DC Pride #1: The Wrong Side Of The Looking Glass

Tynion opens up with a bittersweet memory of Kate reminiscing over her connection with Beth. Kate recalls a game where the two would mirror each other, she then jokes being on the wrong side of the looking glass. 

After Beth’s death, we see Kate growing up and reflecting on how she was always the opposite of what Beth would’ve grown up to be. I instantly related to this perception Kate has on comparing herself to others. During my teen years I would compare myself to cousins and be incredibly insecure about me not being anything like them. That weight of self comparison can be a heavy obstacle that could take years to go away. We see the disconnect Kate expresses in daydreaming about what Beth would’ve grown up to become. 

I love the scenes where Kate shows other queer characters that she knows. While they are also on her side of the looking glass, she finds remarkable people who found love and through those connections she found love for herself. That’s what is important for people who struggle with discovering their identity is being able to find yourself and being proud of who you truly are. It’s challenging growing up queer while feeling a disconnect from the rest of the world. It gets lonely. It is powerful and life changing being able to discover friends in a community. 

I love the artistic style by Nguyen for the story to be fairytale like. It’s a good decision in telling a story that requires a character to recall various moments of their past. The style and color choice being a strong callback to the Through The Looking Glass story as well as previous Batwoman stories. It helps the reader connect more to the themes that Tynion lays out.