LGBTQ Comics: Forward and My Androgynous Boyfriend

Forward by Lisa Maas

I borrowed this work as an eBook from my local library. I chose it based on the premise: two older lesbians making their way in the romantic world after a break-up and the passing of a partner, respectively. What’s my take on the work? Read on to find out.

What Worked For Me:

I appreciate the LGBTQ representation, and the fact that the work delves deeply into difficult topics like aging, grief, and loss. So much of the LGBTQ media I’ve seen has to do with coming out and the start of relationships; this, by contrast, was a nice change of pace.
Beyond representation, I enjoy the fact that homophobia was not at all a factor in the narrative. The MCs more or less lived in a world where being an out lesbian was accepted and normalized. In short, it’s nice to read a story focused on LGBTQ people where homophobia isn’t a diving part of the narrative.
The story and characters felt real. Though the story does rely on some tropes with regards to lesbian relationships (e.g. that lesbians are slow to initiate a relationship), said tropes made sense in context (and felt “earned”).

What Didn’t Work For Me:

I really didn’t gel with the art style; I found it harder to relate to the characters and I was less invested in some of the “steamy” scenes as a result.
I wasn’t expecting this, especially given how the work sells itself, but if you were expecting a lot of steamy scenes, you are going to be better served elsewhere

Conclusion:

The work is as advertised: LGBTQ-focused and life-affirming. It’s a heavy read, but it’s also real. If you are not turned off by the art style and the premise interests you, this one is definitely worth a look.

Check it out here.

My Androgynous Boyfriend by Tamekou

First, here’s the premise (from the publisher): “Wako and her androgynous boyfriend don’t exactly have the most traditional of relationships. She spends her days working hard in the world of publishing, while he spends his time obsessing over fashion and makeup — all with the goal of making himself beautiful just for her. This romantic slice-of-life story is about love, relationships, and breaking with tradition!“

Pros:

Cute artwork (though only the cover is presented in color)
It’s nice to see a relationship in the context of the LGBTQ+ community portrayed as functional and loving; many stories focus on or even seem to relish in dysfunctional relationships and trauma.
The story doesn’t beat you over the head with terminology or explicitly set out to educate readers about the community or androgyny. This is a nice change of pace, and something other stories in this vein have definitely been too heavy-handed with.

Cons:

The non-linear nature of the story-telling isn’t hard to follow, but it does make the characters a bit harder to invest in. For example, we don’t learn how the main characters met until after halfway through the work (in chapter 9, actually, 80% through the work).
A lot of secondary characters come and go with little fanfare; I wish that they either served a larger role in the story or were cut entirely from the narrative.
The story only seems to touch obliquely / lightly on the struggles of having an androgynous boyfriend. It’s not that I want them to struggle, it just seems like the wold of “My Androgynous Boyfriend,” is more welcoming and open than I’ve experienced in my own life. [I know I said the opposite in my review of Forward, but my desire for this can vary by work and based on my mood. I’m human, okay?]

Conclusion:

The (main) characters and art are enjoyable enough, but the overarching structure of the book definitely leaves something to be desired. While I definitely appreciate the ground this work breaks (by foregrounding and making explicit one of the character’s gender), I don’t know that it brings enough to the table to seek out as a “must read.” Ultimately, if the title intrigues you (and ideally if you can get it on sale), it’s worth a look. I wouldn’t feel too bad about passing this one by, though.

Check it out here.