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