Hello and welcome to the latest edition of LGBT Previews in which we attempt to list as many comics, trades, and graphic novels either by LGBTQ+ creators or featuring LGBTQ+ characters or relevant themes.
What a month it’s been! Month? Hell, what a week with the multiple spectacles of the RNC like Melaniagate, Rudy Giuliani’s rabid frothing, and Laura Ingraham’s Hitleresque salute, and Leslie Jones being attacked on Twitter by Milo and his hoard making an onslaught of racist, mysogonist tirades! A lot lucky geeks were at Comic Con — hopefully you were one of them — and the rest of us are trying not to melt in the nasty heat.
Have you heard of Natasha Alterici’s lesbian, feminist Viking story Heathens? You haven’t?! Well now’s your chance to start from the beginning because Alterici’s story is being published by Heavy Metal! Look for a new Josie & the Pussycats series with “evil” Marguerite Bennett as writer! Love & Rockets coming at you as a regular series now instead of the big annual (or was it bi-annual) book that it’s been for the last several years. Oh! Oh! Oh Joy Sex Toy volume 3 from Limmerence/ Oni! And Terry Blas and a few others created Mama Tits Saves The World from Northwest Press
We’d really appreciate if you’ll do us the favor and bookmark Gay League’s Amazon affiliate link to do any or all of your Amazon shopping! Commissions go to pay our new contributors! Thank you! A number of books listed below include links to book’s Amazon listing.
People’s names listed in bold are either LGBT+ or supportive. Thanks where thanks is due – Andy Mangels because this was his idea and to Mike McDermott and Steven Leitman for their suggestions and input about several series that have been added to the list!
ABSTRACT STUDIOS
RACHEL RISING TPBS Vol 1 – 6 $16.99 (each) Page 264
Terry Moore
Rachel Beck wakes in a shallow grave and claws her way free as a mysterious woman watches from a bluff. With no memory of the night before, Rachel enlists the help of Aunt Johnny, the town mortician, to find her killer. But when repeated attacks send her to the morgue, Rachel’s ability to wake from death again and again prove to be a blessing and a curse, and the eerie town of Manson will never be the same!
ACTION LAB
RAVEN: THE PIRATE PRINCESS #12 $3.99 Page 267
Jeremy Whiteley, Rosy Higgins, and Ted Brandt
Raven is on the ropes and the fate of one of her crew hangs in the balance. Raven faces off against the mysterious figure known only as “Our Lady”. Can she save the day and save her friend or is she doomed to defeat and death? [Apologies to the creators and readers for not knowing sooner a lead character is lesbian!]
Want to catch up? Volumes 1 and 2 are available for order at $14.99 each. Use Diamond order codes SEP150916 for vol 1 and JAN160991 for vol 2 or buy from Amazon.
AFTERSHOCK
ALTERS #1 $3.99 Page 270
Paul Jenkins and Leila Leiz
From a diverse team of creators composed of differing genders, gender identities, ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations comes a groundbreaking new series featuring the world’s first transgender superhero! As the world struggles to accept the emergence of a new kind of mutant species known as alterations, or “Alters,” a young woman begins her transition from male to female only to find herself also transitioning into a powerful Alter. Faced with persecution by the multi-powered fascist known only as Matter Man, she will face the world as Chalice–a hero for a new age. But as Chalice navigates the path to becoming her true self, she must juggle the complications of her civilian life and the responsibilities of her newfound power. This groundbreaking series–years in the making–begins the saga of a young woman who can only really be herself…whenever she is not herself. [Chalice is transgender. Read an interview with Paul Jenkins. ]
ANIMOSITY #2 $3.99 Page 271
Marguerite Bennett and Rafael de Latore
One year after the “Wake,” all Animals have gained the powers of thought and speech–and the ability power to take revenge. New York City erupts as a battleground between what remains of the U.S. Government and the rise of the ferocious new “Animilitary,” who seek to carve out a peaceful homeland of their own. Caught in the middle is a Bloodhound and his 10-year-old adopted human daughter, desperate to escape the conflict, and find a haven at last…
INSEXTS #8 $3.99 Page 274
Marguerite Bennett and Ariela Kristantina
One year after the “Wake,” all Animals have gained the powers of thought and speech–and the ability power to take revenge. New York City erupts as a battleground between what remains of the U.S. Government and the rise of the ferocious new “Animilitary,” who seek to carve out a peaceful homeland of their own. Caught in the middle is a Bloodhound and his 10-year-old adopted human daughter, desperate to escape the conflict, and find a haven at last…
JACKPOT#5 $3.99 Page 275
Ray Fawkes and Marco Failla
This is it! The secret history of the world! The end of an era! Bloodshed and backstabbing! And the ascension of a new God. Everything’s going to turn out for the best, right?
