Graphic Novel Review - 'The Ojja-Wojja' by Magdalene Visaggio (Writer), Jenn St-Onge (Artist)

'The Ojja-Wojja' - wow, what a children's graphic novel!

It has it all: superb, fantastic artwork, a coming-of-age school story, feminism, queer representation, autism representation, tackling bullying issues, mystery, horror, scary imagery, its own folklore, witchcraft, ghosts, a helluva dose of geeky love and references, UFO conspiracy theories, parody storytelling segments, libraries, great, supportive school teachers, and most importantly, friendship.

Friendships between kids - between weirdos, the social outcasts and pariahs - that can last a lifetime. Maybe even survive a toxic, demonic invasion, determined to destroy everything that is good and kind and progressive in the world, because of one person's loneliness, fears, insecurities, and sense of entitlement.

'The Ojja-Wojja' is like 'Scooby-Doo', 'Stranger Things', Stephen King's 'It', 'Riverdale', 'Gravity Falls', and 'Dead End: Paranormal Park', all mixed into a blender. But it is its own unique kind of comic book, and not just because it is relatively scary for a modern kids' graphic novel. There is horror, the paranormal, and demonic forces at work, but vitally, it has heart.

And great characters, mostly in the form of the two main leads: Val Malloy, who is autistic, fat, and white, and a super geek, willing to try anything; and Lanie Pham, who is Asian, transgender, probably gay, and bespectacled, and also a super geek, and into witchcraft. This outcast duo, who initially bonded (and argued) over geeky interests, is brilliant. Phenomenal. They work so well together, and are the best of friends. Anyone who is a geek, a nerd, or any kind of loner in the social hierarchy due to their differences (what makes them blooming great people!) can relate to this pair.

There is no romance in this story. Friendship is the main theme. I adore the ending, too, as rushed as it is (like the authors were hit with a sudden deadline they needed meet as quickly as possible). Without spoiling anything, I will unapologetically disclose and declare that it made me squeal with pure joy. A geek girl's joy, to be precise. My heart was set aflutter, butterfly.

Compassion, sympathy and empathy - and bonding over special interests - are the other key themes in 'The Ojja-Wojja'.

It is far from perfect, with slight pacing issues, and the other three kids in Val's and Lanie's "little weirdo club" who aren't nearly as developed and fleshed out as they should have been. It's easy to forget they exist when they are not on a page. There are side characters who do not receive proper resolutions, or any resolution at all. It's easy to forget about them, too, like the comic seems to, towards the end shut up with the tos and toos, Artemis, learn proper grammar.

Oh yeah, there's that rushed ending, those last few pages. I could tell that the authors did the best they could with the little time and space they had left, however. So it's something.

There you go: if you like a bit of comedy, horror, paranormal, teen drama, school angst, conspiracy, witchcraft, female empowerment, geekiness and geek culture served like candy snacks, and a whole range of race, LBGTQ+, and disability representation - diversity, it matters - then read 'The Ojja-Wojja'.

Even though it has a title where, were I to say it out loud to anyone, they would ask me if I was okay.

'The Ojja-Wojja' - it ain't no phantasm.

To every "outcast", "loser", geek, nerd, and "unpopular" person in any crowd - you win! You will win!

Final Score: 3.5/5