Four Queer Comics and Graphic Novels for National Comic Book Day

A stack of four queer comics and graphic novels at Gay City: Seattle's LGBTQ Center, gathered for National Comic Book Day

Not to be confused with Free Comic Book Day in May, National Comic Book Day falls on September 25! Our LGBTQ library (the largest in the Pacific Northwest) has over 300 comic books and graphic novels, which are free to check out at any time. This day is all about honoring the art, artists, fans, and readers of this genre, so stop by, take a look at our collection, and check out a few to read. If you’re short on browsing time, here are four comics and graphic novels from our library worth a read:


Dates!

Dates! an anthology of Queer historical fiction stories edited by Zora Gilbert and Cat Parra is pictured sitting in Gay City's LGBTQ+ library

Edited by Zora Gilbert and Cat Parra

Dates! is an anthology of queer historical fiction stories. Together the authors gathered over 30 creators together to create nearly 30 stories and illustrations about queer people living life throughout time and across the world. Dates has over 170 pages of brand new content with beautiful full-color comic book covers and illustrations, black and white comic pages, and even two short prose stories.


My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness

By Nagata Kabi

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is an honest and heartfelt look at one young woman’s exploration of her sexuality, mental well-being, and growing up in our modern age. Told using expressive artwork that invokes both laughter and tears, this moving and highly entertaining single volume depicts not only the artist’s burgeoning sexuality, but many other personal aspects of her life that will resonate with readers.

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, a graphic novel by Nagata Kabi is pictured in Gay City's library


The Prince and the Dressmaker

The Prince and the Dressmaker, a graphic novel by Tara Avery and Jeanne Thornton is pictured in Gay City's library on top of a book shelf

By Jen Wang

Taking place in Paris at the dawn of the modern age, Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion.

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.


We’re Still Here: An All-Trans Comics Anthology

We're Still Here. An All Trans Comics Anthology edited by Tara Avery and Jeanne Thornton, pictured with books in the background, in Gay City's LGBTQ library

By Tara Avery and Jeanne Thornton

The first anthology of its kind, We’re Still Here offers dozens of new stories that render trans experiences in comic book form: some fiction, some nonfiction, some sad, some thoughtful, some funny, some bizarre, all authentic.