Synopsis
Wylie Kogan is an aspiring artist, stumping for work in 1963 California. When a fawning fan letter grants him access to his cartoonist hero, the wealthy and celebrated Joseph Ahlstrom, he’s quick to take advantage of a proffered portfolio review . . . but winds up learning more than he ever wanted to about Joe when he stumbles across some of his idol’s illicit fetish art.
His hasty, ill-considered theft of a drawing triggers a series of events he never planned on . . . most of which involve Joseph’s imposing and resolute partner, Roya.
Notes on This Title
This graphic novel depicts a polyamorous relationship between a woman, Roya, and two men, Joseph and Wylie.
Yes, Roya was originally published in black and white before being reprinted in full color in November 2021.
Awards
None.
Reviews
“Yes, Roya is a smart and sexy graphic novel about love and comics from the always fabulous Spike Trotman. Set in the early 1960s, we follow a young artist who’s trying to get his career off the ground when he gets the opportunity to meet his cartoonist hero. He’s shocked to discover that his hero’s comics are secretly all the work of his ‘wife’ Roya — who is actually his Domme. What follows is our protagonist’s relationship with them both — exploring the realities of sexism, racism, and homophobia in a repressive society and the high-stakes risk of being yourself anyway. More than anything, Yes, Roya is about surviving through transgressive subtext in both life and art — and, yes, the hot sex that happens in between.” (Source: Powell’s)
Interviews
CBR: “Spike Trotman’s Iron Circus Is Taking Over Comics with Smut and Sci-Fi”