The League of Shadows Reviews

Each month, we review at least 1 young adult graphic novel and 1 prose book that features characters who are people of color, queer, gender fluid, and/or trans, OR is written by authors within the same identity categories. That was a long sentence, but it's fun stuff!

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A Wandering Best Comics of 2017 List

Well hello! It’s this blog, the thing I put on hiatus in order to focus on my degree and then did not check into all year!

If you don’t follow me on any other social media, I have some good news: I have, in fact, finished my library degree! Goal accomplished! I’m in this funny place right now where I was working hard and was completely burned out, and then suddenly wasn’t working, and now I’m enjoying relaxing but also realizing I need to get back to a place where I can work on things again. Write things again. Be focused and productive and not on a mental vacation. Oof.

First, before getting to the fun stuff, I am going to officially announce that I won’t be formally returning to this blog. I may use it as a space to write reviews that are more serious than a quick goodreads review and not serious enough to fit with Women Write About Comics or another venue, but I’m not going to follow a this-many-a-month goal. I want to focus on other projects, so while this blog has served me well, I think I’ve found other ways to discover, support, and signal-boost diverse media that require I step aside from LOS Reviews.

That aside - year end lists! They can be fun! Last year I wrote about comics I love in which ladies smooch other ladies, but this year I am going to do something much more disorganized. A consequence of focusing heavily on school is that my to-read pile has become wild and unruly. As I let things I wanted to read pile up over the year, I did read a few things that were just too good or too exciting - or that I could easily access during a break. My #1 favorite thing that I read this year was Soolagna Majumdar’s Marge Simpson Anime zine, which I wrote about for WWAC’s Small Press Faves of 2017 list. In addition, here are some random titles that helped me stay afloat through a grueling final year of graduate school.

Print Comics

Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez

This big, gorgeous comic released by Nobrow Press contains some of the best art I was privileged to ogle in 2017. Sandy, a young artist, has the unique ability to bring the lush fantasy world of her mind to life. Or, perhaps, she can take aspects of her own imagination and gift them to existing magic within the world, and build a warm, vibrant, safe fantasy space. When the new girl at school takes dangerous interest in Sandy’s abilities, she must learn to own and harness her inner power. If, like me, you are feeling very burdened by work, know that this is a quick read meant for middle or elementary-aged readers. It’s sort of like coming across a stunningly delicious appetizer at a fancy party; it’s brief, but so good that you immediately want to eat another (or read it all over again.)

Space Battle Lunchtime Volume Two: A Recipe for Disaster by Natalie Riess

I reviewed volume one last year so I won’t spend much time giving you plot synopsis etc., but volume two came out this year and wraps up the story. I LOVE these comics; Riess creates a very pretty, kooky alien world in which each creature’s species-specific traits and personality feels immediately well-developed. Riess’ skillful use of visuals to give her characters - human and alien alike - unique personas appeals to me because I quickly feel exhausted when reading lengthy high fantasy that spends ages detailing all the aspects of a culture or society. This is really how I prefer to learn about an entirely made-up world: as quickly and efficiently as possible, with all emphasis on character development. These comics are light hearted, queer, action-filled and fun, Riess just knows how to press all my buttons!

The Lunch Witch by Deb Lucke

I read the first two (only two? no idea) volumes of this series this year, and IT IS SO FREAKING GREAT! The comics follow the spooky exploits of Grunhilda, an older witch who finds herself in need of a job, and ends up working as a lunch lady at a nearby elementary school. Grunhilda is NOT a good witch, or at least doesn’t intend to be, and she doesn’t really like children. The books are fairly dark for a middle grade series, excitingly creative - there’s a page that is actually burned and missing 1/4 of itself - and tackle morality and the value of helping others out of a sense of compassion and desire for companionship versus seeking selfish reward. They are fun, surprisingly deep, and supported by a really cool website that has things like recipes for Engorged-Tick Scones and a Bad Advice column! Love love love it.

So Pretty/So Very Rotten by Jane Mai and An Nguyen

I was lucky to randomly pick up the preview zine for this book at CAKE last year, and as a huge fan of Jane Mai’s comics - I maybe wrote an article about her that feels somewhat like an embarrassing love confessional - I was super excited for this book to come out! So Pretty/So Very Rotten is a mix of comics, essays and interviews about Lolita subculture, from the perspective of two Asian-North American cartoonists (I’m pretty sure Nguyen is Canadian? Correct me if I’m wrong, I have been known to not realize people were Canadian. See: Ellen Page) who either have been or still are very much participating in and deeply connected to Lolita. It is well-researched, accessible and totally engrossing. I am not a femme person and have been on a sort of slow burn, low-key journey in which I try to de-couple gender from clothing in order to feel more comfortable in how I present, and this book hit me at just the right moment. Through interviews and essays, Nguyen and Mai dive into how many view Lolita as a genderless (or perhaps gender-full?) exploration of the feelings the clothing can create both for individuals and communities. The comics get quite dark and often lean into the rottenness Lolita allows; in some ways, that rottenness feels like an opportunity to let the truth of the darkness of ourselves out, or to reveal how tough and ferocious those who dare to dawn frills truly are. I cannot recommend it enough.

Wuvable Oaf Volume 1 by Ed Luce

I purchase-requested this baby from the library and was deeply pleased when they bought it and when, recently, I saw that the cover was beat up a bit, indicating that I truly am not the only one who wanted it! Huzzah! I’ve been meaning to read Luce’s comic since I bought a Divine poster from him a couple CAKE’s ago, and it did not disappoint. This giant tome tells the story of Oaf, a hairy, scary-looking ex-wrestler who is in fact quite squishy, loves cats, and wants romance. It’s a gay subculture-y comic that is strange enough to border on being fantasy (Oaf can do some wild shit with his hair, and one of the cats SEES THINGS) and loaded full with comics/pop culture Easter eggs. The wrestling flashbacks are maybe the best bits, so I’m excited to get my hands on volume two, which looks more focused on the wrestling.

