For Black History Month, I’ve tended towards more serious content, like last year’s timeline about Black characters and creators in superhero comics. But it’s just as important to celebrate stories that show Black characters having fun adventures and achieving the happy endings they deserve.
If you’re reading this the day it publishes, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. The celebration seems especially appropriate for highlighting five graphic novels where the Black character ends up getting the girl, the guy, multiple guys, or whoever else their heart desires!
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, and Joy San
Hazel and Mari adore each other, but as teenagers growing up in the 1960s, their love isn’t given a chance to thrive. After their homophobic families force them to separate, the two spend decades apart leading their own lives, only for a lucky encounter to give them an unexpected second chance.
All Access members, find four more recommendations below!
Brielle and Bear Volume One by Salomey Doku
Brielle is new to Once Upon a Time University, but she’s already an expert on fairytales. She has always hoped for a romantic happily-ever-after of her own. Yet, she still manages to be surprised when she (literally) runs into the handsome captain of the school rugby team and when their fairytale romance encounters unforeseen obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.
Daybreak Volume One by moosopp
Marcus and Cog haven’t known each other for very long, but each knows that he loves the other. The problem is, neither one is willing to be the first to say as much out loud! How long can they go without confessing their feelings? As long as they continue to enjoy each other’s company, maybe it’s okay to take their time about verbalizing things.
If You’ll Have Me by Eunnie
Momo is a shy, bookish student who can never say no to a favor. PG is a self-assured master of seduction who seems determined to sleep with every female student on campus. Time to put the adage “opposites attract” to the test!
Yes, Roya by C. Spike Trotman and EA Denich
You know what they say about meeting your heroes. Wylie finds it out the hard way when he gets to work with his favorite cartoonist, only to be taken aback by the man’s unusual sexual tastes…not to mention his beautiful wife, Roya. Only adults should enjoy this comic, please!
If you want more Black romance stories, check out these great novels!
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