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SFSX (Safe Sex) #1-7
SFSX (Safe Sex), Vol. 1: Protection
From notorious kink writer TINA HORN and featuring a diverse group of artists comes SFSX (SAFE SEX), a social thriller about sex, love, and torture. It's SEX CRIMINALS in Gilead, Hustlers with a SUNSTONE twist.
In a draconian America where sexuality is strictly bureaucratized and policed, a group of queer sex workers keep the magic alive in an underground club called the Dirty Mind. Using their unique talents for bondage and seduction, they resolve to infiltrate the mysterious government Pleasure Center, free their incarcerated friends, and fight the power!
Collects SFSX (SAFE SEX) #1-7
In a draconian America where sexuality is strictly bureaucratized and policed, a group of queer sex workers keep the magic alive in an underground club called the Dirty Mind. Using their unique talents for bondage and seduction, they resolve to infiltrate the mysterious government Pleasure Center, free their incarcerated friends, and fight the power!
Collects SFSX (SAFE SEX) #1-7
184 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2020
27 people are currently reading
1044 people want to read
About the author
Tina Horn
21 books127 followersTina Horn is a writer, teacher, and media-maker. She produces and hosts the sexuality podcast Why Are People Into That?!. Her first book, Love Not Given Lightly, is a collection of nonfiction stories about sex workers; she has also been published in Vice, Nerve, Girl Sex 101, and Best Sex Writing 2015. Tina’s workshops on dirty talk, sex worker self care, and spanking have been featured at Good Vibrations, Armory Studios, Lesbian Sex Mafia, International Ms Leather, the New School, and the Feminist Porn Conference. She is a LAMBDA Literary Fellow, has won two Feminist Porn Awards, and holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence. Born in Northern California, Tina now lives in Manhattan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
March 14, 2020
Sex-positive adventure with a disappointingly simplistic story in a clichéd, underdeveloped dystopia.
It's future America, and the moralists have taken over (religion is never explicitly mentioned) - no more sex for pleasure, and especially no more 'perversions' (anything that's not heterosexual, married, missionary position sex). A group of sex workers has created the Dirty Mind, a secret safe haven (or should that be sf hvn) for 'perverts' to live out their every sexual whim. But then the Party (that's the moralists) crack down on the Dirty Mind and one of the owners is taken away and/or killed.
Can the remaining group avenge their leader, free their friends and in general kick the Party in the groin?
To start with, I love that the book presents sex workers as people not only doing a job, but people who love doing that job. The whole sex-positive message is to be celebrated.
That said, the story, characters and world are sorely lacking. The dystopian world feels simplistic, it's underdeveloped and therefore unconvincing. The characters are flat, and fall back too much on empty sex-positive sloganeering. This was originally 7 issues, and it shows - it draaags halfway through, there's a lot of wheelspinning.
The art is done by three different artists, and generally is okay, till the last half of the book, when it dips in quality.
In short: love the message, disappointed by the execution.
(Received an ARC from Image through Edelweiss)
It's future America, and the moralists have taken over (religion is never explicitly mentioned) - no more sex for pleasure, and especially no more 'perversions' (anything that's not heterosexual, married, missionary position sex). A group of sex workers has created the Dirty Mind, a secret safe haven (or should that be sf hvn) for 'perverts' to live out their every sexual whim. But then the Party (that's the moralists) crack down on the Dirty Mind and one of the owners is taken away and/or killed.
Can the remaining group avenge their leader, free their friends and in general kick the Party in the groin?
To start with, I love that the book presents sex workers as people not only doing a job, but people who love doing that job. The whole sex-positive message is to be celebrated.
That said, the story, characters and world are sorely lacking. The dystopian world feels simplistic, it's underdeveloped and therefore unconvincing. The characters are flat, and fall back too much on empty sex-positive sloganeering. This was originally 7 issues, and it shows - it draaags halfway through, there's a lot of wheelspinning.
The art is done by three different artists, and generally is okay, till the last half of the book, when it dips in quality.
In short: love the message, disappointed by the execution.
(Received an ARC from Image through Edelweiss)
March 13, 2020
Tina Horn gives us all the best of science-fiction here, following the logical conclusion of current laws, events, and technologies to deliver a politically-relevant near-future sexual dystopia that should make all of our blood run cold. It's no mistake that one of the best vantage points to view the coming technocapitalist hellscape is from some of capitalism's original discontents: sex workers, queers, and leatherpeople. Horn manages to avoid falling into a trap of being overly didactic by populating her San Francisco with vibrant characters whose decisions are shaped by all-too-real motivations.
Really, SFSX is what I wish all of the middle class white feminists who show up to all the protests in Handmaids Tale cosplay would read. As Horn demonstrates in a way Atwood never will, it is and always has been the hookers and queers and women of colour who face the brunt of violent sexual repression - and it is these same outcasts who will and always have been the ones to rise up against it.
Really, SFSX is what I wish all of the middle class white feminists who show up to all the protests in Handmaids Tale cosplay would read. As Horn demonstrates in a way Atwood never will, it is and always has been the hookers and queers and women of colour who face the brunt of violent sexual repression - and it is these same outcasts who will and always have been the ones to rise up against it.
April 25, 2020
A near future where a combination of puritanical America and feminists have taken over the government and outlaw all but missionary sex. Our protagonists are a bunch of sex workers who work in sex clubs.
I liked the sex positive nature of the book. I couldn't stand the amount of torture in the book, especially the graphic nature of it. Parts of this were like watching Saw or Hostel. The book is very graphic in its use of both torture and depiction of sex so be warned. It's definitely not a book to read on the train. I'm not surprised at all DC decided against publishing it given its corporate overlords. The book felt very preachy as well. Like if I'm not actively advocating for everything in this book, I'm part of the problem. I don't care what you do, just leave me out of it.
