HAPPY PRIDE
Am I going to start all my Pride posts like this? Probably. ANYWAY. You may know I love comics. One of the reasons I love comics so much is because they’re so diverse?? Including LGBTQIAP+ rep?? Obviously it hasn’t always been that way so I can’t be all mad and go ‘why did no one tell me before I got into them in 2016!!’* I’ve been meaning to scream about my favourite comics, so what better time than Pride?
* Obviously not counting the Donald Duck and other Disney comics I used to read as a child. Oh and the Winx Club comics! Anyone remember those? I did read manga before that but it’s really hard to find good LGBTQIAP+ manga that are not full of gross stereotypes and fetishing adgjhs
Shoot Around
My absolute favourite!! Okay I love all the comics on this list dearly, but oh my goodness this one. It has a special place in my heart because it was the first LGBTQIAP+ comic I read but it’s also just SO GOOD. It’s about an all girls high school basketball team and their coach who suddenly find themselves in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. While it gets tense and there’s quite some angst – because you know,, zombies – the focus lies on these characters just trying to keep on living their life, not just surviving. Out of the eight main characters only one of them is white and none of them are both cis AND straight – the only (seemingly) straight character is trans. The supporting cast is also incredibly diverse and look!! At that body diversity!! It’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, absolutely hilarious and very queer and unfortunately finished, though that does mean you can binge and don’t have to fear any horrible cliffhangers! If you need more convincing I once wrote a post about itย but if I’ve got your attention, please read it either on the Webtoon site or app – it’s completely free for you but supports the artist.
Rock and Riot
IT’S GREASE BUT QUEER LIKE COME ON YOU NEED THIS. Shoot Around is very diverse when it comes to sexualities and gender identities, but Rock and Riot?? I wasย blown away. >big>So many different identities but all these characters are so much more than that. Also!! As you can see there’s also diversity when it comes to race and bodies! Rock and Riot takes place in the fifties and follows two (later three) gangs: a girl gang, a boy gang and a non-binary gang. The first two gangs have a rivalry together, while the third one is just off having a Good Timeโข. These kids are just so silly and relatable and it’s just adgjs They stand up for what is right and fight for each other – I can’t say too much without giving it all away but damn the scenes I’m talking about were empowering. Also THE BEST, MOST ICONICโข coming out scene of all time. You can read the comic on Tumblrย but if you need more convincing you can read my old post about it
Lumberjanes
You might have heard of Lumberjanes, as it’s pretty popular around the book blogging community (for non-superhero related comics anyway) but if not have no fear these kids are queer! Couldn’t help myself. Anyway not all of them are (at least not confirmed) But Mal and Molly are in love and it’s adorable and justย everything, Jo is a trans girl and later on we get a non-binary character. It takes place at a summer camp in magical woods with monsters, not all of them friendly, but that’s okay because these girls are always up for an adventure. It’s silly, it’s fun, it’s cute. READ IT. And if I haven’t convinced you yet, here’s my old post on it
Goldie Vance
Did someone say Nancy Drew but she’s black and queer – that someone is me. I said that. HELLO MEET GOLDIE VANCE SHE’S A TEEN DETECTIVE, HELLA SMART, LOVES CARS AND RACING IN THEM AND SHE HAS A HELLA COOL GIRLFRIEND*. Goldie Vance is cute, fun and colourful. I mean look at that art?? Goldie isn’t the only girl interested in cars – there are multiple girls who are, who work on them and who race as well. There are a bunch of interesting characters and it’s just so worth diving into?? Though if I didn’t have you at ‘Nancy Drew but she’s black and queer’ I don’t know how to convince you further. Though I did write a post on this wonderful comic once upon a time that you could read if I haven’t convinced you yetย
* I’m not jealous you are
DC Bombshells
Can you believe I haven’t written a post on this comic yet even though I love it very very much. I can because I’m lazy and forgetfulย ยฏ\_(ใ)_/ยฏ Anyway, DC Bombshells takes place during World War II in an alternative universe where most male superheroes don’t exist (or aren’t superheroes like Bruce Wayne) and puts DC’s women – superheroes and villains alike – in the spotlight.It’s very political, but also just a lot of fun. One of my favourite things about this comic is their take on the Bat Fam, as it includes a bunch of teens/young adults who were inspired by Batwoman, took up her name and decided to keep Gotham save while Batwoman is in Europe fighting the nazi’s. They’re a very diverse group and I just love those kids. The comic has multiple queer characters (and a bunch of POC as well!) and f/f relationships, though it’s been so long since I read this and I’m super behind, so I don’t want to go into too much detail in case I remember something wrong. I started to reread it last year so that I could write a proper post but guess I should start rereading again dgksjshg
And that’s part I! I still have some others to share so if nothing here interests you, part II might have the perfect comic rec for you!
