It's no secret that there's still a serious lack of queer inclusion in comic and superhero media, but in recent years, there's been a new wave of titles that have made LGBTQ+ people feel seen in the pages of their favorite stories. One of those stories is Curt Pires and Alex Diotto's comiXology original YOUTH, a four-part, coming-of-age series that's putting a different, grittier, queer AF spin on what we usually see in the teen superhero genre.
"In YOUTH, Franklin and River struggle to navigate family, friends, high school, work, drugs, and all the pressures of growing up," the official description of the comic (which is already in development as an original series with Amazon Studios) reads. "As a queer couple, they yearn to escape their lives in a small, bigoted Midwest town. They steal River’s stepfather’s Mustang and hit the road. Their destination? California. But along the way, the car breaks down. They meet some kids who are traveling the country, partying, and attempting to find themselves. They party some more...and soon everything changes."
Writer Curt Pires shared with us the TV shows, movies, and other iconic comic series that inspired the creation of YOUTH, and PRIDE even got an exclusive first-look preview of the upcoming fourth issue!
"This came out when I was in sixth or seventh grade and was my favorite show. The Seth Cohen character was the first time I really identified with anyone on TV. Sure it was hockey instead of water polo where I’m from, but the feelings were similar. I’d rather be hanging out listening to music and reading comic books. This show really ignited my love affair with California too. The ocean as your backyard...just so beautiful. More specifically, I think the way this show took the kids to dark adult places inspired my approach to YOUTH. It was the first teen show I’d ever seen that ever really felt even close to the pressures and anxieties of being a teen. I’m a big Josh Schwartz fan. I think we’re repped by the same law firm. They’ve got good taste."
"Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix are everything in this film. The sort of love and longing between the two of them was a big inspiration for River and Frank’s relationship. I wanted it to be complicated and messy in the way relationships often are in real life. And I think this film is a big inspiration in terms of that. Plus young Keanu and River...does it get more iconic?"
"The whole idea for the van the kids are driving in...I got it from this movie. I love this movie. There’s no reason it shouldn’t have been a massive hit when it came out, but I guess you can’t control that stuff. Andrea Arnold is such a masterful filmmaker. There are so many quiet moments in this film...closeups on minor details that expand the world and stories of the characters in it. Other directors wouldn’t take this time, find these moments, but Andrea does because she is a master. Shia is great in this. There’s so much pain and love in his performance. Same with Sasha Lane. What a discovery. It’s impossible to watch this film and not fall in love with her. She’s brilliant."
"BKV is such an iconic creator. A real idea man. I think that’s something I’ve certainly aspired to in my career. Alphona’s art is brilliant too. I think this is maybe the last truly great teen superhero comic to come out. In a perfect world, Brian and Adrian would own these characters. This book is better the less it crosses over with the rest of the Marvel universe. It’s just brilliant. I could say a lot about it but you should just read it."
Young Avengers(Heinberg and Cheung)
"Allan Heinberg was a writer on The OC as well so this is sort of full circle. While Runaways felt more like creator-owned/isolated projects, Young Avengers fully leans into and embraces the Marvel universe. The art is just incredible. Jim Cheung is a genius. And the writing is superb too. Every character feels fully fleshed out and realized. The book does some really fun stuff with Marvel continuity as well."
"The parts of Watchmen that influenced YOUTH…It’s not really then deconstruction or darkness. It’s creating a fully realized world that is shaped by the advent and presence of superhumans. I think much of Alan Moore’s most fascinating work does this really well. Miracleman also covers similar ground. While I maybe don’t agree with every thought or take Moore has, I have complete respect for him as a creator. He’s one of our mediums masters and should be respected as such."
YOUTH is available to read on comiXology. Read a preview of issue #4 (which will be released on June 2) below!
