I’m back with more comic recommendations! With this being the last week of Pride it doesn’t mean that I won’t ever do a part III of course, I’ll definitely share more at some point in the future! Anyway, let’s dive in
Giant Days
I discovered Giant Days when I caught up on all the Lumberjanes issues that were out back then and was looking for a replacement. According to some forum (I think?) Giant Days was similar to Lumberjanes and as it sounded interesting I went to check it out. And lo and behold, I wasย hooked. Giant Days is very much its own story of course, but it is a little bit like a more mature Lumberjanes.Giant Days is about three best friends trying to get through college together and while it’s pretty realistic, it also has some more fantasy-like elements, thus why I see the similarities with Lumberjanes. While dealing with some serious topics, it’s fun, silly and absolutely hilarious. I don’t laugh out loud quickly when reading comics, but Giant Days? I’ve laughed out loud multiple times. Daisy is biracial (her grandmother is black)ย and throughout the comics she realises she likes girls (I don’t remember her labeling herself?) and eventually she gets into a relationship with a girl. It’s… not the best relationship, but the comic never pretends it is. It’s just a very realistic take on a bad relationship. If you like Lumberjanes, I definitely recommend Giant Days.
The Backstagers
*chants* Queer theater boys queer theater boys queer theater boys! Another one that really reminds me of Lumberjanes, although this is about the backstage crew of a school theater club. Like the Lumberjanes’ camp, backstage isn’t a regular one as it’s a magical place with lots of secrets to uncover. I love how The Backstagers not only showcases great friendships between boys, but also breaks down stereotypes and toxic masculinity. Plus a cute slow burn between two of the boys and Beckett (on the left) is trans. There are only two volumes so it’s a very short read (though a Valentine’s Day special came out so maybe there’s more coming?) but so so worth it. Again, if you love Lumberjanes, definitely recommend this one.
Patsy Walker
I’ve only read the first volume of this but I’m already in love?? It’s just very queer without making a big deal about it and I love it. Also the story itself is just fun and cute? Patsy Walker a.k.a. Hellcat starts a temp agency for people with superpowers which in itself is already a unique and fun concept, but the entire vibe of the comic is just?? So fun?? The art work is cute and colourful and while there are villains to fight there isn’t really any angst. Also the humour really reminds me of Squirrel Girl, which is a plus. There are multiple queer characters (my fave being Ian Soo, who’s bisexual) who just get to exist, be happy, have fun adventures and friends* and ahhh I’m so sad this got cancelled even though I haven’t finished it yet.
* I don’t know about any romantic relationships as I’m not that far yet but I think they do also get into healthy relationships?
Zodiac Starforce
I’ve actually talked about this one before!ย ย Zodiac Starforce is a magical girls comic, in which the girls powers are based on the zodiac signs. Apart from multiple POC the main cast also consists of two queer girls who fall in love with each other. Apart from that once again a great friendship is at the center of this one. These girls are not just fighting to save the world, but also to protect each other. It’s a fun read, though it also explores the darker side of being a magical girl.
Hi-Fi Fight Club
Okay so there aren’t that many issues out for this one yet so I can’t really say that much about plot and characters, but the main character has a crush on a really pretty girl and it’s super relatable because SAME. She’s such a mess around her ajbshg The main character works at a record store, but it turns out that her co-workers are sort of superheroes, minus the super powers and have started a fight club. Oh and it takes place in the 90s! So far it’s really fun and cute and I can’t wait to see where this goes
That’s it for now, but as I said Pride being almost over doesn’t mean the end for this series.
Have you read any of these? Any LGBTQIAP+ comics you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!
I love this post! Giant Days is one of my favorite comic series ever, and seeing it on a list with all of these really makes me want to read the rest of them! ๐
Giant Days is so underrated! It’s such a fun comic – brightens up my day every time :D
Ahhh hope you’ll enjoy the rest of them if you do pick them up!
OMG I LOVE THIS. I need all these recommendations of LGBTQ+ comics and web-comics because theyโre FABULOUS. Iโve only really red web-comics (heartstopper and this other one about a transboy that I canโt remember the name of!!) and I LOVE THEM. Gahhhh now I just really want the comics youโve mentioned!!
THEY’RE ALL SO GOOD. Ohhh I’ve heard of Heartstopper! Definitely need to read that one, but I often forget about webcomics (that’s why I love Webtoon – it notifies me when a new chapter is up lol). I hope you’ll be able to read these and love them! :)
read it read it read it READ IT!!!
HONESTLY HEARTSTOPPER… SO CUTE I ACTUALLY CRY, LIKE REAL TEARS.
Ahhhh I just,,, have nowhere to buy physical copies????
i love heavy vinyl so much !!!! one of my fav comic books i’ve read in recent months tbh
Oh I had no idea Hi-Fi Fight Club changed its name to Heavy Vinyl! That’s good to know haha
oh yeah lmao i didn’t even realise u used the old title, i just looked at the pic!!! idk why they changed it tho
Haha makes sense! I thought you were talking about a different title so I googled it. Apparently it has something to do with copyright?
it’s always about money when we don’t know what is it about, huh
Thank you for these amazing recommendations, Michelle! I don’t read a lot of comics and haven’t read any of these, but I have heard of Giant Days – I think there’s a novelization of that comic being released this summer? I saw that around? ANYWAY that one sound like a lot of fun and definitely my kind of read. I’ll have to eventually give it a try :D
Yes there is! Apparently it tells the story of some of the earlier issues, so I’m not sure if I’ll pick it up, but it sounds like the perfect way to get more people to pick up the comic. It’s definitely a lot of fun! Hope you’ll enjoy it if you do give it a try :)
Ohh okay! I might have to try out the comic though, I’m really curious about it now :)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE ZODIAC STARFORCE! And I wanted to get into Backstagers forever. One day I will :D
YESSS ZODIAC STARFORCE IS SO UNDERRATED. Ohhh I hope you will! It’s such a fun and cute read :D
These are so exciting and Hi Fi Fight Club/Heavy Vinyl is my jam, jelly, and whole cellar of preserves!! I love the art style for all of these and how many different body types are going on, bless!! Thanks for another great post <3
Right?! I love how many comics today showcase such different body types!
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This article is really gay.