AMAZE INK/ SLAVE LABOR
SKELEBUNNIES $10.95 Page 279
Tommy Kovac
Join these living-dead abominations in a playful, episodic romp through the forest. You’ll meet their adorable servants, the Woobies, who come in three distinct varieties: Devil Woobies, Bat Woobies, and Mushroom Woobies. You’ll also meet the Skellies’ faithful flying zombie steed, the dainty Pretty-Pretty Pony Macabre. Are the Skelebunnies mean-spirited? Sometimes. Does it all make sense? Not really. What’s the point? To giggle, my friends, to giggle!
ARCHIE
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE Vol 1 $17.99 Page 291
Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla
If you haven’t discovered Archie’s Afterlife with Archie yet, the PREVIEWS Exclusive cover is now in its final printing, and the regular edition is back in stock with a new printing! When Jughead’s beloved pet Hot Dog is killed in a hit and run, Jughead turns to the only person he knows who can help bring back his canine companion — Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Using dark, forbidden magic, Sabrina is successful and Hot Dog returns to the land of the living. But he’s not the same — and soon, the darkness he brings back with him from beyond the grave begins to spread, forcing Archie and the gang to try to escape Riverdale! Collects issues 1-5 featuring the first storyline “Escape from Riverdale” from the new ongoing TEEN+ comic book horror series Afterlife with Archie.
http://amzn.to/29WVNtn
ARCHIE #12 $3.99 Page 288
Mark Waid and Veronica Fishfor
The end of an era for Riverdale’s power couple! The romantic rivalries and not-so-friendly competitions in Riverdale will finally come to an end as newly-crowned queen of Riverdale Veronica Lodge is sent packing once and for all! What does this mean for Archie? You won’t want to miss this one! [Kevin Keller is in the cast.]
JOSIE & THE PUSSY CATS #1 $3.99 Page 290
Marguerite Bennett, Cameron Deordio. and Audrey Mok
Grab the latest, surefire, top-of-the-charts new Riverdale series! Friends, countrymen, lend me your long tails and ears for hats — the Pussycats are back! In this series kick-off, Josie’s getting the band together to help achieve her dreams of musical stardom. But for the group to last, it needs a strong foundation of friendship and trust. Can the girls get going, or will Alexandra’s plotting put a stop to the whole thing? Don’t miss comics’ supreme songstresses’ return to the limelight in this exciting first issue!
SABRINA #7 #3.99 Page 291
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack
“Witch-War,” Part 1 : “The Revenants.” Sabrina’s father, Edward Spellman, is back from the dead, inhabiting the body of the newly resurrected Harvey Kinkle! Sabrina, believing the love of her high school life is back, arranges for a romantic rendezvous — but neither Hilda nor Zelda want that reunion to take place and are willing to start a witch-war to keep them apart! Meanwhile, the diabolical Madam Satan reveals her true plans for the Spellman family! You dare not miss the last page of this masterpiece of the macabre!
BLACK MASK COMICS
JADE STREET PROTECTION SERVICES #4 $3.99 Page 300
Katy Rex and Fabian Lelay
The last installment in the Jade Street Protection Services story arc! Our favorite punk rock teen witch delinquents confront issues large and small, from the subjugation of magical girls to the best way to have food and a place to crash without a real job (hint: magical PB&J tastes like garbage and sparkles). But best of all, it’s time for the boss fight! With their patented combination of vivid violence and emotional development, co-creators Katy Rex and Fabian Lelay bring the drama in this exciting conclusion. Colors, sparkles, and other magic from Mara Carpenter, letters and personal therapy from Taylor Esposito, cover by Annie Wu.
