As LGBTQ+ representation continues to be a talking point in the comic book industry, BOOM! Studios reinforces its commitment to progressive storytelling with the release of Eighty Days. Published through the company's Archaia imprint, Eighty Days is the debut graphic novel of writer/artist A.C. Esguerra, winner of the PRISM Queer Press Grant. The book features commentary on war, immigration, oppression, and romance, with a healthy dose of action. While mainstream media still struggles with queer representation, Eighty Days is a heartfelt work that shows the value of supporting LGBTQ+ stories.
Eighty Days tells the story of Jay, Fix, and Sable, three young people caught in the midst of a global war. Jay is a pilot who wants nothing more than to fly, so when Fix offers him a job that'll allow him to take some time in the sky, he gladly accepts. When it becomes clear that Fix can't actually pay for the trip, Jay decides to bring Fix on as a navigator to pay off his debt. However, Jay discovers that Fix is part of a revolutionary force that aims to take down the AVO, a governing body in charge of all air travel. Now Jay will have to decide whether he wants to stay with his friend Sable and the organization they've sworn to protect or betray everything he's never known to pursue his budding romance with Fix.
Creator A.C. Esguerra divides Eighty Days into four chapters, titled "Eighty Days," "Black Box," "Featherweight," and "20/20." These chapters have unique storytelling properties that distinguish them from one another. For example, "Eighty Days" has very little dialogue and is primarily told through the use of Jay's logbook, with some annotations from Fix. This means that as readers are introduced to the lives of these characters, they are seeing everything from Jay's perspective. Then, the narrative shifts to show Sable's life in "Black Box," which provides a comprehensive look at life inside of the AVO. The chapter has tons of dialogue and rarely shows things from Sable's perspective, providing a sharp contrast to the story and shrouding Sable in mystery. The decision to distinguish each chapter with a different structure is a creative way for Esguerra to play with Eighty Days' narrative and it enhances the story.
Esguerra's art on Eighty Days creates an immersive experience for readers. The book is depicted entirely in black and white, combining the sensibilities of manga and pulp novels into a unique spectacle. Esguerra builds a dynamic world in Eighty Days, one that is often reminiscent of early 20th Century war machines. The technology looks functional and well-designed, never veering too far into fantasy. This bleeds into the action, as planes face off against one another in aerial combat. In interviews, Esguerra has spoken about their love for flying and how it can be used as a metaphor for freedom. That thoughtfulness pays off, as scenic landscapes and empty space show the pure beauty of flight. Esguerra matches this beauty in the expressive character designs of Jay, Fix, and Sable. Every action taken by the cast of Eighty Days is supported with emotion. This is especially effective when Jay and Fix embrace their love for each other, as the raw passion leaps off the page.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Eighty Days is that Esguerra is unafraid to explore war as it relates to a gay romance. Regardless of medium or genre, there simply aren't many narratives that combine the horrors of combat with the internal conflict of addressing one's sexuality. Esguerra could have used queer subtext in Eighty Days, but instead positioned the connection between Jay and Fix as the story's focal point. By spotlighting this relationship, Esguerra shows readers that stories combining love and war are even stronger through an LGBTQ+ lens.
Eighty Days is an incredible debut for A.C. Esguerra. The story of Jay, Fix, and Sable touches upon many thought-provoking subjects and reaches a rewarding conclusion. As the comic book industry continues to confront a history of homophobia that has impacted millions of lives, uplifting stories like Eighty Days provide hope that a better tomorrow lies just beyond the horizon.
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