American Virgin (comics)

American Virgin
Cover to issue #1 of American Virgin (May 2006). Art by Frank Quitely.
Publication information
Publisher	Vertigo
Schedule	Monthly
Format	Ongoing series
Publication date	May 2006 – March 2008
Number of issues	23
Main character(s)	Adam Chamberlain
Creative team
Writer(s)	Steven T. Seagle
Penciller(s)	Becky Cloonan
Inker(s)	Jim Rugg, Ryan Kelly
Colorist(s)	Brian Miller
Creator(s)	Steven Seagle Becky Cloonan
Editor(s)	Karen Berger
Collected editions
Head
Going Down
Wet
Around the World

American Virgin was an American comic book series published by Vertigo Comics and written by Steven T. Seagle and illustrated by Becky Cloonan. The series launched on a monthly schedule in March 2006 and was canceled two years later. Seagle was able to finish his storyline.

The story follows the life of Adam, a teenager who is a born-again Christian preacher, as well as his struggle with issues of his sexuality and faith. Adam's near constant companion is a stepsister, Cyndi, who is sexually liberal.

The covers for the first three issues were penciled by Frank Quitely, while issues #4–14 featured covers by Joshua Middleton. Starting with issue #15 the cover artist was Celia Calle. Most of the series is penciled by Becky Cloonan with two issues drawn by Ryan Kelly.

There are five major story arcs: the first is "Head", consisting of four issues. The second is "Going Down", which consists of five issues. The third saga, "Wet" also contains five issues. The fourth story arc "Around the World" contained five issues as well. The series was canceled with the final arc, "Sixty-Nine", in issues #20–23.

The first story arc "Head" introduces the main character Adam Chamberlain, a 21-year-old Christian preacher promoting sexual abstinence until marriage. Adam is proud of his virginity and his engagement to his girlfriend Cassie, currently on a peace corps mission in Africa; he believes she was chosen by God to be his wife. After being taunted with a stripper by his cousins, Adam flees to the home of his stepsister Cyndi. While watching television he learns that Cassie has been killed and beheaded by terrorists.