DC Pride 2022: “Think of Me”: The Sound of Silence

Returning for DC’s second Pride anthology to tell another music-centric tale, Ro Stein and Ted Brandt remind readers once more what a talented duet they make. This time, they’re bringing a DC hero, Connor Hawke, out of the closet as asexual. Green Arrow’s sidekick has been headcanoned as asexual by fans for years now, with various moments over the years pointing to his lack of sexual attraction. “Think of Me” makes that subtext text.

“Think of Me” takes its title from a song in Phantom of the Opera, a musical that’s been crashed in the comic by Connor’s supervillain-du-jour, Music Meister. As Music Meister mind-controls the musical’s crowd through song, Connor remains immune thanks to a pair of earplugs. While this fight could run the risk of seeming disjointed from Connor’s narration (a coming out letter to his mom), it actually mirrors it. Akin to the POTO crowd being mind-controlled by Music Meister, Connor tells the audience how he has never felt able to think clearly due to the “noise” of the society surrounding him, as people pressure him into romantic relationships he doesn’t want and sexual attraction he doesn’t experience. Only when Connor is alone is he finally able to sit in the “silence” and figure out who he is. Silence can be difficult to convey in comics, which are a silent medium by default. However, by giving Music Meister blank speech bubbles, “Think of Me” not only cleverly conveys silence but allows us to share in Connor’s clarity. It’s a beautiful, weird metaphor, if a bit bluntly delivered. 

And as was true of their work on the series Crowded, Stein and Brandt’s cartooning is expressive and energetic. Complimenting their line art with vibrant colors and cel shading, their comic work continues to feel modern and polished while staying playful and fun.