In the vibrant world of indie LGBTQ+ comics, newcomer Ian Hanks has quietly made waves with his heartfelt digital series, “The Space Between Us.” The comic follows two young men—Alex, a shy bookshop clerk, and Jamie, a confident but guarded drag performer—as they navigate love, identity, and chosen family in a small Midwestern town.
“The Space Between Us” stands out for its soft watercolor art and realistic dialogue, avoiding tired tropes of coming-out trauma in favor of quiet moments: a first slow dance in a kitchen, the anxiety of texting “I like you,” and the relief of being truly seen. ian hanks gay comic
Though Hanks remains relatively unknown compared to giants like Heartstopper ’s Alice Oseman, his Patreon has tripled in the last year—proof that audiences crave authentic, tender queer stories. If you have a specific real comic or creator in mind, could you share more details (like a platform, character names, or where you saw the name)? I’d be glad to refine the content. In the vibrant world of indie LGBTQ+ comics,
Hanks, who identifies as gay, began posting short comic strips on social media during the pandemic. What started as therapy for his own experiences with internalized homophobia quickly grew into a loyal following. “I wanted to write the kind of story I needed in high school,” Hanks said in a 2023 interview. “One where being gay isn’t the tragedy—it’s the starting point for joy.” If you have a specific real comic or