After a considerably long wait, Queerbait #2 made its debut at San Diego Comic Con 2008. Originally published by Heroscribe Comics, Queerbait is now hitting the stands thanks to William “Lynx Delirium” Tyler and Carabosse Comics. For those who may have missed the first issue, Queerbait is an LGBT-related anthology comic that allows various creators to showcase stories geared specifically towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community. Queerbait #2 weighs in at 40 pages, with four stories (plus a special excerpt from Pride Comics’ own Pride High #5), all under a beautiful cover by Gustavo Aviles. The stories vary drastically, not only in their creativity, but in the art and stylistic representation.

Right off the bat, readers are introduced to the Rainbow Avenger – the self-proclaimed defender of truth, justice, and the Left-Wing American Way! Written by David Hayes, with art by Christopher Sanchez, this gay Spirit/Shadow-type character is a bit over-the-top (set in “Maryville” with villains named “Flaming Kabob” and “Leather Bear”), but an amusing read all the same. The art it simple and fun, and it is rather refreshing to see an origin story (with the tried and true “villain-killed-my-loved-one-so-I’m-going-to-be-a-superhero” formula) told in just seven (7) pages instead of long, drawn-out 6-issue arcs that mainstream companies put out so they can sell it as a trade. This is the fun that used to be in comics – glad to see someone bringing it back!

Next up is Henry Kujawa’s singing senstation, Jay, in “After the Show.” Handling both the writing and the art chores, Kujawa gives us a tale of straight/gay bonding in an after-show performance that is much more exciting than the actual singing performance! With art that is a blend of computer-generation and pencil/ink, Kujawa’s style fits his characters perfectly. As for the story, it comes with a dose of reality that any person – gay, straight, bi, or otherwise – could learn from – to wit, treat the one you’re with right!

Lynx Delirium follows with his story “X-O-X-O-X-C,” starring his webcomic angel, Che. Readers are dropped into the middle of this tragic love story between Che and his former love, now turned Death, Dimitri. In just five pages, Delirium manages, through minimalistic art, to portray death, love, and tragedy. Subtle and powerful, the story will leave readers wanting for more.

The final new story in this issue, “The Morning My Mom Died,” starring Phil Good’s American Fag, is by far the most emotional and grim of all the tales, as well as the longest at 10 pages. Told through the inner monologue of his protagonist (whose name is Phil – a bit autobiographical, perhaps?) as he prepares to say goodbye to his mother who just died, the story’s serious mood is set with Good’s use of darker colors, particularly brown and blue. Probably one of the best things about this story is Good’s ability to overlap the prose and art so seamlessly with imagery that strengthens, rather than detracts from, the overall impact of the story.

Queerbait rounds out its second issue with a 6-page preview of Pride High #5. For those who haven’t read this series, or, God forbid, haven’t heard of it, go check it out at Pride Comics You’ll be glad you did!

Kudos to Carabosse Comics for bringing back this title and giving LGBT creators a chance to showcase their work. Fans of mainstream comics may find the stories and art in this issue may not be what they would consider on the same bar as the “name creators” in today’s industry. However, fans of independent comics already know that when writers and artists have an outlet for their own creations, they quickly evolve and surpass the standards set by those “name creators,” both in terms of story quality and art. Additionally, in an industry that sees so few gay characters on a regular basis, and pretty much nil in actual gay titles, the return of Queerbait is a much-needed and long-awaited filler of that void. And in case you think this will be the end of it, think again. According to Lynx Delirium, issue 3 is “already on the way with some great black and white stories, and issue 4 is almost full as well.” So need I say it? Queerbait’s here. Queerbait’s queer. And Queerbait’s here to stay!

For more information on Queerbait and the involved creators, or to find out how to submit your own stories (as they are currently seeking submissions from creators for issues 5 and beyond!), visit Carabosse Comics. Queerbait #2 is currently available for purchase online through Carabosse Comics, Prism Comics and at Indy Planet at http://www.indyplanet.com. Check ‘em out!

Born and bred in Louisville, Kentucky, Todd Latoski bought his first comic book in 1979. Since then, his love, not only for comics, but for reading and writing has grown exponentially. Todd's first published work was "The Story That Won" in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, published in May 1994. Determined to write more, he kept writing, and in 2004, he began writing for a children's mystery series fanzine called the Sleuth, for which he has been writing articles regularly ever since. In 2007, he had his first comic story published in Trailer Park of Terror #7 by Imperium Comics, with another story in issue 8 of that same series. Todd currently lives in Tampa, Florida where he works full time as a paralegal at a small law firm and attends University of South Florida part-time, finishing up his B.A. in Creative Writing. He resides with his partner of five years, David Allen, who is his constant source of support and inspiration.

Queerbait © 2008 Carabosse Comics. Review © 2008 Todd H. Latoski.

Prism Comics promotes the works of the LGBT community in comics. It does not implicitly endorse any other material or products associated with those works. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s).