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A review by bellisk
Beyond II: The Queer Post-Apocalyptic & Urban Fantasy Comic Anthology by Taneka Stotts, Sfé R. Monster
5.0
If it’s possible, I loved this book even more than the first Beyond anthology. The stories and art span a vast array of moods and settings: from carefree adventure to matters of life or death; from subtle, almost wordless sequences of characters wandering through a changed natural world, to bustling urban tales filled with energy and visual jokes. Although I pre-ordered the book during its kickstarter, I only got around to reading it now, in a Pride month that’s been a bit more difficult than usual. It’s restorative to read such a broad collection of stories that feature queer people front and centre, with no unnecessary justifications.
My favourite story was Karana by Bishakh Som, the vignette of a group of space-travelling hijras made truly special by the fine characterisation in Som’s art. I also loved The Core by Jenelle Elizabeth and Danae Wilding, a sweet depiction of friendship as well as the intersection of online dating and magical summoning. Really, though, it feels wrong to choose favourites when everything was so good!
This is a book I’ll reread and lend out time and again, whenever my friends and I need the magic of a good story or of knowing we’re not alone in the world.
My favourite story was Karana by Bishakh Som, the vignette of a group of space-travelling hijras made truly special by the fine characterisation in Som’s art. I also loved The Core by Jenelle Elizabeth and Danae Wilding, a sweet depiction of friendship as well as the intersection of online dating and magical summoning. Really, though, it feels wrong to choose favourites when everything was so good!
This is a book I’ll reread and lend out time and again, whenever my friends and I need the magic of a good story or of knowing we’re not alone in the world.