Monthly Comic Corner: March Edition
“Monthly Comic Corner” is a segment that compiles mini-reviews of comics, graphic novels, and manga that I’ve read for the month. Here are my reviews for the month of March which features a teenage detective, a girl who is haunted, and a quirky high schooler.
Goldie Vance Vol.1 by Hope Larson (2016)
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance has an insatiable curiosity. She lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place, and it’s her dream to one day be the hotel’s in-house detective. When Walter, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, together they utilize her smarts, skills, and connections to solve the mystery…even if it means getting into a drag race, solving puzzles, or chasing a helicopter to do it! (description from Goodreads)
Review: Goldie Vance is a fun detective comic that is geared for all ages (but mostly towards a younger audience). The retro feel of the 50s gives it an eccentric vibe. It’s also very detailed from the clothes to the speech. It gives off a Nancy Drew vibe except the cast of characters is more diverse.
Though I enjoyed this comic, I found it a bit underwhelming. The mystery is easy to solve (even for a younger audience) and I wanted to learn more about the main cast’s background. Despite all that I loved the character interactions, stylistic artwork, and the thrill of suspense.
I recommend this fluffy and lighthearted series for readers of “light mysteries”. I’m unsure if I’ll continue with this series though.
Final Verdict:
Jonesy Vol.1 by Sam Humphries (2016)
Synopsis: A sarcastic teenager with the powers of cupid unleashes her preternatural matchmaking abilities on her school with hilarious and charming results.
Jonesy is a self-described “cool dork” who spends her time making zines nobody reads, watching anime, and listening to riot grrrl bands and 1D simultaneously. But she has a secret nobody knows. She has the power to make people fall in love! Anyone. With anything. She’s a cupid in plaid. With a Tumblr. There’s only one catch—it doesn’t work on herself. She’s gonna have to find love the old-fashioned way, and in the meantime, figure out how to distract herself from the real emotions she inevitably has to face when her powers go wrong… (description from Goodreads)
Review: Jonesy is an all out fun comic that is not to be taken too seriously and that’s what made me fall in love with it. The main character, Joensy, is a teenage girl and the comic is told in a slice of life narrative about her daily encounters. We see her interact in her high school life and the story adds a touch of fantasy since she has magical powers to make people fall in love.
I did wish the story had more sustenance until I realized it’s mean to be a “snippets” style comic rather than a direct narrative. I like that it had a diverse cast of characters and especially that she becomes besties with her enemy, Susan. I loved that the colorful, bright, and bubbly artwork matches the tone/theme of the story (almost similar to a manga style).
I will continue to read this series. It’s quirky and entertaining!
Final Verdict:
Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks (2012)
Synopsis: After years of homeschooling, Maggie is starting high school. It’s pretty terrifying.
Maggie’s big brothers are there to watch her back, but ever since Mom left it just hasn’t been the same.
Besides her brothers, Maggie’s never had any real friends before. Lucy and Alistair don’t have lots of friends either. But they eat lunch with her at school and bring her along on their small-town adventures.
Missing mothers…distant brothers…high school…new friends… It’s a lot to deal with. But there’s just one more thing.
MAGGIE IS HAUNTED. (description from Goodreads)
Review: A interesting coming of age story mixed with the paranormal genre. Maggie, the main character, grew up with a crew of brothers and is dealing with entering a public high school (she’s been home-schooled her entire life) and coping with the absence of her mother. She also happens to be haunted by ghosts.
The paranormal (ghost) aspect was very lacking in this book and I thought the story would have been better without it. It wasn’t executed well and it ends quite abruptly at the end of the story. The story felt rushed at times and I wished the book was longer. Other than that, I thought the story was very relatable to a wide audience, since Maggie feels like a “fish out of water”. The character development is smooth too.
Final Verdict:
What comics, graphic novels, or manga have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations feel free to share those as well. 🙂
