This past weekend, my partner and I took a small COVID-19-safe getaway up the B.C. coast where we sat on a rented boat in a harbour, watched the seals and really just were gay and in love for a few days.
Freed from the daily scroll of our Twitter feeds, we both had plenty of time to catch up on this summer’s already impressive reading list from queer authors, including John Paul Brammer’s delightful memoir ¡Hola Papi! and Kristen Arnett’s twisty family thriller With Teeth.
We also tucked into Molly Ostertag’s wonderful new book, The Girl from the Sea for the first time. It reminded me that there’s a wealth of great young adult and child comics out there—and they aren’t just for kids! Powering through a YA or kids’ comic in one sitting can be such a joy no matter your age, and sharing it with a young person in your life can be a great way of introducing queerness to them.
With that in mind, here are six queer comics worth checking out, no matter your age.
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag
For the animal-loving dreamer
The latest in a long line of queer kids’ comics, Ostertag’s newest book, released this month, tells the story of a young girl named Morgan and Keltie, the mythological seal girl she meets on an island in Nova Scotia. Featuring a queer kiss within the first few pages, the book explores friendship, relationships, growing up and the impacts of environmental issues on animal populations. Ostertag’s fun, expressive art style is also perfectly suited for the drawings of the rocky Atlantic coast and some truly adorable seals. For further queer comic reading, check out Ostertag’s previous work—including The Witch Boy series, which is being adapted as an animated musical for Netflix.
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
For the kid who always wanted to be a shapeshifter (and the adult who can’t get over their ex)
Ostertag’s real-life spouse, Noelle Stevenson, is behind what is arguably one of the most beloved kids’ comics with queer themes. Originally created as a webcomic while Stevenson was in university and later published as a graphic novel in 2015, Nimona follows the eponymous shapeshifting protagonist, the sidekick of the “evil” Ballister Blackheart, as the two face off against Blackheart’s former friend (and maybe more), Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Full of fantasy action, cheeky art and plenty of jokes, it’s a delight for readers of all ages. Nimona was slated for an animated film adaptation by Blue Sky studios in 2022, but it was cancelled after Disney shut down the studio earlier this year.
Steven Universe by various
For the classic comic book feel
Much has been written and said about the groundbreaking nature of Rebecca Sugar’s animated series Steven Universe, which features everything from non-binary characters to a gay wedding to a multi-parent queer household. But for kids itching for more, the series has been spun off into several successful comic runs. So-called graphic novels containing isolated stories are great, but there’s something special about the classic floppy comic book, and the Steven Universe comics are a great way to dive into singles and give fans of the show even more content to love.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
For the teen with a lot of feelings
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me has quickly become a canonical text in the realm of queer teen comics. Mariko Tamaki’s 2019 graphic novel, illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, is an authentic exploration of teen lesbian dating, feelings and sexuality through the eyes of its protagonist’s on-again, off-again relationship with the eponymous Laura Dean. Definitely geared more towards teens, the book is a frank exploration of the realities of dating and being queer.
Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort of) by Kathleen Gros
For the literature lover
Do you or a young person you know want to take the leap from classic lit to comics? Jo is a great place to start (full disclosure, I know the author personally). While Louisa May Alcott’s classic Little Women has been adapted in a veritable pile of ways, Kathleen Gros’s 2020 book takes the subtext so many young readers have felt for over a century and makes it explicit. Featuring a queer Jo March, a gender-bent take on her love interest, Fred, and a new middle-school setting, Jo is a great vessel for all of those young queer feelings we had back in the day (or maybe still have). If you left Greta Gerwig’s cinematic adaptation wishing for more queer content, you’re in luck.
Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu
For the sports-loving bakers (I know you’re out there!)
Originally a 2013 webcomic, Check, Please! has been published as a series of physical volumes focusing on Eric “Bitty” Bittle, a freshman student, vlogger, baker and hockey player at a fictional private university. Dealing with themes of queer dating, coming out and identity, the series follows Bitty throughout his time at university and on his hockey team (which he lands a spot on thanks to his figure skating skills). Ngozi Ukazu has utilized various other media throughout the comic’s run to expand on the story, including a Twitter account and web page. The Kickstarter campaign to fund the print edition was one of the most successful webcomic campaigns ever, so you know it’s good.
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