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Shaderunners Cover
Title: Shaderunners
Creators: Format: Webcomic
Color: Black and White
Romanciness: Romantic Elements
Tags: historical fantasy character of color queer
Where to Buy or Read:

Read the Webcomic!

(Also, a little shop with some 18+ extras)

Synopsis from the Creator:

A thousand years ago, the last colour in the world faded to grey. Now, after the great archaeological discovery of Queen Sorizahana’s shade-stocked tomb, it stands ready to enter the world again. Ironwell City will become the birthplace of the burgeoning colour industry, where colour is pumped out of factories, poured into perfumed bottles and sold at exorbitant prices to those wealthy enough to afford the luxury.

At least, that’s the plan according to the Five Financiers of the Sorizahana excavation.

One part Prohibition fantasy, one part Robin Hood, and a whole lot of epic heist, Shaderunners follows a group of ragtag bootleggers and bohemians who band together in an effort to steal colour from the wealthy echelons of Ironwell’s high society. Among them: a philosopher, a puppeteer, a gutter rat, an opera singer, a naval officer and a hopeless romantic. Together, they run The Glass Dial, former watch shop and future night club, where all the house drinks run red.

Speak easy, pal, ‘cause the road to ruin is paved with good intentions.


Shout Out Cover
Title: Shout Out
Creators: Format: EBook Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: LGBTQ+ Elements
Heat: PG13
Tags: queer lesbian gay nonbinary asexual transgender bisexual fantasy sci-fi historical aromantic queerplatonic
Where to Buy or Read:

TO Comix Press

Synopsis from the Creator:

Bold queer heroes seize the spotlight!

Join us on the adventures of young demon hunters, star-crossed Viking lovers, and cyberpunk street artists as we invite you into new worlds where brave heroes with diverse queer identities demonstrate the strength of their hearts and the power of their dreams!

Find your place alongside ace necromancers, glamorous jazz musicians, fey outsiders, friendly monsters, and a superhero still finding his way out of the phone booth.

Spotlighting the work of diverse voices, this collection includes Kieron Gillen(The Wicked + The Divine), Kelly & Nichole Matthews (Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy), Killian Ng​​ (Legend of Korra: Turf Wars), and many others.

Our stories have heroes who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, two-spirit, and asexual, from creators who share those identities.


Smut Peddler Presents: Silver Cover
Title: Smut Peddler Presents: Silver
Creators: Format: EBook Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: Romantic Elements
Heat: NSFW
Tags: queer trans romance erotica erotic nsfw nonbinary gay lesbian seasoned silver fox fantasy contemporary historical
Where to Buy or Read:

If you'd like to buy a copy of this book, please consider buying directly from Iron Circus (only place outside of Kickstarter to get the digital version) or using one of these affiliate links to support the site: Amazon ◊ BookshopBarnes & Noble

Synopsis from the Creator:

It only gets better with age! The latest in the Smut Peddler series of high-end erotic anthologies, Silver shines the spotlight on grande dames and silver foxes. Whether you’re drawn to graying hair or eyes that sparkle with wisdom, this collection of spicy sci-fi, fiery fairy tales, and all manner of down-to-earth fantasies is exclusively for those with a taste for experienced hands.

Love In Panels' Review:

Review of Silver


Stage Dreams Cover
Title: Stage Dreams
Creators: Format: EBook Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: Definitely a Romance
Heat: PG13
Tags: queer character of color trans character Latinx western historical
Where to Buy or Read:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Buy it at Your Local Comic Shop!

Synopsis from the Creator:

In this rollicking queer western adventure, acclaimed cartoonist Melanie Gillman (Stonewall Award Honor Book As the Crow Flies) puts readers in the saddle alongside Flor and Grace, a Latinx outlaw and a trans runaway, as they team up to thwart a Confederate plot in the New Mexico Territory. When Flor—also known as the notorious Ghost Hawk—robs the stagecoach that Grace has used to escape her Georgia home, the first thing on her mind is ransom. But when the two get to talking about Flor's plan to crash a Confederate gala and steal some crucial documents, Grace convinces Flor to let her join the heist.


The Daughters of Ys Cover
Title: The Daughters of Ys
Creators: Format: EBook Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: Romantic Elements
Heat: R
Tags: sisters fantasy folktale retelling historical magic
Where to Buy or Read:

If you'd like to purchase a copy of this book, please consider using one of these links to support the site: AmazonApple BooksBarnes & NobleBookshopKobo

Synopsis from the Creator:

An Atlantis-like city from Celtic legend is the setting of The Daughters of Ys, a mythical graphic novel fantasy from National Book Award winner M. T. Anderson and artist Jo Rioux.

