4.5 stars for a truly precious piece of work!

The Backstagers is the first installment in a fantasy graphic novel series featuring so many adorable and deep characters who make up the stage crew of an all-boys private school.

Deep, fun and with great artwork, it completely captured my heart!
Totally recommending it and can't wait to continue with the series.

It was a fun and inclusive read! I would recommend it to anyone getting out of a reading slump. It is good for middle grade, and some high schoolers depending on taste.

I enjoyed the graphic novel a lot!
I would like to thank the publisher for giving me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reminiscent of Lumberjanes. both thematically and stylistically. We've got a small cast of quirky characters in a place with a lot of magical weirdness. Essentially, the backstage is its own dimension. At first read, I didn't really get it. As I got deeper in, though, my affection grew.

The Backstagers Vol 1 is SO precious and fun. The standout for me is the artwork which is truly beautiful. The story is a perfect blend of weird and cute with characters that you're sure to love. I'm excited to see where this story goes. Highly recommend picking this one up.

I loved Backstagers! I worked in tech theatre in college, am a comics fan, and am super queer, so this was a perfect match for me all round. Good job again, Boom!

Great colors really make this story about a group of teenagers really make this story fun. At an all boys school, these are the guys who work behind-the-scenes to make all the theater performances look good. Except there's secrets, like some sort of portal to another dimension and lots of scary things that can come out of it. Plus, a group of backstagers went into the portal AND NEVER CAME BACK. Very fun overall.

Magic realism but for theatre kids. This may be a make or break for a lot of people. but there a lot of charm and fun in this crazy mixed up world of messing with the nuts and bolts of theatre.

Verdict: Try it. The characters are cute and the tone is cool.

I deeply apologize, I didn’t download this before it archived because I was having problems with my Bluefire Reaser app which is what I use for books like this. Look forward to picking up this book out in the wild, but again thanks so much for the great opportunity!

This graphic novel gives me a lot of feels. First, it reminds me a lot of "Lumberjanes" and I adore that series. The friendships between the Backstagers makes me happy. Second, THEATER GEEKS UNITE! As a high school techie, seeing the unsung heroes of theatre productions being the heroes makes my heart sing.

Since this was only a sample issue and not the whole volume, I'm going to choose not to review this title at this time.

Honestly, one issue really isn't enough to fully judge a trade paperback. I will say that as a crew person in high school and college I will probably read the rest too. The sample was cool, just way too short. :)

Behind the scenes of the drama club, there is a labyrinth of rooms and hallways filled with creepy critters and questionable sofas alike – that is the world of The Backtagers Act: 1 (2107). The inhabitants design and build the sets and props for the actors of the drama club and are all but forgotten in their backstage rooms. The Backstagers not only cater to the needs of the drama club but have their own adventures out of sight and out of mind of the rest of the school. It’s the perfect place for the group of misfits to gather and find belonging.

The art in The Backstagers Act: 1 is perfectly whimsical. It’s bright and cheery, full of decidedly uplifting (and wonderfully ludacris) colours and eye-twinkles (not a weird metaphor – there are literal stars in eyes at some points). I’m not art critic, but the best I can do is say that it made me happy – the art and the story where both so matched in tone, and a joyful one at that, it was delightful to read.

The fantasy element was introduced in a thoroughly tongue-in-cheek way with major questions met with shrugs and, “this is how it is so we have a good time with it” kind of nonchalant acceptance of the nature of the rooms beneath the drama club.

I’ve probably used the word ‘delightful’ a couple of times now, but here it comes again: the characters were nothing short of completely delightful. We only get a brief introduction to who I assume will be the main characters of The Backstagers as a whole, but what we see this early on is truly full of promise. The potential and the heart of it all was a breath of fresh air, appealing to my inner weird kid. The Backstagers themselves as a group are introduced as individual outsiders who have found a cozy home back stage and with each other.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Backstagers Act: 1. It’s funny, bright, and quite simply nice to look at. I certainly recommend it for a light and happy tale with some whimsical fantasy elements.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Normally I wouldn't post it everywhere now, but sorry, if I only get one issue, I will post it under that one issue, and as that one has been out for more than 6 months. :P

Well this was a shame, if I had known this was just a sample I wouldn't have picked this one up. I was looking forward to the whole volume. Why I didn't know this as there was apparently a warning on the page? Well, if you are on Netgalley and browse through the books and click on one, you just get the basic information. Nothing of a warning at all. Only when you click on full details will you get the full details page or if you click on the request button and it refreshes, but I only need a cover + description + if it is open to my part of the world. So yeah, had I know, I wouldn't have requested it. Bleh. Next time maybe make a better title? I am sure more people got duped thanks to this crap.

