Every year, the organization GLAAD (Gay and Lesbians Alliance Against Defamation) nominates a bevy of people, books, and shows that have been positively contributing to the image of the queer community. Graphic novels have been part of the nomination process for several years now, so, with the announcement of the new nominees, Geeks OUT decided to throw our hat in the ring and speculate on which title would win the crown.
Hawkeye(Marvel) Reviewed by Scififreak35
Some people are calling HawkeyeMatt Fraction’s best work to date. That’s high praise indeed for someone who has done excellent work on so many titles (Invincible Iron Man immediately comes to mind), but it could very well be true. Hawkeyeis a fantastic book. One of the best Marvel has done in years. For many fans, this is THE book that got them interested in the character. Hawkeyeis about the life of Clint Barton when he’s not being an Avenger. Such a premise could make for a deadly dull book in less talented hands. In this case, it’s a great premise because Clint Barton is a human disaster. His personal life is a literal mess. He’s on the world’s premiere superhero team and yet doesn’t feel like he deserves to be there, that he doesn’t measure up. Nevermind he doesn’t have any powers and manages to hold his own among gods, super soldiers, mutants and the like. It makes for a very humanizing read with a main character you want to simultaneously shake, cuddle and protect at all costs.
The focus of the book is very street level. There are no larger-than-life adventures here. Mostly Clint trying to stay one step ahead of a Russian mob in his neighborhood he calls the “tracksuit vampires”, while various people in his life try to save him from himself-particularly his friend and protege, Kate Bishop (the OTHER Hawkeye and Young Avenger who gets her own adventure in the book L.A. Woman). Aside from fantastic writing and characterization, another draw of the book is really cool art. The style is minimalistic and uses very few colors. The book also takes bold risks with storytelling. From telling a whole story from the perspective of Clint’s one-eyed dog Lucky, to doing another issue all in American Sign Language which is not translated (if Clint can’t understand it, neither can you). Will this ground-breaking title be a bullseyes for this year's judges?
Lumberjanes(BOOM! Studios): Reviewed by Adrian San Martin
The quirky titled graphic novel LumberJanes is a refreshing return to fun and spunky storytelling. When launched into the male dominated 'verse of comic books, this series had one mighty buff distinction. It's piloted strictly by the ladies. All female authored, LumberJanes gives the underrepresented female geek population some much needed ammo. And who doesn't love seeing the girls kick butt when it needs a good whoopin'?
Positive reviews have led to its expansion from what was supposed to be an eight part story arc to an ongoing series. The LumberJanes comprise of a group of young, tough, but cute-as-a-button's-ear girls that venture into the deep dark woods of their mysterious Camp Hardcore Lady Types. The further they investigate the supernatural happenings of their beloved summer home, the more they pledge to stick together and find out what's what. No matter what. The stylish animation is enough to keep your attention but the fun is waiting to be read. But don't take my word for it. Get hooked. If you dare!
Memetic(BOOM! Studios) Reviewed by Hey Mr. Tullyman
Fan favorite James Tynion IV delivers a unique horror story with this year's Memetic, a book that explores how a seemingly innocuous meme of a sloth could lead to the end of the world in 72 hours. Anyone who looks at the meme at first feels a sense of overwhelming euphoria, but is then transformed into a brain-dead, zombified “screamer” within 12 hours. The characters who lead us through this terrifying apocalypse are teenage boyfriends Aaron and Ryan who struggle to survive and escape the meme in our increasingly electronically depended culture.
Although the series is short (just three issues), it has been critically acclaimed for its inventiveness, intellect, and humanity. The commentary that Tynion brings to our modern technologically depended culture, our lack of human connectedness, and our desperate search for happiness in the midst of those things is a much-needed clarion call for the audience of today. If you’re in the market for a heady, end-of-the-world thriller, go buy a copy of Memetic. And remember, don’t look at the sloth!
Rat Queens (Image Comics): Reviewed by Hey Mr. Tullyman
Rat Queens definitely didn’t sound appealing when I first started hearing the buzz surrounding the title. With a concept described by the author as "Lord of the Rings meets Bridesmaids"--heavy D&D homage and a quirk sense of humor--I wasn’t sure if it was the book for me. However, after I gave it a try, I fell in love with the women on the team. On the surface, a snarky magician, a dark sorceress, a plucky dwarf, and a mushroom-head hobbit had potential, but the way in which Kurtis J. Wiebe writes these women make them instantly enjoyable, instantly relatable, and instantly loveable.
The women--vying for attention with rival groups and seeking acceptance from a town that has written them off--are the proverbial underdogs that you want to root for. As a bonus, the series handles queer characters in a way that is both sensitive and normalizing despite the raunchy humor of the book as a whole. In fact, a recently announced spin-off that will focus on the journey of a trans* character is already receiving positive buzz. You up for a balls-to-the-wall crazy adventure with touching personal moments nestled in the midst of foul-mouthed tomfoolery? Then give Rat Queens a try; you’ll be glad you did.
Saga(Image Comics) Reviewed by amberhardfemme
You would think that a story that centers around a heterosexual couple and their interspecies baby would be a head-scratcher for a GLAAD award. The queer appeal of SAGAisn’t merely the graphic gay male sex scenes that, although “postage-stamp sized,” caused a “kerfuffle” leading to the temporary banning of SAGAIssue #12 on Comixology and the Apple Store. Most notably for GLAAD reasons, the choice to use graphic imagery with all kinds of bodies was vociferously defended by creator Brian K. Vaughan.
The best reason for SAGAto win is that it incorporates queer characters into the narrative without blinking and without a big rainbow glitter announcement. Treating all kind of sex acts as pretty damn normal and queer characters as people--no more, no less. Or at least as humanoid aliens to whom we can closely relate. The relationship between the tabloid journalists Upsher and Doff isn’t announced through them making out at a cruisy alien world circuit party, but is slowly (and tenderly) revealed, and hinted at by a cruel and powerful man who knows their home world’s virulent anti-homosexual culture. Keeping this spoiler-free, another major character’s sexuality isn’t revealed until much later in the story, when telling a story of regret over a young lost love. It was the kind of call--making this character’s one-that-got-away the same gender as the character--that echoes SAGA’sembrace of diversity. To his credit, Vaughan often tells the story of pitching the main character Alana to co-creator/artist Fiona Staples, and asking, only, that she not be a redhead. Staples came back with an even more obvious observation: “You know, she doesn’t have to be white either.”
So which title do you think has the best chance of winning? Comment below, and get reading!