Received a review copy from Image and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
I liked the sex positive nature of the book. I couldn't stand the amount of torture in the book, especially the graphic nature of it. Parts of this were like watching Saw or Hostel. The book is very graphic in its use of both torture and depiction of sex so be warned. It's definitely not a book to read on the train. I'm not surprised at all DC decided against publishing it given its corporate overlords. The book felt very preachy as well. Like if I'm not actively advocating for everything in this book, I'm part of the problem. I don't care what you do, just leave me out of it.
Received a review copy from Image and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
August 7, 2020
WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE, POLITICS AND SEXUAL DISCUSSION. IF ANY OF THESE OFFEND YOU DON’T READ THIS BOOK OR MY REVIEW!
“You are under arrest for self-objectification, deviance, exploitation, pandering and perverting others against God’s law.”
I wouldn’t have thought that sex would be a great theme for a dystopian story... but holy fuck, it works.
What’s it about?
This story takes place after an authoritarian rule known as The Party has taken over. The Party is very strict regarding many things including sex. One thing leads to another and the main character’s husband is sent to The Pleasure Center where The Party is trying to make him more pure by torturing him in disturbing, dirty ways. Now it’s up to a rebel band of sex workers to use their unique skills to break him out and destroy The Party’s dystopian rule.
Pros:
The story is very interesting and creative. It’s surprisingly believable the way many of these things happen. I also found it quite unique the way this book mixes sexual themes and political dystopian themes.
The artwork. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like it but it ended up working surprisingly well.
The characters are well written and interesting.
This story is very intense throughout. Lots of action (and not just referring to “action” kinda action).
There’s a bit of comic relief that works well in brief moments.
This book is not as predictable as I had slightly expected it to be.
This book is surprisingly emotional many times throughout with the relationships between characters.
This book is very political and the commentary is done very well. Unlike many comics this is not liberal or conservative, this book attacks incels and radical feminists alike! Rather than bashing one side, this is fully anti-authoritarian and I was surprised how well subjects such as sex positivity work for that. The right wing often (not always but often) has very puritanical views on the LGBT community often claiming their identities and sexualities are “unnatural” and find any sexual tastes beyond the basics (or even without wanting children) to be an attack on “traditional and/or family values”. On the opposite end many (again, not all, but many) on the left claim that “porn is misogyny” and that men shouldn’t even express their sexual feelings towards women as it gets labeled as being part of “toxic masculinity”. Both sides seem to often agree that any artistic expression heavily involving sex such as porn, hentai or erotic literature is nothing but worthless “smut” as they shame sex workers. This shit is part of why I hate both sides, they are so sex-negative and hypocritical. While I doubt a society such as the one seen here is likely to become reality anytime soon, it works as a great vehicle to show how both sides are fucked up when it comes to not only their views on sex but also the LGBT community, sexism, censorship, privacy and authoritarianism. It really made the book for me and I loved it.
Cons:
The dialogue is sometimes a bit iffy.
The ending is a bit of a hopeless and sad note to end this first volume on. I know that there will most likely be a second volume but I couldn’t help but think “well fuck, that sucks” on the final page.
So despite mostly being fairly serious, this book has a few bits that are (I think) meant to be sexy but honestly didn’t do much for me. I noticed the blurb compares this to Sunstone (a wonderful comic that I consider one of the sexiest pieces of literature) so maybe my expectations on that were too high but I don’t see the comparison. It’s surprisingly more Saw than Sunstone. I didn’t find it particularly arousing at any moment.
Overall:
I recently watched a 4-part documentary series about punk rock. While watching it I was thinking “gee, maybe I should find some books that have a similar edgy tone while giving authoritarianism a big middle finger through art” and unexpectedly I didn’t have to look, it was right here.
While maybe missing a couple of notes IMO, SFSX is overall really good. It’s a unique, batshit insane plot that works way more than it should with a very intense tone throughout, good artwork, interesting characters and social commentary that is so fucking great at calling both sides out on their shit.
Recommended.
4/5
PS- The song Fuck Authority by Pennywise is playing as I post this and that is just so fitting in multiple ways!
“You are under arrest for self-objectification, deviance, exploitation, pandering and perverting others against God’s law.”
I wouldn’t have thought that sex would be a great theme for a dystopian story... but holy fuck, it works.
What’s it about?
This story takes place after an authoritarian rule known as The Party has taken over. The Party is very strict regarding many things including sex. One thing leads to another and the main character’s husband is sent to The Pleasure Center where The Party is trying to make him more pure by torturing him in disturbing, dirty ways. Now it’s up to a rebel band of sex workers to use their unique skills to break him out and destroy The Party’s dystopian rule.
Pros:
The story is very interesting and creative. It’s surprisingly believable the way many of these things happen. I also found it quite unique the way this book mixes sexual themes and political dystopian themes.
The artwork. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like it but it ended up working surprisingly well.
The characters are well written and interesting.
This story is very intense throughout. Lots of action (and not just referring to “action” kinda action).
There’s a bit of comic relief that works well in brief moments.
This book is not as predictable as I had slightly expected it to be.
This book is surprisingly emotional many times throughout with the relationships between characters.
