There’s a level you can read West Hollywood Monster Squad, an adorably charming and funny new graphic novel from Abrams Books’ Surely imprint for what it is: a bunch of queer teens fighting their way through West Hollywood, after the drag show they’re attending is attacked by purple monsters. But the book, written by Sina Grace with art by Bradly Clayton has a lot more on its mind under the surface, making this a must-read OGN, great for all ages.
Let’s talk surface first, though. In the book a kid named Marvin obsessed with a Pokémon-like game heads to see his favorite drag performer with a few friends. There’s plenty of drama, romances, and even a dust-up with the performer herself, who isn’t quite having the best night ever. In the first section, Grace and Clayton give us plenty of time to love and identify these characters with a light, funny touch that nicely sets up the rest of the book.
That rest of the book? Monsters attack! Big, kind of scary but also adorable monsters that are a mix between Pokémon and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. Add in some ominous pink snow, and the whole thing vacillates goofily between real, deadly stakes and the whimsical looks of Clayton’s designs.
Over the course of the story we get plenty of big, emotional themes Grace is dealing with, including the classic “growing up,” and even a little bit of the ‘ol heroes journey, down to refusal of the call. And again, on that level the book works just swell. The action is fun, the plot satisfying, the characters lovable.
But in the midst of this, Grace is also able to work in some far more complicated ideas that don’t distract from the main story — but are there if you want to find them. The commodification of drag, the forever creep of IP, how we build our identities around the media we loved as a kid… Those are all present in the midst of this fun, apocalyptic adventure. And perhaps more pressingly, while not over-playing his hand, a reference to Pulse Nightclub at the beginning perhaps pulls back what Grace is dealing with the most in this book… The ideas that queer spaces are supposed to be safe spaces; but can be turned into something more dangerous without a moment’s notice. Yet by banding together, we can fight back against those forces that would attack and kill people who are just trying to live — and love — their lives.
Add in that given the current state of the world (well, America), a positive and heartwarming representation of drag culture seems downright rebellious. And thankfully so, because we need more of this in the real world… Allowing the culture that exists and will persevere to be seen in media in a positive, wonderful story that everyone can enjoy. Only maybe with a few less purple monsters.
West Hollywood Monster Squad Rating:
West Hollywood Monster Squad Official Synopsis:
A group of high schoolers get more than they bargained for when the drag show they’re attending is attacked by monsters in this funny YA graphic novel from acclaimed queer comics creator Sina Grace
Marvin Matocho just wanted to have a simple night out with his friends at the local drag show. But when a mysterious pink snow starts to fall, Marvin finds himself the hero of his own story when Los Angeles suddenly becomes overrun by monsters.
Now he, along with his group of friends consisting of several queer teens, a drag queen, and a 50-something bar manager, are the only folks who can prevent the complete annihilation of the city—that is, if they can sort through their personal issues before they become dead meat.
As they fight for their lives through a thrilling night, the gang must work together to find out who’s behind the sinister pink snow. With the city of angels overrun with demons, these misfits will have to solve the mystery—or die trying.
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