I admire Justin Jordan’s writing, although his stories, such as The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, tend to be too violent for my tastes. John Flood walks right on that edge, but I’m so intrigued by the lead character that I keep reading. Flood was the subject of a government experiment that removed his need to sleep ten years ago. As a result, he can make connections no else sees, but he’s also in a permanent dream state, so he […]

The more I read Lumberjanes, the more it grows on me. I’ve liked the concept — of a group of unique girls depending on each other — since the beginning, but some of the plots didn’t keep my interest as much as I hoped. However, now that the series is a bit more established, they’re beginning to explain more of the background, and that I’m really interested in. Take this issue. Written by Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters and illustrated […]

Late to the Lumberjanes bandwagon? Don’t worry, this new starting point is perfect for you. Brooke Allen, the artist on the first series issues, returns for a kind of origin issue. Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters have written a story where we get to see the first day of camp for the girls and how they all met. It’s fascinating to find out more about the background of each scout. Jo’s well-to-do fathers are pushing her to live up to […]

For those of us no longer excited by expensive serial comic releases, those who want more satisfying chunks of story, those who like longer-lasting comic formats, or those who can no longer remember the details of a story month to month, the most-talked-about new series of last year has put out its first collection. Lumberjanes Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy collects the first four issues of the series, making up the first half of the first storyline. It’s written […]

Roger Langridge’s charming modern-day fable concludes here, and the ending is just what I expected. (I previously talked about issues #1-3.) I don’t mean that I knew what was going to happen — Langridge is a better storyteller than to telegraph all his twists and turns too obviously. No, what I meant was that I got all the things I wanted from a kids’ adventure tale: excitement, suspense, silly fun, just rewards, a touch of sadness to give it all […]

After the first Lumberjanes story arc ended, I was curious to see how the series would continue. The answer is, with more insight into the characters, particularly Mal and Molly, as well as hints about the camp’s history. The series continues to be written by Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters, but Carolyn Nowak is the new artist for this storyline. She does an incredible job staying true to the characters while capturing the weirdness of this particular camp and the […]

Abigail and the Snowman is exactly what it says on the tin — a charming all-ages adventure between a girl and her fantastic friend. Abigail and her dad are new in the neighborhood. Dad’s a good-humored electrician who’s just gotten fired from his new job, so while he applies to find work, Abigail works at fitting in to her new environment. Joining a new school is tough, so when no one wants to play with her, she shrugs and pets […]

The first storyline (the series will continue past this) of Lumberjanes, written by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis and illustrated by Brooke Allen, concludes with the gal-pal campers saving the world from a remarkably authentic adolescent Artemis. She’s selfish and distractible and manipulated and focused only on getting the better of her brother. Unfortunately, her self-centeredness has resulted in grim consequences for one of the scouts, but the power of friendship will win through once again, as it has since […]