An entertaining and uplifting LGBTQ+ take on a Shakespearean classic.
Romance and adolescent hijinks abound in Chase’s LGBTQ+ YA graphic novel.
Hero, who uses the pronoun they, is nervous about their first day as a “freshie” at Messina High, despite being the principal’s kid. But they have their cousin Beatriz for support and even sign up for a school club: the Queer Student Alliance. It only gets better when they have a run-in with sophomore Claudio. While the two hit it off, there’s an unexpected obstacle—Beatriz doesn’t like the idea of Hero with Claudio, as he’s friends with her jock ex-boyfriend, Ben, who feels the same way about this potential union. There may be something still there between the former couple, so what’s to stop Hero, Claudio, and a few of their friends from somehow manipulating them into falling back in love? Meanwhile, perpetually sullen juniors DJ, Roach, and Connie dream up a plan to stick it to Messina, where everyone is, in their estimation, “so uptight.” Unfortunately, their scheme involves Hero and Claudio, and could very well bring their flourishing romance to a sad halt. Chase has fun reinterpreting William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, from the masquerade homecoming dance to variations on character names. Knowing the play isn’t a prerequisite, as this graphic novel touches on such relatable topics as identity, bullying, and friendship turning into sexual attraction. The diverse cast offers an inclusive message as the story showcases kids of different races, body types, and sexual identities all getting along (or trying to). The school setting is used to get effect; there are plenty of student-made flyers/posters, comedic scenes that unfold in the cafeteria or the locker room, and a guidance counselor who’s better at trotting out her impressive vocabulary than advising kids. Illustrator Stelladia and colorist Ellie Wright’s artwork adds rich hues (vibrant backdrops, Hero’s lavender hair) and sprightly panel design, as when the gym’s open doors form a panel of their own.
An entertaining and uplifting LGBTQ+ take on a Shakespearean classic.Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
ISBN: 9781545820827
Page Count: 175
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios / Maverick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Mercurial and cartoonishly violent but enjoyable thanks to its exuberance.
The lives of two high school students become intertwined as trails of pain and destruction are left in their wake following the All-City Karate Tournament.
It’s love at first sight for awkward Benjamin Harrison High student Don Jones when he’s pitted against Lincoln High’s Samantha Steadman for a shot at the finals in the local karate tournament. After Sam quickly defeats Don, he asks her on a date, and the two instantly connect, leading to a follow-up at prom. All is well until Don’s murderous ex-girlfriend, Astor Violenzia, shows up to the after-party, and chaos ensues. Broken into three unpredictable and highly energetic acts—with key and unexpected moments occurring off page—the story feels like a playful tribute to ’80s pop culture that’s gone off the rails. The dramatic fight sequences offer a head nod to Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim series. The violence, which drives the story forward, can come across as gratuitous but is in line with the narrative’s cheeky nature, while the characters subvert the expectations of their stereotypes. Fiery orange coloring and plentiful action lines match the story’s fast pace. Sam has light blond hair and tan skin; Don has brown skin and Afro-textured hair. Diverse body types and skin tones are represented among the cast members.
Mercurial and cartoonishly violent but enjoyable thanks to its exuberance. (Graphic fiction. 13-17)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9781250868657
Page Count: 176
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
Funny, heartfelt, and absolutely adorable.
A queer love triangle leads to an unexpected romance.
Belle Hawkins, high school senior and school mascot (she wanted a role where she didn’t have to show her face), finally finds the courage to ask out her crush, confident head cheerleader Regina Moreno. But she learns Gina already has a girlfriend, star athlete Chloe Kitagawa. Meanwhile, Gina has a Ten-Year Plan, and she refuses to let Chloe get them off track by failing her English class. Knowing Belle would be keen to please her, Gina gets her to tutor Chloe. Turns out, Belle and Chloe were friends when they were kids. As the school year progresses, Chloe and Gina’s relationship has its ups and downs, their friendships with Belle grow, and Belle’s romantic feelings change. With a palette of pink hues and strong black outlines, the cartoon art uses exaggerated elements for comedic effect and to cue heightened emotions. The three leads have well-developed personalities and are all lovingly imperfect and relatable. They are physically distinct with notably different body shapes, styles of gender expression, and ethnicities. Belle appears White and is cued Jewish, Chloe’s name implies Japanese heritage, and Gina is Brazilian American. Queerness is normalized, and the shifting dynamics of queer women between friendships and romantic partnerships are accurately depicted, making the happy ending believable. There’s enough conflict to propel the plot and give space for growth, but overall, this low-stakes tale feels like a warm, charming hug.
Funny, heartfelt, and absolutely adorable. (Graphic romance. 13-18)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-78412-4
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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