KIM & KIM #3 $3.99 Page 300
Magdalene Visaggio and Eva Cabrera
Interstellar-cowboy life just keeps getting worse for our badass besties. On the hunt for Lady Babylon, Kim & Kim get shot out the sky by an unknown enemy and end up stranded on the frozen world of Never-Look-Back. But what they find there might be the breakthrough they’ve been looking for.
THE FOREVERS #1 $3.99 Page 30
Curt Pires, Eric Pfeiffer, and Ramon Villalobos
Live fast. Live forever. Five friends struggling on the brink of stardom sacrifice everything in a black magic pact that brings them all the wealth and glamour they ever wanted. Years later though, the “glow” is fading. But when one of them dies, and they feel a surge of magic rise amongst them, they soon realize that they all share in the power of the glow. And when a member of the group decides to kill the rest and claim the glow for their own, they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives. As they search for the killer’s identity, each of The Forevers must face the macabre reality of the lengths to which some people will go to be adored, and to make certain that the spotlight never fades…
BOOM
BACKSTAGERS #2 $3.99 Page 318
James Tynion IV and Rian Sygh
The rest of the stage crew kids might be used to all the magical weirdness that goes on, but Jory is thrilled to discover more about the worlds backstage
JONESY #6 $3.99 Page 307
Sam Humphries and Caitlin Rose Boyle
It’s summertime for Jonesy and the gang, and things are really heating up.
LUMBERJANES #30 $3.99 Page 319
Shannon Waters, Kat Leyh, and Carey Pietsch
Mal and Ripley are missing?!
LUMBERJANES/ GOTHAM ACADEMY #4 $3.99 Page 319
Chynna Clugston-Flores, Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Maddi Gonzalez
It’s finally Louise’s birthday, and it’s going to be fun in the sun…or else!
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #7 $3.99 Page 316
Kyle Higgins and Hendry Prasetya
The Black Dragon has come! The balance of power has shifted as rule of Earth is now at the hands of Rita.
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: PINK #5 $3.99 Page 316
Brendan Fletcher, Kelly Thompson, and Daniele Di Nicuolo
The unlikeliest of team-ups may just be required to save the world from a new terror.
THE WOODS #25 $3.99 Page 318
James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas
The final year of The Woods begins here, as our crew comes to terms with the fallout from last issue.
D.E.
KING’S QUEST #5 $3.99 Page 354
Ben Acker, Heath Corson, and McDaid
Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, Prince Valiant and Jungle Jim are going to die! (unless they act super-heroic and defeat every flying space monster and evillaser-wielding foot soldier in the galaxy). [Dale Arden appears to bisexual in this series.]
XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS #6 $3.99 Page 357
Genevieve Valentine and Julius Gopez
Gabrielle is a “guest” of Rome. She’ll have the power of an empire at her fingertips, if she becomes a loyal subject of Augustus Caesar – a Bard that will shape history. But Xena will stop at nothing to get Gabrielle back – no matter the cost. When the streets of Rome become a battlefield, a legacy hangs in the balance.
DRAWN & QUARTERLY
SUPERMUTANT MAGIC ACADEMY $22.95 Page 369
Jillian Tamaki
Jillian Tamaki is best known for co-creating the award-winning young adult graphic novels Skim and This One Summer, moody and atmospheric bestsellers. SuperMutant Magic Academy, which Jillian has been serializing online for the past four years, deftly plays superhero and high school Hollywood tropes against what adolescence is really like: the SuperMutant Magic Academy is a prep-school for mutants and witches but their paranormal abilities take a back seat to everyday teen concerns. This volume combines the most popular content from the webcomic with a selection of all-new, never-before-seen strips that conclude Jillian’s account of life at the Academy.
FANTAGRAPHICS
LOVE & ROCKETS #1 Vol IV $3.99 Page 374
Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez
The comic book event of 2016! Love and Rockets is back as an all-new, ongoing comic book series (Vol. IV for those keeping track at home)! On Jaime’s side: What do you do when none of your old punk friends want to be punk any more? And just who does the evil Princess Animus think she is? (Hint: She doesn’t know, she has amnesia.) On Gilbert’s side: Family drama takes center stage when a Fritz discovers a grandchild she didn’t know existed! Old fans and new fans are sure to enjoy the most diverse cast of characters in comics, including Maggie, Hopey, Pipo, Fritz, Tonta, Baby, and many more! Plus other surprises! Grrrowl!
