REVIEW: DC Pride #1 2023
DC Pride #1 2023
DC Comics continues their yearly tradition of celebrating a wide-range of characters with this week’s release of DC Pride #1 2023. The issue features a variety of stories focusing on LGBTQIA+ characters from the DC Universe, including Dreamer, Batwoman, Aqualad, Alysia Yeoh, and more.
The issue opens with a very poignant and personal foreword by Phil Jimenez, who discusses the importance of representation in comics. I found myself with goosebumps while reading through his 2-page note as I felt so much of my own personal experiences seeped in his words. He reflects on the word “queer” — what it means to him and what it might mean in the queer-forward world of the DC Universe. He also doesn’t shy away from commenting on the political landscape that currently exists in America, noting the unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws being passed at the state and local level this year.
“Transcending the ordinary — that’s what being queer is all about.”
This year’s Pride issue features 10 stories from a diverse group of writers, including Grant Morrison, Leah Williams, Jeremy Holt, and Christopher Cantwell. Interspersed between these stories are gorgeous pinups by the likes of Babs Tarr, Maria Llovet, and Angel Solorzano, among others. There is also a touching tribute to Rachel Pollack who was previously a writer for Doom Patrol. For those unfamiliar, Rachel, a transwoman, passed away earlier this year before she was able to finish authoring a short story for this very issue.
“I’m tired of these small-minded asshats.”
Perhaps the mentions of today’s political landscape in Phil Jimenez’s foreword fresh was still fresh my mind, but one of the standout stories for me was “Anniversary” by the creative team of Josh Trujillo, Don Aguillo, and Lucas Gattoni. In this story, Apollo and Midnighter help defend a Pride rally from protestors. Faced with the vile hatred from these bigots, the married gay couple go through two different thought processes on how they should handle the situation. Midnighter is ready to phsyically fight back, while Apollo approaches the situation with a more pragmatic mindset. Green Lantern shows up to remind Midnighter of the progress the LGBTQIA+ community has made and that there are other ways of showing how strong we are and that nobody can stop us from pushing for even more progress.
“Anniversary” written by Josh Trujillo with art by Don Aguillo
The story is short and simple, but it uniquely personifies the current angst many of us feel at the moment. There are days I wake up to the news of another piece of hateful legislation being passed and I feel completely helpless, wanting to do nothing more than rage. But then I remember that this is exactly how those who hate us want us to feel and I’m motivated to keep fighting the ways I know bring change — voting, advocating, and donating to organizations fighting these hateful laws in court.
If the story itself is based in today’s current climate, Anguillo’s artwork does a beautiful job featuring homages to LGBTQIA+ activists past and present. The pages are filled with absolutely striking imagery and could convey the entire story on it’s own if they decided to opt for a textless tale.
Heartfelt humor
On the other end of the spectrum, though with no less important of a message to share, is the hilarious “And Baby Makes Three” by the team of Leah Williams, Paulina Ganucheau, and Frank Cvetkovic. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy play “mama” to Crush, who crash landed near Dinosaur Island while on her way back to Earth. She makes her way to land and interrupts Harley & Ivy’s romantic getaway. Much like Glinda’s exuberance while helping Elphaba become “popular” in Wicked, Harley is beyond excited to take Crush under her wing. Mixed in between the hilarity is a very touching conversation between Crush & Ivy that showcases the true meaning of love and how two completely different people can still be a perfect match.
The dialogue from Williams is approachable without being patronizing and lets the characters be themselves without feeling as though they’re being forced to say things they wouldn’t. Ganucheau’s art is a Lisa Frank blast of a fun, with bubblegum pink never being used more in so few pages. Though I’d have gladly flipped through even more of this heartwarming story.
Conclusion
DC Pride #1 2023 is a must-read for ALL fans of DC Comics, not just those within the LGBTQIA+ community. The issue is a celebration of diversity and representation, and it features some of the best writing and artwork in any entries of the DC Pride anthology. After taking criticism in recent years for only waiting until these issues to celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories, DC Comics has come a long way in keeping these stories on pages all-year round, which has taken the pressure off these one-off issues and seemingly made them even better.
DC Pride #1 2023 main cover art by Mateus Manhanini
