INDIGINERDS

A book of 11 different stories featuring Indigenous geeks as the throughline.

This compact graphic memoir anthology covers a lot of ground, including stories with ensemble casts and ones that focus on a single protagonist. Some entries include positive queer representation, and many show that Indigenous people come in all shapes and colors. Each one is anchored in themes around healing and looking to the future. Another thread connecting them is the characters’ Native heritage and passion for various forms of contemporary pop culture, including tabletop role-playing games, virtual reality, TikTok, and Star Trek. This collection stands out for centering on contemporary representations of First Nations peoples rather than their history. Several of the stories address darker themes such as bullying, peer pressure, and domestic violence, although the characters also engage in activism by setting up pirate radio stations to strengthen communities, supporting language revitalization over Twitch, and exploring Indigenous representation in speculative fiction. The authors and artists come from many different backgrounds, and they highlight their own nations’ cultures. Another of the book’s major strengths is the variety of art styles it features; the contributors all offer readers a different visual perspective and a taste of their craft. This engaging compilation shows that nerd culture can be a powerful way to find your community.

A compelling volume that explores different worlds through a nerdy Indigenous lens.