Single Issue Showcase: Zot! #33 - "Normal"

The cover of Zot! #33

Looking at the posts I've made so far and the posts I have planned over the next few months, it would appear that I meant to focus on trade paperbacks. For that reason, I've decided to start something new with the blog to guarantee that I don't cover too much of the same thing. From now on, every three months will feature a post I'm calling Single Issue Showcase, in which I focus on the sole issue of an ongoing or limited series that focuses on LGBT issues even if (or maybe especially if) the series itself does not. As always, suggestions are welcome.

Zot! #33 was originally published in 1991 as part of a monthly ongoing series that was written and drawn by Scott McCloud, best known today as the author of Understanding Comics and its sequels. It was a pastiche of Golden Age superhero comics about an interdimensional teenager with advanced technology named Zot, and Jenny, the high school girl from “our” Earth with whom he falls in love. The series was separated into two distinct arcs: “Heroes and Villains,” about Zot’s heroic exploits in his home dimension, and “Earth stories,” which were more character-driven issues centering on supporting cast members. Issue #33, “Normal,” was about Jenny’s friend Terry and her realization that she is attracted to other girls, specifically her proudly out classmate Pamela. Terry is petrified of what this means for her future and what might happen if her friends discover the truth.

The story suffers a bit from having to tell a complicated story in roughly twenty pages. Mr. McCloud has even written how it may read to some like an after-school special, especially compared to certain stories that have since been published. In spite of this, there are moments of genuine poignancy and Terry’s fear over her classmates’ possible reactions is made very real. The story even comes with a twist ending that may seem overly sentimental, but is earned and heartfelt. It was a story about gay rights in a (sort of) mainstream comic book that may have been the first time its readers were exposed to such ideas.

Zot comforts Terry

Zot! #33 was nominated for both a Harvey and an Eisner Award for Best Single Issue. Obviously, the individual issue may be difficult to find, but the complete series of Zot! can be found in a single volume at major comics retailers, online, and print bookstores. It is well worth checking out.