So yeah, not a happy camper, especially since this story was just so brilliant and I was really disappointed that I couldn't read on with how it goes. Oh well, guess I will just find the other issues somewhere so I can continue it.

I definitely loved the MC, he was a fun, sweet guy, and I loved how he went from meh and everything sucks to happy and joy. It was a great change to see, and I am happy for him that he finally was able to find a place in the theatre. Not as an actor, oh no, as something else, as he found that job a bit more exciting. Yes, it might be a bit spoilerish, but sorry, I am still pissed off at the whole I only get one chapter thing. :|
I do have to say I did see it coming, he just didn't seem like the guy who would like acting. He loves to draw, he loves to make stuff, he seemed more fit for many of the other jobs in the theatre.

I also was a tad bit confused with it all, but then I got into it and I was a goner. I just wanted to know more about this underground world with its strangeness, weird creatures that love the colour red (and also have tools and such in them), tunnels that go on and on, and apparently no one but a certain select group is able to go and see these wonders. Then again it is as one of those guys said, people just don't notice it, or people turn their noses up and ignore it. It is something that you see often in fantasy books. Magic stuff just lying in plain sight but no one but those who truly look spot it.

The art is really colourful, fun, and I loved how the characters were drawn. Our MC was just adorable with his random blushing (I am so shipping him with that big burly guy, Hunter, yes, I am that kind of girl, sorry).

I definitely want to read more, and so I will continue reading this series. It is so much fun, and I am still amazed that it is a comic that doesn't throw people in at a random interval and doesn't give a lick of care about telling peeps what happens or what is going on. No, instead there is a bit of confusion, but that is OK as that is the same thing our MC is going through!

Updated review! (too bad I can't do bold on here)

I received this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review. (Well to be correct, I got #1 from NG, and #2-4 from the publisher.)

As I already said in my review for Issue #1, it seemed something went wrong on NG with the warning that was mentioned on the page of this one. The publisher took notice of my and other's feedback that it didn't show, and that we were disappointed it was only one issue instead of the whole book. She kindly send me the other 3 issues that, with #1, would make up this book. Thanks for everything!

Now, I will grab my review for #1, not everything, but the important bits. I will then add new comments.

So yeah, not a happy camper, especially since this story was just so brilliant and I was really disappointed that I couldn’t read on with how it goes. Oh well, guess I will just find the other issues somewhere so I can continue it.
Way happier camper now that I was able to read up to #4. Though there was a cliffhanger (ARGHHHHH), but that is OK, it makes me more excited to see what will happen in the next one.
The story is definitely getting better and better, sure, I didn't always like the cast, but the story, boy, that is awesome, and I love how much more there is still to be told. So much mystery, not only about that new world, but also about what happened in 1987.

I definitely loved the MC, he was a fun, sweet guy, and I loved how he went from meh and everything sucks to happy and joy. It was a great change to see, and I am happy for him that he finally was able to find a place in the theatre. Not as an actor, oh no, as something else, as he found that job a bit more exciting. Yes, it might be a bit spoilerish, but this all takes place in the first 25 pages of the volume (issue one is just 20-25 pages).
I do have to say I did see it coming, he just didn’t seem like the guy who would like acting. He loves to draw, he loves to make stuff, he seemed more fit for many of the other jobs in the theatre.
Loving him more and more with each passing page. Not always is he the focus of the story (like with one issue it was Beckett's turn), but he is still the MC in my eyes. And he is just so adorable. I loved how he returned with a fully written notebook on all the questions he had about that world in the backstage parts of the stage. Plus he is so friendly, it is truly like he has been with this group for a long time instead of the short time it actually has been.

