This Wednesday the first issue of the final arc for Sex Criminals comes out. For over six years, Sex Criminals has tackled sex ed and mental health while making readers laugh. In honor of the climactic end, let’s look back at why Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky’s series has been a stand out for years.
Sexual Empowerment, Literally
Suzie and Jon have a secret. When they climax, time stops, literally. Put the two of them together and you got the city’s latest partners in crime. The concept is wild, and their powers are something new to the world of comics. Sure there are comic characters who meddle with time. There are those who also use sex as a weapon. This comic does both in an entirely unique way
While these absurd powers are related to sex, sexuality is not the butt of the joke. Sex Criminals explores how everyone’s body responds differently to sexual stimulation. It normalizes healthy sexual activity and promotes conversations with one’s partner about what they like and don’t like. It’s an inclusive look at sex, something often not the case in sex ed courses. This is an entertaining, educational series in regards to sex because the books address the good, bad, and ugly of sexuality without using shameful rhetoric.
Not Your Average Sexual Fantasy
These comics are also more than a sexy concept. Readers may be drawn in by the proactive title, but they stay for the relatable relationships and issues. Jon and Suzie are grounded characters facing problems readers are familiar with. This includes mental health, exiting the honeymoon phase of a relationship, and bouncing back from losing a job.
It’s also refreshing to see problems that are often looked down on de-stigmatized. The comic deconstructs toxic masculinity and addresses male insecurities about sex. Fraction and Zdarsky also show that it’s okay to ask for help, especially when dealing with mental health. Furthermore, they remind readers that vulnerability is not a weakness, that it’s okay to have bad days, and that honesty is key in a relationship. At the core of this series is an imperfect, messy, loving, fun couple. It’s because of their ups and downs that the comic hits home for many of us.
Strong Comedic Voices
A book that tackles the ugly sides of dating, the depression that follows losing one’s career, and the struggles of maintaining mental health should be hard to enjoy. With Fraction and Zdarsky’s comedic voices, readers learn how to face these problems with a smile. The bizarre concept of Sex Criminals lends itself to comedy, but in the wrong hands, the jokes can get old fast and be offensive. Fraction and Zdarsky keep the comic fresh by showing the embarrassing moments of a relationship, adding new twists to these sexually charged powers, and breaking the fourth wall. They also make sex funny without telling sexist and homophobic jokes.
Sex Criminals has been a wild ride, with each volume finding new things to explore. Fraction and Zdarsky have found a way to blend absurdity with empathy. From absurdist comedy to educational sex ed, Sex Criminals is a personal favorite. While I love these characters, I look forward to the goodbye in store for them with this final arc.
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