This book is very political and the commentary is done very well. Unlike many comics this is not liberal or conservative, this book attacks incels and radical feminists alike! Rather than bashing one side, this is fully anti-authoritarian and I was surprised how well subjects such as sex positivity work for that. The right wing often (not always but often) has very puritanical views on the LGBT community often claiming their identities and sexualities are “unnatural” and find any sexual tastes beyond the basics (or even without wanting children) to be an attack on “traditional and/or family values”. On the opposite end many (again, not all, but many) on the left claim that “porn is misogyny” and that men shouldn’t even express their sexual feelings towards women as it gets labeled as being part of “toxic masculinity”. Both sides seem to often agree that any artistic expression heavily involving sex such as porn, hentai or erotic literature is nothing but worthless “smut” as they shame sex workers. This shit is part of why I hate both sides, they are so sex-negative and hypocritical. While I doubt a society such as the one seen here is likely to become reality anytime soon, it works as a great vehicle to show how both sides are fucked up when it comes to not only their views on sex but also the LGBT community, sexism, censorship, privacy and authoritarianism. It really made the book for me and I loved it.
Cons:
The dialogue is sometimes a bit iffy.
The ending is a bit of a hopeless and sad note to end this first volume on. I know that there will most likely be a second volume but I couldn’t help but think “well fuck, that sucks” on the final page.
So despite mostly being fairly serious, this book has a few bits that are (I think) meant to be sexy but honestly didn’t do much for me. I noticed the blurb compares this to Sunstone (a wonderful comic that I consider one of the sexiest pieces of literature) so maybe my expectations on that were too high but I don’t see the comparison. It’s surprisingly more Saw than Sunstone. I didn’t find it particularly arousing at any moment.
Overall:
I recently watched a 4-part documentary series about punk rock. While watching it I was thinking “gee, maybe I should find some books that have a similar edgy tone while giving authoritarianism a big middle finger through art” and unexpectedly I didn’t have to look, it was right here.
While maybe missing a couple of notes IMO, SFSX is overall really good. It’s a unique, batshit insane plot that works way more than it should with a very intense tone throughout, good artwork, interesting characters and social commentary that is so fucking great at calling both sides out on their shit.
Recommended.
4/5
PS- The song Fuck Authority by Pennywise is playing as I post this and that is just so fitting in multiple ways!
March 6, 2020
4/5 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss for a review copy.
I loved this graphic novel! The sex worker industry is a hot political topic right now and I think this dystopian story is a metaphor for that. It was also fun, entertaining, and gripping. Excited for more volumes.
Thank you to Edelweiss for a review copy.
I loved this graphic novel! The sex worker industry is a hot political topic right now and I think this dystopian story is a metaphor for that. It was also fun, entertaining, and gripping. Excited for more volumes.
April 17, 2021
This is a hard book to review. On the one hand I wish there were more issues available for me to read! Because this is an important work about sexual liberation, sex work liberation, queer liberation, trans liberation, and a dire alarm bell for how much we need anti-fascism and to dismantle white supremacy. It’s a powerful and intense and smart work.
On the other hand, I’m not sure how much more of this kind of story I can take. And let’s all take a second to remember I’m just one user writing my one review on my singular experience. I think *you* (as in “most people”) should read this work. I just don’t think I can take anymore of it. It’s too real. It’s too correct. Its bleakness is very, very informed. This country and this world hate my body and hate my life, and the bodies and the lives of my loved ones, so much. It’s hard to be reminded exactly how close we are to being rounded up and used as rape-able objects. Bent to the whims of the fascist right wing agents in power. You see the writing on the wall with the normalization of nazis, incels, qanon, MRAs, TERFs, christian evangelist death cults, authoritarians of all stripes, and the moneyed interests that prop them all up. I used to think the worst they could do to us was kill us. SFSX posits that there’s far worse torture in store for us than just torture for the sake of squeezing out the names of our co-conspirators. SFSX shows that our torture can be lifelong, that the state can find a use for us far beyond simply killing us. The kind of fate that makes you pray for a death that will never come soon enough.
And that’s a lot for me to take. I think the world deeply needs this alarm bell. It may already be too late, but the world needs to know this horridly affecting combination of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Invisible Kingdom and A Tale of Two Cities and even Berserk is very much within the realm of the possible. Is closer to five minutes into the future than it is 50 years into the future. But as a survivor of...a lot of things, this is just too much. Sometimes fictional stories involving rape can be healing for me, the aforementioned Berserk for one, most of the time all they do is remind me that I could be back in dangerous situations in a heartbeat.
This is a masterwork in so many ways that I just didn’t bother nitpicking any of the little things, but it’s just too painful for me by a country mile. I need to get my copy to someone for whom it can radicalize rather than lead to despair.
On the other hand, I’m not sure how much more of this kind of story I can take. And let’s all take a second to remember I’m just one user writing my one review on my singular experience. I think *you* (as in “most people”) should read this work. I just don’t think I can take anymore of it. It’s too real. It’s too correct. Its bleakness is very, very informed. This country and this world hate my body and hate my life, and the bodies and the lives of my loved ones, so much. It’s hard to be reminded exactly how close we are to being rounded up and used as rape-able objects. Bent to the whims of the fascist right wing agents in power. You see the writing on the wall with the normalization of nazis, incels, qanon, MRAs, TERFs, christian evangelist death cults, authoritarians of all stripes, and the moneyed interests that prop them all up. I used to think the worst they could do to us was kill us. SFSX posits that there’s far worse torture in store for us than just torture for the sake of squeezing out the names of our co-conspirators. SFSX shows that our torture can be lifelong, that the state can find a use for us far beyond simply killing us. The kind of fate that makes you pray for a death that will never come soon enough.
And that’s a lot for me to take. I think the world deeply needs this alarm bell. It may already be too late, but the world needs to know this horridly affecting combination of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Invisible Kingdom and A Tale of Two Cities and even Berserk is very much within the realm of the possible. Is closer to five minutes into the future than it is 50 years into the future. But as a survivor of...a lot of things, this is just too much. Sometimes fictional stories involving rape can be healing for me, the aforementioned Berserk for one, most of the time all they do is remind me that I could be back in dangerous situations in a heartbeat.
