No Saints Nor Poets is a new series created and written by Iolanda Zanfardino for a new LGBTQ+ indie comics publisher called Tightrope Press. I had the opportunity to read and review the first two issues, and it’s a wonderful blend of queer romance, gondola racing, and commentary on classism and the integration of church and state all in a post-apocalyptic setting that resembles medieval Venice. Oh, did I mention there’s sea monsters! Elisa Romboli and Martina Belli handle the art duties, and while there are subtle differences in their styles (Romboli’s work is a little more chaotic than the clean lines of Belli), there is a continuity in how the characters are depicted and how the story is told. For example, much of the relationship between lead characters Flynn, Pierre, and an important third figure is conveyed through glances.
Flynn and Pierre have a classic goody two shoes/bad boy dynamic, and it’s fitting that No Saints Nor Poets starts with an adrenaline-filled illegal gondola race down the canals of Serena. Pierre is more calculated while Flynn is a daredevil, and Zanfardino, Romboli, and Belli use the first two issues to explore the motivation behind the way they act. In fact, they take a sidebar from the main plot in No Saints Nor Poets #2 to show what passes for a meet cute in this world. One thing that has attracted me to Iolanda Zanfardino and Elisa Romboli’s work over the past several years is how three dimensional both their characters and worlds are, and how they’re not afraid to spend time showing what makes them tick instead of blowing through plot. No Saints Nor Poets is a six issue miniseries so there’s plenty of time for action down the road.
There is plenty of sexy flirting and shirtless men in No Saints Nor Poets, but the comic has a brain and soul to go with its brawn. One of the most touching sequences in No Saints Nor Poets #1 is when Pierre counsels one of his old parishioners, an old lady, who quirkily confesses the sins of her pet birds. This evolves into a conversation about the god Aestus and about how depersonalized the worship of him has become with a wall separating the have’s and have-not’s. It’s much less European/medieval, but I see a lot of parallels between the rise of megachurches versus a small, closely knit church community where folks help each other and find support in one another. It’s spirituality as an excuse to gain money and power not to find well-being, enlightenment, and connection.
Walking hand in hand with religion is class in No Saints Nor Poets especially in the interactions featuring a character that’s introduced towards the issue one. Flynn and Pierre take a job from wealthy, Eyes Wide Shut looking folks (Sans the unhinged sex for now.) because it’s much more lucrative than their usual delivery gigs. A difference in color palette from Chiocca and lavishness in surroundings shows the how different life is in the wet versus dry areas, and issue two unpacks both Flynn and Pierre’s relationship with class that has a big impact on their own relationship. But, hey, there’s also cool sea monsters to spear and sell, and these fantasy elements are the sugar that helps the medicine of social commentary go down.
No Saints Nor Poets is another unique queer genre comic from Iolanda Zanfardino with a world that draws on the aesthetic of the Italy of the past while being super relevant for 2026. She, Romboli, and Belli craft a complex web of attraction between Flynn and Pierre and throw in a third party for even more spiciness. I love this world of souped up gondola racing, hot guys, and a nuanced perspective on the role of faith in a dying society and am here for the roller coaster ride that is the life of this ex-priest and grifter. But, seriously, there’s been a deficit of attractive priests in my life since the conclusion of Fleabag, and No Saints Nor Poets fills the void.
Story: Iolanda Zanfardino
Art: Elisa Romboli (#1), Martina Belli (#2)
Colors: Ilaria Chiocca Translator: Elena Barberi
Story: 8.6 Art: 8.2 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
Tightrope Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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