Culture May 20, 2020
Revamp your reading list with some fresh digital content.
Image via Pexels.comThere’s no doubt about it. LGBT visibility in fiction is an increasingly important issue. Unfortunately, this problem doesn’t only apply to films and literature. It applies to comics as well.
With the Marvel Universe franchise on a seemingly never-ending rise, comics now play an increasingly important role in pop culture. However, many have called attention to the very noticeable absence of LGBT characters in well-known comics and their adaptations.
Webcomics offer a unique solution. For starters, a lot of webcomics are self-published, which means the creators have complete creative control of their content. Furthermore, in the case of LGBT webcomics, many of the creators are LGBT themselves. They’re dedicated to accurate, positive representation of their community.
Here are seven beautiful LGBT webcomics that celebrate the diversity of human sexuality and tell really rad stories.
Think “Grease.” Now make it queer. “Rock and Riot” reimagines the 1950s in the most delightful of ways. This adorable comic follows two rival teenage greaser gangs, The Jaquettes and The Rollers. They butt heads in the classroom, but almost all of these delinquents have not-so-secret crushes on each other.
Watching the characters fall in love with each other and explore their sexualities and genders is truly a treat. Basically, you get the awesome pompadours, poodle skirts and leather jackets of the ’50s along with the diversity readers crave today.
Three words: gay hockey bros.
Eric Bittle is a former Georgia junior figure skating champion, vlogger, baker and incoming freshman at the prestigious Samwell University. He joins Samwell’s hockey team, and it’s safe to say that it isn’t anything like co-ed club hockey back home.
Bittle also starts crushing on his swoon-worthy team captain, the talented Jack Zimmerman. All this and a hilariously quirky cast of friends make “Check, Please!” a truly fun read. Check it out if you like hockey, friendship and bros trying to make the most of college.
Nimona is a shapeshifter girl who becomes the sidekick of knight-turned-mad-scientist Lord Ballister Blackheart. Blackheart has an intense rivalry with Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, who works for the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics.
Nimona and Ballister have an interesting friendship. That is to say, Nimona has some pretty wacky ideas and loves blowing things up, so Ballister has to reign her in. Their dynamic—along with badass, gender-bending Nimona’s defiance of female hero tropes—makes this a must-read comic.
But wait, there’s more! “Nimona” was published as a graphic novel in 2015 by HarperCollins. 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios are also producing an animated film adaptation to be released in 2020. So if you love the original, you’ll be happy to know there’s even more content coming soon.
Unfortunately, because “Nimona” is now a graphic novel, that means the full comic is no longer available online. However, you can still check out the first three chapters to see if it’s worth buying! Hint: it is.
Stevenson won an Eisner Award for this awesome webcomic, and she also co-created “Lumberjanes,” another LGBT graphic novel readers should definitely check out.
This slice-of-life webcomic is about two high school friends, Milo Dunstan and Liam Schwartz, who couldn’t be more different at first glance. Milo is outgoing, expressive, and an aspiring dancer and actor. Liam is anxious, loves personal space, and has something of a coffee addiction. The comic follows the couple’s relationship from the cute awkwardness of high school to young adulthood and all its unique challenges.
“Tripping Over You” is a lovely coming-of-age story that treats everyday moments with special care and attention. If you’re less into magical LGBT webcomics and more interested in stories with a modern setting, this simple comic is a perfect place to start.
If you’re looking for LGBT webcomics that resemble something like “Sailor Moon,” look no further. Norah, Adele, Kendall, Paige, and Jordan are beginning their first year at Silvermount University. Adjusting to college life is already hard enough, but it quickly gets a lot more complicated.
One day, Norah discovers a mysterious brooch while walking home from class. This triggers a strange chain of events that leads her to the four other women. They discover that they’ve been chosen to protect the planet and also its newly discovered alternate dimension.
“Agents of the Realm” is full of superpowers, sword-fighting and some seriously kick-ass sisters. What more could a comic-lover ask for?
Move over, Marvel. Some new heroes are in town. Kyle, codename “Red Hot,” is a member of The Young Protectors, a group of superheroes-in-training. He’s also in the closet.
One day, Kyle runs into the notorious super-villain “The Annihilator” after sneaking into a gay bar. As it turns out, the dastardly criminal is actually quite charming. Our young hero gets involved in a relationship he certainly never saw coming.
Readers are sure to enjoy the whole superhero squad and their search-and-rescue exploits.”The Young Protectors” is an action-packed adventure with a lot of heart.
Witchy takes place in the fantasy world of Hyalin, where hair length determines one’s magical power. Powerful witches join the Witch Guard, an institution that enforces the laws and protects Hyalin during wartime. Those with extremely long hair pose the biggest threat to society, and the Guard executes them before they become too powerful.
Nyneve is a young witch who is bullied for her short hair length and poor magical abilities. The Guard killed Nyneve’s father, and his death haunts her. What’s more, conscription aptitude tests are coming up, and Nyneve has a dangerous secret that could lead to her downfall. This webcomic features a diverse cast of awesome Asian witches with cool powers! Definitely worth a read.
Comic readers are no longer willing to accept subtext or innuendo. Nor are they satisfied with poor representation of queer people through harmful stereotypes or tired tropes. These LGBT webcomics are just seven of many online publications challenging the status quo.
Happy reading!
