Welcome to Comic Crush Saturday, our bi-weekly feature focused on the graphic elements of the book world. Comics became a huge part of my life a few years ago when I started reviewing them (and comic related TV shows) on Forever Young Adult. I’ve maintained a pulllist through my local comic shop, Isotope Comics, and even got Kelly to start one ;). You’ll find mini-reviews, what we’ve read recently, and more so check it out!
Featured Book of the Week
Let’s Play
by LeeAnne Krecic (aka Mongie)
Find it weekly every Tuesday on Web Toon
She’s young, single and about to achieve her dream of creating incredible video games. But then life throws her a one-two punch: a popular streamer gives her first game a scathing review. Even worse she finds out that same evil critic is now her new neighbor! A funny, sexy and all-too-real story about gaming, memes and social anxiety. Come for the plot, stay for the doggo.
Ashley Poston is favorite around here so when she recommended Let’s Play, I knew I had to check it out. Web comics have exploded across the years, from fan fiction to original stories to creators using it as a tool to build their own platforms in the industry. Check, Please! started as a web comic!
Let’s Play is 60 episodes in so I’m not all the way through it yet but I tell you what – I am in LOVE! The series is billed as romance (which, of course) but it’s also an excellent look at gaming culture and women in comp sci and there’s the cutest dog. If you love enemies to lovers, neighbors to lovers, or the best depictions of emotions, this is the comic for you! As for art, bright colors against sharp outlines make this appealing for fans of artists like Kris Anka and Babs Tarr.
PS: there’s a dream scene in episode 14 that used color and space to convey a very specific emotion and it made my heart increase. SO GOOD.
What We Can’t Wait For
Black Widow #1 by Jen Soska & Sylvia Soska, with art by Flaviano Armentaro
…AND HELL FOLLOWED WITH HER.
Natasha Romanoff was trained to kill. For years now she’s tried to overcome that programming, to side with the angels…to be a hero. And where’d that get her? Killed. By one of the few true friends she allowed herself to have. Now she’s back from the dead, angry as hell and finding those better angels harder and harder to hear. Jen and Sylvia Soska — the Twisted Twins of horror — join rising artist Flaviano to weave a web of vice, violence and vengeance that will net Natasha the biggest bad men she’s ever faced…or put her back in the ground for good.
Ok but Natasha written by two women. Need.
Best News of the Week
You want to hear a funny thing? I’ve had a pull list at Isotope Comics for almost two years and had never visited until last week! Usually my husband picks up my comics because his office is close to the store and well…I work two hours away ?. But I happened to be in the city for an appointment and decided to stop by. I am so glad I did!
First of all, the layout of this lounge is so interesting and just completely invites you in. Many comic stores feel cluttered with a bazillion issues of backlist singles, collectibles everywhere, and a feeling of general chaos. It struck me how simple and organized Isotope is. Turns out that’s because the store sells more graphic novels and trade paperbacks than single issues and there really wasn’t a collectible in sight.
After browsing the store, I asked James, who has answered my many questions via email and sent me some of the best random recs, for suggestions on what I needed in my collection. I ended up grabbing graphic novels by co-owner Kristin and SF local creator. A representative from Valiant also stopped by and we all had a nice chat about comics and what they’re doing. For parts of the convo, I was a fly on the wall, which lead me to grabbing a few more singles, including issue 1 of Valiant High (review coming soon but let i09 convince you to read it in the meantime).
James also spoke about how local art schools are cultivating comic creators right here in the Bay Area, which is refreshing to hear in the land of tech. He hosts Girl Scout troops annually to teach them how to create mini-books…and also how to sell them! Where was this awesomeness when I was a Girl Scout? So cool.
Visiting the store helped me realize what a grave mistake it is that I hadn’t yet been in. I can’t wait to go back, if only to fully browse the creator-signed toilet seats. Who am I kidding…I can’t get out of a comic store under $100 (and I’m totally cool with that).
In other news…
ICYMI Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse is the best comics and best animated movie you can see this season. Check out some behind the scenes!
G. Willow Wilson explored writing for young adults and writing ABOUT young adults!
Maybe all of our various screaming about Runaways hasn’t sold you on the series. Maybe this illustrated thread will!
You can’t talk about Captain Marvel without talking about Kelly Sue DeConnick so how awesome is it that she has a cameo in the movie!
The people behind the scenes never get enough credit for all they do to make books readable and enjoyable .
Down with the patriarchy, now and 35 years ago!