The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ & Amal + Five Years Ago and Three Thousand Miles Away by EK Weaver

OK confession: I read the webcomic and this was actually a reread prompted by my inability to walk past the big, gorgeous softcover collection on the Iron Circus table at C2E2. “I think it’s time I buy TJ & Amal” is I think exactly what I said to Spike Trotman, whose response was something like “of course it is!” (Shout out to Sheika Lugtu who was walking the floor with me and also was like, um yes, buy it, dummy.) I had not read the follow-up short comic previously, in which Weaver posits three possible endings for the boys, two of which keep them together, one in which they break up. It was a perfect, bittersweet tease/companion to a beautiful book about two queer men who kind of fall in love over the course of an emotionally tumultuous road trip. Weaver digs so deeply into her characters, exposing all their weaknesses, failings and fears, and watching these two boys who are strangers at the beginning of the story be completely vulnerable with each other is a gift. I often longingly look at the softcover on my bookshelf and consider rereading it, only to remind myself that no, I need to finish that paper! Except I don’t now, because I did finish school... hmm...

Tabula Idem: A Queer Tarot Comic Anthology edited by Iris Jay and Hye M

I’ve been working through some kickstarter rewards I haven’t yet had time to read, so because I’ve got this big pile I’ve of course had some mediocre reading experiences and some surprisingly stunning ones. This anthology falls into the latter category; while I was interested in it enough to fund the kickstarter, I didn’t expect to love it so deeply upon reading. I only just became interested in tarot this year and there’s so much to learn, but Tabula Idem felt like a perfect way to start considering how to interpret cards on my own, and how to go beyond what might be traditional readings and factor in aspects that account for being a queer person. Each story in the anthology focuses on one aspect of a Major Arcana tarot card, and they range across genres with queer and trans characters of all kinds of identities. I read a lot of anthologies and sometimes they can feel tedious, but this one slowed me down and made me savor each tale, wanting to experience the affect each artist pulled out of each card.

Girls’ Last Tour by Tsukumizu

I’m pretty sure this manga series was recommended to me by the inimitable Claire Napier, and I did not expect to love it as deeply as I do. In this time of high-energy, high-action, sometimes trashy but generally fun dystopian literature, Tsukumizu offers a slow, gay, philosophical exploration of a post-apocalyptic world in which mammoth city structures vastly outnumber humans. The young girl protagonists initially are unsure if they are the only humans left in their world, and slowly make their way through a strange, towering, layered city largely in search of food so that they can continue to survive. They contemplate the value of being alive and sometimes ask big questions, but also generally enjoy each other’s company, get excited about rare opportunities to take warm baths, and recall distant memories or known concepts from the pre-apocalyptic world. It’s definitely not a series for everyone as the pacing is so slow, but Tsukumizu’s rendering of the very tall, very brutalistically designed city is engrossing and makes the pacing worth it. Really, it’s a story about two girls asking deep questions and pondering them over an unlimited amount of time, and that feels just right.

Princess Jellyfish by Akiko Higashimura

I think I started reading this series last year but really got into it this year; I binged volumes 4, 5, and 6 in a single night, and 7 is currently waiting for me in my backpack. It’s kind of the antithesis of Girls’ Last Tour in that the tone is always frantic and wild, in accordance with the high energy of the otaku girls the series celebrates. I love that Higashimura offers up a variety of characters who are obsessed with different things - I always think of mega nerdy people as being into things like games and comics, but of course Tsukimi is a jellyfish otaku. Kuranosuke’s character development has been particularly interesting, as he becomes a sort of emotional-connection otaku, obsessed both with pursuing a fashion career that allows him to submerge himself in the feminine clothing that connects him to his mother and won his heart at a young age, and with being emotionally tied to a group of friends who are actually passionate about things. (We get some glimpses of Kuranosuke’s other friends and they all seem pretty shallow.) The series is very fun, and I love Higashimura’s autobio author comics in which she basically exposes lots of embarrassing things about herself and how nerdy she is.

Webcomics

I read a LOT of webcomics and several ongoing series that I’ve been reading for eons have been faithful comforts this year, including Strong Female Protagonist, Gunnerkrigg Court, Questionable Content and Monster Pulse. I wanted to talk about some comics I don’t think I’ve ever plugged before, so these in theory are all things I started reading this year.

Manners’ Magical Monster School by Jessica and Jacinta Wibowo

This cute comic follows Wilbur, the lone human at a magic school for monsters, and his roommate, Amira, who’s big secret is that she is a demon. The pair are a sort of odd-couple; Wilbur is a sweet, chubby kid who got bullied before the frankly terrifying Amira became his best bud, while Amira is an over-confident punk who isn’t super great at having feeeeeelings. I first discovered Jes n Cin via their webcomic Tales from the Well, which is also very good, but is a bit more serious in tone. I particularly like the coloring - it’s all this warm, sort of watercolor-ish wash (I have no idea what materials they actually use, sorry!) and always look forward to the next update.

Barbarous by Yuko Ota and Ananth Hirsh

I am fairly certain I’ve raved about how much I love the Johnny Wander autobio comics before, but Yuko and Ananth’s forays into fiction are always fantastic and I am especially in love with Barbarous. The series’ protagonist is Percy, a magic-user who was studying magic but maybe dropped out of school (there was some kind of mysterious incident that pushed her to start couch-surfing around) and is sort of OK at using it but also still has a lot to learn. She is hired to do maintenance work by mysterious but classy landlord Cecillia, and her immediate supervisor, Leeds, is a sort of blunt but kind... giant dinosaur? He’s very cute. Anyway, Yuko and Ananth are building a cool magical world that is close to our own but also includes lots of really great, modern fashion/costuming. Percy and Leeds’ friendship is like a baby goat or a calf; its legs are not strong and it stumbles a lot, but it’s really cute. I love it.

Quiet Brain! by Samantha Davies

This isn’t so much a comic as it is a series of illustrations of adorable, sort of anthropomorphic animals saying inspiring, sometimes kinda brutally honest and deep shit. I read nearly all of them in one go on a long train ride and while I’m normally not the kind of person who is into like, inspirational feminist cross stitches and shit like that, something about this struck a chord. Davies has a panel-less comic called Stutterhug that is all about movement, emotion and moments of connection between (anthropomorphic animal) creatures. Quiet Brain! emphasizes how skilled the artist is at communicating emotion through facial expressions; it’s a simple thing that I didn’t know I needed until I read it.

