Chicken Heart

by Morgan Boecher

One standup comedian goes on a journey of self-discovery and explores the pitfalls and power of choosing one's own queer narrative.

Jackie Locklear is a stand-up comedian who is trans and doesn’t know how to confront that part of himself. His Aunt Sheila’s death spurs Jackie to take a trip to the refuge Sheila built for trans folks, the Chicken Heart Love Commune. The people there represent a range of backgrounds, in contrast with the world where Jackie was raised. But as a city kid still coming to terms with his trans identity, and struggling to process his grief, the bucolic place and its residents don’t make him feel like he fits in. Through the power of humor and acceptance, Jackie is able to make space for himself.

An emotional, powerful story about finding one’s heart and opening up to people who are willing and able to love.

Genres: LGBT, Graphic Novels, Queer, Comics

236 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[David Carriere]

Chicken Heart is a raw, intimate, and quietly powerful graphic memoir that explores vulnerability, resilience, and the complicated terrain of growing into oneself. Morgan Boecher once again demonstrates an exceptional ability to translate deeply personal experience into something widely resonant, using the visual language of comics to convey emotion with precision and restraint.
The narrative unfolds with honesty rather than bravado. Chicken Heart doesn’t posture strength; instead, it examines fear, tenderness, and survival as lived realities. Boecher captures the uneasy spaces where courage and fragility coexist, offering readers a story that feels unguarded and profoundly human. The pacing allows moments to breathe, giving weight to silence, reflection, and emotional aftermath as much as to action.
The artwork complements the narrative with clarity and emotional economy, reinforcing the memoir’s themes without overwhelming them. What emerges is a story that trusts the reader inviting empathy rather than demanding it and affirms that softness can be a form of endurance.
Chicken Heart will resonate with readers drawn to graphic memoirs that prioritize emotional truth, queer lived experience, and introspective storytelling. It’s a book about learning to live with an open heart in a world that doesn’t always reward it and about discovering that this openness, too, is a kind of strength.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional story of self-discovery and queer identity. This minimally colored adult graphic novel follows Jackie Locklear, a stand-up comedian, as he processes the death of his estranged Aunt Sheila. To do so, he visits the Chicken Heart Love Commune, a refuge she created for queer and trans people. There Jackie discovers a community, a potential romance, and his own trans identity. It’s a sweet and heartfelt story that thoughtfully explores themes of grief, acceptance, and identity.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Street Noise Books for providing me with an eARC!