Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: comixology, dan harris, digital comics, indie Comics, joe glass, LGBTQ superheroes, Lou Scannon, The Pride, The Wake, trillium

Comics for Your Indie Cred: The Pride #3 On ComiXology Today

Junior New York Correspondent Liz Hey writes:

Let's start by just addressing facts: The Pride is the comic you know you should already be reading. You've been thinking this ever since reading Bleeding Cool's past reviews when Issues #1 and #2 came out. It's the kind of progressive style smothered in just-kitschy-enough humor that you'd blog home about. If anything, it's at least the comic that you wanted to read just to say that you read it before your friends did.

If you have been reading, congratulations on being that friend. You may go forth and gloat. Indie cred will be awarded on your way out.

Either way though, I shouldn't have to state how perfect a moment the midpoint issue is for any series as evident by The Wake and Trillium. It's the optimal time to jump on, and those who have been following along already know what comes next will completely challenge the story thus far.

The Pride certainly keeps with that tradition as Issue #3 of the series' first 6 comes out today on Comixology. Author Joe Glass continues to offer his unique British (actually Welsh) wit necessary to keeping such serious subject matter not only readable but enjoyable. His unapologetic references and humor refuse to hide from stereotypes like other gay superhero comics but finds ways to embrace them equally along with the compelling, game-changing backstories and depth hiding behind each character.

However, while the writing still remains at its usual high quality, the plot does begin to change quickly. Fabman's band of offbeat heroes are now become better acquainted, but who says that entails smooth adjustments to a team environment? Previously the first two issues did an incredible job of building the reader's attachment to Glass's world and his characters. Now we finally begin to see conflict occurring beyond just the SLGBT vs conservative America. Expectations are questioned, but perhaps the reader isn't alone when left pondering.

The story isn't the only thing that's changing with the times. The midpoint single also features a new artist, Dan Harris, known for his work on another indie UK title Lou Scannon. That title, in fact, describes itself in ads as simply, "Sci-Fi, Comedy, Swearing." Certainly Harris shows his work is just as expressive here as it is with LS as his lively style art is held responsible for capturing the series' most dramatic moments yet. Surely, his depiction of strong facial expressions is a strength, and in this case very handy.

Still, Issue#3 clearly is only setting up for something even larger to come next. We've met the cast and caught a glimpse of what they're facing. Now, the final moments adopt a pace more heart-racing than any scene yet as we move forward with end half of the series.

The quickening plot is just one more excellent selling point of a larger novel combination of elements that allows The Pride to stand out from its genre. The book manages to get out more positive messages in a few panels than most high school sex education classes get out in four years all while telling a compelling story. Glass's writing is completely direct when it needs to be, shedding the metaphors that might put the social significance of what the author is doing out of the spotlight even for a second. But it's not just strictly about a political message. With sincere experiences from all different groups being poured into his writing, Glass is doing exactly what his hero Fabman swore to do: reach out to anyone who has ever felt lost. For anyone who ever needs a hero, The Pride is here for them.

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