The Con Artists is a graphic novel about mental health and friendship, with the backdrop of a comedy club – literally. Healy gives the characters space to breathe, to allow the reader the space to sit and think with them. The art style works well for the story being told, and Healy’s pacing moves things along without making things feel rushed. A great read for those looking for a very real graphic novel.
Thank you to Drawn & Quarterly and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
Slip by Marika McCoola and Aatmaja Pandya
Slip is a wonderful graphic novel that touches on a plethora of important topics for teens: suicide, friendship, the pressure to succeed. I loved how some of these manifested in magical ways through Jade’s art as she develops into a stronger artist with a vision through the course of the story. The artwork is perfectly fitting for the story, and the panels helped everything move along smoothly. I hope this creator duo works together again, because the effect is phenomenal!
Thank you to Angonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
Unfamiliar Vol. #1 by Haley Newsome
Unfamiliar is a graphic novel about Planchette, a witch who has just moved into town but discovers her house is haunted! She enlists the help of some of the other witches in town, all of whom have unique magical abilities, and they work together to help solve each others’ problems.
I really enjoyed the art style – I feel like it’s not the kind of thing you’d see a whole graphic novel of, and I think the cuteness paired with the witchiness is just all kinds of adorable. The plot is somewhat formulaic, but I don’t think anyone interested in reading this will mind all that much. This is the first volume in what will likely be a multi-volume series, and while the story definitely sets the reader up for what’s next to come, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger: be warned if you need all the answers right away!
Thank you to Andrews McMeel and Edelweiss for providing a copy for review.
Love and War
Love and War is a queer graphic novel focusing on the rivalry (both romantic and athletic!) of two competing schools’ tug-of-war teams. I absolutely loved the art style; it’s probably in my favorite vein of styles for graphic novels and comics, and the coloring was beautiful. The story itself, while somewhat predictable, makes for a great comfort read when you need one, which makes the reread value pretty high. A whole team worked on this comic, but you wouldn’t know it from how cohesive everything feels – a job very well done all around!
Thank you to Dark Horse and Edelweiss for providing a copy for review.