This is a masterwork in so many ways that I just didn’t bother nitpicking any of the little things, but it’s just too painful for me by a country mile. I need to get my copy to someone for whom it can radicalize rather than lead to despair.
June 4, 2024
i love sex workers! i did not love this book. i think it would have benefited from having only one author and illustrator instead of several, the inconsistent art style didn't really work for the story in myyy opinion. also, look, i love a bawdy raunchy time as much as anybody, but when you're trying to do something with a very serious dystopian theme it's a little jarring when the tone switches drastically (again, one art style/artist could have fixed this). i'm gonna read volume 2 and we'll see what happens!
January 30, 2022
***second read***
Just re reading to refresh my memory for the second volume. Still enjoyed it.
*****first read*****
Ok, fun fact: I interviewed Tina Horn shortly after finishing these issues, so it was fun to ask her about what she was thinking when she wrote this.
You can watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/xB3piuZXVys
I love SFSX. Between the visceral art and the incredible levels of suspense, I was glued to it. I found the social commentary to be relevant, nuanced and fresh. It did not feel preachy, even though it clearly had an agenda.
Issue #5 might give you a heart attack. Pure, unadulterated suspense. Also, the villain is terrifying.
This is good shit! PS; if you enjoy the interview, like/subscribe so we can continue to regale you with fascinating creator interviews!
Just re reading to refresh my memory for the second volume. Still enjoyed it.
*****first read*****
Ok, fun fact: I interviewed Tina Horn shortly after finishing these issues, so it was fun to ask her about what she was thinking when she wrote this.
You can watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/xB3piuZXVys
I love SFSX. Between the visceral art and the incredible levels of suspense, I was glued to it. I found the social commentary to be relevant, nuanced and fresh. It did not feel preachy, even though it clearly had an agenda.
Issue #5 might give you a heart attack. Pure, unadulterated suspense. Also, the villain is terrifying.
This is good shit! PS; if you enjoy the interview, like/subscribe so we can continue to regale you with fascinating creator interviews!
May 4, 2025
This one’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but it’s got something to say. SFSX by Tina Horn is a bold, sex-positive graphic novel set in a dystopian San Francisco where pleasure is policed and freedom of expression is criminalized. The premise is super intriguing. It tackles censorship, queer rights, kink, and bodily autonomy with full force. I appreciate that it centers sex workers and doesn’t shy away from hard conversations. The world is messy, raw, and deeply intentional.
That said, the execution didn’t fully match the ambition. The message sometimes overpowers the characters and the plot could use more breathing room to really hit. Some moments land, others feel a bit too on-the-nose. The art is gritty and fits the tone, though it can feel uneven.
Overall, I admire what it’s trying to do. 3.5 stars for the guts and ideas. It didn’t completely work for me, but I’m glad it exists.
That said, the execution didn’t fully match the ambition. The message sometimes overpowers the characters and the plot could use more breathing room to really hit. Some moments land, others feel a bit too on-the-nose. The art is gritty and fits the tone, though it can feel uneven.
Overall, I admire what it’s trying to do. 3.5 stars for the guts and ideas. It didn’t completely work for me, but I’m glad it exists.
December 31, 2021
Who would have thought my library would have this book, with all its description and art of transgressive sex! it must have been presented to them as dystopian fiction, which it is. The government has become fundamentalist and exceedingly prudish. There's a government office torturing people to brainwash them into prudery. Members of a kinky sex club that's is shakily existing underground attempt to rescue people who are being tortured. Adventure, scheming, and a look at the uber-conservative mindset as well as the sex club one (which is obviously much friendlier!). It's done well, with humor and suspense (heh), but ends with the bad guys still in charge and brewing more mischief. Unfortunately, my library doesn't have the second volume, so I will probably not get to read it.
March 28, 2021
This was a pleasurable read— it feels good to see sex-positive-gay-crimes-against-injustice in a graphic novel. I also loved how the style changes a little with each chapter. Brings up good conflicts of trust and the different paths people take to survive. It’s not five stars because it is more plot driven and I tend to like when there are really detailed scenes or moments, or more zooming out and zooming in action. But it makes sense with how they probably wanted to fit it into a certain number of pages. And also I’m not a classic action comic person, so it is probably more in that realm. I also love the imagining of future world building going on here too.
Read
March 14, 2020In the all-too-near future, the scrubbing-clean of San Francisco has accelerated; it's no longer just capitalism getting rid of everything insufficiently whitebread, but moralism too, as the grip on American life of the Party tightens. At first I thought, oh, and we can guess which Party that might be, but this is one of the clever things about SFSX – it's picked up on the weasel words and unholy alliances the forces of repression will use. So just as in the late twentieth century the Andrea Dworkins and the Mary Whitehouses found common cause in a hatred of pornography (a term to which they were of course happy to apply some of their own extreme stretching), the Party rhetoric here draws on ostensibly leftwing TERFery and SWERFery and general Anti-Sex League bullshit as well as straightforward rightwing censoriousness when it talks about saving the young from 'exploitation'. The story it sets within that? Well, that's a fairly standard dystopian thriller, most of whose beats you can see coming ahead of time: a sexy underground, a lead who thought she'd left it behind for a normal life, a former leader of it twisted into a prominent agent of the evil forces. Think Star Wars with skimpier outfits, and sex toys replacing the lightsabers, and you won't be too far off. What makes it work is the attention to detail which renders the ride so convincing, not just as regards the Party, but in terms of the brittleness outsider scenes display when the external pressure starts to show, or the way a well-off fan can be at once a bother and a godsend for a niche performer. Writer Tina Horn knows this stuff, being a comics newcomer but a veteran sex educator*; other work includes a podcast called Why Are People Into That?!, and accordingly this is a bit of an anomaly among sex-centric comics. Often, they can leave the reader with a very good idea of the creators' own kinks – not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Whereas here, there's a real care taken to show the breadth of the activities underway at the Dirty Mind, not all of which will be for any individual, but all of which have their devotees – and, of course, their shared enemies.
