Dark Horse Comics - LGBTQ+ Pride Reading Guide 2023
06/05/2023 12:00pm
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month this June, Dark Horse Comics staff present an updated reading guide highlighting a selection of comics that explore LGBTQ+ stories, themes, and characters.
Hear more from the creators themselves, Dark Horse staff, and more in this shortlist of recent comics, and find many additional recommended reads listed below.
And of course, there are many more titles from Dark Horse featuring LGBTQ+ themes and creators that readers can enjoy all year round.
Check out more Pride Reading Guides from recent years: 2019-20, 2021, and 2022 for additional titles and series.
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos
Dark Horse and Tiny Onion Studios present The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, an LGBTQ+ horror-hero coming-of-age series from the award-winning writers of Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth, and House of Slaughter, James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal. Isaac Goodhart joins the team as penciller and inker with Miquel Muerto coloring and Aditya Bidikar lettering. More details and cover art here.
Meet teenage mad scientist Christopher Chaos. His brilliant mind works in ways that defy logic and enable him to do things that push him beyond his peers--but these abilities also lead others to fear him. One day, something cracks. When the cute boy at high school turns out to be a deadly creature, Christopher finds himself pitted in a world of monsters, heroes, and a cult of hunters out to kill them all.
"The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos is a twisted love letter to horror, high school genre stories, and to anyone who's ever felt like an outsider," said Brombal. "We are crafting a monstrous universe of epic proportions, and I cannot wait for the world to witness the mad science that James, Isaac, Miquel, Aditya, Nick, and I have been cooking up for you. This is the comic I've always dreamed of writing."
The first issue arrives in comic shops June 28, 2023. This will be the first time these comics will be available in print, as the series was previously published exclusively on Substack.
And there's more! The debut issue of Christopher Chaos recently sold out at the distributor level ahead of publication, and Dark Horse announced a second printing featuring a new cover by Nick Robles. The series has also been promoted to be Dark Horse's next ongoing series--more details here.
"Christopher Chaos, much like Brombal's prior Barbalien, is a book steeped in the experience of being queer. It is about being the absolutely neurotic, anxious mess of a queer teenager. An experience we can all understand and relate to. Only it, y'know, has more Werewolves, Frankensteins, and crazy Cult Cops Of Complicity that want to help enforce the normalcy of the world."—Comic Book Herald
Killer Queens 2: Kings, Not Wings
The deadliest queens in space are back in Killer Queens 2: Kings, Not Wings. This new miniseries is a continuation of the original Killer Queens series, which has been nominated for Eisner and GLAAD Awards. It follows two reformed assassins-for-hire, Max and Alex, as they use their slay-worthy skills for good. A queer take on 1950's sci-fi nostalgia, the comic features an all-LGBTQ+ creative team including writer David M. Booher, interior artist Bradley Clayton, colorist Harry Saxon, letterer Lucas Gattoni, with cover art by Chris Ables. The first issue will be available this August--details here.
During a day of questionable choices at Space Pride, Max and Alex bump into their old boss. The grumpy little simian tries to dragoon them into chasing down a runaway heir to the throne of Sarelia, an alien planet ruled by a brutal patriarchy. Little does he know that Alex and this heir have some, ahem, history.
Praise for Killer Queens - Series 1
"Loud, proud, and a little spicy, the Killer Queens never apologize or hide from who they are, not even when adorable hench-otters are shooting lasers at them!"
--Konner Knudsen, Associate Editor
"This is how you do comics. This is about as fun as they possibly get."—Panel Patter
"This is The Jetsons meets Gunpowder Milkshake, and that’s as much fun as it sounds."—SyFy.com
Light Carries On
He thought life couldn't get more complicated, but then he became friends with a ghost.
Light Carries On is an otherworldly LGBTQ+ romance from Ray Nadine (Dollhouse, Messenger, Raise Hell!). This greyscale and spot color graphic novel is now available in hardcover--details here.
When Leon's camera unexpectedly breaks, he borrows a used one from his mom's antique store. As he snaps the first picture, the ghost of the camera's former owner is released, and the two are inexplicably linked. After taking Leon's body for an accidental joyride, the ghost introduces himself as Cody, a queer punk rocker who died decades ago. Of course, he doesn't remember how he wound up dead, but the two decide investigating might be the only way to end the haunting.
