Matchmaker

Drawn in crisp, manga-influenced stylings, this winsome collection of Marshall’s weekly pandemic-era webcomic (2021–2023) captures queer millennial angst and hijinks with high energy and sharp humor. The story line charts the adventures of loud, nonbinary Kimmy; their bestie Mason, an anxious, self-doubting young gay man; and the duo’s circle of friends and paramours. Kimmy relentlessly expends time and energy trying to get Mason a boyfriend, while admitting that “my skill as a matchmaker is no match against covid variants.” When the pair befriend shy lesbian neighbor Marlowe, Kimmy becomes smitten and romance blossoms, leading to an uptick in Marlowe’s confidence: “Maybe I’m not straight hot but I am gay hot.” Meanwhile, Mason develops a crush on Marlowe’s too-cool barista coworker, Adam, which may or may not be reciprocal, and Mason’s sister Sam comes out as bisexual. Marshall keeps the one-liners coming at regular, welcome intervals, and maintains a consistently upbeat tone, even when touching upon more serious topics such as antidepressant use, long Covid, and the necessity of employment to survive (at work and missing Marlowe, Kimmy complains, “Capitalism is trying to stop me from having gay sex”). This refreshingly feel-good time capsule of a peculiar, fraught period offers laughs and feels in equal measure. (Sept.)