March 17, 2022• byMichael Strangeways

*DC Pride 2022* #1 covers by Phil Jimenez & Arif Prianto (main) and Jen Bartel (variant)

It’s swoon time for LGBTQ comic book fans as both DC and Marvel release publicity for their upcoming titles, specials and variant covers for June Pride Month 2022. Both of the big comic book companies have made this part of their mandate to represent LGBTQ characters and stories in their respective universes.

First up: DC and they have all sorts of BIG things to announce and all sorts of real purdy covers to reveal for June 2022 including a 100 page Pride anthology and a new Y/A graphic novel, Galaxy: The Prettiest Star from writer Jadzia Axelrod and artist Jess Taylor which will publish on May 17.

The rundown via DC Comics press release:

DC’S ANNUAL PRIDE ANTHOLOGY TO RETURN IN JUNE 2022
100+ pages of new content, an introduction from Nicole Maines, and more!

**YOUNG ADULT GRAPHIC NOVEL GALAXY: THE PRETTIEST STAR INTRODUCES TAYLOR, THE GALAXY CROWNED**
It takes strength to live as your true self, and one alien princess disguised as a human boy is about to test her power.

NEW COMICS LAUNCHING DURING JUNE TO CONTINUE DC PRIDE ALL YEAR
Poison Ivy to headline new Poison Ivy comic,
Nubia to rule Themyscira in Nubia: Queen of the Amazons,
Kid Quick returns to Earth-11 in Multiversity: Teen Justice,
Tim Drake’s journey continues in DC Pride: Tim Drake Special,
and more to come!

DC’s 2022 Pride celebration will be available at your local comics shop, bookstore, library, and beyond this June with more stories, more characters, and more pride than ever. In addition to DC Pride 2022, a new 100+ page Prestige format annual anthology comic, in the coming months DC will also publish a new young adult graphic novel, launch three new comic book series, publish a new Tim Drake special, feature DC Pride variant covers on multiple series, deliver a new slate of books to readers everywhere, and turn a spotlight (the Bat-Signal, too!) on the World’s Greatest Super Heroes.

DC Pride 2022, containing all-new stories spotlighting LGBTQIA+ fan-favorites, is DC’s annual Pride-themed anthology comic. The 104-page Prestige format comic, publishing on May 31, will have an introduction by activist, actress, and real-life superhero Nicole Maines (including a teaser for her upcoming DC project!) and will feature a main cover by Phil Jimenez and Arif Prianto, an open-to-order wraparound variant cover by Joshua “Sway” Swaby, and a 1:25 variant cover by Jen Bartel. The DC Pride 2022 creative teams, and the characters they’re developing stories for, include:

Alysia Yeoh and Batgirl by Jadzia Axelrod and Lynne Yoshii
Aquaman/Jackson Hyde by Alyssa Wong and W. Scott Forbes
Green Lantern/Jo Mullein by Tini Howard and Evan Cagle
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy by Dani Fernandez and Zoe Thorogood
The Ray by Greg Lockard and Giulio Macaione
Superman/Jon Kent by Devin Grayson and Nick Robles
Tim Drake by Travis G. Moore and more to come!

DC’s Pride anthology comic will also include contributions from J. Bone, Ro Stein and Ted Brandt, Samantha Dodge, Brittney Williams, and others; and new pinups by P. Craig Russell, J.J. Kirby, and more. With over 100 pages of original stories and content, DC Pride 2022 celebrates the strength and courage it takes to be a DC Super Hero.

*Galaxy: The Prettiest Star* cover by Jess Taylor

In the book market and available everywhere books are sold, Galaxy: The Prettiest Star from writer Jadzia Axelrod and artist Jess Taylor will publish on May 17 to introduce entirely new characters to DC’s pantheon of heroes. DC can’t wait for you to meet Taylor, the Galaxy Crowned, and so is delivering Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Special Edition 2022 #1, a free preview on Free Comic Book Day of the young adult graphic novel about gender identity, romance, and shining as bright as the stars, to your local comics shop on May 7. It takes strength to live as your true self, and one alien princess disguised as a human boy is about to test her power!

**Pride variant covers by Derek Charm (*Action Comics* #1044) and Nicole Goux (*Wonder Woman* #788)**

Throughout DC’s line of monthly comics, DC’s 2022 Pride-themed variant covers will feature artwork by Amy Reeder (Batman #124), David Talaski (Superman: Son of Kal-El #12), Derek Charm (Action Comics #1044), Joe Phillips (Aquamen #5), Kevin Wada (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons #1), Kris Anka (Poison Ivy #1), Nick Robles (Nightwing #93), Nicole Goux (Wonder Woman #788), Olivier Coipel (Harley Quinn #16), Stephen Byrne (Multiversity: Teen Justice #1), and more.

**Pride variant covers by Amy Reeder (*Batman* #124) and Joe Phillips (*Aquamen* #5)**

New DC books arriving in the coming months to add to your TBR piles, pull lists, DC Pride book clubs, in-store Pride displays, and to share with friends on TikTok will include:

DC Pride 2021 (4/26)
Galaxy: The Prettiest Star (5/17)
Crush & Lobo (5/17)
Midnighter: The Complete Collection (5/24)
Aquaman: The Becoming (5/24)
Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 2 (5/24)
Superman: Son of Kal-El Vol. 1: The Truth (5/31)
DC Poster Portfolio: DC Pride (5/31)
Doom Patrol by Rachel Pollack Omnibus (7/5)
Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang! Kill Tour Vol. 1 (8/30)

DC’s award-winning backlist of bestselling titles featuring LGBTQIA+ characters can be purchased everywhere books are sold:

Fans can celebrate DC Pride and read comics featuring DC’s LGBTQIA+ characters year-round by visiting the DC UNIVERSE PRIDE hub page on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE, DC’s premium digital comic book service. New titles are added every month, and a selection of free-to-read titles will be featured for registered users during Pride! The first two issues of Superman: Son of Kal-El are available now for subscribers, with the groundbreaking big issue featuring Jon Kent and Jay Nakamura—Superman: Son of Kal-El #5—arriving on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE in June!

DC and WarnerMedia are proud to be working in partnership with LGBTQIA+ organizations such as PFLAG National, The Trevor Project, Family Equality, Human Rights Campaign, Athlete Ally, Mermaids (UK), Inside Out (Canada), and more, to celebrate Pride in 2022. WarnerMedia and its brands have longstanding relationships with these nonprofit partners through the ongoing support of their work and year-round collaboration on social impact initiatives.

Through paneling, events, advertising, outreach and more, these partnerships help to create a more inclusive and compassionate culture for all Super Hero fans and provide resources for readers looking to learn more about these nonprofit organizations. Stay tuned for more Pride announcements from DC and WarnerMedia between now and June! #DCPride

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About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.