Ascent by Kevin Lam

I’ve been reading this series since probably before 2017, but I found this year that I particularly looked forward to the new comics. Ascent is, simply, the story of a diver lost in the sea, making a mostly lonely journey to the surface. Given an endless amount of time to contemplate general concepts about life, the diver does so. They consider the purpose of making a journey that may never yield a successful end, the point of accepting a friend that literally attaches themself to you - it’s a very cute baby squid - and the merit of just giving into exhaustion. Retrospectively, I think this comic really embedded itself into my psyche this year because my graduate school journey felt similar. I climbed up several difficult hills which were small enough that I could see the top, but knew another hill awaited me. Recently there have been some spooky happenings in the comic, and I’m excited to see where Lam takes the diver next.

Girls Have a Blog by Sarah Bollinger and Tara Kurtzhals

I don’t actually read this creator pair’s main comic, but I’ve really enjoyed this autobio dive into their post-art school life, trying to make comics as a career work. They go through many ups and downs but perhaps uniquely do much of it together, and the act of processing both with each other and via comic is very satisfying. I especially enjoyed the arc where Tara found herself unable (emotionally) to attend a school reunion, because I found myself in the same position when my five year college reunion happened last summer. Often relatable but perhaps foremost a look into how making life work as a freelance cartoonist is TOUGH, this is some really enjoyable autobio! I’m excited for season two to start in 2018.

Everything Shing Yin Khor makes

OK so Shing has some webcomic short stories and projects going on, but I wanted to do kind of a blanket shout-out because I’ve enjoyed everything she’s shared this year, from her delightful watercolor comics to her installation work. I first encountered Shing when I picked up the Blood Root horror anthologies she produced out of Sawdust Press, and reviewed the third issue in one of my first ever pieces for WWAC. This year I was surprisingly and suddenly blessed to briefly attend the American Library Association conference, and the highlight was meeting Shing in person. She was there promoting her graphic memoir The American Dream? A Journey on Route 66 which Zest Books will release in February 2018, and it was such a delightful meeting that I re-engaged with her other work. Whether it’s building art installations and twitter bots that use oracles and fortune telling to explore kindness, or watercoloring stunning sci fi/fantasy worlds that contemplate workplace dynamics, immigration and travel, everything Shing creates takes on a journey that tilts your perspective, makes you gasp in wonder, and gives you a hug. If I were to make a list of creators whose work I’m super excited about in the coming years - it would be a very long list, and honestly I’m sort of constantly making that list through my critical/review work - Shing would be at the top. Funding her patreon will ensure you keep up with all her incredible creations.

2017 was certainly a year but there is always great art coming of the indie self-pub world. I will do my best to keep you informed about all of it.

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An Update & A Hiatus

Hello readers! At this point, if anyone is still following along, you won’t be surprised to hear that I’m taking a hiatus from this blog.

I have been struggling a bit with whether I should push myself to continue posting reviews here or not because I still believe in my goal: I want to have a huge mental catalogue of diverse books to recommend to the children and teens I will work with in libraries. However, this semester I’m taking three reading-heavy classes, two of which require me to read a lot of books (comics included!) that will help reach that goal. That, ultimately, is why I decided to give myself a break.

If I am being completely honest, the other reason for this hiatus is that the election devastated me. I the queer daughter of a Polish, Jewish immigrant. Not only are Trump’s sexist and homophobic policies scary for me on a personal level, but his fascism is frighteningly familiar. I honestly cannot understand how anyone can both value human life and support his presidency, and while I want to stand up and fight back - which includes advocating for diverse literature - I am also exhausted by the act of trying not to feel despair every day.

I am still writing for Women Write About Comics, so you can keep up with my work there. Additionally, I am keeping track of works that I read for class by updating my goodreads with less formal reviews, so you can still see what I am reading. While I likely won’t have time, I also may still post occasional reviews here.

My semester ends in early May, so I will check in about the hiatus then. However, I am also working on a website that will serve as a better online portfolio for my writing, and am contemplating moving my reviews there. So, here’s a question for you! Do you like following these reviews on tumblr? If I still shared them to tumblr but primarily posted them on a website, would you still read them?

Thank you, and stay strong. Keep showing up, keep resisting. If I can do anything for you, just let me know.

- Alenka

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12 Comics with Ladies Kissin’ Ladies

Hello Readers! As I was sitting at work today, waiting for the library to close so that I could go home to my cat, I started thinking about all the really good comics about queer ladies that I read in in 2016. I like to joke that I'm an emotional robot, but if I'm being honest, stories about queer girls falling in love and being happy make me cry. So, if you're looking for more comics about ladies who love and date ladies to read in 2017, here's a list of goodies just for you!

On a Sunbeam - Tillie Walden

There are so many things to love about On A Sunbeam. Walden has created a dazzingly beautiful world in which spaceship shaped like fish swim the skies, but restless teens still have to attend boring classes. This comic follows Mia through two different parts of her life; her freshman year of high school and her current job as a construction worker. Slowly, readers learn how Mia’s past is informing her present, and we get to meet a whole host of fantastic queer ladies and nonbinary folks. What really stunned me about On A Sunbeam is how effortlessly Walden has created a world in which women everywhere are queer. I wrote a piece about Orphan Black for Bitch Flicks earlier this year in which I discussed how stereotypes break down when stories don’t tokenize their characters. This comic is another example of how you can fill a story with marginalized identities and create a world so amazing that it shatters all the assumptions and barriers in your mind.

Witchlight - Jessi Zabarsky

I recommended Witchlight in Women Write About Comics' Top Indie/Small Press Comics of 2016 list, so I'll redirect you there! After reading this comic, I'm ready to follow Jessi Zabarsky to the ends of the Earth. I received a PDF of this book because I funded the Czap Books kickstarter, but it should be available through Czap Books later in 2017. Keep an eye out! You really don’t want to miss it.

