Graphic Novel Review - 'Pumpkinheads' by Rainbow Rowell (Writer), Faith Erin Hicks (Artist)

Sometimes in life, you need a simple, romantic, funny, slice-of-life, slice-of-pie graphic novel that celebrates the autumnal season, and lasting relationships. And pumpkins.

I'd put off reading 'Pumpkinheads' for so long because it looked boring and trite to me, and I wasn't a big fan of either Rainbow Rowell or Faith Erin Hicks. I'd thought it would be extra boring if it were a prose novel. Even now I still think that. But as a graphic novel, with brilliant art that brightens, elevates and compliments the cute and funny story and characters, it becomes an irresistible tour de force.

The atmosphere and aesthetic of the whole comic is just *chef's kiss*. I love autumn, and pumpkins, and the colour orange, and delicious sweet foods. I'm British, and I've never been anywhere near a pumpkin patch that could double as a seasonal attraction theme park, and even I know they can't realistically be as big and as popular and raking in the money as the one presented in 'Pumpkinheads'. DeKnock's World Famous Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Jamboree is like Disneyland. But it looks great, and I wish it was real, and that's all the incentive I need to be sold on this graphic novel experience. Its "tackiness" has a budget behind it, and it is so darn endearing. I want to visit something like it so badly.

The two leads, Deja and Josiah - "seasonal best friends" happily working at the pumpkin patch, who are now on their last all-nighter shift before starting college - are instantly iconic. Irresistible, hilarious and warm, it is impossible not to adore them. Initially static, rule-following, blushing, geeky sweetheart and cinnamon bun Josiah is a book boyfriend for sure, and Deja - fat, Black, queer, spontaneous, impulsive, a comedienne, a foodie, has dated nearly every other employee at the patch, and is the best pal anyone could ask for - she is unforgettable. One of the best female characters I've ever seen in comics, period. The duo work amazingly well together. They play off of and compliment each other consistently, gradually, naturally, and adorably.

Basically the plot of 'Pumpkinheads' is Deja and Josiah sneaking out of their jobs on their last day to go in search of shy and nervous Josiah's three-year crush, who also works at the patch, and they stop for the different attractions along the way, but at the heart of everything is them and their relationship. It's wholesome, terrific, stupendous. While reading I didn't even care how they ended up together at the end of their mission/coming-of-age journey at the giant pumpkin patch theme park - whether they remain friends, or more, as predictable and trite as that is (why can't two people of opposite genders ever stay friends?!); it is that well written.

The other characters are single-or-double-scene cameos, for Deja and Josiah really are the stars, the important heart, of the book. Seeing as they're a great leading lady and man, I don't mind this a great deal.

Pumpkins, pumpkin spices, pumpkin pies, pumpkin bomb ice creams, corn, fudge, s'mores, succotash, gourds, caramel apples, a pumpkin-headed mascot, a petting zoo, a pony-go-round, a "haunted hacienda", a go-kart track, a train track, a corn maize maze, a hayrack ride, a runaway goat (in the background - Deja and Josiah never even see it - but it gets a satisfactory payoff), a child food thief, and a lot of bumping into exes - DeKnock's World Famous Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Jamboree, and 'Pumpkinheads', contains so much for something so seemingly simple, and "true to life".

It is an attraction I'd love to visit annually, seasonally - every autumn, every Halloween. Warm, tender, pleasant, cordial, cosy, sweet, it is a delicious delight.

Final Score: 4/5

Book Review - 'Tilda Tries Again' by Tom Percival

A nice, cute children's guide to depression. It is about persistence, perseverance, getting up, moving forward, and never giving up. Even when your world has been turned upside-down, and you feel it will never end and nothing will ever be back to normal again.

I found 'Tilda Tries Again' to be quite real, harrowing, and relatable to me, as an adult in her thirties. A lot of children can relate to it, as well. Anyone of any age can. It is short, simple, yet true to life.

A support system and being surrounded by people who care and comfort you are key, too.

I like the inclusion of a ladybird, too. And a redhaired heroine.

The colours are bright, striking and lovely.

Final Score: 4/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Northranger' by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist)

'Northranger' - I wanted to give it a go after loving Rey Terciero's other works, 'Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms' and 'Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: A Modern Graphic Novel Retelling of Little Women', and because 'Northanger Abbey', of which this is a loose retelling, is the only Jane Austen novel I can say I like. It took a while - for it to be delivered to my house, and for me to finish it - and I'm glad to have finally read it. I'm glad it scared me--no, I wasn't scared of its horror movie references, themes and analyses, but it further opened my eyes, and it shocked me to see and understand how life - the world - can be limitlessly, senselessly cruel and dangerous to LBGTQ+ people, especially the youth, even in contemporary times.

