Five Comics (and One YA Novel) Featuring Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Characters
LGBTQ+ characters have always existed in comics, from self-published zines of the past to mainstream comics of today.
These titles, which all include trans and gender non-conforming characters, touch on a variety of themes and span a variety of genres.
For the quiet, moody, and romantic…On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
Tillie Walden made her name in comics when she released Spinning, a memoir of her adolescence working to become a figure skater. Now, she takes her patient, reflective style to an outer-space setting of teenage maintenance workers in On a Sunbeam.
As new recruit Mia joins the team to repair crumbling monuments in the void of space, she has time to reflect on the love and heartbreak that brought her here. Like in Spinning, Walden’s focus is girlhood—its traumas, joys, tenderness, and darkness—binding the emotions of her characters together. But On a Sunbeam differs from most girlhood titles by taking a subtly queer (one might say, non-binary) approach to the subject.
In addition to one prominent non-binary supporting character, Walden’s presentation of girlhood is not an exclusive category, but an emotional range of contradictions. Though most of the characters are cis girls, they embrace queer dispositions, from adopting gender-neutral nicknames (Char, Jules, and Ell) to taking on gender creative and androgynous appearances. At the core of the story is a queer romance, and Walden allows this to permeate the book, presenting a girlhood that is available to everyone and can be felt by anyone.
There are many speculative stories of women-only settings, but Walden has created something special by suggesting gender may mean something very different among a found family of girls who love each other.
For the bold, stylish, and youthful…The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Writer/artist Jen Wang’s art is colorful and meticulous, so it’s no wonder she would eventually make a fashion-themed book. In a setting inspired by 19th century Europe, Frances is a poor tailor who dreams of making dresses for high society. She gets her shot when she is hired by a mysterious member of the royal family… Prince Sebastian, who secretly peruses the Bohemian nightlife as Lady Crystallia, and needs a dressmaker to work in secret.
Though there are no explicitly trans characters in the book, Sebastian’s need for self-expression, and to be seen for who he is while living in secret from his conservative parents, are easily relatable for any reader who worries the world would shun who they are most comfortable being. Wang’s bright illustrations and incredible designs for Frances’ work are eye candy for any fashionista, young or old. The central story—the maybe-it’s-just-friendship love between Frances and Sebastian—is perfectly tailored around the drive of two young people who experience bold ambitions for the first time, and search for the best way to express who they are.
For the hardworking, curious, and bombastic…The Backstagers by James Tynion IV
The world of high school theater is a familiar place (one might say stereotypical) to find queer stories. But this series by James Tynion IV and Rian Sygh throws in a little twist: this story is about the stagehands! There's also magical Narnia-worlds behind the curtain that Jory and his new friends can use to put on the best production ever too.
Imagine Sailor Moon crossed with High School Musical, set in an all-boys’ school and aimed squarely at boys, and you get something of a compliment to On a Sunbeam. The Backstagers is loaded with pastels, romance, people expressing their feelings, and big, flamboyant tenderness that never succumbs to self-deprecating camp. It takes pride in its all-male cast getting to act like real boys, with feelings and relationships that aren’t welcome in hyper-masculine spaces.
One of Jory’s new friends, Beckett, is a trans man who transferred from an all-girls’ school, but is also just one part of the books’ rejection of traditional gender roles. This is for any boy who would dream of being in a shoujo drama as much as being a superhero.
For the big-hearted, adventurous, and gregarious…Steven Universe comics
Rebecca Sugar’s acclaimed animated series continues in the comic series, with Steven and the Crystal Gems taking a more slice-of-life approach to storytelling as they break from their fight against the Diamond Authority from the show. The strengths of the show are all present in the comic: Steven’s compassion and warmth are welcome breaks from the snotty, aggressive dudes who fill children’s shows aimed at boys. The fact that all he wants to do is emulate the Crystal Gems (all of whom are non-binary women, albeit magical alien ones) is welcome, as one of the few male characters in the cast who embraces some of his girlishness.
