Love in a time of dystopia and existential crisis is one way to describe what many consider the best episode of the long-running science-fiction fantasy series Black Mirror. The Netflix show isn’t exactly known for rainbows and butterflies in its explorations of the overlap between technology, social issues, and the human condition.
Building on the legacy of the iconic Twilight Zone, Black Mirror is an anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker that tells stories set in near-future dystopias featuring sci-fi technology. The tales often don’t end very happily, but they pack a poignant punch of social commentary regarding our world and the path we’re on when it comes to the rapidly changing digital age and who controls it.
Although it was the fourth episode in the third season of the series, “San Junipero” still resonates with many fans of the show and beyond. Exploring themes of love, death, grief, homophobia, and the use of technology, it focused on two female characters (one lesbian, one identifying as bisexual). This installment still had the same edge familiar from Black Mirror episodes, but it offered a more optimistic send-off.
It gave hope in a world of restlessness and discontent, and it subverted the far too often used trope in mainstream media of killing off LGBTQ characters (often referred to as “burying the gays”). Now, fans can experience the story again—not through a TV screen but on the printed page. An official Black Mirror “San Junipero” graphic novel has been released as a limited edition collectible supporting LGBTQ equality.
In the 1980s-style seaside California town of San Junipero, a shy young woman named Yorkie meets lively party girl Kelly at Tucker’s nightclub. The two form a deep connection, but one of the twists of the story—in true Black Mirror fashion—is that San Junipero isn’t a “real” place but rather a virtual reality world where elderly or deceased people can live digitally forever.
In real life, Yorkie is a woman in her 60s who’s been paralyzed since a car accident in her 20s. She lived a life where her conservative religious family never truly accepted her sexuality. Yorkie is in a coma and about to be euthanized so her consciousness can be uploaded to San Junipero permanently. Kelly is also an elderly woman dying of cancer. Although the two have fallen in love, Kelly initially refuses to join Yorkie permanently in San Junipero, as Kelly’s late husband chose not to be uploaded after death, and she feels it would dishonor his memory. 
Ultimately, after further revelations and a heartfelt struggle, Kelly decides to join Yorkie after all. The episode ends with their digital selves dancing joyfully together in the virtual world, while their real bodies are shown being maintained by servers—a rare hopeful and romantic ending in the Black Mirror universe.
The television episode featured standout performances by Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Kelly and Mackenzie Davis in the role of Yorkie. Their onscreen chemistry and embodiment of their characters truly grounded the story. And although technically their characters did “die” in the world of Black Mirror, death isn’t always the end, thus San Junipero avoided the overdone trope of making LGBTQ characters into tragic figures.
The episode premiered in 2016, and for its tenth anniversary, Twisted Comics is partnering with the organization Stonewall, one of the U.K.’s leading LGBTQ charities, to release a special edition “San Junipero” comic, with 20% of net profits being donated directly to the charity. Founded in 1989, Stonewall has spent more than 35 years advocating for LGBTQ equality through campaigning, education, policy work, and community support. Their vision is “a world where everyone, everywhere, has equal rights.”
While the graphic novel doesn’t duplicate the episode frame by frame, it translates the story in a compelling and visually captivating way. Nothing is lost, but a new way to experience this timeless tale is gained. The creative team behind the graphic novel includes writer and Twisted Comics founder Neil Gibson, artist Phil Buckenham, colorist Agnese Pozza, and letterer Rob Jones. Together, they create a book that does justice to the original story while providing beautiful new art for fans and newcomers to hold in a physical way.
This special edition also includes a foreword by Lisa Power, co-founder of Stonewall, and Simon Blake, chief executive of the organization.
The launch page for the graphic novel points out the significance of the project. “This partnership is especially meaningful because the themes of San Junipero—love, identity, acceptance, and belonging—align closely with Stonewall’s mission to help build a society where LGBTQ people can live free from discrimination, prejudice, and inequality.”
Since the episode’s premiere a decade ago, major shifts have happened when it comes to the rights and liberties of those belonging to the LGBTQ community. In the United States, there have been a number of attacks and discriminatory legislation passed that call into question the direction in which the fight for equality is swinging.
Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in the U.S. in 2026 alone—nearly 400 tracked by the ACLU. Around the globe, there has been an increase in far-right conservative political leadership, threatening many of the civil rights gains made over the decades. Ten years after its debut, the messaging of “San Junipero” remains relevant and is as necessary as ever.
The graphic novel is due out in September 2026 and can only be brought through Stonewall. Those interested can visit the campaign page for more information. The original episode can still be viewed on Netflix and is well worth the watch, as much as the graphic novel is well worth the read.
All artwork courtesy of Twisted Comics.
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