This has been a monumental year for the LGBTQ community. From the US Supreme Court’s rulings on Prop 8 and DOMA to the repealing of the US military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, encouraging advancements in acceptance and equality have been made for members and supporters of the LGBTQ community. There are still struggles, though. Russia has introduced a law that bans so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” causing LGBTQ supporters to call for a boycott of Russia’s upcoming Winter Olympics. In light of these events, we at Fanboy Comics want to bring your attention to a very special Kickstarter campaign for Virgil, a new graphic novel that, according to creator Steve Orlando (Outlaw Territory, Mystery in Space), ” . . . uses a story every reader can get behind to open eyes to the LGBTQ community’s battle. It doesn’t ignore the darkness within. It’s not utopian, and braver for it. It’s time for LGBTQ literature to grow past black and white. This is a rich world of gray areas, hopes, and failures. The real people, real atrocities, and real reactions of a fight that most didn’t know was being fought.”
Virgil is set in Jamaica, where citizens do not look favorably of gay men and women. The story focuses on Virgil, an outed cop who fights his way across the country to save his man and get revenge! He is by no means perfect, but he shatters conceptions of gay masculinity. He travels the road so many gay men do, from conflict, to anger, to acceptance, to passion. And, he does it his way. The graphic novel is written by Steve Orlando and features the artwork of JD Faith (Acrobat).
To learn more about Virgil, fans can watch a great video interview below.
Be sure to visit the Virgil Kickstarter page, and don’t forget to check out the backer rewards, which include exclusive signed posters, print editions of the graphic novel, commissioned artwork, and a Jamaican party (complete with food!) at the venue of your choice! The Kickstarter campaign will close on Wednesday, September 11th, so be sure to donate soon!