On Light Carries On, Nadine says, "For most of my life, I lived in St. Louis, and in that time I created my first comic. It was an important story to me, an open love letter to the city of St. Louis, a processing of grief and trauma, and a means for me to live truthfully in a time that I couldn't. Eventually, I outgrew the story; continuing to create it kept me in a depressing place I didn't want to be. I still love St. Louis dearly, but years ago I moved to Chicago. And now, Light Carries On is my open love letter to the city of Chicago, to the thought that we're not alone in our struggles, and to being unapologetically queer. All of my stories are that last bit, unapologetically queer, but Light Carries On carries what my first comic didn't: a light of hope at the end. I hope that those who read it find that light, as creating it helped me do the same!"
Us
"Us is a true story about queerness, identity, and above all, love. When Sara's long-term partner comes out as a trans woman, they begin an extended journey of self-discovery that readers of all orientations will find heartfelt, uplifting, and ultimately hopeful. Embracing who you truly are isn't just about trauma and rejection; it's about joy, empowerment, acceptance, and new experiences, and this brilliant book is a real-life testament to the truth and validity of queer love. Treat yourself to Us by Sara Soler, and I guarantee you all the laughs and 'aww' moments your heart can handle."--Jenny Blenk, Editor
Dark Horse Books and Sara Soler (Season of the Bruja, Plants vs Zombies) present Us, a graphic memoir exploring the struggle between love and uncovering your true self.
Us is written, drawn, and colored by Soler, with translation from its original Spanish by Silvia Perea Labayen (Castaways) and letters by Joamette Gil (Castaways, The Final Girls).
Us is available now for the first time in English--details here.
All Eight Eyes
"Looking for more queer horror where the queer characters are the ones kicking ass rather than the other way around? All Eight Eyes is exactly what LGBTQ+ horror fans have been hoping for."--Kaitlyn Nash, Publicity and Social Media Coordinator
Steve Foxe (Creepshow, Party & Prey, X-MEN '92) and Piotr Kowalski (Where Monsters Lie, Bloodborne) present a new vision of creature-feature terror in their new horror series, All Eight Eyes! The comics are underway now, and the collection will arrive in November 2023--details here.
This series reunites the team of Foxe, Kowalski, colorist Brad Simpson, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, following their collaboration in Razorblades: The Horror Magazine, a taboo-busting anthology of terror co-created by Foxe and multiple Eisner-winner James Tynion IV.
All Eight Eyes takes readers back to the forgotten corners of post-9/11 New York City, where college dropout Vin Spencer floats through life in a drug-and-party-fueled haze until one terrible night sweeps him into a drifter's reckless war against the giant eight-legged horrors stalking the city’s most vulnerable residents.
"I've been obsessed with giant-animal horror stories ever since seeing Them! and Gila! as a kid," Foxe said. "All Eight Eyes is both an ode to the thrills of watching oversized predators chow down on humans and a reckoning with how much NYC has changed—not always for good—since the turn of the century, drawing on my own time in the East Village and Alphabet City. I'm so thrilled to be making this arachnid gross-out alongside Piotr, Brad, and Hass."
Under Kingdom
From the slimy minds of artist Marie Enger and writer Christof Bogacs comes Under Kingdom--a heartwarming young adult fantasy romp about kindness, finding your place in the world and, of course, sock-stealing imps!
Follow 13-year-old Shay as he is thrust into a secret world of monsters that exists underneath his small West Virginian town of Humble Valley. His mom has vanished, and it's up to Shay to lead this ravenous rabble, a task that requires him to become a strong and violent leader. As a gentle soul and a believer in kindness this goes against everything he believes in. Can Shay stay true to himself and chart a path of kindness in a world pushing him toward cruelty?
"Under Kingdom is a world where everyone has a place, just as they are. In Shay we have a sweet kid who refuses to compromise, this inner gentleness goes on to shape his entire world. We want kids to know they don't need to change, or compromise on what they know is right, to carve their place in the world."--Christof Bogacs
"Under Kingdom has everything I have wanted to see in a story since I was kid: drama, mystery, action, cathartic funny moments, creepy-cool monsters, and most importantly-- relatable queer characters who refuse to conform!"--Konner Knudsen, Associate Editor
"A spooky, sugary-sweet queer ode to weirdos and monster movies and doing what's right. Christof and Marie are such a great pairing."--Dave Scheidt (Mayor Good Boy)
More LGBTQ+ Titles to Enjoy
And here's another shortlist of recent/recently featured titles to get you started:
The Legend of Korra: Patterns in Time
Liebestrasse
Renegade Rule
Enigma: The Definitive Edition
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Hear more from the creators themselves, Dark Horse staff, and more in this shortlist of recent comics, and find many additional recommended reads listed below.
