Kim Reaper.
Wow, did you surprise me.
I really enjoyed this comic. It's from 2017-2018, it's set in 2018, and the 2000's fangirl/emo/goth phase zeitgeist is painted gloriously all over it. Like, imagine your super-goth subculture-inspired tween fanfiction - sparked by the likes of Evanescence and Within Temptation - got mixed up with every modern cartoon you can think of, such as 'Rick and Morty' (makes sense, since the author, Sarah Graley, did write a 'Rick and Morty' comic), 'Adventure Time', 'Star vs. the Forces of Evil', and 'Gravity Falls'; also a F/F romance that is naturally represented - uncensored, explicit - enough to make the 'The Legend of Korra' generation proud. Then you'd get the absolutely, adorably silly, cartoony, and the cutest of cutes that is 'Kim Reaper'.
Seriously, above everything else, 'Kim Reaper' is cute - the two female leads, Becka and Kim, even refer to each other as "cuties". Its horror elements, like, of course, the grim reapers, plus ghouls and zombies, are played for comedy, and it is very funny comedy. The dialogue and banter between the duo are a hoot.
The dramatic writing and character development takes place with the relationship between Becka and Kim. Both are university students studying fine art in England, and Becka, an optimistic, hyperactive, chubby POC, has a huge crush on Kim, a pale, cool, quiet goth girl. However, Kim has a secret - her part-time job is unlike any ever heard of for students. She is a Grim Reaper, tasked only in guiding the souls of animals to the afterlife. And Becka is accidentally thrust into Kim's ecstatic but dangerous world when trying to ask her out.
As a special, pleasant surprise for me, both girls do develop nicely and believably throughout this short comic volume. What appears to be a goofy cartoon on the surface does take human emotions and natural human reactions to heart.
Becka, starting off as a silly, impulsive girl with a crush who talks a lot and acts before thinking, does come to realize the dangers that Kim's life might have on her. Kim's recklessness gets Becka in terrible trouble and nearly killed, so she backs out, angry at Kim, and considers forgetting about her, because, as much fun as they have together, it's not worth the risk of death and being scared all the time now. There's a hint of PTSD. Becka, with candor, is smarter and more reasonable than she often lets on, while still exhibiting her own unique brand of humour. That's great maturity coming from a cute comedy comic called 'Kim Reaper', even though it is a temporary setback on Becka's part.
Kim starts off seemingly cold, aloof and antisocial, like a typical goth girl from the 2000s. But over the course of her grim reaping adventures with Becka, she comes out of her shell and shows how much fun she likes to have with her job. She loves her scythe, and is revealed to perhaps be even more immature and impulsive than Becka, whom she grows fond of and wishes for a closer hookup than friendship. She's probably not used to feeling like this, as a lonely goth Grim Reaper girl. She needs to be responsible and pay heed to the safety of other people now, and be less selfish.
But does Kim learn from her mistakes? Does Becka forgive her too quickly? Well, apologies are verbally expressed, and trust is earned again. From the way it is framed, the two do learn life lessons from each other, and feel safe when teaming up in the future.
Like any couple, they have their ups and downs and mood swings, as well as sweet, comforting moments of support and forgiveness. Kim's scythe allows her to open portals for them to travel anywhere in the world together; you can't get any more romantic than that! Turns out, they are just as funny as each other. They are beautiful for one another.
Kim mentions she had a girlfriend before, and Becka is implied to be bisexual. And it is all treated as completely natural. 'Kim Reaper' would make for an excellent cartoon series that kids can watch as well, if only same-sex relationships weren't still under strict censorship in terms of entertaining the younger demographic (the best gotten is vague implications and blink-and-you-miss-it teases - and, spoilers but I don't care, Becka and Kim do kiss here! - for less panty-twisting from homophones, though why anyone would want to cater to them is beyond me). It isn't that violent or "sexually-explicit" either, so no excuses, Disney or Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network!
That, my friends, is 'Kim Reaper Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings'. It's short, but oh my ghoulies what hilarious and touching fun! From the generation that brought us the Emo, for the goth, macabre kid in all of us. It's about a lesbian Grim Reaper, featuring a mixed-race F/F romance - what more, may I ask, could you ask for!?
There is a mystery concerning the Grim Reaper Board of Directors and the Underworld, as they observe Kim's true potential as a reaper, developing through her reciprocated love for the mortal Becka. Additionally, what makes the book better in my eyes is that it is British; something that I did not know before reading. Imagine, a comic like this written and drawn by a British woman!
As vibrant as a purple rose; as funny as a skeleton wearing trousers; as poignant as a gay person coming out of the closet, dusting the skeletons free of cobwebs. Did I mention the cuteness? It is as cute as it gets.
Final Score: 4/5
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