When will the world learn to just accept humanity as it is? Accept how wonderfully diverse we all are? We are not all the same. We can't be. It's impossible. When will the old, outdated, out of touch, irrelevant (and let's tell it as we see it: mostly horrible, abusive, evil and desperate) privileged class/power in society learn to just grow up and face reality already?

'Northranger' can be sweet, but it is mostly heartbreaking. I can absolutely tell that Rey Terciero had drawn from some personal experiences in writing it. Similar to 'Flamer' by Mike Curato, it is so raw and real it hurts.

Every character is unforgettable, substantial, complex, and a force to be reckoned with, and certainly not all of them are likeable. The creepy, intense, mystery-driven, brown and black and white graphic novel (I love the art, and the characters' expressions) is a true coming-of-age teen LBGTQ story; no plot, just a messy, up-and-down, hot-and-cold, beautiful and scary life experience.

For horror films, and haunted houses, are nothing compared to how scary the real world is.

And how complicated and secretive families can be.

'Northranger' - I'm keeping my review on it short, as I shan't dare reveal anything spoiler-y, in the hope that others will want to read it and experience it blind, creeped out, shocked, saddened, and intrigued by its mysteries themselves. It could have had more in its romance element - I'll be honest, I wasn't quite feeling it between the two leads - plus not everything is resolved by the end (but hey, that is real life, right? What end?), and I can't stand how awful, ignorant, thoughtless and selfish some of the adults are, to children, and to their children, even the adults who don't really mean to be bigoted. They could have been held accountable further, with deeper realising, I believe. Content warning for domestic violence and abuse, as well as homophobia and racism.

Dementia is another theme in the story that is handled well. Also toxic masculinity. Then there's depression, mental and emotional health.

I don't like most of the films and TV shows that are praised uncritically by the young characters in 'Northranger' (I mean seriously - 'Buffy'? Coppola's 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'? 'Sixteen Candles'!?, in a book like this!?). But once in a blue moon it shares my tastes, in accolading 'Interview with a Vampire', 'Jennifer's Body', 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night', and 'Love, Simon' (though how has the main character never heard of that film until he is shown it on DVD? And dude: read books as well as watch movies).

I still don't like horror movies - not usually, not the conventional kind. I may not understand some people's love for them, but that doesn't mean I don't want to listen and try to understand should they explain why they love them, and why they would mean so much to them, in their lives. I won't dismiss them, just because they're not for me. I won't dismiss an entire genre of film - one of the oldest, and one of the oldest forms of storytelling in humankind's story-loving history - like too many people remain determined to dismiss an entire community, groups of people, for existing.

Hate crime is hate crime.

Bigots, I will say it again: grow up, listen, look around you, stop being stubborn (9 times out of 10 you're not afraid of change, you're being arseholes for the sake of it), get out of your little bubble (and your head out of you arse), and get your act together already.

You are killing children - the youth, future generations - with your ignorance and fearmongering. Stop it now.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test' by Hamish Steele

2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.

Final Score: 3.5/5





Original Review:



I've wanted to read this ever since seeing and loving the TV series (though I've yet to see the second season, once I'm back on Netflix), and... wow.

'DeadEndia' has some similarities, with some of the same aesthetics, but it is mostly very different from the animated adaptation, 'Dead End: Paranormal Park'. One main thing to take away from the comic is that, unlike the TV show, it is definitely not for children. More "edginess" and darkness and horror aside, I certainly did not expect the iconic cartoon hero, the trans, gay Jewish boy Barney Guttman, to have family issues so bad that he was once... suicidal. I don't want to reveal anything potentially triggering, but holy shit his backstory is dark. The autistic icon Norma Khan being more cynical and having a tragic dead parent past, with an older sister, is also something I did not expect.

There were a hell of a lot of things that shocked me when coming into 'DeadEndia'. It is horror and comedy at its core. It embraces it; and all the while it flows, together with a creative, cartoony, colourful, eclectic, wild and wacky messiness - and I commend every daring thing it puts out there, and not just for its LBGTQ+, POC, neurodivergent and mental health rep.

So I do recommend 'DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test' if you're already a fan of 'Dead End: Paranormal Park'. Only make sure you're in a good, healthy headspace and safe space beforehand. You may be in for a shocking treat, deep and dark, but additionally funny in a gallows humour way, that is worth it in the end(ia). There is the undeniably strong - raw - human, relatable and emotional element to it, as well; it is intense all around. This undoubtably contributes to the lasting impact and development of Hamish Steele's genius creation.

Last, spoiler-free notes: Pauline Phoenix is a hilarious celebrity parody icon (I keep using that word in this review, don't I?), Pugsley the doggie is a cute and funny (and tragic) mascot, Badyah is such a sweet little psycho without a care in the world, and Courtney remains one of my favourite demons ever, alongside Calcifer from 'Howl's Moving Castle' and Hooty from 'The Owl House'. She/they is/are a precious, funny, adorable, spirited, creepy, complex and evil-ish concept. In fact, 'Dead Endia' does "evil", flawed, imperfect, messy, and/or morally grey characters right.

