I’m a bit nervous to post this because I don’t see much discourse about graphic novels, but I’m hoping there’s a few people who may be able to jump in!
I picked up **Heartstopper Volume 5** in Target two nights ago and started and finished in one night. Granted, this was posted online prior to picking it up and I 100% peeked at it a few weeks ago, but I got through it last night. I adore the Heartstopper series because of the bisexual representation, and how Nick’s struggle to figure out his identity was true to so many bisexual people’s experiences. I also really enjoy how the characters were not immediately sexualized, but that sex was introduced naturally after several volumes. As a bisexual woman, I feel like bisexual people (and queer people in general) are quickly sexualized in the media. I’m not sure how true this is for others, but that’s my experience.
Reading Volume 5 was a bit healing, it was refreshing to see an author/creator write a story and depict the teenage experience of dealing with sex. I think there is an attitude that teenagers have that everyone is great at sex the first time they do it and if they’re not, then they suck. This cannot be farther from the truth but it’s a difficult narrative to escape. Not only does the progression to sex in Volume 5 not feel forced, but I also admire how it models what good communication looks like and doesn’t cast aside the impact of recovering from an ED and a history of negative sexual encounters on sexual experiences with a partner you love and trust. Additionally, I love the conversation that virginity is a construct and that sex can be whatever you and your partner make it.
Something else I think Alice Oseman hit the mark on, not just in Volume 5 but also in the Nick and Charlie novella, is the struggle of watching your partner plan their life as an individual when your lives have been intertwined for a while. So many aspects she got right on the nose… Wanting your partner to do well and be happy and support them as an individual, but feeling selfish for hoping for something that your partner may not 100% want, the difficulty in being a person outside of a relationship (especially for young, queer kids) and finding other people to confide in, and facing the discomfort of popping the relationship bubble to move forward in life. There’s not much I’ve read geared towards younger queer people, or teens in general, that can tackle real experiences and not exaggerate them and make it seem trivial.
I do wonder what Oseman will do for Volume 6. Volume 5 was supposed to be the last bit of the Heartstopper series, and I think it introduces the issues of Nick leaving for uni that are addressed in the novella without a fuss. From my understanding, there is about a year between Volume 5 and Nick and Charlie. What could be introduced that 1) furthers the issue of Nick leaving or 2) brings a new conflict to the table? I am not opposed to Heartstopper fluff and would be happy with whatever Oseman puts out, but I’m not sure what substance could be added to the series.
by thneedery22