I also was a tad bit confused with it all, but then I got into it and I was a goner. I just wanted to know more about this underground world with its strangeness, weird creatures that love the colour red (and also have tools and such in them), tunnels that go on and on, and apparently no one but a certain select group is able to go and see these wonders. Then again it is as one of those guys said, people just don’t notice it, or people turn their noses up and ignore it. It is something that you see often in fantasy books. Magic stuff just lying in plain sight but no one but those who truly look spot it.
Yep, I am still loving it, and I am loving that we slowly find out more and more. There are still so many questions, questions that I hope will get answered one day, but until then I am satisfied with the pace, and with the worldbuilding. Every issue shows a little bit more of the world, lifts a bit more of the veil. We find out more about the inhabitants of that world, about rooms that just are there and what they contain. The echo spiders are creepy, but thankfully they didn't truly mean that much harm.

The art is really colourful, fun, and I loved how the characters were drawn. Our MC was just adorable with his random blushing (I am so shipping him with that big burly guy, Hunter, yes, I am that kind of girl, sorry).
Yep, the art is still a big favourite, though at times the body proportions seemed a bit off. Arms or hands that were a bit too big. But no biggie for me, I still enjoy it.
And yes, I am shipping our MC and Hunter so much, even more now in the parts I just read. They just fit together so perfectly, I love how Hunter is all protective and sweet, and how our MC just wasn't sure how to handle it, though he does a good job and is very sweet back. It is just so adorable, and I hope that these 2 will get together one day, and maybe a kissing scene? Awww please? Please? *puppy eyes*

I also love the Beckett x that actress part. Oh boy, I am shipping another couple!

Sasha? Well, let me just say I thought those twin actors were bad, but Sasha is worse. How old is he again? 4? Maybe 5? Because that is all I will give him. Not much more. His attitude is terrible, his work ethic is even worse. He ruined something that he knew mattered a lot. Just because apparently the little poophead can't see that he should act a bit more adult, more responsible. He even broke something because of this. What a terrible character. I do hope that he will turn around and grow up a bit, because really, how did this guy even become a backstager? :[

We also meet up with the stage managers, and while I did like them, I am wondering what is going on with them, they are a bit shifty about certain things. Plus how old are they? Did they get stuck in high school or something? I wouldn't think these guys are 18. I would rather say 22 or older.

Plus we meet the adviser, and at first I liked him, but with that ending? I am not sure about his intentions. Can't wait to see what is going on with this character.

I definitely want to read more, and so I will continue reading this series. It is so much fun, and I am still amazed that it is a comic that doesn’t throw people in at a random interval and doesn’t give a lick of care about telling peeps what happens or what is going on. No, instead there is a bit of confusion, but that is OK as that is the same thing our MC is going through!
Yep, still fully agree with myself on this part. I am still so happy that this is one of those comics that doesn't throw you into a fiery pit of confusion and doesn't give you anything back. Sure, it does throw you into a semi-fiery pit of confusion, but the MC is also going through that phase, and together with him we can figure it all out!

All in all, I definitely, definitely, love this series, and I would highly recommend it to everyone. There is mystery, magic, strangeness, nitwit actors, sweet romance, and much more!

A fun read, for sure. I am not usually a fan of comics but this one was special, and leads to a series. Anyone who enjoys comics should definitely look at this.

I was given a copy of this on Netgalley. Unfortunately, I thought I was getting the entire Vol 1 but it was just the first issue as a sample. This doesn't really make it easy to review or recommend the graphic novel which is out in August. What I would say is this issue was wacky, amusing, well drawn, with an interesting mix of characters.
Jordy is a new boy at school and, needing to find an after school club, he joins the drama club. But what he finds is a magical area behind the stage, a group of lads who might possibly become his friends, and a place to belong.
I'd certainly consider buying the graphic novel when it comes out.

I did not realize this was a sampler, but it certainly whet my appetite for the series.

This was a fun graphic novel to read. Nice series.

I'm not usually big on comics but this one was excellent! Any theatre kid knows that the backstage area is full of props, costumes, and magic, and THE BACKSTAGERS takes the magic to an entirely new level. Loved every minute of this!

Secrets and surprise abounds in this graphic novel about a new school, new friends, and fitting-in. While some of the characters are stereotypical, this story is anything but - you never know what will happen next behind the curtains.

Really enjoyable, very colourful and was a great beginning to an interesting series.