Recognized is an anthology series that celebrates LGBTQ+ heroes like Alain Locke, Sylvia Rivera, Bayard Rustin, and Larry Kramer. Originally a team-up between the New York City Department of Education and Good Trouble Productions, it delves into their impactful legacies, featuring stories by a fantastic lineup of comic creators. It’s a solid comic to begin to dive into the history of the movement while also providing answers as to where to go to next to learn more.

The use of comics as a way to teach is an ever growing movement with so much potential. The concept of comics being used to cover history or help individuals learn concepts goes back decades but it’s recently where its become more accepted. Good Trouble Productions is one of the comic publishers leading the movement and they have teamed up with the NYC Department of Education for a series of comics to teach history and civics.

Recognized #1 is a comics anthology that serves as a solid introduction to four individuals in the LGBTQ+ community who helped make history in numerous ways. Each story focuses on students being transported in some way to learn and discover more. Alain Locke, Sylvia Rivera, Bayard Rustin, and Larry Kramer are the focus of this first issue taking use through the 1900s and delivering the basics as to what their role in history was.

Where Recognized shines is it gives a truth to their experiences warts and all. Some are recognized today as leaders for the LGBTQ+ movement but during their time, they were shunned by the community. It’s an interesting call out in two of the four stories showing an unvarnished truth that even within noble movements, there was discrimination and bigotry.

Recognized is focused on being an introduction. The writers deftly focus on the key points and key information about each moment in history giving the basics and packing a lot in to each segment. The art is accessible and even with varied artists, the look of each works together. There’s no jarring switching of style and they overall work together to create a smooth reading experience. Each chapter as well is broken up by beautiful artwork that’d each be fantastic as posters.

Recognized #1 takes us through about 60 years of LGBTQ+ history, from the Harlem Renaissance to the AIDS movement. Each is focused on an individual that many might not know about, but know about what they created or who they themselves helped. It’s a fantastic introduction to individuals who are just getting the recognition they deserve and acts as a fantastic guide to learn even more about them all.

Story: Danny Lore, Valerie Complex, Clay Cane Art: Brandt & Stein, June Kim, Nicholas Orr, Ellea Bird
Color: Marissa Louise Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Joshua Reed
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Good Trouble Productions provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review