When readers last left the cast of "Heartstopper," they were faced with a familiar romantic comedy plot. It's the tenderness of a will they/won't they scenario that is built into a kiss. The pages that followed were so jubilant and full of life, that finding Alice Oseman's animation became a dazzling exploration of bliss. Rarely has an artist been so capable of sensitively capturing the joys of that first love, creating a sense of uncertainty about what's to come. After all, "Vol. 1" suggests a need for "Vol. 2," and a romance that won't exactly end with this cliche moment. Where does life take our characters now that they've gotten over those pre-dating jitters and now know how they feel for each other? The answer is, thankfully, much more complicated and fulfilling as it not only expands their stories but also a supporting cast full of excitable personalities.
In the wake of the first kiss, Oseman has chosen "Vol. 2" to focus on an exploration of identity. Even as they begin to spend more time together, there is the reality of discussing whether they are "out" to the general public. It may seem evident to some, but there's still the weight of being honest with a community that is maybe not forgiving. For as sensitive and safe as Oseman's world can sometimes feel, she does put a lot of honesty into showing the interiority around being young and queer. It may be more accepted, but there's still the social cache that comes with the news. People will see you differently. Not only that but how does one do it while finding their first love? Is there a way to love each other in public without giving all of it away?
Thankfully, the novel is more than a regimented view of sexuality. Every character has their own identity struggles, but the pages that are illuminated most come when they're simply hanging around at their house or texting each other awkward messages. There's a relatability to everything that allows these characters to feel real. There is a life beyond their identity and the intersectionality with which Oseman writes is delightful and produces something unique. It's a comic series where there's a comfortable hug awaiting while not rejecting the cruelty of the judgmental world. It's a journey that spans the entire "Vol. 2" and thankfully builds to some great, heartwarming acceptance. It may play like wish fulfillment to some, but is that such a bad thing in a time where everything seems frustrating?
Whereas "Vol. 2" could've fallen back on the tropes that made the first text delightful, it actually does something revolutionary and expands the love story into something greater. It's a study of how uncertain the teenage years are, where wading into the great unknown of identity can produce its own hurdles between yourself and the world around you. Even then, this isn't a text about sadness and failure. It's about understanding that everything will work out and we're all being a bit silly. Once we get past the way to present ourselves, real life can begin. It's safe to assume that the journey will be front and center for "Vol. 3," which will hopefully continue to tap into this unique, beautiful world's core strengths.
No comments:
Post a Comment