caedocyon's review
2.0
We picked this up at SPX 2016 because we've read and loved [b:Beyond: the Queer Sci-Fi & Fantasy Comic Anthology|20625032|Beyond the Queer Sci-Fi & Fantasy Comic Anthology|Sfe R. Monster|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441720978s/20625032.jpg|39910718] and other very similar anthologies. This has many of the same contributors.
My initial impression was that this was a very weak anthology on average. When I started listing the pieces I liked for this review, I realized it wasn't as dire as I'd thought. Unfortunately the bad stories are worse than average and none of the better stories reaches higher than four stars.
Overarching problems: Repetitive themes/plot points (it's an anthology: can't you solicit outlines or scripts to make sure that three or four different people aren't going to use the exact same idea?), poor/confusing writing (yes, you draw quite well. no, you should really get someone to read your script and help you fill the gaping leaps of logic).
Some of the high points, in order of appearance:
* One Dress, With Cape: Didactic but simultaneously cute, so I don't mind. Plus, the advice about parenting a GNC/trans kid is good.
* Lunch Break: At this point, is verging on a cliche, but I'm giving it a pass because I like that shit, and this is my review. Get your own.
* Jump: Successful because it doesn't try to be a full story, just capture a moment/feeling. And it does that so well in just three pages.
* Greenhouse: Interesting art, and one of the more original plotlines.
* Run!: Not very original in plot, but the art is beautiful and the subtleties of their expressions have a lot to do with how compelling the characters are. Also some of the better writing.
* Power Couple: A surprisingly interesting and coherent take on coming out as a superhero that successfully riffs on both lesbian and trans coming out narratives. ("Surprisingly coherent" sounds like damning with faint praise, but if you've read as many bad SF&F coming out metaphors as I have, ranging from "clumsy" to "unintentionally offensive" to "I don't think you even tried," you know how rare and precious that is.)
My initial impression was that this was a very weak anthology on average. When I started listing the pieces I liked for this review, I realized it wasn't as dire as I'd thought. Unfortunately the bad stories are worse than average and none of the better stories reaches higher than four stars.
Overarching problems: Repetitive themes/plot points (it's an anthology: can't you solicit outlines or scripts to make sure that three or four different people aren't going to use the exact same idea?), poor/confusing writing (yes, you draw quite well. no, you should really get someone to read your script and help you fill the gaping leaps of logic).
Some of the high points, in order of appearance:
* One Dress, With Cape: Didactic but simultaneously cute, so I don't mind. Plus, the advice about parenting a GNC/trans kid is good.
* Lunch Break: At this point,
Spoiler
romance between two characters who turn out to have been worried about having to tell the other person they're trans* Jump: Successful because it doesn't try to be a full story, just capture a moment/feeling. And it does that so well in just three pages.
* Greenhouse: Interesting art, and one of the more original plotlines.
* Run!: Not very original in plot, but the art is beautiful and the subtleties of their expressions have a lot to do with how compelling the characters are. Also some of the better writing.
* Power Couple: A surprisingly interesting and coherent take on coming out as a superhero that successfully riffs on both lesbian and trans coming out narratives. ("Surprisingly coherent" sounds like damning with faint praise, but if you've read as many bad SF&F coming out metaphors as I have, ranging from "clumsy" to "unintentionally offensive" to "I don't think you even tried," you know how rare and precious that is.)
emeraldreverie's review
I am declining to rate this book as I have Opinions about the execution of its production and the person who ran it.
That being said, this anthology contains work from so many of my favorite cartoonists and creators that it was delightful to time capsule back to some older work of theirs. Some really good shorts, some that hit me meh, but overall enjoyable and so queer.
That being said, this anthology contains work from so many of my favorite cartoonists and creators that it was delightful to time capsule back to some older work of theirs. Some really good shorts, some that hit me meh, but overall enjoyable and so queer.
capernex's review
3.5
A really nice anthology of superhero stories! A few were a little less interesting, but the majority were really good and it's always nice to read stories all featuring queer characters!
justinlife's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was wonderful to see various orientations, body types, skin colors and able-ness as super heroes. Some stories were a bit heavy handed, but that's forgiven when seeing the representation presented in a genre that typically doesn't represent diversity. These are our stories and they are gorgeous. I wanted to see multiple chapters of several of these. I highly recommend this people who enjoy the super hero genre and want to see a more diverse representation of who can be seen as super heroes.
speculativebecky's review
5.0
I had high expectations but I was wowed by how completely this book completely captured my heart! I squeed a thousand times, and teared up a bunch while reading these stories. From origin stories to love stories, these short comics all knocked it out of the park for me with their representation of queer people kicking butt, being heroic, and generally thriving.
readingstardust's review
4.0
3.75/4 stars
A little hit or miss for me. In comic anthologies I find some stories can be difficult to follow, but I loved all of the art, and it's honestly very hard to disappoint me with queer comics in general let alone queer superheroes.
A little hit or miss for me. In comic anthologies I find some stories can be difficult to follow, but I loved all of the art, and it's honestly very hard to disappoint me with queer comics in general let alone queer superheroes.
metafiktion's review
3.0
3.5 stars. A quick, fun read that reimagines the possibilities of superherodom. Most could’ve done with being a tad longer though.
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