Pretty easy-going pace and tone. This feels like a music-based (with focus on British rock) slice of life. The time period is a little hard to place, but it feels like it’s early 2000’s. Facebook’s a thing, the main character has a flip phone and one of the early iPods, and a music store is still in business yet Candy Crush (2012) exists. All of that adds to the retro vibes and the dry, quirky humor.

I think the author got the preteen struggles and frustrations well. This book won’t appeal to everyone mostly due to its slow, casual storytelling, the Beatles spotlight, and understandably the cancer plotline of Lucy’s grandma. 

Overall, I liked this. I also liked the art style it gave the story personality.

This was fun, and I thought the characters were endearing. The relationship between the twins, Dorian and Dani, is so wholesome. I always love to see siblings that don’t fight all the time. The artwork is super cute though don’t be fooled. There are some darker elements with the ever-present threat of the witches/magical characters being burnt at the stake. I already want more!

In this volume, absence makes the heart grow fonder. The couple is separated due to a magical war. Filimena acts understandably torn up from Edy’s departure, but their relationship isn’t that deep to warrant that level of tears. 

Again, since this is an isekai/reincarnation story, Filimena makes a lot of RPG references and self-aware quips (meta jokes I guess). The illustrations are still lovely and there are some shots of Egiedeyrus “Edy” where he just looks utterly broody and regal.

I thought I would be annoyed at the sudden appearance of a new character, hogging the spotlight. But he’s actually cheerful and endearing. His earnest attempts to melt Edy’s frosty demeanor are lighthearted and sweet. Also, there’s actually a little tension here.

it’s short-lived of course, but the fact THEY ACTUALLY GOT MARRIED IN VOLUME 2… had me shook. I thought this series had gotten axed early, but there’s a volume 3 coming. Is the era of mangas dragging out stories over???

There is some really fun lore going on here with humans, gods, and magical creatures all living in the diverse, progressive aptly-named Tri-city. The main character, Pax, hails from a famous superhero family and is trying to find his way. He’s great at cooking but not so much with the superheroing. Pax’s got a showboating cousin and a pretty chill sister. Azul, the ice prince, stood out to me the most. I liked learning about the grandma, and I hope we get more development of the other characters in the subsequent volumes. 

Sometimes, it is not always clear what’s going in the scenes. The artwork has a sketchy/unfinished quality that I don’t particularly like. In addition, some of the backstories get info-dumped. I kept up with most of the story until random tidbits would throw me off

the sister is adopted and enchanted, which I guess explains the monster arms. So is Pax adopted too? I mean the mom looks white and Pax doesn’t appear biracial. Why is the aunt a time-traveler?

 

But I liked this overall! Also, how can you have book called the Cookout and not make a Frankie Beverly and the Maze reference? Maybe in the future haha

I think the writing is sharp, and this volume really delves into New Orleans history (from Transatlantic enslavement to voodoo origins to Hurricane Katrina, etc). I think there’s a way to include African-American/Black American history or themes without it reveling in trauma, and I think Quincredible gets it. The only nitpick is villain introductions are often rushed in this series. But I like dependable, bright-eyed Quinton, and I’m ready for another volume. 

And Ms Adeliade and that white wolf were stylin’!

while it's unbelievably dumb that Brittany is going out with a dude named Big Baby (hope that's a nickname), love that Quinton's mama lets him know she doesn't owe him anything or automatically her affections for being a "nice guy."

 Everything doesn't make sense, but it's not bad. The uncle is dusty and super irresponsible. Loved the artwork. The ending is bittersweet in normal R.L Stine fashion. 

It is very realistic that some teens are self-centered, don’t get along with their parents because of irrational things, and feel outcast and full of angst. Add in the layer of not wanting to be in a beautiful, accomplished superhero mom’s shadow. With that being said, Mandy wasn’t likable. In real life, an older Mandy would look back, embarrassed, at her younger self’s behavior. Many times (60% - 70% probably) I thought my parents were embarrassing me and ruining my life, and, now, I realize how immature I was being. Anyway, I get Mandy was a brat and didn’t communicate well, but I didn’t hate the story. 

In addition, Mandy has a conflict about life after high school. She has test anxiety and does not want to go to college. Nothing wrong with that, but the topic of learning a trade never came up. Or what was the cause of the anxiety. It’s like it magically disappears.

I also think it was a cliche move to give Mandy powers. And she knew how to fight and everything??? She could’ve had a Deku (MHA) model, where they have all this power built up but don’t know how to use it well or without hurting themselves. Blackfire got hands and evil in her. She not going down that easily. Like, what was that? Starfire couldn’t whoop her, but “baby just got her first taste of magic” can? Unless her first starbolt was that concentrated…

 

Onto positives, I enjoyed the flat artwork and Lincoln and Claire (love when the popular kids have depth or aren’t all stereotypical) weren’t bad. Starfire looked good! I love that you could see she was trying with Mandy.

I also like whenever Blackfire comes to wreck everything. I think the line about the true anti-Starfire being Blackfire was fitting

 

2.5 

Loved the art style. Really enjoyed this one.

Masterfully told with no words and beautiful illustrations. Let me tell you now, the dog goes THROUGH IT in this story. Doggy was fighting for his life every page. Also, shout out to the adorable platypus babies. 

I was fully expecting the dog to die, but it surprisingly it lived.