Agents of the Realm - Mildred Louis

Fans of magical girl stories will love this one! Five students at Silvermount University discover that they are the chosen protectors not just of our world, but of a whole other dimension! While much of the story thus far has been plot and world building, Louis has smoothly dropped pieces of backstory that will leave you desperate for more of these characters. Like Walden, Louis has also filled her story with queer and/or nonbinary people of color. While the magical world of Agents of the Realm is bright, fun and exciting, it’s the character designs that really get my heart pumping. Louis has an incredible eye for fashion, and honestly mainstream publications should be falling at her feet, begging her to at least come do colors and character designs! You must must check it out.

Gunnerkrigg Court - Tom Siddell

I also talk about Gunnerkrigg in WWAC’s Top Indies list, but I’ll expand a bit here on why I love Kat and Paz’s relationship. Mainstream stories about queer girls tend to angst things up, and honestly I’m starting to lose my taste for overwrought coming out plots. While both Kat and Paz are surprised by their feelings for each other, their tale of discovery still feels fresh and heartwarming. Both have a bit of internalized homophobia and stigma that hold them back, but realizing they like each other quickly becomes a source of delight. I also appreciated that Annie worried Kat would becomes wrapped up in the relationship, and ignore her. We’ve all had those friends who disappear when they’re dating someone, and Annie and Kat mean so much to each other. Their conversation about Kat’s relationship with Paz was hard, but really sweet.

Octopus Pie - Meredith Gran

One of the most exciting experiences of this year was interviewing Meredith Gran about her comic. I definitely fumbled a bit because I was sooo nervous; her comic has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and this year she really amped everything up. While I love all the magical realism, it’s the complicated human relationships that make Octopus Pie such a fabulous comic. I especially love Jane, and watching her tentatively but wholeheartedly dive into a relationship with Marigold has been nervewracking but fun. Some relationships feel so serious and real right from the start, and I think nothing is scarier, nor more exciting.

Rock and Riot - Cheriiart

If you are all about this resurgence of fifties fashion, you will love this comic! It’s a fifties era comic about adorable cinnamon roles in gangs, finding love. Amidst all the silly car races and girls-versus-boys gang fighting - well, gang arguments - Connie wooed and successfully began dating high-femme beauty Carla. It’s not all adorable milkshake dates at the diner, but there are lots of lighthearted, super sweet stories about the pair. Rock and Riot is also home to several trans and nonbinary characters, all invested in riding motorcycles and slicking back their hair.

Band Vs Band - Kathleen Jacques

Band Vs Band is another comic with A+ aesthetic; goth band The Sourballs are always running into the upbeat Candy Hearts and getting into band fights! Just like the real music world (jk I don’t know anything about music) everyone is hella queer, so queer that they sing while doing everyday stuff! There were some really exciting smooches this year, so this is a great time to jump in and start reading, especially if you like opposites-attract relationships.

Goodbye to Halos - Valeria Halla

Halla is the colorist for Octopus Pie, but the two comics have very different aesthetics! Jumping into Goodbye for Halos now may feel a bit odd since there’s a lot of action happening, but you should start at the beginning and get to know Halla’s wonderful characters. Their emotional storylines are really just beginning, and many of them are exploring their sexualities, feelings for each other, and maybe even interest in polyamory! (Alert: This is a guess on my part, not a confirmed thing!) Amidst sweet scenes of friends sharing first kisses and bold protagonist Fenic shamelessly flirting with everyone, there’s magic, interdimensional portals, and maybe some prophecy-fulfilling going on. It’s a lot of fun, plus kisses.

The Trials - Olivia Stephens

I initially was going to list the prequel to this comic, Your Grace, because it fits better with my theme of happy queer ladies - although I would not describe either comic as “happy,” but Your Grace is happier - but it looks like you have to fund Stephens on patreon to get it. (Side note: you should fund her on patreon.) Lady Melpomene will soon be queen, but first she must be married to a worthy king. Adrian, Lady Melpomene’s knight and protector, will oversee the trials that determine who is worthy to marry the lady. However, there’s a problem - Adrian loves Melpomene, and will do pretty much anything for her.

As I said, this is not the happiest of comics, but if you only read stories to be happy I’m not really sure what you’re doing. The Trials is NSFW (fun fact: I discovered this while at my grandma’s house) so you can expect not just smooches, but fire. Also! Magic!

Stutterhug - Samantha Davies

Most of the comics Davies draws for Stutterhug actually feature anthropomorphic animals, although many are femmes. Femme bears, guys. It’s really cute. Davies’ comics are deceptively simple to read; characters move through panel-less, wordless spaces, and convey entire love stories and journeys purely through those movements. It’s really stunning, and perhaps unfair of me to read queerness into, but y’all, just read it. Super queer.

Monster Pop! - By Maya Kern

Monster people go to college! More college drama! I think there are more college drama webcomics than I initially realized? Anyway, best friends George and Franny are the protagonists of this comic, but I was particularly fond of George’s story this year. She had a huge crush on Marina and was fairly certain Marina liked her back, but found out that Marina was actually crushing on someone else. Much of the recent story arc has been about George dealing with heartbreak and learning to maintain friendships under such circumstances, so this also breaks my planned pattern of ladies kissin’ ladies. However, this comic has been so real, emotional and relatable that I had to include it. If you can stomach some heartbreak, I highly recommend following George as she suffers, but grows.

Lady of the Shard - Gigi Digi

I am also a fan of Gigi Digi’s comic Cucumber Quest, and recommend that as well! However, there is no better way to end this list than by sending you over to itch.io to read Lady of the Shard. Itchi.io is a platform used mostly for gaming but several cartoonists have used it to create comics this year, and the gaming format adds a fun frame to these stories. Unlike Andrew Hussie’s Homestuck, there are no actual RPG moments in which you can make choices. However, Digi uses itch.io’s platform to pull you into the gorgeous blackness of space, where a young acolyte finds herself falling in love with her goddess. The question of what the consequences of her love will be thread throughout the story as a larger, more dangerous threat enters the scene. Most of the art is constructed through not-so-simple white lines on a black background, but Digi innovatively uses splashes of color to enhance the story, similar to Emily Carroll’s horror comics. The ultimate effect is a comic that will pull you in and will not release you until it’s over, so get ready to just sit for maybe a half hour and fall into the beautiful darkness of queer love in space.

