I’m not sure how I came across this one. I think after finishing Bloom I wanted more LGBT (emphasis on G, because well obviously) graphic novels/works. I didn’t realize these were comics more in the line of Fence than Bloom and Check, Please! That being said it was a fun quick read.
The plot I don’t think has fully been developed in these first three issues (it’s a compilation) and so that left something to be desired. I liked the characters, the Backstagers were of course wonderful and the actors were annoying, and the setting is intense and I have no idea what’s going on there, but based on the pretty heavy foreshadowing I’m guessing I’ll learn more.
The illustration style is wonderful and reminds me of a cross somewhere around Steven Universe and Gravity Falls, both of which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I like that there’s quite a bit of diversity in these, but I’m also a bit concerned at how uber developed the seniors seem to be in comparison to the first years. I guess that was the case in high school, but it was SO. LONG. AGO. I don’t really remember anymore. I haven’t quite figured out the LGBT angle, I mean I guess it was there with the stage managers, but is it going to be more explicit and/or obvious? I mean I miss a lot of cues. Oh hey, stage joke 😀
Recommendation: Worth the read—I think. It’s a bit odd and I’m not really sure how I feel about it. It would probably be better if you read the entire series back to back versus one at a time. I’ll try reading The Show Must Go On (Vol. 2) and Encore (Vol. 3) back to back to see if that helps any.
3 thoughts on “Book 638: The Backstagers: Rebels Without Applause (The Backstagers #1) – James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh, and Walter Baiamonte”