*Though one whose website really needs updating, given it still lists this series as forthcoming from Vertigo. There is, of course, a life-mirroring-art-mirroring-life angle here, because SFSX was a victim of the creeping prudery it depicts. Originally promoted as a Vertigo series, part of their last, doomed relaunch, it was always going to get shredded at an increasingly risk-averse DC, and I'm glad we didn't have to make do with the toned-down version we'd have got there. Instead, after Batman's willy caused sufficient panic amid the upper echelons that the whole Vertigo imprint was among the collateral damage, it's found a new and much more suitable home at Image, and thank goodness (not to mention the good sort of badness) for that.
(Edelweiss ARC)
----
*Though one whose website really needs updating, given it still lists this series as forthcoming from Vertigo. There is, of course, a life-mirroring-art-mirroring-life angle here, because SFSX was a victim of the creeping prudery it depicts. Originally promoted as a Vertigo series, part of their last, doomed relaunch, it was always going to get shredded at an increasingly risk-averse DC, and I'm glad we didn't have to make do with the toned-down version we'd have got there. Instead, after Batman's willy caused sufficient panic amid the upper echelons that the whole Vertigo imprint was among the collateral damage, it's found a new and much more suitable home at Image, and thank goodness (not to mention the good sort of badness) for that.
(Edelweiss ARC)
----
September 3, 2020
SFSX is a dystopia and the answer to the question: "What happens when TERFs and SWERFs are successful in their collaboration with Christian fundamentalists, right wing conservatives and Nazis?"
We already know that exclusionary feminism is an extension of the patriarchy and the bastardisation of feminism to suit conservative ideas of purity, "correct" gender/sex identity and the subjugation of women, queers and BIPOC.
With Polish conservatives claiming "LGBQT+-free zones", the torture camps in Chechnya, the errosion of gender equality and LGBQT+ protection, the further criminalisation of sex work and the rising of fascism the dystopia presented in this graphic novel is not a hypothesis but based on historical facts and a fictional version of what is to come should we lose the fight for our rights.
The graphic novel starts in a sex club called Dirty Minds, where people meet to have safe and consesual sex and kink sessions of all kinds. But the US in under control of right-wing conservative Christians and TERFs/SWERFs who see consensual (but kinky) pleasure and queer identities as impure. The sex club is raided and the protagonists scattered or arrested. The story follows Avery's life. She manages to create a "normal" life with her husband under constant surveillance of the state and the Party (yes, capitalised). Until her husband sees something he shouldn't and he gets arrested. Avery narrowly escapes the fascist police and seeks refuge with her old friends. Can they safe her husband from the Party's torture camp?
It's always tough to say that you enjoyed something that depicts the grim consequences of what is currently happening. But the message resonates and it reminds the reader that we are not alone in this fight and that giving up or losing is not an option. I really like the drawing style(s), it really fits the story and ideals. It's punky and full of bright colours and definitely is Cyberpunk in it's style and message. The sex positivity and diversity is incredible and I love embracing, supportive and loving the relationships are.
I guess the last thing I have to say is: TERFs and SWERFs are fascists masquerading as feminists. They promote deeply disturbing Christian fundamentalist and White supremacist ideas of identity, sexuality and gender.
Fuck TERFs.
Fuck SWERFs.
Fuck fascists.
Wear bright hot pink and deep purple lipstick or none at all. Make colourful art with make-up. Have fun, safe and consensual sex with whomever you like or don't have sex. Be kinky, stay gay. Wear whatever you like, no matter if you cover every inch of your skin or if you want to wear the skimpiest of outfits. Wear your hair long or short, shaved or braided. Dye it blue, green or orange or be natural. Shave or don't. I don't care. It's your body.
Just be you.
We already know that exclusionary feminism is an extension of the patriarchy and the bastardisation of feminism to suit conservative ideas of purity, "correct" gender/sex identity and the subjugation of women, queers and BIPOC.
With Polish conservatives claiming "LGBQT+-free zones", the torture camps in Chechnya, the errosion of gender equality and LGBQT+ protection, the further criminalisation of sex work and the rising of fascism the dystopia presented in this graphic novel is not a hypothesis but based on historical facts and a fictional version of what is to come should we lose the fight for our rights.
The graphic novel starts in a sex club called Dirty Minds, where people meet to have safe and consesual sex and kink sessions of all kinds. But the US in under control of right-wing conservative Christians and TERFs/SWERFs who see consensual (but kinky) pleasure and queer identities as impure. The sex club is raided and the protagonists scattered or arrested. The story follows Avery's life. She manages to create a "normal" life with her husband under constant surveillance of the state and the Party (yes, capitalised). Until her husband sees something he shouldn't and he gets arrested. Avery narrowly escapes the fascist police and seeks refuge with her old friends. Can they safe her husband from the Party's torture camp?
It's always tough to say that you enjoyed something that depicts the grim consequences of what is currently happening. But the message resonates and it reminds the reader that we are not alone in this fight and that giving up or losing is not an option. I really like the drawing style(s), it really fits the story and ideals. It's punky and full of bright colours and definitely is Cyberpunk in it's style and message. The sex positivity and diversity is incredible and I love embracing, supportive and loving the relationships are.
I guess the last thing I have to say is: TERFs and SWERFs are fascists masquerading as feminists. They promote deeply disturbing Christian fundamentalist and White supremacist ideas of identity, sexuality and gender.
