The Deviant, Vol. 1

Not giving this 2 stars because it's bad, I'm giving it 2 stars because it's not a whole story. I DO NOT understand this modern publishing model of Trade Paperbacks collecting pieces of a story arc, just wait until the rest of the issues are out! It's a disservice to the story, pacing, and the readers.

I do genuinely like the set-up here but that's all it is, the set-up to a story! I will be very interested to see how this goes about tackling its gay characters, two of which being suspected murderers, whether or not it ends up having something to say about why gay men turn to violence or (the much preferred) how gay men are framed as deviants and put away for crimes they didn't commit.

Like I said though, not even a complete story arc, just a fragment of a longer narrative. Will be waiting for the eventual Library Edition that actually collects the entire story.

I don't mean to get emotional. But I appreciate that a young man like you sees yourself in me. You seem like a kind person. Maybe a little cold. But kind.That's not what people usually see in me.

The worker who recommended this to me didn't mention anything about the majority of the characters being gay, which, I don't know, made me happy. Just that being gay isn't something to be censored or warned about anymore to a lot of people. I remember it being very different when I was growing up, even though I'm still very young.
Aside from that, I thought The Deviant was intriguing and sad, but also felt something lacking. I'm going to read the rest when I can, and I really hope it only gets better. I have been encouraged by this to read more of James Tynion IV's stories, at least.