-
DC Pride 2023
- Writer:
- Grant Morrison, Leah Williams, Nadia Shammas, A.L. Kaplan, Josh Trujillo, Jeremy Holt, Mildred Louis, Rex Ogle, Christopher Cantwell, Nicole Maines
- Artist:
- Hayden Sherman, Paulina Ganucheau, Bruka Jones, A.L. Kaplan, Don Aguillo, Andrew Drilon, Mildred Louis, Stephen Sadowski, Skylar Patridge, Rye Hickman
- Letterer:
- Aditya Bidikar, Frank Cvetkovic, Lucas Gattoni, Ariana Maher, Morgan Martinez, Rusty Gladd
- Cover Artist:
- Mateus Manhanini
- Publisher:
- DC
- Price:
- $9.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-05-30
- Colorist:
- Marissa Louise, Tamra Bonvillain, Enrica Eren Angiolini, Dearbhla Kelly, Bex Glendining
DC Pride is back for its 2023 edition, championing the idea that "heroes are better together." DC Pride #1 is all about heroes in the LGBTQ+ community supporting one another. Featuring 10 short comics by creators like Grant Morrison, Jeremy Holt, Andrew Drilon, Leah Willams, Paulina Ganucheau, Bruka Jones, Mildred Louis, Ariana Maher, Rex Ogle, Stephen Sadowski, Christopher Cantwell, Skylar Patridge, Dearbhla Kelly, Morgan Martinez, Nicole Maines, Rye Hickman, Rusty Gladd and more -- DC Pride #1 is a must-read one-shot celebrating DC LGBTQ+ characters old and new.
The first story, "Love's Lightening Heart," is a strong start for the anthology. Grant Morrison, Hayden Sherman, Marissa Louise, and Aditya Bidikar team up for this Multiversity tale focusing on Flashlight pushing the cosmic boundaries to save his partner, Red Racer. Morrison proves they're one of the biggest fans of the DC pantheon, specifically those who champion in the darkest of times. "Love's Lightening Heart" captures the hope and willpower of Flashlight and the lengths he goes to for Red Racer.
Sherman and Louise are a visual dream team. This DC Pride story leans into the fun, cosmic side of the DC Universe with vibrant colors and captivating yet alien designs. Bidikar's letters give the art room to speak for itself while also being distinct in regard to who's saying what through an array of colors and fonts. Fans certainly will be excited to see more of these characters, especially with the promise that this story will continue at some point.
Another story that is a love letter to an iconic queer couple in DC is "Anniversary" by Josh Trujillo, Don Aguillo, and Lucas Gattoni. Here, Midnighter and Apollo defend a group of LGBTQ+ activists from bigots, with the more cynical Midnighter struggling not to give into his rage over how their community still faces so much hate after decades of fighting for the right to exist. However, Green Lantern and Apollo remind him there is still hope and that the work they've done so far is worth celebrating.
"Anniversary" is the most on-the-nose call to action in DC Pride, and given the current climate in regard to legislation targeting the queer community, "Anniversary" is a brave, necessary tale. Along with respecting the work of real-life queer ancestors, Trujillo captures the complicated and difficult task of staying hopeful even when it feels like the world is against you and progress is impossible through Apollo and Midnighter's distinct perspectives.
Meanwhile, Aguillo beautifully highlights said history in panels that feel like murals honoring the work of the queer community -- past and present. There is a painterly quality to Aguillo's art that puts these heroes in an esteemed, classical light. Gattoni's letters make sure readers see these panels in all their glory while also finding a definitive way to punctuate the story's message, "We're here! We're Queer! Get Used to It!"
Shifting gears from the heroes of the past to the heroes of today, "Subspace Transmission" is the most visually stunning story in DC Pride, with A.L Kaplan taking on the task of writing and drawing and Bidikar taking on letters. This story celebrates fluidity and breaking the binary via the Speed Force and Still Force. This is a brilliant way to explore how gender and sexuality can transcend the binary, with the art within the Still Force having a fluid, ethereal feel to it. Circuit Breaker's greens also contrast against the warm yellows and reds of The Flash, creating a vibrant comic and capturing how these heroes complement one another. This chapter also relies a lot on an internal monologue, and Bidikar spaces the captions out to go with the flow of the art.
DC Pride #1 once again delivers a short yet sweet anthology that is a celebration of the queer community and the heroes representing it. It offers a diverse range of stories, some on the more silly side, like "And Baby Makes Three" and "Team Work Makes the Dream Work," and some being more grounded, like "Anniversary" and "Hey, Stranger." There is something for everyone in this comic, and it's a must-read for Pride 2023.