Have a queer 2017 y’all. <3

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Comic Review #36: Fantasy Sports No. 2, The Bandit of Barbel Bay

Hey readers! I am still working on getting back to a good review-writing work ethic, but I am far enough removed from finals that I don’t really have an excuse. Eeesh. This will likely be the only December review. In case I don’t write again before New Year’s, I hope you have lovely, stress-free holidays, and for those of you who have rough holidays, remember that you are loved and it won’t be forever. <3

I reviewed Fantasy Sports No 1 for Women Write About Comics and was super excited to get back to Wiz and Mug! In The Bandit of Barbel Bay, our intrepid heroes – errr – grave robbers fumble their sending spell, and end up in a random ocean instead of back at the pyramid that serves as headquarters for the Order of the Mages. When they venture onto land to get their bearings, they learn that they are in Barbel Bay, a small village whose residents claim The Order of the Mages devastated their home. Wiz and Mug object; as far as they know, the Mages took down the champions of Barbel Bay because they went rogue. When the pair get pulled into a volleyball match with the bay’s former champions, they start to realize that the truth may be complicated.

Bosma continues to create color palettes that enrich the story. Blue and green ocean tones thread through many of the scenes in the Bay, but when the champions arrive they are staggeringly bright, pink and purple heroes who add immediate excitement to the volleyball game. The Bandit of Barbel Bay opens with a memory from Wiz’s childhood, and the bright, warm yellow of her baseball uniform contrasts her current-day blue palette, suggesting a loss of naïveté. Bosma also had a field day designing several part-fish-part-human residents for the village; one particularly fun fish person smokes a pipe full of bubbles.

Unlike No. 1, this book spends more time on plot and world building than character development. The sports match is a bit less exciting but the story doesn’t suffer for it; Bosma propels the plot forward by asking complicated questions about the morality of the Order of Mages. It’s an intriguing plot point that Wiz and Mug will likely pursue in the third book, however I was a bit disappointed that Wiz’s actions were driven largely by her morals. In my review of No. 1 I noted that it was exciting and unique to have a book with a powerful but morally questionable protagonist, and I hope that the question of Wiz’s darkness doesn’t disappear completely.

The Bandit of Barbel Bay is a gorgeous and delightful book that sets the Fantasy Sports comics up to be a full-on saga. Bosma recently announced that the third book will be released in 2017, and I am excited to see the next step in Wiz and Mug’s journey!

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Comic Review #35: Space Battle Lunchtime

Hello Readers! I’m not going to wish you a happy what-today-is because for the indigenous people remembering and mourning various acts of murder and genocide, it is not a happy day. I wrote an article for WWAC about the new Dykes to Watch Out For comic strip that Allison Bechdel posted yesterday, and included several links to ways you can support the water protectors in Standing Rock. It’s here; even if you don’t read that article, scroll to the bottom and check out ways you can provide support, even if you can’t donate money.

I know my last post was a bit down-in-the-dumps, but I’m feeling re-energized and am hoping to refocus on my goal! So, I have a comic review for you, and a plan for a book review that should go up before the end of the month! Stay tuned.

Space Battle Lunchtime is an ongoing series currently being released through Oni Press, which, for those of you new to comics, means you can get a new issue each month on comixology or at your local comic shop! Peony, a human baker who works in a bakery but is still starting out, gets picked to compete in an inter-galactic Iron Chef-style cooking show! Being beamed up to an alien spaceship is a surprise, but she quickly rises to the task and, with a bit of help, starts learning to turn weird alien fruit into delicious desserts. However, something strange is afoot at the competition! When Peony learns that her predecessor left under mysterious circumstances, she begins to wonder if one of the chefs is playing dirty.

Natalie Riess draws and illustrates Space Battle Lunchtime, which is a bit rarer in mainstream comics than it is in the self-publishing world. The character designs for the aliens are goofy and innovative; the first issue contains a two-page splash that shows several crew members for the TV show, all different alien species, and each is staggeringly different from the next. Volume One also has short stories in the back that offer a quick explanation of each chef’s origin, and gives some context surrounding their evolution. Chef Meatabax, for example, has sensory head lumps that allow him to “see” the temperature of foods, and cook them to perfection! Many of the alien chefs are from warring planets or rough backgrounds, but gained their culinary skills or methods in the context of battle. Each of these back-stories is fascinating, and paints an intriguingly violent background for a comic focused on a nonviolent activity.

The storylines are less detailed than the art, but are very fun. Riess offers up a pretty obvious villain and spends more time developing Peony’s friendships with crew members and potentially romantic relationship with a fellow chef. The main tension in the comic stems from Peony’s tendency toward cooperation in an environment that is focused on competition. However, Volume One spends most of it’s time developing characters and coloring in a vibrant and diverse galaxy, so it’s likely that the next story arc will dive more deeply into this tension. Overall, Space Battle Lunchtime is a fun comic with diverse, queer characters that will suck you in, make you smile, and leave you wanting more.

[losreviews]

Checking In.

Hey wonderful readers,

I know I’ve been silent for a while, and I apologize. School, work and everything overwhelmed me and I failed my goal for what I believe is the second time by not posting a book review last month. I am torn between reassessing what I am capable of while I am in school and trying to keep this front and center, because my goal for this blog is directly tied to my goals for future librarianship, but I am struggling. I’ll get back to you soon.

I am also struggling to focus on existing work right now, because I can’t stop being on social media, watching, sharing, talking, processing, but really spinning my wheels until I run out of energy. The world is in an awful state right now, and while I believe that I can do good and important work as a librarian, I am having a hard time focusing and putting effort into that goal.

You matter. Your voices matter. We have to do everything in our power to keep those around us who need us most safe, whether that means marching in the streets, raising their voices online, or just keeping on doing our day jobs. However, it’s not always easy to see which path is most effective, especially as we all struggle to keep our own well-being in mind.

I plan to stand up and fight back, whatever that means. If I can be there for you in some way, just let me know.

<3

Alenka

[losreviews]

Comic Review 34: Fantasy Sports No. 1

Hello readers,

This is going to be a bit of a cheat! I’ve been swamped with work lately, and was planning to review this book for my blog, but then it won an Ignatz! Women Write About Comics was looking for reviews of Ignatz winners, so I wrote it for them instead. I decided that, in light of very desperately needing a break, I’d also count it as a review for LOS. You can read the full review here!