HEAVY METAL
HEATHEN #1 $3.99 Page 389
Natasha Alterici
Banished Viking warrior Aydis is leaving her small-minded village far behind to embark upon a quest. Her big idea? To right the wrongs of corrupt God-King Odin, that’s all. The first step of her journey is to find the cursed Valkyrie Brynhild and set her free, but a deadly shape-shifting spy stands in Aydis’s way. Hail Heathen! The critically-acclaimed debut of Natasha Alterici that defies feminine archetypes while cleaving the skull of genre conventions.
JET CITY COMICS
CIRQUE AMERICAN GIRL OVER PARIS #3 $2.99 Page 393
Ming Doyle, Kate Leth, and Gwenda Bond
Jules Maroni’s trip to the Parisian circus exhibition has hit a major snag: her boyfriend, trapeze artist Remy, has gone missing, and a mysterious Harlequin figure seems to hold the key to his whereabouts. Wire-walking Jules handles heights with aplomb-but her rescue mission will send her deep beneath the city streets to Paris’s legendary “undercity” catacombs. Cherchez l’homme!
KODANSHA COMICS
ATTACK ON TITAN ANTHOLOGY $29.99 Page 402
Gail Simone, Scott Snyder, Phil Jimenez and others
Limited to 3,000 copies! The manga megahit Attack on Titan, reinterpreted by some of comics’ top talent! Featuring original stories by a long roster of comic superstars such as Scott Snyder, Gail Simone, Faith Erin Hicks, Michael Avon Oeming, Paolo Rivera, and Cameron Stewart! This unprecedented, full-color collaboration between East and West will be released first in English, making it indispensable for Attack on Titan fans and curious comic fans. Additional contributors include: Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr ; Eisner Award nominee Phil Jimenez ; Kate Leth and Jeremy Lambert & Top Cow Pilot winner Afua Richardson; Eisner Award winner Evan Dorkin; Eisner Award nominee Simon Spurrier; Kate Brown; Crawford Award winner Genevieve Valentine and David Lopez (X-Men, Fallen Angel); and many more!
NORTHWEST PRESS
MAMA TITS SAVES THE WORLD $5.00 Page 411
zan Christensen, Terry Blas, and others
Can one Pacific Northwest drag queen prevail in the fight against hate? Writer Charles “Zan” Christensen and artist Terry Blas, along with guest artists Sonya Saturday, Diego Gomez, and Justin Hall, take Seattle’s most famous activist queen to a new level in the new comic book Mama Tits Saves the World!
ONI PRESS / LIMERENCE PRESS
MERRY MEN #4 $3.99 Page 416
Robert Rodi and Jackie Lewis
The thrilling penultimate chapter of the bold and provocative re-imagining of Robin Hood! The Merry Men and Scarlet are caught in the clutches of Guy of Gisborne, who has insidious plans for their deaths. Though Robin is the one he truly wants, the Sheriff of Nottingham has paid him handsomely for the capture and execution of the others as well.nAnd the Sheriff is under the thumb of none other than Prince John himself!
OH JOY SEX TOY Vol 3 $29.99 Page 417
Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Erika Moen Erika & Matthew think the world of sex is pretty rad. Using humor and research, their awesome comics are about everything that relates to sex. They review sex toys, share sex education, interview sex workers, and crack horrible, horrible puns, all in the name of promoting sex positivity. In this third volume they visit a swingers’ house party, a queer porn set and cover all sorts of topics like HPV, foreskins and UTIs, in addition to the newest and oddest sex toys. Each volume is a unique dive into the world of sex, making this book a great standalone addition to your shelf whether you’re already read the rest of the series or this is your introduction.
SELF MADE HERO
BECOMING ANDY WARHOL $24.95 Page 426
Nick Bertozzi and Pierce Hargan
Celebrated during his lifetime as much for his personality as for his paintings, Andy Warhol (1928-87) is the most famous and influential of the Pop artists, who developed the notion of 15 minutes of fame, and the idea that an artist could be as illustrious as the work he creates. This graphic novel biography offers insight into the turning point of Warhol’s career and the creation of the “Thirteen Most Wanted Men” mural for the 1964 World’s Fair, when Warhol clashed with urban planner Robert Moses, architect Philip Johnson, and Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Becoming Andy Warhol showcases the moment when, by stubborn force of personality and sheer burgeoning talent, Warhol went up against the creative establishment and emerged to become one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.
