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First, the art style here is really funky, and I mean that in a good way. It’s highly-stylized and unique. However, the coloring style, it reminds me of overly saturated highlighters, is distracting.
Onto the main story, it is about a wacky kickball tournament. There’s very little context given outside of some player skill cards. Things seem a bit futuristic and many players have superpowers. A few questionable things here and there (magical "drug use," of course, only female characters have moves that involve their butts, inconsistency). My recommendation: Don’t try to understand everything that’s going on. Just enjoy the chaotic energy.
There are some other side stories as well that balance the art and coloring much better than the first. I feel like this whole series would be better animated.
Onto the main story, it is about a wacky kickball tournament. There’s very little context given outside of some player skill cards. Things seem a bit futuristic and many players have superpowers. A few questionable things here and there (magical "drug use," of course, only female characters have moves that involve their butts, inconsistency). My recommendation: Don’t try to understand everything that’s going on. Just enjoy the chaotic energy.
There are some other side stories as well that balance the art and coloring much better than the first. I feel like this whole series would be better animated.
Clever comic gags that involve breaking the 4th wall.
I enjoyed this. A rare look at the "good (church) girl" without going to either extreme-- a self-righteous goody-goody or an out-of-control rebel. I liked Micah's narrative, and her realization she didn't know her brother as well as she thought she did. Woodfolk makes vibrant, fun characters so easily. Micah's narrative was good enough to serve sliced with butter on the top!
Ty and Micah's relationship and desires to "go further" mixed with questioning abstinence is handled with care and doesn't demonize either path.
A lot of teens will relate to this book. I'm dazzled by Woodfolk's ability to make us care about characters in so a few pages.
4.5
Ty and Micah's relationship and desires to "go further" mixed with questioning abstinence is handled with care and doesn't demonize either path.
A lot of teens will relate to this book. I'm dazzled by Woodfolk's ability to make us care about characters in so a few pages.
4.5
First, I can be superficial with graphic novels at times. The art style here is not visually-appealing, and the cursive writing is a pain to read. However, the art style in “Big Ma” didn’t look too bad. I think it’s the boldness of the lines and the faces that turn me off.
Anyway, Hot Comb features nuanced short stories all involving black hair in some shape or form (though some focus on it more than others). I understood the hot comb struggle all too well. By the time you finish one side, the other has crinkled up.
Still, I’m not really sure of what to make of this collection. Some of the stories feel unsettling like the one where the sister continually pulls out her hair. The one with the former “crackhead” sister just went nowhere. I get the little girl was having fun being carefree, wearing her grandma’s wigs, but what was the point? On the other hand, in "Sisters & Daughters" even though there was no real story, I just love seeing the aunt part the sections of hair and spray water. Just loved it.
Still, I also enjoy the straightforwardness of everything. I think the last comic “Angola” was my favorite.
3.5
Anyway, Hot Comb features nuanced short stories all involving black hair in some shape or form (though some focus on it more than others). I understood the hot comb struggle all too well. By the time you finish one side, the other has crinkled up.
Still, I’m not really sure of what to make of this collection. Some of the stories feel unsettling like the one where the sister continually pulls out her hair. The one with the former “crackhead” sister just went nowhere. I get the little girl was having fun being carefree, wearing her grandma’s wigs, but what was the point? On the other hand, in "Sisters & Daughters" even though there was no real story, I just love seeing the aunt part the sections of hair and spray water. Just loved it.
Still, I also enjoy the straightforwardness of everything. I think the last comic “Angola” was my favorite.
3.5
Just the usual, some cute moments, absurd weirdness, and misunderstandings.
1.5
1.5
Not perfect but fun! Garfield Logan wants to fit in with the popular kids and bulk up. He's tired of being scrawny and not noticeable. I liked his character here, and I LOVED Gabriel Picolo's artwork! The style fits perfectly, and everything has this green, murky overlay that works well.
Also, I really enjoyed his two friends, Stella and Tanaka. They were cool and cared about him. Even though this is the usual "teen wants to be popular" story, Gar was self-aware ( i.e he knew those teens didn't care about him frfr. this book gets a plus for not having him turn his back on his friends )and his friends acknowledged that they understood the allure of wanting to be popular. They made good stand-ins for his friends though Stella is pretty dumb for turning down free money, ijs.
The pacing is okay but lends too much time to unimportant things. Tanaka's storyline never really finishes, what happened to Gar's bully/antagonist?, and how can Gar just leave with no repercussions whenever he wants?
Still, I'm excited to read "Beastboy Loves Raven," but I suspect it may suffer from the same pacing issues. Oh well!
3.5
Also, I really enjoyed his two friends, Stella and Tanaka. They were cool and cared about him. Even though this is the usual "teen wants to be popular" story, Gar was self-aware (
The pacing is okay but lends too much time to unimportant things. Tanaka's storyline never really finishes, what happened to Gar's bully/antagonist?, and how can Gar just leave with no repercussions whenever he wants?
Still, I'm excited to read "Beastboy Loves Raven," but I suspect it may suffer from the same pacing issues. Oh well!
3.5
Dnf; stopped at pg 184
There’s nothing particularly wrong with the story, but it just felt so unseasoned to me. I liked Macy’s relationship with her family and the close-knit community. She really cared about her mom. In most YA stories, parents are usually taken for granted, so seeing how much Macy wanted to take care of her was sweet.
Still, this personally couldn’t keep my interest. The initial premise caught my attention because a fake Youtube couple and general social media culture sounded like fun. But some of the characters felt bland. I don’t think the writing was bad because I enjoyed the way it forced you to keep reading to learn about the characters’ backstory. I tried to hold on to find out what Paxton’s deal was, but I do not think I will continue this.
There’s nothing particularly wrong with the story, but it just felt so unseasoned to me. I liked Macy’s relationship with her family and the close-knit community. She really cared about her mom. In most YA stories, parents are usually taken for granted, so seeing how much Macy wanted to take care of her was sweet.
Still, this personally couldn’t keep my interest. The initial premise caught my attention because a fake Youtube couple and general social media culture sounded like fun. But some of the characters felt bland. I don’t think the writing was bad because I enjoyed the way it forced you to keep reading to learn about the characters’ backstory. I tried to hold on to find out what Paxton’s deal was, but I do not think I will continue this.
Shoujo loves an age difference, bay-bee! *eye-roll* But, overall, this manga has a fitting end. If you don’t like time skips, the ending may be unsatisfying. And yes, Himari is still bland. Still, I liked the Demon Prince of Momochi House as a series.