Thanks, and stay tuned for a novel review. :)

[losreviews]

A National Coming Out Day Reflection

Hey. So. I kinda forgot that I wrote this post for National Coming Out Day last year until today (which, if you missed it, is National Coming Out Day 2016) and upon rereading it, I had what my dad calls a revelation.

I haven’t had a biphobic thought about myself in a year. I can’t recall a single instance of questioning my sexuality, berating myself or taking a self-effacing tone with myself regarding my sexuality in an entire year.

What I can remember is talking about fluidity and identity with friends in safe spaces, and finding solace in indie comics and media where queerness and bisexuality were real and affirmed. I remember realizing I could establish myself as a queer writer, and use my voice to call out biphobia in media to try and hack away at the stereotypes that wrecked me for years.

This feels like a huge step when I write it down, but it happened at such a gradual rate, I didn’t even realize it. I am lucky to live in a place where I found queer community and surrounded myself with queer friends, and yet luckier to have found queer, inclusive and accepting communities online. I wouldn’t be at this place in my life without these people, and without the spaces we create. I haven’t yet found the words to fully explain the place in my head where I lived for so long, shutting pieces of myself away, but this past year I have found myself seeking ways to tell that story, and that’s all due to my queer family.

No living person is ever complete. I have experienced some tumult regarding my presentation and my relationship with clothes, hair and all that fun stuff. I still struggle to use the term “bisexual” to describe myself because it still feels like a heavy weight, rather than a casual identity term. However, I feel compelled to talk about it all, and I have ideas cooking that hopefully will turn into actual stories. We’ll see!

If you cannot come out because it’s not safe, know that I see you, and there is a whole community of people that sees you, and loves you. If you have to come out, even in a small way, because, like me, it’s the only way to quiet the voices in your head, to live in a way that doesn’t cut you up inside, I see you. This shit is hard, but it shouldn’t be, because queer folx are realest, raddest, most beautiful people and this world should be celebrating our very existence.

Stay tuned for your regularly scheduled book reviews! Love to you all.

[losreviews]

Book Review #39: The House You Pass on the Way

Ohhhh geeze am I getting this in under the wire! This month. This month! This month. I don’t even know, readers, I am just super worn out. That makes this the perfect moment for a Jacqueline Woodson book, because I love her prose so much that I am always happy to dive into something she’s written.

The House You Pass on the Way is a quiet, emotional novella about sexual identity, sexual fluidity, mixed race identity and discovery. Staggerlee lovers her family but is highly and often painfully aware of their complex status in their rural southern town. Her father is black and her mother white, and her fellow students – most of whom are non-biracial and black – reject her due to her difference. There is a lot of familial weight on Staggerlee’s shoulders; her grandparents were famous activists who were murdered in a bombing, and in addition to feeling dogged by their notoriety, Staggerlee’s peers also read her mother’s introversion as being “stuck-up.” When her father’s estranged sister gets back in touch to alert them to the death of a family member, Staggerlee convinces her parents to let her cousin Trout stay with them for what turns out to be a life-changing summer.

Just as she did in From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun, Woodson crafts an intersectional story that covers issues of race and sexuality with a flawlessness that puts one-issue books to shame. Trout, Staggerlee’s cousin, is fighting with an adopted mother who does not want to have a gay daughter. Staggerlee kissed her best friend Hazel and, while riding high on the prospect of young love and a friend with whom she could reveal and explore her queernees, was swiftly rejected. The girls are fourteen, and while they are fully aware that they are queer, both struggle with the label “gay.” Woodson leaves space for the teens to question themselves and to change, but allows them to validate each other’s feelings, even as they fall a bit in love. Ultimately, the very act of addressing and questioning her sexuality allows Staggerlee to open up in other ways, and tackle the treacherous world of middle school social interaction with confidence.

This is a beautiful novella that, despite containing a fair amount of grief, frustration and sadness, is ultimately sweet and empowering. Teenagers who feel the stirrings of a melancholic, romantic personality will enjoy this book, as will biracial teens looking to see their struggles and celebrations reflected on the page. As always, all can bask in the beautiful, luxurious prose penned by Woodson.

[larazaanthology]

Happy Heritage Month!!

Let’s start off the Latinx Heritage Month by supporting amazing #Latinx & #hispanic creators!! We have incredible stories that address important topics such assimilation, racism, feminism, queer & self identity.

Check out & follow our amazing contributors >>here<<

>>> PLEDGE HERE TO GET OUR BOOK FUNDED<<<

[losreviews]

Hello Dear Readers,

I know I usually only use this space for reviews, but I want to promote this incredible anthology, and don’t have time do a formal article. So, here are ten reasons why you should back La Raza:

It’s going to be BEAUTIFUL. You don’t even have to read it, just look at the gorgeous images, then fall over and marvel at the beauty that exists in the world.

It’s a great way to diversify your reading list and/or library! There’s artwork from like 40 artists packed into this baby, you’re basically getting the raddest bargain ever.

Adorable goodies! Go to the kickstarter page and scroll down to the postcards and stickers, THEY ARE SO CUTE. I know y’all love goodies, get on this!

Kat Fajardo is curating the whole thing, and after reading her minicomic Gringa, I was totally sold on all her future work. Haven’t I recommended good things to you before? Trust me, anything Kat does is worth your $$.

It’s not just comics! You’re also getting poems and short stories, and I LOVE that style of anthology! You get to flip through a beautiful flow of all different kinds of stories, what’s better than that?

You’re also making a charitable donation. Quoting from the La Raza Tumblr: “A portion of our book sales goes directly to several non-profit organizations helping undocumented Latino families receive legal help and obtain skills that would help ease their transition into the States.”

This anthology will address intersectional identities. I’m white and queer, which means I do not understand the experiences of latinx queers. This book will allow me to learn about experiences outside my own, and be a better ally.

Gift season is nigh! Got a friend who loves prose but you love comics, and never have anything to talk about? Bridge the gap between your lovely selves, buy this, read it together, talk about it, put it on your coffee table, share the love.

Work for an education-focused organization, or with teens, especially Latinx teens? Get a copy for your school/org! It can be so difficult to get diverse books into the hands of teens, this is a great opportunity.

