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The Backstagers is a graphic novel series like no other. It is a deeply caring series about a group of teens in a private high school who work backstage in theatre. And, especially for all of us who actually do work backstage, this imaginative story is a real treat.
All the world’s a stage . . . but what happens behind the curtain is pure magic — literally!
When Jory transfers to an all-boys private high school, he’s taken in by the only ones who don’t treat him like a new kid, the lowly stage crew known as the Backstagers. The rebels without Applause.
Not only does he gain great, lifetime friends, but Jory is also introduced to an entire magical world that lives beyond the curtain.
With the unpredictable twists and turns of the backstage world, the Backstagers venture into the unknown, determined to put together the best play their high school has ever seen.
Sound familiar and resonates with your own life?
I swear, reading this description of what awaits me between the beautifully designed pages of this graphic novel series, I thought for a moment it’ll be my own biography.
Because I did find a home for a while as a Backstager myself.
And because there is a deeply humane transgender subtext as well. And I am transgender.
Creator James Tynion IV (Detective Comics, The Woods) teams up with artist Rian Sygh (Munchkin, Stolen Forest) to bring us this incredibly earnest story that explores what it means to find a place to fit in when you are kind of an outcast.
Set in a high school, St Genesius Prepatory High School, where staging theatrical productions is less a curricular activity and more of an obsessive necessity, The Backstagers is a delicious delight that celebrates people who don’t fit in with the mainstream but, naturally enough, have a wealth of wonderful things to contribute if only you’ll give them the time of day.
Society and many stories celebrate the mainstream kids as the paragons of emerging humanity. But the truth is, the really interesting, fun and imaginative people, the people who later go on to do really cool and interesting things, are often the people you never see and discount if you do.
And the heroes of our story here are exactly such kids who are in danger of getting lost behind the loud voices of those who have far less to offer to the world.
The Backstagers behind the curtains at St Genesius are the ones who make the magic of theatre – and thus life – happen.
By making props and running sound and lights and aiding in the vision, look, and feel of each play or musical they are tasked to work for.
The Backstagers are, in fact, some of the most creative people you will ever meet.
Writer James Tynion IV and artist Rian Sygh (who are bi and trans respectively) and know how real it can be to find yourself on the fringe, told the magazine The Advocate:
“Our protagonists never get the applause or the thanks they deserve. And they certainly aren’t the most normal people in their high school. But they love doing what they do, and they love doing it together.”
It’s this innate, warmhearted and affectionately fractious camaraderie that makes The Backstagers spring so heartwarmingly to life.
If, like me you are person who has longed to belong and be accepted his entire life, then you will love the way in which Tynion creates a world where Jory and Hunter fall in love and become boyfriends, where Beckett is finally free to be the person they always knew deep down they were, where Aziz and Sasha can defy societal or cultural expectations and just be their own beautiful selves.
Also, if, like me you have worked or are working backstage, you’ll love how in this graphic novel series you’ll feel the magic coming through the pages. Just like you feel it coming through the curtains when you collaborate with your cast and crew in the wings in real backstage life, to make each show the best it can possibly be.
The Backstagers make for some fabulously enriching, inspiring and uplifting reading. Get your copies as soon as you can!
The Backstagers by Boom Studios
In depth review by Sparklyprettybriiiight
Article in The Advocate
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Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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