Ys, city of wealth and wonder, has a history of dark secrets. Queen Malgven used magic to raise the great walls that keep Ys safe from the tumultuous sea. But after the queen's inexplicable death, her daughters drift apart. Rozenn, the heir to the throne, spends her time on the moors communing with wild animals, while Dahut, the youngest, enjoys the splendors of royal life and is eager to take part in palace intrigue.

When Rozenn and Dahut's bond is irrevocably changed, the fate of Ys is sealed, exposing the monsters that lurk in plain view. M. T. Anderson and Jo Rioux reimagine this classic Breton folktale of love, loss, and rebirth, revealing the secrets that lie beneath the surface.

Love In Panels' Review:

Review of The Daughters of Ys


The Dreamer Cover
Title: The Dreamer
Creators: Format: Webcomic Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: Definitely a Romance
Heat: PG13
Tags: straight historical time-slip
Where to Buy or Read:

Read it as a webcomic here.

Buy print from IDW

Buy print at Amazon: (Vol 1) (Vol 2) (Vol 3)

Synopsis from the Creator:

Beatrice “Bea” Whaley seems to have it all; the seventeen year old high school senior is beautiful, wealthy and the star performer of the drama club. And with her uncle’s connections to Broadway theater, the future looks bright ahead of her. Little does she know that her future might actually be brighter behind her. Bea begins having vivid dreams about a brave and handsome soldier named Alan Warren–a member of an elite group known as Knowlton’s Rangers that served during the Revolutionary War. Prone to keeping her head in the clouds, Bea welcomes her nightly adventures in 1776; filled with danger and romance they give her much to muse about the next day. But it is not long before Beatrice questions whether her dreams are simply dreams or something more. Each night they pick up exactly where the last one ended. And the senses–the smell of musket shots and cannons, the screams of soldiers in agony, and that kiss–are all far more real than any dream she can remember.

Love In Panels' Review:

THE DREAMER turned 10 years old this Independence Day. That's 10 years of Revolutionary War nerdery and romance! Like pretty much anything having to do with American history, I have complicated feelings, but I think this comic has figured out what it is and does that pretty darn well. It's worth noting that this comic came before Hamilton, but has all the names you'd expect to see dropped, like Hercules Mulligan and Alexander Hamilton.

What It Is:

A time-slip story with a teenage protagonist who quite literally dreams herself into the early days of the Revolutionary War. There's a strong parallel between the literal dreaming that she's doing and the metaphorical dreaming of the rebels as they envision a future for their new country.

Peppered with references to battles, historical people of note, and uniforms/attire that much have been dreadful to illustrate, the story feels well-researched and educational as well as fantastical.

The romance is confusing at times, as Beatrice doesn't remember the life she had in the past, or her relationship with Alan, just that some part of her loves him. She tries to stay interested in present-day Ben, but it's hard for her to do so when she's visiting another man every night in her dreams. Any confusion felt by the reader is likely that of Bea, trying to sort out what she should feel and what she does feel.

What It Isn't:

A treatise on race or on the roles of free and enslaved African-Americans in the war. The heroine's best friend in the modern day story, Yvette, is dark-skinned, as is her present-day love interest, Ben. In 1776, however, we see people of color only in serving roles, and a couple as soldiers. If you're looking for a story that will emphasize the parts played by PoC in the war, this isn't the place to go.

It's also not a story in which the main character is perfect. She kind of sucks a lot of the time, to be frank. She's selfish, treats Ben, her friends, and her family poorly, and generally acts like a self-centered teenager. BUT she also appears to be growing as a person. She's realized how her actions are not only unhelpful, but pretty destructive. If you start the comic and hate her, know that she does, in fact, get better.

What made me keep reading is that this is also not a HELL YEAH AMERICA story. The characters, particularly Alan, are conflicted about the toll the war is taking on the populace. Are stamps really worth this many lives? There's very little emphasis on American exceptionalism, with more focus on liberty and self-governance.

Miscellany:

The art is clean and beautifully colored, though some of the numerous white men in uniform eventually blur together (this may be entirely on me). I bought the first volume digitally, which was I believe 5 issues. As of 7/6/17, I couldn't buy the next volumes digital, but all three are available in print or you can do as I did and read the rest as a webcomic.

As for the research, creator Lora Innes has a "Library" tab on her site, where you can find a bunch of the research and supplemental materials she's used while creating this comic.

THE DREAMER is still running, updating 3x a week. If you're curious, A couple of issues worth of reading will give you a good idea of whether you'll like the comic as a whole.


The Prince and The Dressmaker Cover
Title: The Prince and The Dressmaker
Creators: Format: EBook Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: Definitely a Romance
Heat: PG13
Tags: coming of age historical queer
Where to Buy or Read:

Amazon

Kobo

iBooks

Water Street Bookstore

And wherever you buy your books!

Synopsis from the Creator:

Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.


