Mimosa /

This waggish comics ensemble piece from Bongiovanni (Greasebats) follows a group of 30-something queer and trans friends, weaving together themes of relationships, parenting, conflict, money, and aging. On the eve of Chris's 40th birthday, the group proposes a queer dance night for the over-30 crowd, which "starts at a reasonable time." These bashes, Grind and Grind 2, act as bookends for the characters' dramas. Chris is an isolated single parent who would rather be working on their erotic novel, Butt Bottoms at Dinah Shore. Elise pines for her boss. Jo struggles to balance her youth Queerrr Rock Camp with sex work. Alex, a trans man and apparent starving artist, has a coming-out of sorts when he admits to having a trust fund. The tales are peppered with pitch-perfect moments, as when Chris texts the group chat about their struggles and Jo eye-rollingly replies, "Chris, your stress is so valid," and tosses her phone aside. Cramming in a lot of story lines, Bongiovanni manages to keep up their updated Dykes to Watch Out For wit, with looser-lined character design and a touch more schmaltz. Optimism triumphs (friends make up, Butt Bottoms finds a publisher). It's a lot of fun to read, and will spark reflection on the importance of making room for all of life's transitions. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret. (Mar.)