And of course, there are many more titles from Dark Horse featuring LGBTQ+ themes and creators that readers can enjoy all year round.
Check out more Pride Reading Guides from recent years: 2019-20, 2021, and 2022 for additional titles and series.
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher ChaosDark Horse and Tiny Onion Studios present The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, an LGBTQ+ horror-hero coming-of-age series from the award-winning writers of Something is Killing the Children, The Department of Truth, and House of Slaughter, James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal. Isaac Goodhart joins the team as penciller and inker with Miquel Muerto coloring and Aditya Bidikar lettering. More details and cover art here.
Meet teenage mad scientist Christopher Chaos. His brilliant mind works in ways that defy logic and enable him to do things that push him beyond his peers--but these abilities also lead others to fear him. One day, something cracks. When the cute boy at high school turns out to be a deadly creature, Christopher finds himself pitted in a world of monsters, heroes, and a cult of hunters out to kill them all.
"The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos is a twisted love letter to horror, high school genre stories, and to anyone who's ever felt like an outsider," said Brombal. "We are crafting a monstrous universe of epic proportions, and I cannot wait for the world to witness the mad science that James, Isaac, Miquel, Aditya, Nick, and I have been cooking up for you. This is the comic I've always dreamed of writing."
The first issue arrives in comic shops June 28, 2023. This will be the first time these comics will be available in print, as the series was previously published exclusively on Substack.
And there's more! The debut issue of Christopher Chaos recently sold out at the distributor level ahead of publication, and Dark Horse announced a second printing featuring a new cover by Nick Robles. The series has also been promoted to be Dark Horse's next ongoing series--more details here.
"Christopher Chaos, much like Brombal's prior Barbalien, is a book steeped in the experience of being queer. It is about being the absolutely neurotic, anxious mess of a queer teenager. An experience we can all understand and relate to. Only it, y'know, has more Werewolves, Frankensteins, and crazy Cult Cops Of Complicity that want to help enforce the normalcy of the world."—Comic Book Herald
Killer Queens 2: Kings, Not WingsThe deadliest queens in space are back in Killer Queens 2: Kings, Not Wings. This new miniseries is a continuation of the original Killer Queens series, which has been nominated for Eisner and GLAAD Awards. It follows two reformed assassins-for-hire, Max and Alex, as they use their slay-worthy skills for good. A queer take on 1950's sci-fi nostalgia, the comic features an all-LGBTQ+ creative team including writer David M. Booher, interior artist Bradley Clayton, colorist Harry Saxon, letterer Lucas Gattoni, with cover art by Chris Ables. The first issue will be available this August--details here.
During a day of questionable choices at Space Pride, Max and Alex bump into their old boss. The grumpy little simian tries to dragoon them into chasing down a runaway heir to the throne of Sarelia, an alien planet ruled by a brutal patriarchy. Little does he know that Alex and this heir have some, ahem, history.
Praise for Killer Queens - Series 1
"Loud, proud, and a little spicy, the Killer Queens never apologize or hide from who they are, not even when adorable hench-otters are shooting lasers at them!"
--Konner Knudsen, Associate Editor
"This is how you do comics. This is about as fun as they possibly get."—Panel Patter
"This is The Jetsons meets Gunpowder Milkshake, and that’s as much fun as it sounds."—SyFy.com
Light Carries OnHe thought life couldn't get more complicated, but then he became friends with a ghost.
Light Carries On is an otherworldly LGBTQ+ romance from Ray Nadine (Dollhouse, Messenger, Raise Hell!). This greyscale and spot color graphic novel is now available in hardcover--details here.
When Leon's camera unexpectedly breaks, he borrows a used one from his mom's antique store. As he snaps the first picture, the ghost of the camera's former owner is released, and the two are inexplicably linked. After taking Leon's body for an accidental joyride, the ghost introduces himself as Cody, a queer punk rocker who died decades ago. Of course, he doesn't remember how he wound up dead, but the two decide investigating might be the only way to end the haunting.
