Grab some monsters, a bunch of LGBTQIA+ love, and throw in an introduction by Christopher Chaos team and you have the new anthology Monsters in Love: A Pride Anthology. This one-shot is edited by Greg Lockard. Each story celebrates the spectrum of queer love, even if sometimes it has to change. Dark Horse, don’t think I missed the Something is Killing the Children reference. From a vampire a bit nervous about going too far to a first date with a dragon, each story is well-picked and delightful. Monsters in Love: A Pride Anthology is a quick read, but also just as easy to reread. One of my favorites followed a woman learning to love herself, even if ritual magick was the first step. In another story, there’s an incredible panel featuring some of the better-known cryptozoological creatures rudely trying to interrupt a date. This series of short stories is charming and a perfect way to celebrate Pride Season.
Here’s who is involved and a quick description of each:
Sina Grace writes and illustrates an epic relationship between a phoenix and an alchemist in a story that disproves the notion “Nothing lasts forever . . .”
Lilah Sturges and Vash Taylor are very unkind to some naughty vampires but show a sisterhood that is produced in the face of all the undead antics.
Josh Trujillo and Ed Luce discover a summery acid romantic meltdown on Fire Island as the tide brings in the worst . . . or is that “the BEST”?
Lee Ostertag proposes a Faustian bargain that doesn’t stop at three wishes, leading the way to an infinite exploration of love and self.
Jadzia Axelrod and Bailie Rosenlund show us how finding your true self is a very certain type of magic, and the line between friends and lovers can evaporate as a result.
Vita Ayala and Claudia Aguirre create a delightful first date and a map to the starshine for their monsters in the woods.
Jacoby Salcedo shows us a dreamy situationship that transcends jealousy with humorous aplomb and brilliant dreamland visuals.
Kenny Wroten writes and draws a spellbinding tale of the trauma that can haunt deep to the core of your love.
Zoe Tunnell and Tench tell a tale of a first date with a dragon and the humorous dangers of those early-in-the-game anxieties.
James Tynion IV and Noah Dao collaborate for the first time on a slow-burn sexy tease that gets the blood pumping and crosses thresholds of desire.
Monsters in Love: A Pride Anthology is now available from Dark Horse.
