Crossplay is a Lambda Literary Award-nominated graphic novel that served as Niki Smith’s breakout work into the full-length adult comic book scene. Based on her earlier online work for Filthy Figments, the book is a sex-positive narrative that explores identity, gender presentation, and intimacy. The story revolves around a cast of friends navigating the vibrant subculture of an anime convention. As the characters participate in crossplaying – cosplaying as characters of a different gender – the boundaries between their real-world relationships and their fictional personas begin to blur, leading to emotional and erotic encounters.

The graphic style of Crossplay is heavily inspired by manga aesthetics, with soft fluid linework and expressive character details that capture the playful energy of the convention floor and the vulnerability of the characters’ private moments. The limited palette of red, pink and black is used sparingly and skilfully.

The book was a critical success, becoming a 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in the LGBTQ Erotica category, where it was celebrated for its tender, affirming portrayal of queer romance and gender fluidity.

We have included the first two chapters of the book and the last; for the other four you can find the book in both physical and downloadable PDF versions at Iron Circus Comics here.