This is a low risk kickstarter! All the artwork and stories are already completed; you can have them in your hands in no time.

If you can’t donate please share and spread the word! Thanks, and I’ll be back soon with a review of yet another Jacqueline Woodson book, because I have an addiction problem.

[losreviews]

Comic Review #33: Amulet Book 1: The Stonekeeper

Hello Readers! Some of you may be familiar with Kazu Kibushi's Amulet series; scholastic released the seventh volume earlier this year, and Kibushi recently announced that volume nine would be the final book. I started reading Amulet a few years back but failed to keep up with it, so I decided to restart from the beginning. As I have with other series, I'll likely only review the first volume, but if others strike me as particularly remarkable along the way, I reserve the right to review them, as well!

The Stonekeeper begins as a Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe-esque fantasy story. Emily and her parents are in a horrific car accident that kills her father and leaves the mother/daughter pair with significant trauma. To deal with the unexpected loss, the mother moves Emily and her brother Navin to their great-grandfather's long abandoned house. While trying to fix the house up into a livable space, a strange monster pops up in the basement and captures the children's mother. Upon chasing after her they discover that their inheritance includes not only an old, creaky house, but also a strange, magical amulet, several puzzle-robots invented by their reclusive great-grandfather, and entrance into a frightening and confusing fantastical world.

I mentioned back in my Akata Witch review that I love stories with real, palpable horror, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that The Stonekeeper fits into that category. Part of what enables the presence of such realistic fear is Emily's experience with trauma. It quickly becomes clear that witnessing her father's death deprived Emily of the natural cheerfulness of childhood and replacted it with an awareness of both the dangers of the world and her own emotional and moral complexity. When Emily learns that keeping the amulet means endangering herself and engaging with a seemingly sentient, potentially untrustworthy item, she prioritizes her mother's safety over her own and quickly agrees to become its keeper. Amulet is not a pleasant journey into a fantasy world, but rather a sharp lesson in how the harsh struggles of life are present in all worlds.

Kibushi’s art adds an interesting layer to this dark story; his characters have kind, rounded faces and large eyes, the colors are rich and vibrant, and he uses a lot of smooth, circular shapes to create an aesthetic that is ultimately quite pleasing. However, the cuteness of the world - including adorable little slug creatures and Miskit, a robotic bunny who serves as the childrens’ guide - feels like a half-truth. The beauty the children see is a lure into a very dangerous landscape that pelts them with threats, and ultimately takes on a sinister tone.

The Stonekeeper is an exciting and compelling first volume that will pull readers into the threatening but fascinating world that Kibushi has created. Readers who aren’t yet addicted to the series will be thrilled to learn they can devour seven volumes immediately, and look forward to the two final acts alongside Amulet’s passionate fanbase.

[losreviews]

Hey readers, The League of Shadows Reviews (oh, that name) turned 2 today! I kind of can’t believe it’s been two years! I am so happy I started this project, because without it I wouldn’t have written article for The Mary Sue, started writing regularly for Women Write About Comics, and might not have been able to dive deeply into a world of alt comics and zines. Grad school has zapped my review-writing time, but I’m going to keep plugging along with this project, especially now that I’m in school to actually become a teen librarian! We can do it! Even if it involves student loans! Thank you for reading. <3

[losreviews]

Comic Review #32: Nanjing: The Burning City

Hello readers, I’ve got a review for you a bit under the wire! Nanjing: The Burning City is a black-and-white graphic novel that takes place on December 13th, 1937: the day on which Japan seized the city of Nanjing during the Sino-Japanese War. When China lost their capital many military officials fled, abandoning their troops amidst a chaotic scene in which Japanese soldiers were committing atrocities against the Chinese people. The comic follows a compassionate young solider named Lu and his tough captain as they attempt to escape the city, but must weigh the value of their own lives against those of the civilians they may be able to help.

Ethan Young’s style is perfect for such a tumultuous, emotionally charged story. The colorlessness emphasizes the cold starkness of the violence, and Young beautifully utilizes character design and facial expressions to draw the reader into the climate of Nanjing. Lu frequently responds to the Captain with Buddhist sayings and desperately tries to maintain hopefulness, but each time an incident wears down his solidity, the reader sees his face contort. Similarly, the Captain is constantly drawing himself up, and forcing himself to furrow his brows with an incredible, steely determination. His dedication to the last living solider from his regiment is visible in every action, and the potent emotions of all of the characters make a now-distant event feel viscerally relevant and real.

This comic is a fantastic resource for students looking to forge a more emotional connection with history not only because of these incredible characters, but also because of the overall themes. In Lu and his captain we see the respect that these men hold for each other even after all authority has fallen apart, and later we see a family whose bonds motivate them to do whatever it takes to protect each other. The Japanese soldiers we eventually meet reveal the treacherousness of imposing arbitrary law on a war zone that has fallen into chaos. There is so much here to dig into in a history class, a literature class, or even a philosophy class. With some trigger warnings attached, Nanjing: The Burning City is a powerful teaching tool.

[losreviews]

Book Review #38: Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Stomps the Snow

Hey readers, I dumped a bunch of reviews on you and then went silent for a month! A combination of grad school work, other writing projects, and being generally burned out and exhausted has kept me away from this project. I have a couple reviews I’ve been sitting on, so I’m going to try and knock them out before we hit the end of August, and I fail to meet my goal. Eep!

This adorable elementary novel stars Freddie Ramos, a grade schooler who has a secret: his shoes give him super powers! Freddie’s sneakers allow him to move incredibly fast and jump very, very high. When his neighborhood is temporarily paralyzed by a blizzard, Freddie uses his powers to make their stretch of the city a bit more habitable. While clearing sidewalks, he discovers that someone is stealing purses, so he sets out in pursuit of the thief!

The Zapato Power series are fun, energetic early readers that depict a crew of Latinx and other kids of color living in an urban setting. Freddie’s father was a soldier who didn’t make it home, so he lives solely with his mother, and his friends also have a mix of family structures. Erika, the bubblegum-chewing, bubble-popping grumpy girl from school lives with her grandmother, a fact Freddie discovers when that grandmother becomes a victim of the purse-snatcher. While Freddie and Erika have a difficult relationship – Erika can be a bit of a bully – he realizes that he can win her over by earning her kindness and respect, rather than stooping to meanness. Additionally, while the book doesn’t delve too deeply into this concept, it’s clear that Erika’s toughness is a kind of protection; she uses it to demand her grandmother’s purse be found, and to stand by her family.

