15 LGBTQ+ Comics, Graphic Novels And Manga To Read After Watching "Heartstopper"

BuzzFeed
·7 min read

1.Check Please by Ngozi Ukazu

What it’s about: Originally starting out as a web comic in 2013 by Ngozi Ukazu, this is a delightful sports comic about friendship, teamwork, baking, and of course has a charming romance! Eric ‘Bitty’ Bittle is a former figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and talented amateur pâtissier entering his freshman year of college. Eric goes from figure skater to hockey player as he adjusts to joining the team at Samwell University. As he enters the world of hockey, Eric develops a crush on moody but attractive team captain, Jack Zimmerman. Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. 

2.I Hear The Sunspot by Yuki Fumino

What it’s about: Cheerful and outspoken college student Taichi is on the hunt for a job when one day he (literally) stumbles into fellow student Kohei. However after noticing Kohei usually keeps his distance and finds trouble meshing into campus life, Taichi realizes that Kohei has a hearing disability. As Taichi's words cut through Kohei's defenses, thus begins a friendship that blooms into something more.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.    

3.Novae by KaiJu

What it’s about: From the comic artist duo known as Kaiju, this web comic is a historical romance steeped in magic, mystery, and has a dash of astronomy chronicling the adventures of Sulvain, a kind-hearted necromancer with a mysterious past and Raizol, a passionate astronomer. Set in 17th century France, troubles arise when an incident at the academy leaves a fellow astronomer dead on the palace steps. As Raizol and Sulvain’s relationship blooms, their lives become entangled in ways they could never foresee.Check out the web comic here!

4.The Prince And The Dressmaker by Jen Wang

What it’s about: Frances is known for her avant-garde flair as a seamstress and accepts a position to create gowns for a mysterious client, who happens to be Prince Sebastian. The prince loves wearing dresses, and with the help of Frances’s skills, takes Paris by storm as Lady Crystallia. The daring dresses worn by Lady Crystallia continue to influence the world of fashion and the pair's friendship continues to grow. However, Frances wonders how long she can continue being the prince’s secret weapon to put her dreams on hold.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.   

5.Bloom by Kevin Panetta, illustrated by Savanna Ganucheau

What it's about: Ari is eager to move to the city with his band after high school, all he needs to do is find a replacement to take his spot at the struggling family bakery. Enter Hector, an easygoing baker who is taking time off from his first year of culinary school. Hector loves baking as much as Ari wants to escape it, but as the two fall for each other over the course of the summer, the question remains: Will it last?Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. 

6.Sasaki And Miyano by Shou Harusono

What it's about: Underclassman Miyano spends his days reading Boys’ Love (BL) comics until one day, a chance encounter leads him to meet senior classmate Sasaki. When “bad boy” Sasaki learns about “adorably awkward” Miyano’s love of BL stories, he begins borrowing books from Miyano and the two begin to grow closer. But will self-proclaimed boys’ love expert Miyano realize he’s in one himself?Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.   

7.The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill

What it's about: Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, finds herself entwined in the magical world of tea dragons after discovering a lost tea dragon marketplace. Soon, Greta embarks on memorable adventures as she's welcomed by new friends and learns more about the dying art of tea dragon care. After meeting the kind tea shop owners Hesekiel and Erik, as well as shy Minette, Greta's life is enriched by the memorable friendships and relationships she makes along the way.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.     

8.Eighty Days by A.C. Esguerra

What it's about: In this historical romance inspired by the 1930s, the story follows a jaded pilot and the mysterious thief that crosses his path. Told in semi-epistolary style, Jay wants nothing more than to fly but Fix, a no-class with secrets of his own, draws him into uncharted territory. As it becomes clear that Fix has entrenched him in a growing resistance, Jay must decide what freedom really means as the shadows of a looming war and revolution grow with each day.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.       

9.The Avant Guards by Carly Usdin, illustrated by Noah Hayes and Rebecca Nalty

What it's about: Charlie has just transferred to the Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics, struggling to figure out where she belongs. As a former sports star, she finds herself eagerly sought after by the school's

10.Blue Flag by Kaito

What it's about: During his third year of high school, Taichi Ichinose is approached by his shy classmate, Futaba Kuze. Futaba's got a crush on his childhood best friend, Toma Mita, a star athlete. But there's one problem — Toma seems to already have a crush on someone else. An unexpected love quadrangle develops with a dash of unrequited love. Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.    

11.My Summer Of You by Nagisa Furuya

What it's about: High schoolers Chiharu Saeki and Wataru Toda share a common hobby: they love watching movies. After becoming fast friends, Chiharu confesses his love to Wataru, who doesn’t mind, carrying on their adventures as always. As the movie-filled summer continues, however, Wataru realizes he may not have been entirely unaffected by Chiharu’s confessions as he thought.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.   

12.Mamo by Sas Milledge

What it's about: Orla O'Reilly is the youngest in a long line of hedgewitches who returns to her hometown after the death of her grandmother Mamo. Without Mamo, the town is in chaos with crops that have soured, seas impossible to fish, including Jo Manolo's attic being taken over by a poltergeist. Now the two girls are brought together and are on a quest to save the town.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.    

13.On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

What it's about: Mia is the newest member of a crew that travels through space rebuilding beautiful and broken-down structures. The story also delves into flashbacks of Mia’s past when she attended a boarding school and met a mysterious girl named Grace. As she grows closer with the crew, Mia learns they also have their own complicated pasts. Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.

14.A Tropical Fish Yearns For Snow by Makoto Hagino

What it's about: Konatsu Amano relocates to a small seaside town to live with her aunt after her father gets a new job overseas. Konatsu is introverted and adapting to a new school plus needing to join a club, brings additional added pressures. But, from the moment Konatsu meets Koyuki, sole member of Nanahama High’s Aquarium Club, the two girls, each lonely in their own ways, are instantly drawn to each other.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.   

15.Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier and illustrated by Val Wise

What it's about: Antisocial Annie starts her senior year of high school and finds herself forced to join the cheerleading squad, not only to make friends but to round out her college applications. Then there’s her former best friend, BeeBee, a trans girl, who needs to keep her parents happy, not only with grades but her social life, to keep their support of her transition. Being on the cheer squad gives both girls a chance to rebuild and reconnect with their past. As the girls rekindle their friendship, they soon discover there may be other feelings growing between them.Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound.