I wished for this book and when I got it, I literally screamed for joy. I looked sooo good!!

Also, I am so glad my book-ey sense never fails. I absolutely adored this short sample(I think Act 1) of the actual Volume 1 that is yet to be released( I think). I loved the artwork, the storyline and the interactions between the characters.

I also liked that it was very diverse and though in this sample I didnt see anything that suggests LGBTQ relationships, I know it'll pop up later because the book has an LGBTQ tag here and I am so looking forward to it! Yay for Diverse books!!!

To say I am ready, willing and eager to get my grabby hands on the complete Volume 1 would be a GROSS understatement. I JUST CAN'T WAIT.

*dashes out to stalk the web for more details*

I had been hearing about this comic from quite a few people, especially by ones who focus more on diverse books. I'm glad I got to read it because that's what I got: a cute little story about 5 people who don't fit in.
There's Jory, the black kid who just moved to a new city and a new school; Sasha, the little one who seems to cause trouble wherever he goes; Aziz, the Indian worrier; Hunter, the flirty (presumably) gay guy who also happens to be fat; and Beckett, the laid back geek.
Together, they face the mysteries and dangers of working backstage, because that's the one place where they feel like they belong.
The art was good and colourful, the layout was very dynamic and the fantastical elements of the story were pretty interesting. Even though it was hard to get to know the characters in such a short volume, I must say they were the best part of it.

The Backstagers is a super cute and funny comic! It reads a bit like a genderbent version of Lumberjanes which I am all for. Even though this volume is short it still gives you a good feel for what the story is going to be like. I am absolutely in love with each and every character in all their melodramatic glory. I can't wait to find out more about them in subsequent volumes!

This was such a fun & cute little act. I will definitely be reading more upcoming acts to find out the boys stories.

An intriguing idea with an exciting set-up! Can;t wait to see what's in store next for the backstagers!

The Backstagers is basically a gender swapped version of The Lumberjanes (it’s fantastic, so if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?). I’m not complaining, though, because I absolutely adore Lumberjanes and I really loved getting to read the first issue of Backstagers. It’s a quirky story of friendship done with some colorful and imaginative art.

In the first issue of the new comic series The Backstagers,” Jory is the new kid in an all-boys private school, St. Genesius. Considering himself an outcast, Jory tries to join the drama club but ends up backstage instead. Behind the theater scenes, the self-named “Backstagers” are not only responsible for setting up the scenes and fetching props, they’re job also requires reigning in the supernatural stuff that happens in the changing tunnels underneath the school.

This issue sets up Jory and his new friends for further hilarity and adventures. With adorable creatures and a cast of diverse characters, The Backstagers promises to tell some entertaining and heartfelt stories about friendship, magic, and good times. I’ll definitely be keeping in tune with this series, not only for the stories but for the representation that shines in the characters.

4/5 Stars.

I received a free e-ARC of The Backstagers, Vol. 1 from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Backstagers was so cute! And I love love love the art. I'm usually very picky about art in manga/comics/graphic novels lol and this one really interested me because it just looked so adorable, and it actually is! The characters were so fun AND FUNNY. They worked together and I'm seeing a squad forming that could potentially break me apart. I'm excited for more so I'm probably gonna buy the volume #2 because I am so tempted.

It has some fantays/magic/monsters in it that I didn't expect but definitely put a twist on this comic and!!! Made me more excited to know what will happen next after that ending. I like the boys so much, and I'm intrigued by their stories and personalities. I'm definitely picking up the next ones and probably just continue to do so until they're over. I love love it.

Very cut. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

For some reason, I thought this was going to be different than it actually was. I can see how many readers would enjoy it, but I just don't think it's my cup of tea. I avidly support Own Voices & appreciate the diversity that this issue includes! I thought this would be the actual Vol. 1 of the series (as it's labeled as such), but instead it was just the first issue & it certainly wasn't enough to pull me in & hold my attention, let alone see where the plot is going (or see if there even is one). Will definitely recommend to younger kiddos, but I don't think I'll be continuing on with the rest of the issues and/or volumes myself.

The Backstages is a difficult one for me to review; this is a short first introductory issue that pretty much sets up the premise of the series (magical realism, friendships, bonding, lots of drama) that may or may not get better as it goes on. Honestly, there wasn't enough to go on yet but I can say it definitely is a trippy story.

Jory is a bit of a loner and having to deal with a new school to boot. He'd rather draw in the bushes during breaks but is also pushed to do extra-curricular activities and socialize. On a whim, he checks out the drama club and looks to join. What he finds is a whole group of interesting and quirky people - from the narcissistic actors to the down-to-Earth and yet very otherworldly stage crew. It's with the creative and crazy stage crew that he finds his 'home'.

The authors definitely have a distinct voice and the art also supports that vision well. If you like zaniness, irreverence, and something very different (if perhaps very strange), this will work for you. Indeed, few graphic novels from the West have ever approached the absolute distinct originality of Japanese manga (where, e.g., a boy can wake up with his girlfriend suddenly replacing his right hand) like The Backstagers does so well.

