Welcome to 2021, and welcome back to the annual tradition that is the Cleveland Scene comics issue, now in its 9th year.

This year’s issue is curated by the two-woman team at Vagabond Comics, Sequoia Bostick and Amalia DeGirolamo, and features work by local cartoonists Kelly Bahmer-Brouse, Matt Haberbusch, Grace LaPrade, Samantha Nunoo, Abriana Rosu, and Gabby Zematis.

This year, their comics mull over alternate realities, What Ifs, and glimmers of hope mined from the darkness of the past year. So kick back, stay safe and warm, and enjoy these wonderful comic stories.

(Click to enlarge individual comics.)

This article appears in Dec 30, 2020 – Jan 12, 2021.

Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.