Graphic Novel Review - 'Doughnuts and Doom' by Balazs Lorinczi

I'm a simple woman. I see a book with the word "doughnuts" in the title and I'm gonna get it. That 'Doughnuts and Doom' is also about witches and is an LBGTQ love story helps its case.

One young woman, Margot Grapes, is a struggling learner witch with a snake familiar and an online potion making and selling business, and the other, Elena Rogers, works at Midnight Froth Doughnuts and is a struggling rock band musician. One has a broom, the other a guitar. One has magic, the other doesn't, and they're both having a bad day. They meet, and chaos and curses, and healing, love and support, start.

It's the start of an organic and crusty warm relationship, that is anything but doomed, and is as sweet as a pink frosted doughnut.

'Doughnuts and Doom' is a short and simple comic where both the witchy and the queer elements are understated. Witches and magic are a normal everyday fact of life in this contemporary world similar to our own - if a bit rare since apparently Margot is the only witch the other characters have ever really encountered. It's a slice of life comedy more than anything. It even makes references to 'Kiki's Delivery Service', with Margot flying around on her broomstick as her mode of transport and of making deliveries for her potion webshop business. The characters feel like real people, with flaws and problems, but they have positive, caring and empathetic sides, too.

The art is all shades of blue, and black, with the occasional pink to signify when magic and curses are present. And to signify musical romantic stars and sparks. I wonder why Margot looks like a Muppet, though. Or a Potato Head. The only other witch in the comic, the examiner Katie Banks - who is also the closest the book has to an antagonist - doesn't have a nose that looks detachable. Maybe Margot actually originally came from Sesame Street.

Magic, music, singing, lovely lyrics, social media, soul lifts and life affirmations, and doughnuts. And a friendly snake. And a slow burning love between seeming polar opposites, each with big dreams.

'Doughnuts and Doom' is a comfort and confidence booster, to be sure. Like a cathartic coffee or tea in a café, served with the sweetest pastry goods on the side.

Final Score: 4/5