The Backstagers Vol. 1

Backstagers is one of the most refreshing, honestly enjoyable, and instantly lovable pieces I've ever read.

I've been reading Backstagers ever since August when #1 was released. It is a consistent item on my pull list and it is something I always look forward to reading, It is an absolute shame that this comic is only getting 8 issues, but I'm thankful I got to read it at all.

Backstagers centers on just that, high school kids who are the stage crew in their school theatre club. They build sets, are light technicians, and adventure into the magic world that is backstage.

The world Tynion and Sygh have built is one of magic and intrigue, but also an honest one. There's no homophobia or transphobia here, which is delightful, as some writers think this is one of the main ways to add conflict to a story. Tynion and Sygh know that they don't need to do that. They have secret rooms hidden behind doors, they have the intrigue of the stage managers, they have the possibility of adventure instead. The colours are wonderful and it's so easy to picture myself there with the backstagers.

All of the characters are likable and so adorable. I love every single one of them and it's just an absolute delight to see what they all get up to. They're real and fleshed out and they make mistakes. They're the kind of characters I could interact with every day. They're young kids trying to figure things out, and sometimes they may do the wrong thing, but they learn from it and I think that's an incredibly important message.

If you love theatre: read this!
If you want LGBTQIA+ and POC rep: read this!
If you want an all ages comic with twists and turns: read this!

If you're looking for the next great all-ages adventure comic in the vein of "Lumberjanes," then "Backstagers" is what you're looking for! The writing is comedic, the art and the colors are phenomenal, and they all make for a wonderful reading experience! I can't wait to read more!

I requested this because I thought it was the bind-up volume to be released in July. I normally do not review single issue comics, because it’s too difficult to get a good reading of them, especially the first volume in an entire series. That being said, I still really loved this, and I have even higher hopes for the actual first volume.

Basically, this is Lumberjanes with an all boy cast. And the best thing about this issue, like Lumberjanes, is the amazing representation in this very diverse cast of kids. I’m all for representation, and it is good to note that the writer, James Tynion IV, is openly Bisexual and the artist, Rian Sygh, is openly Trans.

And I very openly support Own Voices.

In this issue we are introduced to our main character, Jory, who has recently moved to a new city, which means he is now going to a new school. His new school is an all-boys school, and Jory isn’t the biggest fan of it so far. He feels like an outcast, isn’t making any friends, and just longs for a place to belong like many of us do when we are in high school. He thinks he will never find that place, until he stumbles upon the stage crew of the theater club!

These Backstagers make Jory feel like he finally has a home to escape to. Oh, and they also stumble upon some secret doorways to different places that look magical, so I’m all for reading more and exploring those.

Obviously the theme of being yourself and valuing your individuality is very present in this comic, but it also talks about finding others and creating healthy and lasting friendships of value, and that’s something really important to me. I for sure want to venture deeper into this world and see what else it has to offer. The art is beautiful, the characters are wonderful, and the representation is amazing. I really can’t recommend this enough.