TRIAL OF ROGER CASEMENT GN $19.95 Page 426
Fionnuala Doran
In 1911, Roger Casement was knighted by King George V for his humanitarian work. Five years later, he was hanged for treason. The Trial of Roger Casement traces the astonishing downfall of an Irishman once feted for his humanitarianism but later condemned both as a revolutionary and as a homosexual. Fionnuala Doran follows Casement’s efforts to gain German support for an independent Ireland, his drive to recruit volunteers, and his subsequent arrest in County Kerry.
SUBLIME
BLUE MORNING Vol 6 $12.99 Page 429
Shoko Hidaka
At the Marquise Moriyama’s evening party, there is a gamble for the succession of the Kuse house, and at the end of a night full of deals and strategizing, the situation changes completely! After Akihito ruins Katsuragi’s plan, it is suddenly announced that Akihito will leave to obtain treatment for his lung ailment. But while things proceed exactly as Akihito had anticipated, Katsuragi’s continued silence perplexes him. Meanwhile, Katsuragi reflects upon his solitude and feelings for Akihito as he throws himself into his new duties–that is, until he learns in a letter from Kayoko that there is talk of Akihito leaving to study abroad! Will this force Katsuragi into Akihito’s arms, or will he remain his stoic, stubborn self?
DON’T BE CRUEL 2 in 1 Vol 2 $16.99 Page 429
Yonezou Nekota
Maya and Nemugasa are now officially lovers, but it’s the summer of their third year of high school, meaning even more studying for college entrance exams. Their relationship is reduced to stealing kisses over lunch recess and the occasional sleepover. Stressed and desperately wanting some alone time, the two wind up having a massive–even dangerous– misunderstanding! Things only get worse when the two eventually end up attending separate colleges, meaning they will no longer see each other every day. How will Nemugasa handle Maya’s continued popularity with the ladies? And can Maya accept Nemugasa making a new college friend?
TITAN
MICHAEL MOORCOCK LIBRARY: ELRIC – WEIRD OF THE WHITE WOLF $22.99 Page 452
Roy Thomas and P Craig Russell
Compiling the short stories “The Dream of Earl Aubec,” “The Dreaming City,” “While the Gods Laugh,” and “The Singing Citadel,” The Weird of the White Wolf brings the albino prince Elric and his enchanted sword Stormbringer back to his city of Melnibone for a series of epic adventures, where his might and magic will face the ultimate test!
SHERLOCK: A STUDY IN PINK #4 $4.99 Page 454
Steven Moffat and Jay
Sherlock and John take to the streets of London on a breathless foot chase, but is their quarry any closer to being caught? What kind of mind does it take to baffle — and challenge — the peerless Sherlock Holmes? The mystery deepens in the latest thrilling issue of the Sherlock manga!
TANK GIRL: GOLD #1 $3.99 Page 454
Alan Martin and Brett Parson
Tankie and her trigger-happy family are going for gold in the first of a brand new series! Take a trip with us down the Furry Road for an issue of vim, volitility and verbal abuse!
TANK GIRL 2 GIRLS 1 TANK TP $14.99 Page 454
Alan Martin and Brett Parsons
The Black Frog Get ready for the first of a brand-new Tank Girl trilogy from series creator Alan Martin and artist extraordinaire, Brett Parson. Expect a healthy dose of delirium and plenty of ball-crunching action in this high-octane cross-country skirmish that asks the question: is this world really big enough for two Tank Girls? Strap yourself in, folks; it’s gonna be one helluva ride!
TORCHWOOD #3 $3.99 Page 451
John Barrowman, Carol Barrowman, and Antonio Fuso
Captain Jack, Gwen, and the crew of the scientific vessel Ice Maiden are plunged into a new world-threatening crisis as Jack uncovers more about the ancient evil returning to devastate the globe! Outnumbered and outgunned, can this Torchwood World Tour still make a difference?