An awesome, scary, silly, humorous, magical, demonic, passionate, and truly revolutionary and inclusive comic and cartoon.

Final Score: 4/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City' by Sarah Soh

Such a cute and wonderful little comic, that could also count as a children's picture book. It can be read in five minutes.

'Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City' mixes in science, futuristic tech, robotics, magic, nature, dystopia, power sources, and legendary fantasy action heroines. It definitely has an anime vibe and influence to it. Plus it reminds me strongly of 'Amphibia' and 'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'.

The protagonist, the titular Juniper Mae, is an endearing little sweetheart inventor, a genius possessing wild imagination and creativity, who is also a loner. Humble, but alone except for her dad and grandpa. In her hero's journey she learns about the joys of friendship, and the confidence boosts that sharing your talents and interests with others can bring. Any neurodivergent reader, or any reader with social anxiety issues, can identify with her.

Juniper Mae will become a hero in so many ways. It is awesome and awe-inspiring.

If only the whole book were a completed story with no sequel hook (there's an ongoing mystery element), and Juniper's new froggy friend Albie, and his race of tama-tamas, had a more original design, and the "twist" villain was foreshadowed and not someone we hadn't seen nor heard of before, and the only visible LBGTQ+ element wasn't in one panel showing two women in a crowd holding hands - there was no reason why Juniper couldn't have had two dads (or two mums), instead of one dad and a grandfather living with her; though the latter is wheelchair bound, for physical disability rep, at least (that and Juniper's red glasses to go with her white hair). Then I would have loved 'Juniper Mae' even more. Oh well.

Female nerds - and sword-wielding, fighting female nerds - are the greatest sci-fi fantasy heroines.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story' by Sarah Kuhn (Writer), Arielle Jovellanos (Artist)

I've finally read a Lois Lane comic - as in, a comic where she is at the center of everything, in her own story. Beforehand, I'd barely read anything with her in it.

But with 2023's 'Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story', written by Sarah Kuhn and illustrated by Arielle Jovellanos, I can rectify that. And after reading, I can conclude that it has earned its place on my DC comics bookshelf, among other stories about awesome and badass female DC characters. Lois is unique: she doesn't have to be a superhero to be super - ordinary humans are just as capable of amazing feats and achievements, in order to save and change the world. Perseverance, resolve, self-confidence, a circle of loving and caring support, and speaking your truth are key. The long, arduous, exhausting, frustrating, overwhelming, and painful road to success - filled with so many of life's disappointments - may well be worth it in the end.

That's what intrepid, fiery, hardworking young aspiring reporter Lois Lane learns. Things will certainly not be easy for this biracial woman in the patriarchal society.

In this 21st century reimagined origin, for YA audiences, Lois is half Japanese from her mother's side, and this is important to the story being told. Racism and sexism are put under a planet-sized magnifying glass and examined and shed light on. It's heartbreaking to see her having to deal with so many racist dickshits throughout her life, and she being made to hide her pain and never show how much it affects her - be the perfect model minority, and "bounce back", and justify her existence, in a world that will refuse to see her no matter what she achieves. It isn't healthy, and it isn't making her happy. She shouldn't have to put up with this. It is systematic bigotry and abuse, plain and simple.

Lois is a writer, an exposer of truth and justice, an unmasker, not a coffee girl. Not the token exotic Asian intern.

Is this still happening in 2023? After MeToo and Times Up??? Holy shit, white people are terrible, monstrous human beings. When will this pattern, this systematic prejudice, end? I could tell Sarah Kuhn put some of her own personal experiences into 'Girl Taking Over'; it is raw, heartwrenching and anger-inducing to read about.

Lois's friends and cohorts are all POC. Asian racism and sexism are centralised, but that doesn't mean other, interconnected, severely outdated brands of racism and supplementary prejudices are ignored. Everyone, and everything, is important. Intersectional feminism and all that.

For feminism is freedom. For everyone.

Even with 'Girl Taking Over''s serious subject matters and issues - including cultural appropriation, conglomerate company takeovers, diversity performance in the workplace, undermining and gaslighting minorities in the workplace, the truth behind a lot of women being blacklisted anywhere, abusive men in positions of power knowing and enabling each other, abusive men in positions of power are more cartoonishly evil than 'Captain Planet' villains, and the importance of breathing exercises (with other people, too) in moments of stress - it is also a cute, touching and well developed story about friendship. It is about seeking truth, outward and inside yourself. It is about life, and how it doesn't go to plan, and how it goes outside of one's determined, well thought out control. It is about learning to stop and look around you, to appreciate the people you meet on your journey; your goal of reaching your dreams, which may or may not change overtime.

It is about many important things.

