This dark little graphic novel is like a child’s nightmare scenario that tackles sexual orientation, gender identity, adolescent angst, and even fear of aging at the same time.
A young “boy” wakes up in a playroom with no idea how he got there, what his name is, or how he turned into a doll. However, he does reunite with his sister and cousins, who have also been transformed into dolls.
While his sister becomes obsessed with “making babies” (she crafts baby dolls), he becomes friends with a monkey puppet. He is also terrorized by a pair of gender-bending dolls that incessantly mock his sexuality, call him fancy boy, and threaten to abduct him and dress him in feminine clothing.
Meanwhile, his grandmother occasionally pops in to check on him and entertain him and his friends with stories of witches and dragons.
And most importantly, he starts to form a crush on another boy rag doll. As much as he wants to get out of the frightening playroom and back to reality to discover who he really is, he finds incredible comfort and safety with his rag doll friend.
Stitch comes to an oddly dark yet gay positive conclusion. It’s creepy and quirky and accompanied by excellent artwork. You can get a copy on Amazon.
