The other side of the ball

Brazilian graphic novel about one of the biggest taboos in the stands: homophobia. From the illustrator of Wonder Woman and Vampirella. After coming out as gay on a TV show after the brutal, homophobic murder of an ex-boyfriend, Cris, a soccer player and idol to a nation of fanatical fans, sees his personal life and career spiral out of control. He then faces the backlash of the club's board of directors and teammates, the hesitation of sponsors, the rejection of a large portion of the fanbase, and the family crisis that his declaration unleashes. Cris's story is fiction, but it could happen in some way, with the idol of his team and perhaps of an unforgettable national team. Therein lies the narrative power of The Other Side of the Ball, by Alvaro Campos and Alê Braga, with illustrations by Jean Diaz. In a World Cup year, it's hard to turn each page without thinking: this is the world we still live in. But the clock is ticking, and there's still a chance to turn this tide. Football, after all, is always the best excuse to discuss life's affairs.