The artwork is bright, colourful, clean, hyper, and brilliantly expressive. I love it.

Sadly, the comic isn't pristine perfect. It isn't quite what I'd call "great", nor "breathtakingly fantastic and revolutionary". One fatal flaw is the romance between Lois and the darkhaired, glasses-wearing, hunky nerd boy Noah (does it exist to show she has a type, or what?). While it is cute and funny when it shows up, it is but a little footnote. It isn't needed, and could easily have been cut out entirely and not affect anything. I'd thought we'd gotten past the cultural notion that every story has to have a romance in it years ago.

Another flaw: side characters and their relationships are underdeveloped, including a sapphic one, which shockingly feels tacked on. Most of Lois's new friends kind of fizzle out towards the end, though they still show up in groups in panels, so they're not outright forgotten. This could be due to the limited Lois-central-POV narrative choice.

Despite these weaknesses, 'Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story' is a vital DC YA graphic novel; a relevant Lois Lane writing and art piece for the 2020s. There are no superheroes here. No Superman. No supernatural and/or sci-fi elements whatsoever are present. Just the very human Lois, and her friends. In the real world, or real world adjacent.

It is the origin of Lois Lane: the world's greatest reporter; not Lois Lane: Superman's girlfriend.

(It really could have done without the romance she has with some other guy, I swear.)

Lois is kind, caring, thoughtful, friendly, determined, diligent, stubborn, strong, moral, and incorruptible. She will become all of these things fully, anyway - for she is young, and has lots to learn yet.

Keep writing. Keep writing your truth, girl. Never be silent. Never hide. Never give up taking back your voice, and the voices of others who are marginalised.

I see it now. I understand and appreciate her more now: Lois Lane has the power to awaken and inspire others, young and old, without being a superhero.

(And race-swapping, and talking about race, remain critically important and societally relevant. Fuck you, racists.)

Final Score: 3.5/5

EDIT: Adding to the cute factor: one of Lois's friends, Jasmin, creates comics about mermaids, and Lois drinks a unicorn-themed sugary coffee, or "cappufrappacinno".

Graphic Novel Review - 'Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons' by Shannon Hale (Writer), Dean Hale (Writer), Victoria Ying (Artist)

"I've gone my whole life as an only child, but today I wake up and-BOOM-instant sister!"

A fun, charming little sequel to the Hales' 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons' children's graphic novel.

It has Nubia in it! And she is the only princess in Themyscira, the only daughter of Hippolyta, and the only child among the Amazons. Until a childlike lonely wish in a cave on the eve of a solstice, heard by Hera, brings her world and Diana's world together into one (multiverses, amirite?), and suddenly they both meet - as twin sisters! In this reality they always have been sisters, who grew up together, but they are the only ones who remember their lives from before their own worlds fused.

The two little princesses are filled with hostility and distrust towards each other (on Diana's end it is understandable, and she references her experiences from the first comic), and soon, with dubious help from Hera, they find they can get the opportunity to uncombine their universes and return to their former lives. Then they will never have to see their "sister" again.

But as they work together, and get to know the other, and realise how alike they are and how nice it is to have someone their own age to hang out with, will they end up wanting to pull their plan off?

Amazons make the best sisters, after all.

'Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons' - what else to say? It is cute and simple, and a worthy continuation of Diana's adventures when she is eleven years old, ages before she becomes Wonder Woman in man's world. I love that Queen Hippolyta is married to the Amazon Philippus and they raised their daughter(s) together (Diana and Nubia call her "Ma"). I don't think this was in the first book (though Hippolyta does call Philippus "love" at one point, so they were always a couple then? Way too subtle, Hales), but I'm glad for its inclusion here. They are a loving and lovely family. The comic is very funny, too, and the artwork is adorable and soft - all brushstrokes. It might be possible that Victoria Ying's art is even bolder than in 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons'.

Diana and Nubia don't differ much in personality, however. They generally act and talk the same; they are brash, impulsive, normal-acting kids. They just have different hobbies, stuffed animals, favourite real animals, and preferred chores. Intentional? To show how alike they are? As sisters?

Not every little thing is resolved, either, and maybe the stakes could have been higher. But no matter. No worries. It's a playful, heartfelt, light but well developed all-ages young Princess Diana tale, once again with no male characters in sight! Added bonus is that this time there are no real villains, and no evil women; Hera is just herself, as self-serving, bored, careless, and morally grey/ambiguous as any Greek god, of which she is the literal queen.

Here is a joke about her in this story:


"[...] you know why Hera was put in charge of all of Olympus's animals?"

"[...] because she's the best Zeus-keeper!"


AAAAAAAAND GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY!

My review of 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons' can be found here.

Final Score: 4/5

My Pics of my Dalaman, Turkey Holiday

 Plus the pics of the cats I could get there, because I'm me 😉🐈😸😹😻😽