Gender outlaw Catherine Gore catches up with Alex, a young huster with a few additional problems as well. Despite disfunction, the two are good friends, and try to help one another out of the hole they've fallen into, with mixed results. Also, she relates the haunting Japanese tale of "Nanshoku", two monks who fall in love, forbidden and fatal.

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What's it about: This is the book that gives the 'respectible' queers nightmares, essentially. Some young adults, into the various scenes like BDSM, gender roleplay, and essentially the "queer underclass" live their lives and spiral out of control. The second issue features a gorgeous Chinese parable about love and lust and consequences, while the second tale is set in the present day and shows our two protagonists having no consequences for their actions at all...


Did you like it: Yeah, actually. The goth aspects, and the drugs... it put me off a little bit, I'll admit. But the first story was really, really strong (and quite frankly gorgeous), and there's always that little thrill from seeing people do naughty things. Comparing the (self-destructive) behaviour of the protagonists of the story to something like the recently released film SPUN, you can only imagine a sort of apocalypse is in store for these people. It was still an amusing read.


Who would you recommend it to: I'd have to say that it's not a book for everyone, even gay folks or people suffering from gender identity issues... It's just not a happy story. That said though, it's remarkably accomplished (particularly with a young writer). Ted Naifeh's art just gets better and better with every page he draws, and the opening sequence is significantly better than anything I've seen from him. I'd say that if hard content doesn't bother you, then you'll be able to take (and enjoy) these mis-adventures. Definitely take a look, to see if they're for you.


- Christopher Butcher


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