Fuck TERFs.
Fuck SWERFs.
Fuck fascists.
Wear bright hot pink and deep purple lipstick or none at all. Make colourful art with make-up. Have fun, safe and consensual sex with whomever you like or don't have sex. Be kinky, stay gay. Wear whatever you like, no matter if you cover every inch of your skin or if you want to wear the skimpiest of outfits. Wear your hair long or short, shaved or braided. Dye it blue, green or orange or be natural. Shave or don't. I don't care. It's your body.
Just be you.
July 3, 2020
I want to read this based on the cover and premise.
The whole time I was reading, I was getting total "Saga" vibes. No, SFSX isn't a space opera, but they both have themes of found family, dystopian rule, oppression, and controlling who people should live and who they should love. Plus, some of the chapters were very similar to Fiona Staples' art style.
I loved SFSX's queer representation. Almost all colors of the rainbow were represented: Trans, Non-Binary (using They/Them pronouns!), Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay. All of the letters. And I loved how diverse the cast was.
The society in the book definitely reflects our current and not-so-distant future. Our bodies are already being policed, anyone that isn't white, straight, cis, or vanilla sex are already demonized. Incel men are running/ruining things, feeling entitled to sex just because. Certain women shitting all over what feminism is supposed to be.
While I liked all of the above, like other reviewers, about the overall plot was a bit meh. I felt like it was screaming 'Queer POC and sex workers are here to save us!' But I'm not sure if it should be on their shoulders to do so.
SFSX ARC was provided by Image through Edelwiess for an honest review.
The whole time I was reading, I was getting total "Saga" vibes. No, SFSX isn't a space opera, but they both have themes of found family, dystopian rule, oppression, and controlling who people should live and who they should love. Plus, some of the chapters were very similar to Fiona Staples' art style.
I loved SFSX's queer representation. Almost all colors of the rainbow were represented: Trans, Non-Binary (using They/Them pronouns!), Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay. All of the letters. And I loved how diverse the cast was.
The society in the book definitely reflects our current and not-so-distant future. Our bodies are already being policed, anyone that isn't white, straight, cis, or vanilla sex are already demonized. Incel men are running/ruining things, feeling entitled to sex just because. Certain women shitting all over what feminism is supposed to be.
While I liked all of the above, like other reviewers, about the overall plot was a bit meh. I felt like it was screaming 'Queer POC and sex workers are here to save us!' But I'm not sure if it should be on their shoulders to do so.
SFSX ARC was provided by Image through Edelwiess for an honest review.
October 11, 2020
This comic is a celebration of sex workers and I enjoyed every bit of the story line, as it was action packed and fast past.
My only issue and, it’s unfortunate because this is a comic, is the art style. Two of the main characters were almost identical and I could only tell them apart from their hair style. They were both Black women which only feeds into the whole “all Black people look alike” assumption. The artist needs to do better in future issues. Furthermore, the style as a whole just seemed rough drafty as opposed to final. This could all be personal preference, but I’ve seen some amazing comic drawings and this just cannot compare. Nonetheless, if you can get past the artwork like I had to, this is a great story and I’d recommended.
My only issue and, it’s unfortunate because this is a comic, is the art style. Two of the main characters were almost identical and I could only tell them apart from their hair style. They were both Black women which only feeds into the whole “all Black people look alike” assumption. The artist needs to do better in future issues. Furthermore, the style as a whole just seemed rough drafty as opposed to final. This could all be personal preference, but I’ve seen some amazing comic drawings and this just cannot compare. Nonetheless, if you can get past the artwork like I had to, this is a great story and I’d recommended.
February 14, 2023
This unlike anything I've ever read and that's a good thing like I was on page one like 😳 but also like 😏. Like this was funny but also had these nice heartfelt moments and like high stakes and I need volume 2 immediately because...they can't leave me hanging like that
August 22, 2020
I don’t know about you, but “sex workers take down a fascist conservative government” is exactly the narrative I need right now.
April 13, 2022
A good premise. I especially enjoy dystopic settings so this one was pretty enjoyable. Below is a list of notes I was taking as I read this book for my book club.
*"Spoilers ahead**
Persecution fetish?
Of course it's set in San Francisco
"Work drag". It's interesting that in a dichotomy of a hyper sexualized rebellion and an anti sex conservative government power that their core identities are rooted in their sexuality. It's become more taboo and therefore more sexually appealing to focus on it
Claims of moral decay from sexual deviancy in the name of protecting the children is something we face now. It seems plausible that someone with a close minded perspective on sexuality could actually run a platform on 'reducing exploitation'
Lmao. "Well boys looks like you'll have to take several showers before you hug your wife and kids tonight "
Using the stiletto as a weapon is pretty symbolic actually. It's basically the major idea of this book it seems
I'm wondering if the party is going to do hormonal changes to alter the husband's libido or chemically castrate him the way they did to gay men in the 40s
Referring to getting married as getting "pretty women'ed" is odd to me. Even though she's a prostitute, is the implication that women get married for the convenience and benefits of social conformity?
Cake... Sitting?
The switching of art styles is kind of jarring. It's good that it was used to tell the story from a different character's perspective though
It's interesting that the villain is an overzealous feminist. A TERF is what I'd call her. But I'm getting the impression she won't be the villain forever. Her male underling has made mistakes in the past and has something to prove. Already setting up the sequel?
How could sexual torture cure a masochist of sexual deviancy? That's like curing alcoholism with a bottle of rum.
The implant reducing all pleasure and pain to very low levels is interesting. Why would they experiment on an engineer working for them?
The fact they actually get shot is good. That so rarely happens unless it's integral to the plot to remove a character's ability
The tiki torches intentionally referencing the proud boys rally?
