The artwork was a bit too childish but it did work for the cute story. I related to the main character being shy and awkward in a new school. I also enjoyed the magic the story provided. Not sure if I'll continue only because I have a lot of comics to catch up on & read.

Representation matters, glad the main character is a poc. I hope this series continues. ( )

The artwork was a bit too childish but it did work for the cute story. I related to the main character being shy and awkward in a new school. I also enjoyed the magic the story provided. Not sure if I'll continue only because I have a lot of comics to catch up on & read.

Representation matters, glad the main character is a poc. I hope this series continues. ( )

I got this via NetGalley, it says it's a sample of [book:The Backstagers, Vol. 1|32898210], but it's really just the first issue, so I don't think I should write the review for the whole volume.

And. I really don't have much to say. It is wonderful and I love it! I've seen Backstagers described as "Lumberjanes but with boys", and that seems to be very accurate, but in the best way possible.

It's set in an all boys high school, but the protagonist isn't super fond of being there, and he triiies to join the drama club, but ends up having an adventure in the super weird magical-monstery world under the school with the backstage kids, who are a fluffy bunch of very queer coded nerds and I love them. If I had to choose I a favourite, it would definitely be Sasha, who is very much the equivalent to Ripley in Lumberjanes. But honestly they are all great.

While the absence of girls could end up being a problem (think: anime that seems great as long as no girls appear, but horribly sexist as soon as they do), that is not what I'm expecting from what I've read. Instead, I think this might end up being a wonderful exploration of nonhegemonic/queer/feminist masculinities.

With a cute color scheme and very cute monsters. I am so sold. ( )