Drawn & Quarterly)
Grove recounts her sessions with her psychotherapists as she pursued gender-affirmation surgery, along with the unforeseen obstacles she encountered along the path. This autobiographical account, spanning almost nine hundred pages, presents a compelling enigma that, notwithstanding its considerable volume, is consumed with remarkable speed.
Twenty. To Whoever Even Listen by Michiko Wild, with Lulu and Michiyo Gargiulo (self-published)
Wild collaborates with their mother and aunt, utilizing vintage correspondence and healthcare documentation to narrate the life story of their grandmother, Michiyo. Michiyo's mental illness interweaves their various existences, illustrating themes of inherited suffering and dislocation, alongside elements of affection, devotion, and forbearance. This represents a genuinely outstanding inaugural publication.
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