GCN contributor David Ferguson dives deep into the latest issue of science fiction fanzine Journey Planet, which is entirely dedicated to LGBTQ+ comics.

Journey Planet is a science fiction fanzine that started back in 2008. Each issue has a theme, with most themes being in the realm of science fiction, fandom, or comics. The fanzine has always been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, featuring various articles covering queer characters, books and more. However, one of the new issues is the first to be specifically focused on a queer topic: LGBTQ+ comics.

One of the reasons I started submitting work to GCN was that I wanted to highlight the work of queer comic book creators, particularly Irish ones. For years, I worked on the website Irish Comic News, which covered the work of Irish creators and other creators based in Ireland. During that time, I developed long-lasting friendships with the artists in the Irish comic community. It was, and still is, a very welcoming group of people who care about equality and promoting their fellow creators.

So when I was asked to help edit the Journey Planet issue on LGBTQ+ comics, I immediately reached out to Irish creators, specifically queer artists, to contribute to the magazine. I was delighted with the response.

We had no set idea of what the issue would look like when we started and, through my interaction with creators, it organically morphed into an issue where these people talked about creating queer work in comics. As a result, we have a wonderful bunch of artists included in the issue.

This includes Anna Fitzpatrick (author of Alien Heart) and Clare Foley (author of Forbidden Altars), who wrote pieces about their comic creations. There are also interviews with artist Cian Tormey (Alan Scott: Green Lantern) and writer/artist Luke Healy (Self-Esteem And The End Of The World). I reached further afield and brought in Welsh creator Joe Glass (The Pride) and interviewed Steve Orlando (Marauders, Scarlet Witch). And these are only a few of the many creators with different insights into creating queer comics who are included in the new Journey Planet issue. I am grateful to so many people for taking the time to write a piece or answer questions.

Journey Planet Issue 85 – LGBTQ+ Comics is live https://t.co/Ls6qhbDNz7

Tks to: @DonnaABlackArt @rbessaaa @Jason1Kent @iamchrisfildes @SwordAndBurger @clarefoleyart @JosephGlass @LukeHealy @jaimelalor @thesteveorlando @CianTormey @AntheaWest pic.twitter.com/7cYnwJJU2j

— David Ferguson-Honsbein 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@DavidpbFerguson) October 17, 2024

I also have to give a lot of credit to my co-editor James Bacon, a huge ally of the LGBTQ+ community and a motivator who helped push the issue forward. He also provided multiple articles about the history of queer comics. There were characters I’d never heard of and new things about creators I already knew.

We hope this issue shines a light on the history of LGBTQ+ comics and motivates people to seek out comics and creators. The issue, which is published online, will include links to show you where to follow creators on Instagram.

We are already thinking of more queer topics to cover in future issues of Journey Planet and are open to ideas on the subject. Issue 85 is published online here.