My Life in Transition

January 25, 2021
Kaye (Super Late Bloomer) continues her candid journal comics series with an intimate look at her life as a trans woman post–coming out. Having lived openly as herself for three years, Kaye has become more and more comfortable in her own skin, but that doesn’t mean her life has gotten simpler. Kaye attempts to navigate the rocky world of dating in the 21st century, bouncing between iffy experiences with men on hookup apps and turbulent monogamous relationships, while her experiences of gender dysphoria and sexual attraction subtly shift. The arc of the narrative hinges on a messy breakup with ex-girlfriend Liv and Kaye’s slow journey toward healing. Kaye bares her soul via blunt, confessional narration, and occasional flares of expressionism break up her spare, black-and-white cartooning, lending weight to those moments. “We’re just people with the same wants and needs as anyone else,” writes Kaye. By conveying simply that, this collection is a success, illuminating the reality of everyday trans life.

May 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-Kaye follows up her first graphic novel, Super Late Bloomer: My Early Days in Transition, with a new collection of comics documenting her day-to-day life three years after her gender transition. Kaye enjoys good times with friends and finds joy in being seen as the woman that she is. She still struggles with internalized transphobia and managing the gender dysphoria that sometimes creeps back in. Kaye, who identifies as pansexual, describes her sometimes conflicting feelings about dating. Readers will feel her anguish when accepting family members refuse to stand up for her against transphobic relatives. Nevertheless, she's made huge strides and feels the peace that comes with finally being the person she was always meant to be. The deft black-and-white cartoons are simple but expressive. Though for the most part illustrations are realistic, when addressing her feelings, Kaye uses powerful imagery to express her joy-a body being cracked open, with a new person emerging-or dysphoria: Kaye floating in space. Kaye is Jewish and most of the people in her world appear to be white. VERDICT In sharing a deeply personal journey, Kaye underscores that transitioning is "an ongoing, lifelong process of embracing change." Her story will resonate with comics fans, especially those who are transitioning or care about someone who is.-Carla Riemer, Berkeley, CA

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