Pretty Deadly is a comic series by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Ríos, published by Image Comics. The series is a genre-bending mix of western, horror, fantasy, and mythology, with a diverse cast of characters and a rich mythology. One of the aspects that has drawn praise from critics and fans alike is the queer representation in the series, which features characters of different sexual orientations and gender identities. In this article, we will explore how Pretty Deadly portrays queer characters and themes, and why it is an important and refreshing example of LGBTQ+ representation in comics.

The Main Characters: Ginny and Alice

The main character of the series is Deathface Ginny, the daughter of Death and a mortal woman. Ginny is a reaper of vengeance, who rides a horse made of smoke and carries a sword made of bone. She is feared and revered by many, but she also has a softer side, especially when it comes to her lover, Alice.

Alice is a former slave who escaped from her abusive master and joined a group of outlaws. She met Ginny when she was hired to kill her, but instead fell in love with her. Alice is a skilled fighter and a loyal partner, who supports Ginny in her quest to stop the evil plans of the Mason, a powerful and corrupt figure who wants to control the world.

Ginny and Alice are both bisexual women, who have had relationships with men and women in the past. Their relationship is not a plot device or a token gesture, but a central and integral part of the story. They are shown as complex and flawed individuals, who have their own struggles and conflicts, but also share a deep and passionate bond. They are not defined by their sexuality, but by their actions and choices.

The Supporting Characters: Sarah and Molly Raven

Another queer couple in the series is Sarah and Molly Raven, who appear in the second volume, The Bear. Sarah is a blind seer, who can see the future and the past through her dreams. She is the mother of Sissy, a young girl who is the key to the prophecy that will change the world. Molly Raven is a crow who can take human form, and is Sarah’s protector and companion.

Sarah and Molly Raven are both lesbians, who have been together for a long time. They are also older women, who have experienced a lot of hardship and loss in their lives. They are devoted to each other, and to their daughter, Sissy. They are also brave and resourceful, who face danger and sacrifice to help Ginny and Alice in their mission.

Sarah and Molly Raven are rare examples of queer women of color and queer elders in comics, who are often underrepresented or ignored. They are also positive and realistic portrayals of disability and trauma, as Sarah is blind and Molly Raven is a survivor of abuse. They are not stereotypes or clichés, but nuanced and compelling characters.

The Themes: Love and Death

One of the main themes of the series is the relationship between love and death, and how they are intertwined and inseparable. The series explores the different forms and expressions of love, such as romantic, familial, platonic, and self-love, and how they can be a source of strength, joy, pain, and sacrifice. The series also examines the different aspects and consequences of death, such as violence, grief, justice, and rebirth, and how they can be a source of fear, sorrow, anger, and hope.

The series does not shy away from showing the harsh and brutal realities of the world, where death is omnipresent and inevitable. The series also does not sugarcoat or idealize the love between the characters, where they face challenges and conflicts, and sometimes hurt each other. The series shows that love and death are not opposites, but complementary forces, that shape and define the lives of the characters.

The series also does not discriminate or differentiate the love and death of the queer characters, from the straight ones. The series shows that queer love is just as valid, beautiful, and powerful, as any other kind of love, and that queer death is just as tragic, meaningful, and impactful, as any other kind of death. The series shows that queer characters are not disposable or expendable, but essential and valuable, to the story and the world.

Conclusion: Why Pretty Deadly Matters

Pretty Deadly is a comic series that offers a unique and refreshing perspective on queer representation in comics. The series features queer characters who are diverse, complex, and human, who have their own agency and voice, and who are integral to the plot and the themes. The series also features queer themes that are relevant, realistic, and respectful, that explore the nuances and challenges of love and death, and that celebrate the diversity and beauty of queer experiences.

Pretty Deadly is a comic series that matters, because it shows that queer stories matter, and that queer people matter. It is a comic series that challenges the norms and conventions of the genre and the medium, and that creates a new and original vision of the world and the mythology. It is a comic series that deserves to be read, appreciated, and celebrated, by queer and non-queer readers alike.

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