With the last issue of Sex Criminals set to hit shelves in the coming weeks, it feels fitting that the team of Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky would use the penultimate issue to dig deep into the backstory of the incredibly popular ancillary character, Sexual Gary. This dynamo has graced several backgrounds, and his mention has been whispers inside the pages of the book, but never before have we really gotten the full weight of Gary’s life and history. But no more! Now, we get Gary in all of his glory, getting to see what makes him such a special character that has entered the hearts of all the fans of this series.
What is there to say about Gary that won’t get me censored? Not a ton, but I will say this: Gary’s story is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Gary just wants everyone to know he loves them and is available for love from anyone who would like to express it. His life has been dedicated to the art of love in all of its many forms, much to the chagrin of others who don’t understand his ability to be interested in everyone and everything, in his own way. Gary is a tragic hero, whose gifts are exploited and used to the point where he’s not even sure who he is or what he wants anymore, hitting several rock bottoms while still showing a lot of heart (and skin).
This loving diatribe is to say that this series has been a mix of sophomoric humor and heartfelt, loving storytelling, wrapped in a warm embrace of weird sex stuff. It’s amazing to see this dynamic duo of Fraction and Zdarsky weave a web of acceptance and silliness with such an impact.
That’s not to say that they didn’t have help. This issue especially gets an assist, as Zdarsky is available as emotional support, which is needed, since this is a very emotional issue about a very emotional man. Filling in for Zdarsky is the talented Rachel Stott who does some incredible work.
We do get some excellent writing from Fraction who has, from the beginning, really known how to pace a story that is as emotional as it is funny. His humor and style fit this book perfectly which makes sense. He did come up with it, after all.
If there was going to be a penultimate issue, there is no better place to go than this, as there will be no better emotionally satisfying comic book about a man named “Sexual Gary” out this year. Or ever, probably. While it’s not quite the end of Sex Criminals, it’s a series wrap on a beloved background character which is enough for me.
As a side note, this issue is worth it for Gary’s faux IMDb page alone. There are a massive amount of jokes in that section alone.
Creative Team: Matt Fraction (writer), Rachel Stott (artist), Chip Zdarsky (emotional support)
Publisher: Image Comics
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