On Light Carries On, Nadine says, "For most of my life, I lived in St. Louis, and in that time I created my first comic. It was an important story to me, an open love letter to the city of St. Louis, a processing of grief and trauma, and a means for me to live truthfully in a time that I couldn't. Eventually, I outgrew the story; continuing to create it kept me in a depressing place I didn't want to be. I still love St. Louis dearly, but years ago I moved to Chicago. And now, Light Carries On is my open love letter to the city of Chicago, to the thought that we're not alone in our struggles, and to being unapologetically queer. All of my stories are that last bit, unapologetically queer, but Light Carries On carries what my first comic didn't: a light of hope at the end. I hope that those who read it find that light, as creating it helped me do the same!"
Us"Us is a true story about queerness, identity, and above all, love. When Sara's long-term partner comes out as a trans woman, they begin an extended journey of self-discovery that readers of all orientations will find heartfelt, uplifting, and ultimately hopeful. Embracing who you truly are isn't just about trauma and rejection; it's about joy, empowerment, acceptance, and new experiences, and this brilliant book is a real-life testament to the truth and validity of queer love. Treat yourself to Us by Sara Soler, and I guarantee you all the laughs and 'aww' moments your heart can handle."--Jenny Blenk, Editor
Dark Horse Books and Sara Soler (Season of the Bruja, Plants vs Zombies) present Us, a graphic memoir exploring the struggle between love and uncovering your true self.
Us is written, drawn, and colored by Soler, with translation from its original Spanish by Silvia Perea Labayen (Castaways) and letters by Joamette Gil (Castaways, The Final Girls).
Us is available now for the first time in English--details here.
All Eight Eyes"Looking for more queer horror where the queer characters are the ones kicking ass rather than the other way around? All Eight Eyes is exactly what LGBTQ+ horror fans have been hoping for."--Kaitlyn Nash, Publicity and Social Media Coordinator
Steve Foxe (Creepshow, Party & Prey, X-MEN '92) and Piotr Kowalski (Where Monsters Lie, Bloodborne) present a new vision of creature-feature terror in their new horror series, All Eight Eyes! The comics are underway now, and the collection will arrive in November 2023--details here.
This series reunites the team of Foxe, Kowalski, colorist Brad Simpson, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, following their collaboration in Razorblades: The Horror Magazine, a taboo-busting anthology of terror co-created by Foxe and multiple Eisner-winner James Tynion IV.
All Eight Eyes takes readers back to the forgotten corners of post-9/11 New York City, where college dropout Vin Spencer floats through life in a drug-and-party-fueled haze until one terrible night sweeps him into a drifter's reckless war against the giant eight-legged horrors stalking the city’s most vulnerable residents.
"I've been obsessed with giant-animal horror stories ever since seeing Them! and Gila! as a kid," Foxe said. "All Eight Eyes is both an ode to the thrills of watching oversized predators chow down on humans and a reckoning with how much NYC has changed—not always for good—since the turn of the century, drawing on my own time in the East Village and Alphabet City. I'm so thrilled to be making this arachnid gross-out alongside Piotr, Brad, and Hass."
Under KingdomFrom the slimy minds of artist Marie Enger and writer Christof Bogacs comes Under Kingdom--a heartwarming young adult fantasy romp about kindness, finding your place in the world and, of course, sock-stealing imps!
Follow 13-year-old Shay as he is thrust into a secret world of monsters that exists underneath his small West Virginian town of Humble Valley. His mom has vanished, and it's up to Shay to lead this ravenous rabble, a task that requires him to become a strong and violent leader. As a gentle soul and a believer in kindness this goes against everything he believes in. Can Shay stay true to himself and chart a path of kindness in a world pushing him toward cruelty?
"Under Kingdom is a world where everyone has a place, just as they are. In Shay we have a sweet kid who refuses to compromise, this inner gentleness goes on to shape his entire world. We want kids to know they don't need to change, or compromise on what they know is right, to carve their place in the world."--Christof Bogacs
"Under Kingdom has everything I have wanted to see in a story since I was kid: drama, mystery, action, cathartic funny moments, creepy-cool monsters, and most importantly-- relatable queer characters who refuse to conform!"--Konner Knudsen, Associate Editor
"A spooky, sugary-sweet queer ode to weirdos and monster movies and doing what's right. Christof and Marie are such a great pairing."--Dave Scheidt (Mayor Good Boy)
More LGBTQ+ Titles to Enjoy
And here's another shortlist of recent/recently featured titles to get you started:
The Legend of Korra: Patterns in Time
Liebestrasse
Renegade Rule
Enigma: The Definitive Edition
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