Independent Opinions, News, and Reviews of Graphic Novels, Manga, and Comic Books
Olive, the lead of Click, is off to summer camp with her friend Willow in Camp. As seen in the previous book by Kayla Miller, Olive has no problem making lots of friends, but Willow is less outgoing and jealous of the time Olive spends with others. As the two weeks of camp continue, Olive begins to resent Willow for her clinginess, and the two have to learn to understand those different from themselves in order to save their friendship. […]
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In Sincerely, Harriet by Sarah W. Searle, Harriet is spending the summer getting used to her family’s new apartment in Chicago. It’s hot and boring, with her parents working hard at new jobs and the girls from last year’s summer camp ignoring her postcards. The only person she interacts with is the older woman downstairs. Pearl owns the building and tells tales of her family. Pearl was also a librarian, and she recommends books to Harriet that interest her more […]
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Raina Telgemeier’s latest book, Share Your Smile: Raina’s Guide to Telling Your Own Story, puts a workshop course between covers. Her many devout fans will find this journal, full of prompts and activities, a friendly guide to making their own comics. After a welcoming introduction, there are four chapters, each focusing on one of Telgemeier’s books: Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts. The first, covering Smile, is the longest, with the most detail about Telgemeier’s creative process and short lessons on […]
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Mera: Tidebreaker is the first DC Ink release, launching the publisher’s imprint for young adult graphic novels. As written by Danielle Paige and illustrated by Stephen Byrne, it tells a familiar story with new character insight. Given the popularity of the Aquaman movie, most readers will be aware of Mera as an undersea princess, but it’s refreshing to see that here, she’s also a warrior, willing to fight for her people. While navigating history, birthright, and expectations, Mera learns to […]
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Katie O’Neill’s latest project has the charm of her previous Aquicorn Cove and The Tea Dragon Society, but in an abbreviated form for younger readers. Dewdrop is an axolotl, or a cute pink lump, who has a number of aquatic friends, including a turtle, a newt, and some fish. It’s time for the sports festival, and Dewdrop’s friends are competing, writing songs, and cooking. Each enjoys these activities, but the pressure gets to them, and they begin questioning themselves and […]
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I enjoyed reading Ghosted in L.A. for two reasons: sympathy with the rather haphazard heroine Daphne and curiosity about the supporting cast members. It’s written by Sina Grace and illustrated by Siobhan Keenan. Daphne has followed her boyfriend to college, moving from Montana to Los Angeles, only to be dumped during their first week there. She doesn’t know anyone besides her former best friend (who tried to warn her away from him) and her chilly roommate. She stumbles into the […]
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After embarrassing herself on camera as a reporter because of her drinking, the only job Jerri can get at the family TV station is as midnight movie host. The position is open because the previous Count Crowley has gone missing, and a desperate man wants the host’s help with his lycanthropy in Count Crowley: Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter. Her sarcastic vamping is a hit, which illustrates one of the comic’s strengths. As written by David Dastmalchian, the dialogue is punchy […]
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Bloom is a quiet romance/coming-of-age story written by Kevin Panetta with artwork by Savanna Ganucheau. It uses a leisurely pace to tell a familiar tale, made distinctive by the bakery setting and activity of bread making. Ari works in the family bakery located in a coastal town. He wants to move to a bigger city with his band of friends, but his father needs his help to keep the struggling business going. Then Hector comes to town to clean out […]
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