The Witch Boy: A Graphic Novel (the Witch Boy Trilogy #1)

by Molly Knox Ostertag

[layawaydragon]

I love the art, it's gorgeous. I like the setting. I like Aster and felt for him. I like his human friend and was glad she became a bigger part than I assumed. I love the design of the demon. I love how there wasn't any romance involved to make it messier than needed. We can all be friends. I love how it climaxed and ended though I was screaming about leaving the sword behind.... I'd happily read more of this world and would like to see it fully developed, hopefully into a full intersectional reckoning of witchery.

It setups gender essentialism within magic and dismantles it. It's rah-rah SheRa feminism that allows for boys to be "girly". But it's shallow and doesn't delve into breaking down the fixed taxonomy of gender. I couldn't stop wondering about trans* and nonbinary people. Where would they fit into this? Would their acceptance in progress stretch to someone misgendered as boy from birth that can shapeshift but IDs as a girl or vice versa? Respect someone's pronouns as gender neutral? I wish I could be all "Of course!!!" but I'm not that naive and optimistic anymore. It feels more second wave feminism than intersectional feminism. But I could be wrong. I really hope I am, TBH.

It's a good introduction for stopping the bullying of boys into toxic masculinity. It's a sweet story with great art in a style I love. It's got action and drama and good families getting better. I do recommend it, but not everyone is included and I don't want people hurt with this gender dichotomy.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on a MG comic doing more than most but the glaring intersection being missed did hamper my enjoyment and enthusiasm.