Lovecraftian Horror and Coming-Out Drama

Boys Weekend
A Graphic Novel by Mattie Lubchansky

Pantheon Books, Available 6/6/23

First of all, let me say how much I enjoyed reading this book.  But second, I have to say how hard it is to write about. I'm a cis-het middle-aged male from the suburbs. While I like to imagine that I'm experienced and aware, I'm also deeply conscious of the fact that observation is not experience, and empathy is not necessarily the same as understanding. But hey! Maybe there are other aging cis-het comic geeks out there who would like guidance on whether this is worth their time.

Our protagonist is Sammie, who is less than a year into her transition, and while she's out as trans, she hasn't exactly issued a manifesto and sought out uncomfortable conversations with everyone she's ever met. Why should she? She's built a life for herself, surrounded by people who love and understand her. Conflict arises when her former life summons her.  She's invited, and feels obligated to attend, the bachelor party of her college-era best friend. Even worse, she's the Best Man. 

The majority of the story takes place on El Campo, a capitalist libertarian resort where pretty much anything goes, as long as you can pay. Freedom isn't free, and human freedom often takes a back seat to corporate freedom. Writer/artist Mattie Lubchansky does a great job of portraying this dichotomy without leaning on it hard enough to become didactic.

The setting is near-future, with technologies we don't quite have yet. These are woven seamlessly into the story and pass unquestioned. I'm a science fiction purist. Science fiction is about ideas. It's not about spaceships and robots going beep-boop. This story utilizes science fiction ideas and explores how we, as individuals and as a culture, might respond to them. That makes it True Science Fiction, which is about as high a compliment as I could pay.

The plot involves Sammie trying to fit in with friends she's outgrown, but isn't willing to abandon; trying to navigate the planned activities of the bachelor party. There's also a Lovecraftian apocalypse cult, but that's not nearly as important as the dynamic between Sammie's former life and her current one. Her efforts to conform to a niche from which she has long since moved on, and her friends' refusal to acknowledge her transition make for an uncomfortable drama which forms the heart of the novel.

"I think", Sammie says before embarking, "I'm gonna have to go guy-mode." 

She does; ignoring the countless times they call her "Dude" or "Bro", joining them at the strip club, and even going topless at the pool. The service workers at El Campo, whose livelihoods are presumably dependent on tips, persist in calling her "Sir" even though she's clearly presenting as female. Granted, they have access to genetic scans that identify her as XY, but she doesn't even stand up for herself to people whose job it is to cater to her needs. She's just trying to get through the weekend. One old friend declares himself an ally, but uses that as an excuse to ask puerile questions. Another, the only female in the bachelor party group, can't understand why Sammie would voluntarily discard the advantages of being male.  Most ignore the issue completely. They're guys.

The plot is unimportant. The emotional journey is all.  From one perspective, she's ultimately rescued from the cult by a man, like a common Lois Lane. From another, she rescues herself. Her past and present lives, past and present friends, past and present selves, conflict in ways it's not always easy to parse. By confronting and then abandoning her past self, she is finally able to move ahead into a future only she can define.

Boys Weekend is a fun and sometimes challenging read. I'm grateful for the education. If you're looking for a graphic novel that doesn't involve spandex tights, mystic quests, or incomprehensible Japanese rigmarole, this may be for you!

Rich Chapell