Alters is published by AfterShock Comics. It is written by Paul Jenkins with art by Leila Leiz and colors by Tamra Bonvillain and Leonardo Paciarotti. Alters #1 was released in September 2016.
Alters is a superhero comic series that in a way, tells a story we’ve heard before – the world recently saw the emergence of mutant, super beings called Alterations, “Alters” for short. As you can expect, the people can’t agree on whether they’re good or bad, what should be done about them, etc. You have, in many ways, heard this story.
But what makes Alters standout is that the main character, Chalice, is transgender – the first transgender superhero. In her “normal” life, Chalice is known by her family as Charlie. Though she hasn’t come out to her parents and brother yet, she begins her transition from male to female, only to find herself transitioned into a powerful Alter in the process.
Chalice must decide what path she’s going to walk in order to become her true self, while also handling the complications and responsibilities of being a superhero. And it certainly doesn’t help that she almost immediately finds an arch nemesis in Matter Man, a multi-powered, fascist, Alter. Figure out who you are and save the world, simple, right?
Alters does a great job of, not only bringing transgender representation to the center of attention, but it gives us a new perspective on the struggles of living dual lives. Chalice is happier as her superhero persona, and she’s accepted as a female without question. But what if people knew about Charlie? What if the people who know Charlie knew about Chalice? Despite the freedom she has as Chalice, she’s still very much tied down by “Charlie.”
The art and story are amazing and definitely something you should read.
