GALAXY

Taylor struggles with hiding her secret.

When the Vane attacked the planet Cyandii 6 years ago, its princess, Taelyr, fled to Earth. Now, in order to stay hidden, she must live as Taylor, a human boy who presents as White. Sacrificing her true self for the sake of safety doesn’t feel right, but those in charge insist it’s the best thing to do. When Taylor meets new student Katherine, a Black girl with a prosthetic leg, she begins longing even more to show her true self. To that end she steals the Ehsar, the device that turned her into a human and has the power to turn her back. In her true form as a young woman with purple skin and green hair, Taylor feels at ease in her body for once, free to pursue her growing feelings for Katherine. However, she risks discovery not only from the Vane, but those around her too. While Taylor is no superhero, she is likely to become a hero to transgender youth. Fear and rejection dog her footsteps, but Taylor shows that living a lie can be far more damaging than the risks that come with being true to oneself. With beautiful artwork that features expressive figures highlighted against abstract backgrounds and a narrative that first breaks, then repairs readers’ hearts, turning the final page is a sad affair.

A fantastical allegory that lends itself well to the graphic novel medium.