Does anybody actually believe the world has been easy on them? For some reason this line comes off as hugely presumptuous
Unceremoniously killing the "white knight" hero character is an interesting choice. Nobody seemed to grieve over this character for very long. In fact he barely had any purpose in the story at all.
Basically the major themes are consent and freedom. Not only sexual freedom but freedom of identity. People are brainwashed into forcing others to fit in their boxes in order to feel comfortable with their worldly perspective. They can't be happy knowing that people they don't understand exist and are getting off in strange ways without the stamp of approval from their holy book or their worldview.
*"Spoilers ahead**
Persecution fetish?
Of course it's set in San Francisco
"Work drag". It's interesting that in a dichotomy of a hyper sexualized rebellion and an anti sex conservative government power that their core identities are rooted in their sexuality. It's become more taboo and therefore more sexually appealing to focus on it
Claims of moral decay from sexual deviancy in the name of protecting the children is something we face now. It seems plausible that someone with a close minded perspective on sexuality could actually run a platform on 'reducing exploitation'
Lmao. "Well boys looks like you'll have to take several showers before you hug your wife and kids tonight "
Using the stiletto as a weapon is pretty symbolic actually. It's basically the major idea of this book it seems
I'm wondering if the party is going to do hormonal changes to alter the husband's libido or chemically castrate him the way they did to gay men in the 40s
Referring to getting married as getting "pretty women'ed" is odd to me. Even though she's a prostitute, is the implication that women get married for the convenience and benefits of social conformity?
Cake... Sitting?
The switching of art styles is kind of jarring. It's good that it was used to tell the story from a different character's perspective though
It's interesting that the villain is an overzealous feminist. A TERF is what I'd call her. But I'm getting the impression she won't be the villain forever. Her male underling has made mistakes in the past and has something to prove. Already setting up the sequel?
How could sexual torture cure a masochist of sexual deviancy? That's like curing alcoholism with a bottle of rum.
The implant reducing all pleasure and pain to very low levels is interesting. Why would they experiment on an engineer working for them?
The fact they actually get shot is good. That so rarely happens unless it's integral to the plot to remove a character's ability
The tiki torches intentionally referencing the proud boys rally?
Does anybody actually believe the world has been easy on them? For some reason this line comes off as hugely presumptuous
Unceremoniously killing the "white knight" hero character is an interesting choice. Nobody seemed to grieve over this character for very long. In fact he barely had any purpose in the story at all.
Basically the major themes are consent and freedom. Not only sexual freedom but freedom of identity. People are brainwashed into forcing others to fit in their boxes in order to feel comfortable with their worldly perspective. They can't be happy knowing that people they don't understand exist and are getting off in strange ways without the stamp of approval from their holy book or their worldview.
January 2, 2021
Tina Horn absolutely nailed this concept. Image comics are collectively putting out the most intriguing sex positivity graphic novels. (Sunstone, Sex Criminals, Swing) and now SFSX. However, Tina Horn has added a dystopian, sci-fi element to her fascinating world. It feels like a crossover of Sunstone & 1984. The story has some real heartfelt to pant-wetting moments.
So, what is SFSX in a nutshell? No no no it's not a book on how to wear a friggin' Jimmy, silly! In a dystopian future, kinks, bondage, transgender, fetishes, sex workers, submissives, are viewed as unnatural. Anyone who is caught doing anything unnatural, well, let's just say the re programming process is not very pleasant. We have a crew called the Dirty mind who are fighting against a fascist government.
Tina Horn is a creative writer, being a domme, and having a deep love for comics she's managed to sculpture the perfect story.
If you are one of those people who judges sex workers, or sexual activities outside of your comfort zone, I advise you read this book with an open mind.
Unfortunately, we live in a judgemental world. Where we are made to feel shame and guilt for our desires. Which is Bullcrap! Sex workers are normal people, however, social media, at the best of times has made it very difficult for sex workers to fully express themselves. Banning accounts! For being to explicit! Which is a gargantuan contradiction.
Many sex workers and Dommes are articulate, kind-hearted individuals and make great role models. However, the media paints them as just whores. Which is totally ignorant.
I highly recommend this book, the world building, the writing and ooh the artwork is total bad ass.
Well done team you knocked it out of the park!
So, what is SFSX in a nutshell? No no no it's not a book on how to wear a friggin' Jimmy, silly! In a dystopian future, kinks, bondage, transgender, fetishes, sex workers, submissives, are viewed as unnatural. Anyone who is caught doing anything unnatural, well, let's just say the re programming process is not very pleasant. We have a crew called the Dirty mind who are fighting against a fascist government.
Tina Horn is a creative writer, being a domme, and having a deep love for comics she's managed to sculpture the perfect story.
If you are one of those people who judges sex workers, or sexual activities outside of your comfort zone, I advise you read this book with an open mind.
Unfortunately, we live in a judgemental world. Where we are made to feel shame and guilt for our desires. Which is Bullcrap! Sex workers are normal people, however, social media, at the best of times has made it very difficult for sex workers to fully express themselves. Banning accounts! For being to explicit! Which is a gargantuan contradiction.
Many sex workers and Dommes are articulate, kind-hearted individuals and make great role models. However, the media paints them as just whores. Which is totally ignorant.
I highly recommend this book, the world building, the writing and ooh the artwork is total bad ass.
Well done team you knocked it out of the park!
April 5, 2021
Kind of like if The Handmaid’s Tale, the Dirty Computer visual album, and Bitch Planet got together. It’s a very near future world, where right-wing “family friendly” conservatives and second wave “radical” feminists get together to eliminate kink, porn, sex work, queer culture and LGBTQ people, and anything “demeaning” or “inappropriate” from American society. Mostly through government control, raids, brainwashing, and torture.
