Graphic Novel Review - 'Pillow Talk' by Stephanie Cooke (Writer), Mel Valentine Vargas (Artist)

'Pillow Talk' - what an exhilarating, heartwarming experience.

I am not a fan of sports stories at all. In fact, 'Pillow Talk' might be the only comic of any kind about sports I've ever liked (except, I'm sure 'Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms' counts). No, not like - I love it.

So apparently pillow fighting - as in, pillow fighting as a wrestling sport, in a ring with fighters who are characters with backstories and everything - is a real thing. It looks fun. And the confidence and creativity of the ladies-only fighters in 'Pillow Talk'! So inspiring.

There are so many diverse women and gender-nonconforming persons in 'Pillow Talk'. There are different body types, ethnicities, sexualities, gender expressions, hobbies and interests; and enby rep, trans rep, and even single mother rep! You don't often see that in graphic novels like these.

All this friendship and community. This utter, effortless embrace of differences. Looking out for each other. It is beautiful to behold.

I'll let the blurb tell the synopsis of the graphic novel, as it does it better than I could:


'When shy, introverted college freshman Grace Mendes reluctantly attends her first pillow fight match, she falls in love with the surprisingly gritty sport that's part roller derby, part professional wrestling. Despite struggling with deep-seated body image issues, Grace joins the competitive Pillow Fight Federation and crafts the confident persona of Cinderhella [...] But as her alter ego rises through the ranks of the PFF, gaining traction and online fame (and online trolls), it turns out the real battle is not taking place in the ring, but between Grace and her growing insecurities.
Bighearted and big-muscled, Pillow Talk is an inclusive, high-octane, outrageously fun graphic novel that aims a punch at the impossibly high standards set for women in sports, and champions the power of finding a team that will, quite literally, fight for you as you gain the confidence to back in the ring and fight for yourself.'


The plot is as simple as that. It doesn't need any more to it.

The characters are great. They are beautiful, and often messy - meaning, real - inside and out.

I could relate to Grace Mendes in some ways. Her self-confidence issues and insecurities hit hard, and are presented and dealt with sensitively. She just needs plenty of the right support and understanding. She's also implied to be asexual near the beginning of the book. She has no romantic interest, which is a plus for originality and subversion.

Grace's best friend and college roomie Callie, a pushy, partying, intrepid social media connoisseur and blooming bisexual, is simultaneously the worst/wickedest and most excellent friend ever. She can frustrate me in one dialogue, then make me warm to her in the next.

I love most of the PFF fightsonas - such as Rapunchel, Pain Eyre, Barbara Gore-Don, Lois Slain, Aphromighty, and Elle Bow Baggins (fucking brilliant). I love these women's outfits and fashions, too. So colourful and comfy. And the boots!

I want to give a special shoutout to the PFF professional wrestler Naomi, aka Miss Fortune, who is also a makeup artist and influencer, and going by the trans flag heart on her makeup kit, I'd say that's her identity. She's so good at makeup and tutorials, even I'm interested and intrigued, when I'd never bothered much with makeup before, beyond concealer and mascara. Makeup can be colourful, creative, ethereal and enchanting.

Yes, a comic about pillow fighting wrestling has got me interested in makeup. That's how versatile, inspiring and amazing it is.

Practically everything about 'Pillow Talk' is comforting, cosy, cushiony (heh), supportive, and real. It is not too raw and gritty (but urgh! those internet comments about women who dare to step outside the line of what is "acceptable", like it's still the Victorian times. As one PFF fighter says at one point, "People want to tear down anyone living their best lives. Especially if they don't fit their perfect ideals. God forbid they're fat. People are jealous when we learn to love ourselves without their approval.").

I recommend 'Pillow Talk' to absolutely everyone. It is a bold, daring, thrilling comfort read, and that is not an oxymoron. It has the diversity, moral fibre, fire, colours and atmosphere of 'Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms' and 'Jem and the Holograms', only softer, and lighthearted on the competitive front.

Grace is a winner. In many senses of the word, including in her own heart, and the hearts of the other characters, and of the readers. All women are winners in their own ways.

I hope professional pillow fight matches catch on!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try to think up my own pillow fighting fightsona.

Final Score: 4.5/5