Have you read any of these? What’s your favourite LGBTQIAP+ comic? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve only read Lumberjanes, because money is tight and comics are suuuuper expensive here. Like … hardcover book expensive or definitely faster read and therefore always think an eternity before buying them kind of expensive. But I will keep a lookout for those others should I happen to cross paths with them :) Thanks for the recs!!
Oh I feel you! I always buy comics on sale because they’re soooo expensive here too (though I wonder if they’re that expensive everywhere?? Because when I was in Manchester I would look at their comics selection and they were roughly the same prices as here… Or is America the only lucky one like always lol)
Canada was pretty decent in terms of prices as well. So I’d say it’s a North American thing haha
Ahhh that explains it haha. Guess we’re just screwed in Europe :P
Fabulous post! Just commenting to say, Happy Pride and thank you for your lovely comment on my post. I went to reply to you but then accidentally deleted it, I am still trying to figure out my new laptop. :)
Thank you!
Yes, yes I do remember the Winx comics. I’ve heard some great things about Lumberjanes.
Haha glad I’m not the only one! :P I remember rereading them so many times haha. Lumberjanes is amazing, definitely recommend it!
I love Lumberjanes!!! Itโs so cute and pure and lovely!!!
Iโm so excited to check out the rest in this list!! Itโs the list I never knew I needed ๐๐๐
Isn’t it? I’m so happy to have discovered Lumberjanes – it always cheers me up!
Ahhh I hope you’ll enjoy them! <3
This is so awesome! Thanks for the recs! Lumberjanes will be on my post but I had not heard of these others :D A recent graphic novel with a f/f relationship I loved was Motor Crush.
You’re welcome! Oh I haven’t heard of that one – will look it up thank you for the rec :)
I started reading Goldie Vance (which I somehow end up ALWAYS calling Goldie Valance? Don’t know why…) because of your post about it!! And I love it! It’s so cute and fun and colourful, like you said. Volume three was my fave so far and I asked my library to order in volume four for me and they obeyed *cackles*
I think everyone loves Lumberjanes and if they don’t… something went wrong. I don’t always love the stories but I love the friendships so much. It’s so cute and fun and I feel like people of so many ages could get into it, which is a huge bonus.
I’ve just gone and added DC Bombshells to my Goodreads TBR :D Thank you! I sadly can’t really handle reading comics online so :( Though I saw that Rock and Riot has paperbacks available, they’re just sold out. So I think I’ll see if they come back in stock so I can buy them!!
Thanks for the awesome post, Michelle ^.^
Ahhh I’m so happy to hear you’re loving it! Goldie Vance is such a blessing
Lumberjanes is just so pure and wholesome I can’t imagine anyone not loving it either. Yes it’s perfect for all ages!
Ohhh hope you’ll enjoy Bombshells! It’s absolutely fantastic – action-packed, social commentary, great characters, relationships… I just really love it :D
Oh no I’m sorry to hear that! I’m sure they’ll get back in stock eventually though.
Ahh I’m glad you enjoyed it <3
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