The characters here are diverse in their motivations for fighting back, and their choices for survival in this new world. Good representation on the page, whether incidental or intentional, of BIPOC, fat, and disabled characters.
Definitely adult. Lots of depictions of sex acts, whether consensual or very not, as well as graphic violence, torture, and more. It’s hard and uncomfortable and definitely not for everyone. But for those with the stomach for it, there’s a lot of commentary on our society, including such recent events as incels, tiki torch-wielding terrorists, privacy and data tracking, including biotech and Fitbit-like devices, SESTA-FOSTA, and anti-trans legislation. The queer punk sex workers are the underground revolutionary heroes here, as they always have been throughout history, and we don’t deserve them.
Would recommend, depending on the reader.
The characters here are diverse in their motivations for fighting back, and their choices for survival in this new world. Good representation on the page, whether incidental or intentional, of BIPOC, fat, and disabled characters.
Definitely adult. Lots of depictions of sex acts, whether consensual or very not, as well as graphic violence, torture, and more. It’s hard and uncomfortable and definitely not for everyone. But for those with the stomach for it, there’s a lot of commentary on our society, including such recent events as incels, tiki torch-wielding terrorists, privacy and data tracking, including biotech and Fitbit-like devices, SESTA-FOSTA, and anti-trans legislation. The queer punk sex workers are the underground revolutionary heroes here, as they always have been throughout history, and we don’t deserve them.
Would recommend, depending on the reader.
January 28, 2024
I really enjoyed the premise of the book. Essentially the government starts controlling sex and purity in a dystopian nightmare. Anyone who doesn’t have sex in a controlled way that isn’t ‘morally grey’ is revered and celebrated. They are able to get good jobs and have good standing in society.
What I love about this book is how absolutely intersectional it is- how queer, disabled, and kink- friendly it is.
I do wish there had been a more developed storyline. I didn’t feel especially connected to any of the characters even though I knew who I was rooting for. I want more books like this created so I’m going to keep reading 🤍
What I love about this book is how absolutely intersectional it is- how queer, disabled, and kink- friendly it is.
I do wish there had been a more developed storyline. I didn’t feel especially connected to any of the characters even though I knew who I was rooting for. I want more books like this created so I’m going to keep reading 🤍
August 21, 2020
There was a lot I liked about this book. The cast felt diverse and real. Sex, sexuality, and gender were on display in all their intricacies. And despite not spelling out a lot, the world and its political system was intriguing. This comic is graphic, both in sexual content and violence. That will undoubtedly make this one not for everyone. But if you do not mind that kind of content, then the honest look at sex and the real way it is threatened by society is a compelling and well told story.
March 10, 2020
This had everything I like about dystopian fiction. The future is plausible enough to be terrifying, and there's a clear need for justice. Really excellent work. The art is fantastic, as are the colors. It's so rare to find a comic where the female characters aren't subject to the male gaze, and I really appreciated the validation of sex workers as actual people instead of plot devices or props, as they are in so many other comics.
I received a free eGalley from Edelweiss for review purposes.
I received a free eGalley from Edelweiss for review purposes.
January 28, 2025
I think I had seen this book on someone’s Instagram and thought it sounded super interesting so I grabbed it.
This was one crazy ride. We start off in a sex club and the whole book is showcasing sex work and how a lot of the sex workers really do love their jobs and build a family at work. But as we know governments can’t just let people be happy doing what they are doing and living their lives they had to intervene so no one can have sex for fun. They have these crazy torture places to basically reform sex workers or those who seek the company of sex workers. I really enjoyed the kick ass characters who won’t back down from getting what they want and saving those they love. From that ending I’m hoping for a miracle in that Jonesy somehow survived and that couple will reunite. I’ll be grabbing volume two for sure. I also enjoyed the artwork, it was really colourful but in a toned down way, the graphics were really detailed and you saw a lot haha.
This isn’t a book that I would recommend to everyone but to those who want a kick ass story.
This was one crazy ride. We start off in a sex club and the whole book is showcasing sex work and how a lot of the sex workers really do love their jobs and build a family at work. But as we know governments can’t just let people be happy doing what they are doing and living their lives they had to intervene so no one can have sex for fun. They have these crazy torture places to basically reform sex workers or those who seek the company of sex workers. I really enjoyed the kick ass characters who won’t back down from getting what they want and saving those they love. From that ending I’m hoping for a miracle in that Jonesy somehow survived and that couple will reunite. I’ll be grabbing volume two for sure. I also enjoyed the artwork, it was really colourful but in a toned down way, the graphics were really detailed and you saw a lot haha.
This isn’t a book that I would recommend to everyone but to those who want a kick ass story.
June 5, 2022
It's scary how closer we are to the reality presented in this book than I thought. Good story tho. Good representation. Very knowledgeable.
July 31, 2022
art style ? beautiful !! story is fascinating and gruesome and inspiring !!!! hubba hubba
July 16, 2023
Jail break from a tyrannical religious cult? HELL YEAH
representation: queer and trans people of color
spice level: maximum
tw: torture, mutilation, imprisonment
representation: queer and trans people of color
spice level: maximum
tw: torture, mutilation, imprisonment
June 13, 2025
Kind of simplistic. The characters are solid and both the writing and the art are fast and dynamic. It’s just a little too real right now.
January 3, 2022
I'm going to revisit a star rating later. But, like, fuck man. what a downer.
July 2, 2025
Happy Pride! Really impressive storytelling that delivers on the promise of the premise— lovingly and thoughtfully put together, and transgressive in all the right ways. As relevant as when it was published in 2019, if not moreso.
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