The comic might be even friendlier to the gender-creative reader, with chapters like Stevonnie (a genderqueer fusion of Steven and his best friend) going on a prom date and dealing with the not-at-all subtle struggles of dating while trans. Where the show explores queerness with presentation styles and romance, the comic dives directly into it, using the series’ impressionistic manner of storytelling to examine trans and non-binary identities as they relate to everything from big decisions (child-rearing and relationships) to everyday life (figuring out what clothes best match your feelings on a given day). Though all the comics are great, the best come from non-binary author Melanie Gilman.
For the meditative, worldly, and wise beyond their years…Wandering Son series by Takako Shimura
It’s safe to say that manga has taken over the world. With so many titles, with so many volumes (does One Piece have like 89 volumes at this point?), a number of titles have played with gender, sometimes with characters explicitly changing genders. But unlike the fantastical spell in Ranma ½, Takako Shimura’s Wandering Son is a piece of realism, starring a trans boy and trans girl as its protagonists.
With 15 volumes under its belt as of this writing, Shimura has taken to examining plenty of relevant topics for its mostly trans cast, most notably a great examination of what puberty means to trans people that avoids the tropes of body horror and, instead, looks at regular teenage anxiety. Best of all, protagonists Shuichi and Yoshino are not alone in their struggles, getting help from trans adults who serve the rare role of queer mentor.
It’s the supportive environment that makes the story so refreshing: where most stories aimed at any age depict transness as a world of loneliness and hostility, Shuichi and Yoshino more often encounter curiosity from others that turns into sympathy and support. All of it is tied together in Shimura’s art, which is classically manga but pared down in terms of detail, giving every character a somewhat androgynous appearance along with softness to their composure. When the characters begin to experiment with their gender expression, the art can’t help but celebrate the joy and even initial awkwardness that comes with figuring yourself out. The term "cross-dressing" need never apply.
For the fabulous, twisted, and disturbed…The Wicked + the Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
Rock 'n' roll, 80s dance pop, and the entire world of 21st century teenage stars are ripe ground for the worst of patriarchy, as well as its most unapologetic violators. Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s wildly popular urban fantasy series sheds light on that and much more, telling the story of the latest version of The Pantheon.
Every 90 years, 12 teenagers are given the powers of the gods, and are free to reign however they want. But they only have two years to be worshipped before they must die. And in 2014, people worship pop stars.
Though the book is not as explicitly queer-focused as other titles on this list, it’s refreshing to see a series aimed at all teenagers reflect actual diversity, not mere tokenism. Whether it’s the twink/hunk pairing of Inanna and Baal, the clash between the female and gay members against the misogynist Woden, or that there's a major character trans man of color on page 4, "WicDiv" reminds us the proper teenage rebellion is a queer one, with a great mystery pulling its plot along.
Bonus: For the superhero fan…The Nemesis series
In this day and age, a comics list would not be complete without one superhero title. But trans characters are rare in superhero comics and almost never the central character. But you could turn to the world of YA prose novels to sink your teeth into April Daniels’ Dreadnought and its sequel, Sovereign.
Danny Tozer is a closeted trans girl struggling through the hazy depression of puberty. She also lives in a world full of superheroes and, as luck would have it, she ends up inheriting powers of the hero Dreadnought when he crash lands next to her after a fatal battle.
Dreadnought’s powers transform Danny into a superhuman, but also change her body to match her inner state, much to the shock of her disapproving friends and family. Superhero origin stories are so numerous that it’s hard to stand out among the pack, but by tying Danny’s transition directly to her powers, Daniels breathes fresh air into the premise.
The underlying appeal of superhero power fantasies spills over into the fantasy that many trans teenagers have of getting to live as their true selves. In Danny’s story, getting to use the right bathroom, and being rid of extra body hair, feels just as amazing and empowering as her lessons in flying and super strength. The sequel dives further into the world of superheroes and sees Danny grow into an independent woman with a found family that cares for her. If you’re sick of superheroes but still like the appeal, this might be what you’ve been waiting for.
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