So why the 4 star rating? It's really not enough to know whether the characters will grow on me or not. Pretty much, the entire first book is Jory just passively agog at the outrageous antics of the people in drama disciplines. I didn't really get a feel for him yet and the characters were so gregarious as to almost be ciphers (though, again, that perfectly represents the drama of theater). It didn't hook me in enough to want to read further but I definitely applaud and appreciate the creativity and originality here. This isn't your father's comic, that's for sure. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I requested this because I thought it was the bind-up volume to be released in July. I normally do not review single issue comics, because it’s too difficult to get a good reading of them, especially the first volume in an entire series. That being said, I still really loved this, and I have even higher hopes for the actual first volume.

Basically, this is Lumberjanes with an all boy cast. And the best thing about this issue, like Lumberjanes, is the amazing representation in this very diverse cast of kids. I’m all for representation, and it is good to note that the writer, James Tynion IV, is openly Bisexual and the artist, Rian Sygh, is openly Trans.

And I very openly support Own Voices.

In this issue we are introduced to our main character, Jory, who has recently moved to a new city, which means he is now going to a new school. His new school is an all-boys school, and Jory isn’t the biggest fan of it so far. He feels like an outcast, isn’t making any friends, and just longs for a place to belong like many of us do when we are in high school. He thinks he will never find that place, until he stumbles upon the stage crew of the theater club!

These Backstagers make Jory feel like he finally has a home to escape to. Oh, and they also stumble upon some secret doorways to different places that look magical, so I’m all for reading more and exploring those.

Obviously the theme of being yourself and valuing your individuality is very present in this comic, but it also talks about finding others and creating healthy and lasting friendships of value, and that’s something really important to me. I for sure want to venture deeper into this world and see what else it has to offer. The art is beautiful, the characters are wonderful, and the representation is amazing. I really can’t recommend this enough.

This is only a sample of Volume 1, and not the complete thing, which I didn't realise when requesting (I'm upto date on the single issue). Therefore I'm not reviewing it until I've read the complete thing.

That said, what I have read I completly f*cking love and BOOM! need to make this an ongoing series right goddamn now.

This was such a fun read! The art was very cute and colorful, the cast was diverse (and I'm seeing a potential squad forming!!) and the writing was very witty and comedic. I also loved the theater setting.
I'm incredibly tempted to go and buy vol #2 right now!

I totally loved this!!!
So Jory is new to town and new at the all boys school, and his mother tasks him to find an after school activity to get involved in while she works late at her new job. He panics at the thought but soon finds himself wandering into Drama Club asking to join. The hilariously stereotypical actor types immediately ask him to fetch a prop from backstage and this is where he meets The Backstagers, the Drama Club's crazy and diverse stagehand crew. In this first edition he gets a glimpse into their under the stage world where not everything is as it seems and things get a little paranormal very quickly!

I really loved this comic book issue, it's humour and art type is similar to Lumberjanes so fans of LJs should pay attention for sure.
I loved the premise of anxious new kid at school and I totally lapped up the diversity in cast. I was drawn to this on NetGalley as I've been part of stagecrews myself before AND it was under LGBTQIA (and has indeed a very handsome suave gay guy) but not only that there is kids of different style and race as well.
I will for sure be seeking out new issues of this.

Backstagers is one of the most refreshing, honestly enjoyable, and instantly lovable pieces I've ever read.

I've been reading Backstagers ever since August when #1 was released. It is a consistent item on my pull list and it is something I always look forward to reading, It is an absolute shame that this comic is only getting 8 issues, but I'm thankful I got to read it at all.

Backstagers centers on just that, high school kids who are the stage crew in their school theatre club. They build sets, are light technicians, and adventure into the magic world that is backstage.

The world Tynion and Sygh have built is one of magic and intrigue, but also an honest one. There's no homophobia or transphobia here, which is delightful, as some writers think this is one of the main ways to add conflict to a story. Tynion and Sygh know that they don't need to do that. They have secret rooms hidden behind doors, they have the intrigue of the stage managers, they have the possibility of adventure instead. The colours are wonderful and it's so easy to picture myself there with the backstagers.

All of the characters are likable and so adorable. I love every single one of them and it's just an absolute delight to see what they all get up to. They're real and fleshed out and they make mistakes. They're the kind of characters I could interact with every day. They're young kids trying to figure things out, and sometimes they may do the wrong thing, but they learn from it and I think that's an incredibly important message.

If you love theatre: read this!
If you want LGBTQIA+ and POC rep: read this!
If you want an all ages comic with twists and turns: read this!

Such a fun read! I can't wait to see what happens next.

If you're looking for the next great all-ages adventure comic in the vein of "Lumberjanes," then "Backstagers" is what you're looking for! The writing is comedic, the art and the colors are phenomenal, and they all make for a wonderful reading experience! I can't wait to read more!