September Moon - 'Volume 5'

WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER MOON! 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

This rereading of 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 5' has been a truly magnificent experience. There is never a dull, undramatic or unmagical moment. It's magical girl bliss.

My new thoughts on 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 5' are as follows, in this rereview, linked here.

September Moon - 'Volume 4'

WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER MOON! 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

Today I reread 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 4', picking up where the last volume left off. In the link below are my renewed thoughts and insights on volume 4, and 'Sailor Moon' as a whole, as a lifelong thirty-five-year-old fan.

Rereview link.

September Moon - 'Volume 3'

WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER MOON! 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

Today I reread 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 3', after many long years. You bet I have new observations and insights, upon refreshed memories.

Click here for my rereview!

September Moon - 'Volume 2'

WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER MOON! 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

Where I (re)read a 'Sailor Moon' manga volume a day.

In the name of the Moon (and the Silver Millennium, and the "Mare Serenitatis" or "Sea of Serenity"), let's do this!

My refreshed and renewed thoughts on 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2' can be found on my rereview here.

September Moon - 'Volume 1'

WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER MOON! 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

This month I'll be rereading a 'Sailor Moon' manga volume - including the 'Eternal' edition, the classic Chix Comix Pocket Edition translation, and the two 'Codename Sailor V' volumes - every day, in chronological order. I hope I can keep up, and stay as excited as I am now.

I can't wait to relive my childhood! To experience this classic, nostalgic, original magical girl manga once again, that started in Japan in 1991, the year I was born. I shall read these with refreshed eyes, as a magical girl myself in my mid-thirties!

In the name of the Moon, let's do this!

Starting everything off: my rereview of 'Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Edition, #1)'.

Graphic Novel Review - 'My Giant Nerd Boyfriend, Vol. 1: Big Love in Small Moments' by Yen Ee (Fishball)

'My Giant Nerd Boyfriend, Vol. 1: Big Love in Small Moments' - based on the ongoing webtoon by Fishball, here we have a bunch of funny anecdotal comic strips, about the life of the 5'2" artist and her 6'4" boyfriend-turned-husband.

It's not nearly as geeky as I'd hoped it'd be, and there is toilet humour and nudity humour, but apart from that, it is sweet and romantic.

I see quite a lot of myself in Fishball (though I prefer cats to dogs, though her Pomeranian Biscuit is cute as hell), and how I long for a relationship like the one she has with her giant nerd boyfriend - her funny, charmingly awkward and hot AF giant nerd boyfriend!

There are also sad, touching and poignant comic episodes near the end; it's not all stupid laughs. There are important things to learn while reading 'My Giant Nerd Boyfriend', such as: appreciate the time you have with your loved ones, because nothing lasts forever. Love and appreciate the people in your life, and the people who helped raise you into the amazing person you are today, for they love you so, so much.

Did not expect that from something like 'My Giant Nerd Boyfriend', but I'm glad it was made and included, in this collected volume.

Although, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as the webcomic references covid-19 throughout, and it is depicted/treated with humour, heart, helpfulness, self-love and community.

Similar webcomics:


'Adulthood Is a Myth (A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection)'

'What's Up, Beanie?: Acutely Relatable Comics'

'I Left the House Today!'

'Fangs'

'The Secret Loves of Geek Girls'


'My Giant Nerd Boyfriend, Vol. 1: Big Love in Small Moments' by Yen Ee, aka Fishball - get right on down and read it, and prepare to laugh, cry, and love.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes' by Erica Henderson, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)

'Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes' by Erica Henderson - what silly, goofy, cartoony LBGTQIA+ fun! That is also a lot deeper and more introspective than it appears.

It is a standalone Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy comic - there is no specific continuity connecting it to anything; at least, nothing fixed (Joker has his 'New 52 Detective Comics'/'Death of the Family' faceoff phase here, and Ivy's backstory has elements that might have been borrowed from G. Willow Wilson's comic run of her character). Anyone can read it, and get the gist of Harley and Ivy's relationship - from clown henchwoman/ecoterrorist fugitives, to fugitive lovers - without being too confused, or having to worry about reading any preexisting DC material.

The Life and Crimes of Harley and Ivy is pure, cheesy fun. Even including the sexytimes and running-from-the-law-in-complete-nudity scenes, where your mileage my vary on whether they are done tastefully or not. Henderson executes these in funny and creative ways, and along with Joker's appearance they are proof the comic is not for kids. I don't care for the sex, the nudity, and the final issue's ending tongue-kissing, but that's solely due to personal preference.

Gorgeous cover art, though.

Great artwork, great characters, both mains and one-offs (Abigail "Ma" Hunkel is a fantastic addition to the cast), and a funny and entertaining buddy comedy/LBGTQIA+ love story overall, Erica Henderson really outdid herself. She wrote, drew and coloured all of 'Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes', and it is commendable.

Harley is Harley, and Ivy is Ivy, and as different as they are, they compliment and complete each other.

Once again, we as a comic book and pop culture media audience are reminded that Harley Quinn does not need Joker. She never needed him. That cycle of abuse is ended. It is never coming back into play ever again. Partly - well, mostly - thanks to Harley meeting the right woman, who is also her best friend.

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn and Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy - doing crimes, destroying the shit out of shitty men via plant vines, and - though it doesn't need to be said nowadays, and certainly not in this comic - being gay/bi.

They are meant to be.

They are the ultimate OTP of DC Comics.

Other recommended Harlivy comics:


'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour'

'Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Girl in a Crisis'

'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley'


Final Score: 3.5/5