I’ve been a fan of Lumberjanes from the start. A ragtag group of queer ladies kicking supernatural butt? In a comic for kids? Yes, please! Since its launch in 2015, it has become one of my favorite comics. If I’m being honest, it’s what really drew my attention to Boom! Studios in the first place. Which is why I was super pumped to hear last Tuesday that Boom! has chosen our favorite hardcore lady-types for the publisher’s first ever crossover event with – wait for it – DC’s Gotham Academy.
The six issue limited series will hit comic shop shelves in June, and will be written by Chynna Clugston-Flores (Blue Monday, Queen Bee) with art by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell (Lumberjanes). These two comics about kids solving mysteries and constantly getting into and out of trouble are such a natural fit that people have been drawing comparisons between the two for nearly as long as they’ve been in print. From what I’ve seen from both comics and the creators slated to run the series, I have high hopes that this will not only be a fantastic series, but also an important milestone for comics as a whole.
Kids’ comics sell. This isn’t exactly news: Raina Telgemeier’s Smile has been on the New York Times bestseller list for an incredible 195 weeks, and Scholastic recently surpassed DC as the #1 publisher of graphic novels. But the immense popularity of Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy and other comics like them has helped show that middle grade and young adult comics can thrive in traditional subscription format as well. This crossover just reinforces what fans already know: that comics like these can be successful both critically and financially.
That being said, I’m excited to see more crossovers like these. Though Boom! and DC are still in the early stages of their new relationship, I’d like to suggest a few potential next steps should they decide to keep this crossover thing going:
Starfire + Power Up!
I just like to imagine Starfire easily befriending the Amie, Kevin, Sandy and Silas and helping them adjust to their new powers and responsibilities.
Batgirl + Curb Stomp
Batgirl and her crew team up with The Fever to help them defend their turf. Batgirl and her crew go head to head with The Fever to decide who rules the streets. I would read both of these in a heartbeat.
Catwoman + The Hit: 1955
Selina Kyle would fit perfectly into the gritty crime world of Los Angeles depicted in The Hit. Whether as a mob boss or an expert thief, I have no doubt that she would delight in creating trouble for the corrupt LAPD.
Black Canary + any Marceline title
I just know these ladies would hit it off. They’d tour the galaxy causing general mayhem with their rad tunes, and probably beat up some jerks in the process.
For more potential DC crossovers, go check out Katie Schenkel’s list over at Panels. It’s pretty sweet.
In other indie news:
Riverdale has cast its Kevin Keller, Amazon is officially reviving The Tick, and The Fifth Beatle gets a TV adaptation.
Slate and the Center for Cartoon Studies have announced the shortlist for their fourth annual Cartoonist Studio Prize, which includes works like SuperMutant Magic Academy, Not Funny Ha-Ha, Cat and Girl, and The Perry Bible Fellowship.
