REVIEWS: Finding Dee, Vol. 1

4.12/5.0 Stars 
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: R

Creative Team:

Writer: Dee Fish
Artist: Dee Fish
Colors: Katy Rewston
Letters: Dee Fish
Cover: Dee Fish
Editor: Laurie Foster
Publisher: Unlikely Heroes Studios 

Ratings:

Story: 4.4 Stars
Artwork: 3.6 Stars
Cover Artwork: 3.7 Stars
Dialogue: 4.4 Stars
Mechanics: 4.5 Stars
Editing: 4.1 Stars 

About the Book:

Finding Dee, Volume One is a collection of one page comic strips that tell the story of Dee Fish’s life experiences being transgender. We see her journey begin as the little boy that wanted to be Wonder Woman. We see the guy in his 20 and 30’s go through a series of failed relationships and different looks hoping one would fit. Finally we see Dee allowing herself to be who she truly is and embracing it. Additionally, Dee gives us a glimpse of her day to day life, the struggles of shopping for clothes that fit right, dealing with transphobia, and her adventures at comic-con.

Reader’s Notes:

Americans pride themselves on being part of a melting pot. “The American dream”, “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, “We the people”, and all those other catchy bullshit slogans our country uses to feel good about ourselves. We’re in the 2020’s and the LGBTQ community still finds itself, in many ways, treated as “separate but equal”.

Some people say they are accepting of the LGBTQ community. That lasts right up until the moment they actually encounter someone from the community. Then the stupidity starts flowing. That’s when you hear comments like, “I’m okay with it as long as I don’t have to see it”. Newsflash: If you are  saying that, you’re not actually accepting. You are simply trying to pass yourself off as being progressive.

For those that think it’s okay to launch verbal salvos at members of the LGBTQ community because it’s not permitted in the Bible, you’re using religion as a shield to cover how close minded you are. Regarding rape, the Bible uses logic that translates to “if she didn’t scream loud enough to get the help she needed, then she wanted it to happen”. According to the Bible this sin is to be punished with the execution of both parties. (Deuteronomy:22)

I have no objection to taking those that are so full of love that they’ll forcef it onto others out of the game. Killing the victim because she wasn’t able to get help is a bit extreme, even for biblical times. There are those that want to argue that it’s not natural. Neither are erectile dysfunction medications. Receiving a blow job isn’t exactly conventional sex. You don’t protest that though, do you?

I respect the way Dee Fish handles herself in these situations as the story progresses. I would not be able to handle myself as gracefully. Dee has plenty of justification to use Finding Dee as a platform to make a political and social statement. She doesn’t though. She brings awkward moments she’s had to light while keeping the high ground. That is very commendable.

Dee opens eyes as she shares the experiences that she’s had with her transition. From side effects brought on by hormones to the battle with stubble to strategically finding a restroom to having a dog lovingly jump in your lap immediately after surgery, she lays it all out there.

It’s not just that Dee lays it all out there. It’s the way she does it. She doesn’t oversell anything. Nor does she downplay anything. Dee presents her story to us in a matter of fact fashion that can be sad or hilarious, depending on the circumstances. In that regard Finding Dee reminds me a lot of For Better or For Worse, by Lynn Johnston.

Dee’s artwork is perfect for this story. It has an animated style that really emphasizes the point. Jokes land better and it creates more empathy for moments that should not have happened. While the jar of pickled eggs was spit out my drink funny, my personal favorite panel was the homage to Transformers: The Movie. The line work is fantastic. I can’t think of a better pop culture reference metaphor for Dee’s experience. I also got a kick out of the Star Wars homage on the cover.

As a geek on a budget I highly recommendthis book. You’ll learn the arcane make up tips of the Cosmic Trans Council. You’ll learn what Dee endured in hopes of getting an interview with “Bleeding Cool Magazine”. Best of all you’ll see how Dee handles it all with dignity(ish) on her way to Finding Dee.

You can get your copy of Finding Dee during the Kickstarter campaign at:

www.uhstudios.com/kickit2