DC Pride: Through The Years #1 Comic Review

As the world celebrates Pride Month every June, more stories about the LGBTQIA+ community are released, some heartfelt and others bittersweet. DC Comics makes an earnest recreation of these moments from people's lives touched by the publisher's many superheroes, some of whom are empathetic to the cause because of their own predilections. One does not need to be a part of the community to be an ally, and DC Pride: Through The Years #1 proves as much. With talents like William Messner-Loebs, Greg Rucka, Steve Orlando, Vita Ayala, Jim Sheridan, Cian Tormey, Jamal Campbell, Dave Stewart, Lucas Gattoni, and others, the book takes readers through different eras showcasing DC's inclusiveness.

DC Pride: Through The Years #1 is the convergence of the past, present, and future as DC sifts through its back issues and bring a new narrative to life to create a comprehensive anthology of stories that showcases its colorful world. While the element of adventure and mystery is ever-present, it is the ordinary people, teenagers confused about their place in the world, or two soldiers falling in love in a war zone that takes center stage throughout. Sometimes, however, even superheroes find it difficult to traverse through life's roadblocks, not before accepting themselves and others around them.

The first two stories come from the past. First up is 1991's Flash #53, a crossover team-up between Wally West and Clark Kent, who use their secret identities to expose a CIA conspiracy and bring a dictator to justice. Like most stories of that time, the events roll one after the other, with the retro artwork putting emphasis on inking. Mixed into the political themes are human topics. Pied Piper comes out in the issue, and surprisingly, the immediate focus is on Wally's reaction and his acceptance of Piper as a friend. While it is a product of its time, the story still breaks ground with its message. The next segment showcases Batwoman in a Detective Comics story. Kate Kane's double life is affecting her ability to have a normal relationship with potential partners. Thrill and spill aside, writer Greg Rucka finds a few pages to show how much of a dilemma Kate is in, treating her like any other character despite her sexual preference. The color red looks striking in Dave Stewart's grey tones, symbolically making Batwoman a lone figure in the dark.

One of the most sincere and careful portrayals of a sensitive issue, "One Life," by Steve Orlando and Vita Ayala, is a Supergirl story with a lot of heart. The narrative focuses on Lee, a non-binary high school student, in the backdrop of immense anti-alien sentiment against Supergirl. It is a tale about acceptance and finding one's voice, tackling social engineering, and fighting bullies. Jamal Campbell's soft artwork soothes the reader in the story and lets them feel the warmth. To her credit, Supergirl never overshadows Lee but rather guides them through their ordeal. The final segment is a prologue to an upcoming series from Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey. Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern, was not always a founding member of the JSA. In his younger days, he served in the Navy, where he fell in love with a fellow sailor. Sheridan makes it a magical love story between two young souls but does not fail to show the nuances of the time. With Scott narrating, letterer Lucas Gattoni gives each narration box a tiny green flame, like a flickering memory in the sea.

In a society where the general populace still frowns upon same-sex couples and on folks unwilling to submit to gender norms, DC Pride: Through The Years #1 unfurls a world where the best of the heroes acknowledge and stand beside one of the most resilient communities around. Each story is like a page from someone's memoir about their experiences and expectations from life. While the truth is sometimes harsh, fortunately, there remain people who use their powers to put a hand over the shoulder if nothing else, and sometimes that is enough to keep going. The handpicked tales have their own magic, making the anthology even more memorable.

CBR

REVIEW: DC Pride: Through The Years #1