Freddie Ramos Stomps the Snow includes simple but wonderful line-art images that succinctly communicate each character’s personality. Erika has a perfect angry girl expression, and Freddie’s big smile reveals his permanent enthusiasm. Despite this being book five in the series I had no problem jumping in, but if you and your early reader want to start at the beginning, I recommend it! I have no doubt that the other volumes are just as layered and endearing as this one.

[losreviews]

Book Review #37: Iron Hearted Violet

All right readers, this will be the last review for the night, and for the month! I had a bit of a debate over this one because it might not fit the criteria of my blog. Race isn’t explicitly mentioned in this book, and in fantasy especially readers are conditioned to view white as default. If you haven’t read this book, here is a challenge: this is a world of people of color. I’m purposefully omitting the cover this time, because covers are very frequently whitewashed. Deliberately form images in your mind as you read. Push to see people of color.

Fairy tales often value princesses for their beauty, but while Violet, the princess of the Andulan realms, is intelligent, stubborn, and kind, she is not beautiful. Despite receiving love and adoration from her parents, best friend Demetrius, and various advisers, Violet cannot escape stories full of stereotypically beautiful princesses. When an ancient evil called Nybbas exploits her deep-seated insecurities and throws the realms into chaos, Violet and Demetrius must face their deepest fears in order to save their people.

While the theme of unreasonable beauty standards creates the central tension of the novel, Barnhill also upsets other traditional fairy tale roles. The King, for example, lacks a royal kingly presence; he’s a nerdy scientist who buries himself in historical texts about dragons and gods. Similarly, Cassian, the royally appointed storyteller, disrupts the traditional fairy tale narrative not only by being a named presence who narrates the novel, but also by reflecting on his weaknesses and failures. Cassian’s role as narrator is a particularly brilliant plot device; he inspires Violet and Demetrius to craft their own stories, and it’s through each of their tales that Barnhill builds out Iron Hearted Violet’s strange, vibrant world. Similarly, the Nybbas embodies harmful societal rules by compelling Andulans to mistreat Violet for being “ugly,” and to dismiss Demetrius for being a low class stable boy.

The book’s only flaw lies with the illustrations, which enrich the reader’s understanding of the world, but depict a Violet that does not match her description. While the novel’s emphasis on storytelling will appeal to readers interested in folklore and creation myth, its focus on how uniqueness creates strength makes it a great talking piece for educators and parents looking to talk to children about the positive nature of difference.

[losreviews]

Book Review #36: The Letter Q: Queer Writers’ Notes to Their Younger Selves

Hey readers, this is the second review I’m posting tonight! The first was Rita Garcia-Williams’ Gone Crazy In Alabama, which is a uniquely structured, fabulous book, so go check that out. This is a rare piece of non-fiction, and I’m going to treat you to a THIRD review tonight! Woo hoo!

For this lengthy collection, sixty-four queer writers from various genres penned letters to their younger selves, some looking back at childhood, and some at middle or high school. While the collection does not need to be read in order, Moon carefully arranges the letters to create natural pauses. Several comics, all black and white but each drawn in a unique style, and more creatively structured pieces, such as Melanie Braverman’s rhythmic poetry and Michael Cunningham’s letter, which includes the conceit of having also received a letter from his eighty-five year old self, break up the tedium of reading second-person accounts.

The book’s greatest success is the effortless manner in which it addresses issues that affect queer youth. The unique interplay of sexuality and race, sexual assault, suicidal ideation and depression are presented as real things that happened to real people who lived through them and live with them. While the collection leans a bit male and features mostly cisgender writers, the letters describe a range of experiences that will allow any teen, whether they are punk, nerdy, theater-obsessed, out or closeted, to find advice that resonates. This book is a great addition to non-fiction sections in need of real, racially diverse accounts of queerness.

[losreviews]

Book Review #35: Gone Crazy In Alabama

Hello readers! Guess how many times I misspelled Alabama while writing that title! Apparently my brain can’t handle repetitive vowels right now. For those of y’all who remember my review of One Crazy Summer, this will feel very familiar! Since this is another review that I’m pulling from my homework I’m going to let my pre-written intro give you all the backstory. A quick head’s up: I’m hoping to have another review posted tonight, so if you’ve settled in for a long evening with tumblr, stay tuned!

Gone Crazy in Alabama wraps up Rita Williams-Garcia’s series set against the Civil Rights era with a visit to a farm in Alabama. Now informed by their Black Panther education and their stepmother’s Women’s Lib-era politics, the three Gaither sisters struggle to fit into the distinctly Southern culture inhabited by their grandmother, Big Ma, and great-grandmother, Ma Charles. To combat these tensions, the sisters throw themselves into the decades-old rivalry between Ma Charles and her half-sister Miss Trotter, two estranged women unable to agree whose version of family history is true.

Captivating character studies make up much of the novel, primarily those of Ma Charles and Miss Trotter, whose rivalry Delphine and Vonetta parallel. Despite feeling empowered to disobey her traditional, seemingly rule-obeying grandmother, Delphine protectively sides with the Charles/Gaither side of the family. The more she orders Vonetta to stop retelling Miss Trotter’s stories to Ma Charles, the more Vonetta disobeys. Appropriately, outsider Fern, whose eccentricity is initially apparent in her penchant for communicating through lyrical language, grows more beautifully strange when she develops empathy for the farm animals and turns vegetarian. Amidst this drama, Big Ma subtly defies her mother by refusing to marry Mr. Lucas, her neighbor.

An unconventional plot structure causes the book to drag a bit; the story grows like a pot of water waiting to boil over, and doesn’t erupt until the final third of the novel. Additionally, Garcia-Williams delves deeply into Charles/Trotter family history but spends little time grooming her audience’s investment in the three sisters. However, the final Gaither sisters novel is a fabulous exploration of the complexity of intercultural, interracial family dynamics that ultimately invites black families to celebrate their own complexity.