The Sun Prince, the Saint, and the Changeling Cover
Title: The Sun Prince, the Saint, and the Changeling
Creators: Format: Webcomic EBook
Color: Black and White
Romanciness: Definitely a Romance
Heat: R
Tags: gay historical mystery queer
Where to Buy or Read:

Read or buy the comic here!

Synopsis from the Creator:
15th century Europe — To foster good relations with its southern territories, the Holy Roman Empire has been sending one of its princes on yearly visits to the Kingdom of Italy.

Tomas is the son of a powerful Sienese family who have the privilege of hosting the royal visits. He’s been spending his summers with prince Emil at a remote family estate in Civita. But Emil is an ostentatious, spoiled brat, and Tomas couldn’t care less for such “honor.” The only thing that makes the whole situation bearable is another boy in prince’s retinue. Matthias is everything Emil is not: kind, easy going, and makes for good company; nicknamed “St. Matthias” for his God given ability to ease the effects of prince’s grating personality.Having to play nice with royalty is a pain, but Tomas’ true worry is a private one—he’s unfulfilled in his romantic life. Relationships seem so complicated. Pessimistic about anything long term, he’s equally unenthusiastic about the casual life of a bachelor. But…what else is there?Contemplation leads him stumbling into unexpected feelings for Matthias, his childhood friend. Consumed by this newly discovered attraction, and eager to forget his woes, Tomas dreams of a fun, uncomplicated summer romance.But what awaits him is anything but simple. The young men who return to Italy the following summer are not the Matthias and Emil that Tomas once knew. Both have changed in unexpected ways, and more importantly, both are hiding something. Tomas soon finds himself drawn into a mystery spanning two years and three hearts—one of which is his own.

The Sun Prince, The Saint and the Changeling is a Renaissance romance with modern sensibilities. It’s an original BL graphic novel by Chama.

Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron von Steuben Cover
Title: Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron von Steuben
Creators: Format: EBook Print
Color: Color
Romanciness: LGBTQ+ Elements
Heat: PG13
Tags: queer gay historical biography nonfiction war military
Where to Buy or Read:

If you'd like to purchase a copy of this book, please buy from your LCS or consider using one of these links to support the site:

 AmazonKobo

Synopsis from the Creator:

A graphic novel biography of Baron von Steuben, the soldier, immigrant, and flamboyant homosexual who influenced the course of US history during the Revolutionary War despite being omitted from our textbooks

In this graphic novel biography, author Josh Trujillo and illustrator Levi Hastings tell the true story of one of the most important, but largely forgotten, military leaders of the American Revolution, Baron Von Steuben, who brought much-needed knowledge to the inexperienced and ill-prepared Continental Army. As its first Inspector General, Von Steuben created an organizational framework for the US military, which included writing the Blue Book guide that became the standard for training American soldiers for more than a century.

Von Steuben was also, by all accounts, a flamboyant homosexual in an era when the term didn’t even exist. Beginning with Von Steuben’s career in the Prussian Army, Trujillo explores his recruitment by Benjamin Franklin, his work alongside General George Washington at Valley Forge, and his eventual decline into obscurity. In Washington’s Gay General, Trujillo and Hastings impart both the intricacies of queer history and the importance of telling stories that highlight queer experiences.

Love In Panels' Review:Review of Washington's Gay General

Windrose Cover
Title: Windrose
Creators: Format: Webcomic EBook Print
Color: Black and White
Romanciness: Romantic Elements
Heat: PG13
Tags: pirates historical fantasy love triangle lesbian straight
Synopsis from the Creator:

It's the 17th Century, and the powers of Europe are struggling violently for dominion over the oceans. Danielle, daughter of a Spanish lady and a French merchant, flees her constrictive upper-class life when she receives a disturbing letter from her father, entrusting her with a strange miniature astrolabe. But on her way from Barcelona to Marseille, her life is threatened, she nearly drowns, and she is befriended by a handsome pair of travelers...but Angeline and Leon are definitely not what they claim to be.

By acclaimed comic creation team Studio Kôsen, Danielle's journey from the palaces of Western Europe to the heart of the Ottoman Empire will prove to be more dangerous, and more thrilling, than she ever could have imagined!

Love In Panels' Review:

Windrose seems to be going for a slow burn romance between two of the main characters, and I dig it. Leon loves Angeline but she's falling for Danielle. Danielle feels... ? We don't know! There was an almost kiss, but with all the kidnapping and escaping and thievery and lying... who knows what's next?!

You may like this comic if you like:

- Pirates

- 17th century history and costuming

- Lengthy quests with recurring side characters

- Swordfights!

The comic is in black and white, with chapters posted online for free at Sparkler, advance downloads for VIP members, and books for purchase at Comixology, Sparkler, Amazon, etc.


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