A chance to defy the stereotypes

[DiegoPalacios]

So, after some replies on a previous topic i made today about the mixed signs about BL, got a reply with an interesting suggestion by @KRWright

The mixed messages of BL

I think it would have been better to have started this thread asking for positive representations in BL, and the types of work that are intersectional between good rep, popularity and solid construction. Singling out certain works is never going to go down well unless there's a really big issue with it.

So....if you have or know a good BL story that avoids the uke/seme dynamic and doesn't have problematic elements like romanticizing abuse, feel free to share it.

Bonus points if it has an artstyle that is distinctive enough!

This last point may be a bit nitpicky, but gotta mention it: hope the characters don't look like they are twins with color-coded hair.....it gives me weird incestuous vibes.

Also, kinda obvious, but just in case: Make sure it has the story on BL as the main genre or as a very prominent subgenre to properly familiarize myself with the genre.

[domisotto]

My favorite BL is a novel. I don't think it has any of this, it's just a fun story about 1960s TV studio with spy stuff mixed in.

Boldfaced | Tapas

[JoshRaid]

This last point may be a bit nitpicky, but gotta mention it: hope the characters don't look like they are twins with color-coded hair.....it gives me weird incestuous vibes.

Well, what if they have different hair AND different skin? Is that different enough? (This is a subtle diss to the comic I'm reccomending, but still)

https://tapas.io/series/That-awkward-magic

[MaeRose]

I second @domisotto! This charming novel definitely deserves a lot of love!

Boldfaced | Tapas

[TAMAnnoying]

I’m assuming your looking for things that are actually labeled BL? Not just romance or romance comedies?

[DiegoPalacios]

Yes, straight romance and gay romance are both romance. Gonna add the requirement of the BL genre/subgenre label as a requisite. Thanks!

[domisotto]

Yay! It is a great read!

[darthmongoose]

Well, since @KRWright was referenced in the opening post, it feels only right (Wright?) to recommend some of their works!

KR's novels tend to take a nuanced approach to BL and often subvert genre expectations. They're generally worth a look if you want "BL for people who don't normally like BL":
https://tapas.io/KRWilliams/series

[KRWright]

Well, since @KRWright was referenced in the opening post, it feels only right (Wright?) to recommend some of their works!

KR's novels tend to take a nuanced approach to BL and often subvert genre expectations. They're generally worth a look if you want "BL for people who don't normally like BL":https://tapas.io/KRWilliams/series

[joannekwan]

If you're looking for good comedy

Bromodachis | Tapas

Well rounded characters with a more grounded story

Spurs & Stripes | Tapas

REALLY grounded story that reads like an illustrated diary

No More Mermaids | Tapas

One with more western-style art

Staghorn Academy | Tapas

[HGohwell]

Something from in that original post's examples: I'm a big fan of Do You Even Witch, it's adorable and fluffy and has plot drama outside of relationship drama.

Do You Even Witch | Tapas

[NickRowler]

You can check out my short comic.

Sugar Land | Tapas

[JoshRaid]

Is this relevant? I feel like it is.

I recently decided to go back to an old cover idea for a short story I wanted to work on! I don’t really have anything in common demographic wise with the characters so it’s going to be new ground (hoping to one day set up a thread for sensitivity readers) but for now please share your own characters! Very rough!! [image] And what I did last night! [image] And colour! Lol I’ll just keep updating here I guess?? [image] And the last?? Before I put in a background if I do ¯_(ツ)_/¯ […

[DiegoPalacios]

not neccesarilly, but if any work on that topic counts as BL and has the requisites i mentioned on my original post it fits.

[TAMAnnoying]

Lol had to ask as BL was Considered more of a trope genre then a real genre way back in the olden days of high school (At least my highschool) so most of us who write mxm usually either use romance or comedy depending on the tone. These actually a lot of mxm hanging out with me in my drama genre.

[KRWright]

cracks knuckles

Be ready for some RECOMMENDATIONS.

Slavic folklore based dark fantasy of professional art quality that reads and feels like The Witcher? Make sure you read the content warnings and make sure you understand genre conventions for dark fantasy.

im|mortal | Tapas

Highly stylised supernatural ghost hunting BL. The first few episodes are gag comics, but the content itself is well written, feels natural and the art is gorgeous. Again, has an 18+ rating

The Hunt | Tapas

Another witchery dark fantasy. This one has just started, so I don't know how it's going to go yet, but it's tagged in the BL genre so I guess it's going there haha Not sure how it'll develop but art style is not what you'd typically expect

Bistritsky beast | Tapas

The next one is a sweet coming-of-age story that focuses on the uni lives of some queer kids.

In Bloom | Tapas

Fun romp about a pirate and a prince who are in love and have adventures with a pleasing cartoonish art style.

Come Hell or High Water | Tapas

Ghostly love story by @LordVincent that features a diverse task and actually tackles some deep issues. Also the colour pallete of this comic is A*

Discarnate | Tapas

Novel: A vampire that feeds of trauma falls in love with a man suffering from PTSD

Vampirism | Tapas

And then the one, the only, AMOLAD.

A Matter of Life and Death | Tapas

I have more but this was getting long...

[laurelkoeniger]

I just started this series but it will be a wholesome fantasy BL story.

Ghost Calamity | Tapas

[KRWright]

Now stuff of my own but... most of my stories aren't in the BL genre but are in LGBTQ (either because they thematically belong there, or they have non-binary characters as love interests). Novelswise these are the ones that would apply and aren't in Premium:

Supernatural horror story where a down-on-his-luck guy accidentally summons 'The Other', a sharp-toothed humanoid creature from another dimension, but the true horror is what comes after it.

Spooky Darling | Tapas

My only attempt at an Isekai that I'm going to try to finish off over the next few months. Thus far it's only been introductions and it's not a serious work honestly. Will falls into another reality where the people literally make their castles from the bones of their ancestors, and a dark force threatens to overtake the land.

Down the Rabbit Hole | Tapas

[DiegoPalacios]

Thanks a lot for all your recommendations!. I may not be able to fully read all of this, but i will check the first pages of all the comics/novels up until this comment for sure (in some cases may be more if i get hooked).

Anyway, if more people knows some good BL they may recommend and fits the description of my first post, are still welcome to post here, but i may be unable to check due to time.

[Kann]

This is one of my favorite series. It's really sweet but also touches the mental health themes and it's a sci-fi.

BSandL | Tapas