Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time: Marceline and The Scream Queens' by Meredith Gran, Various

2022 EDIT: From my 'Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift' review:

Well I've watched the entirety of the 'Adventure Time' cartoon. It's great. It's revolutionary. But for some reason my interest in the comics has waned, much like how I'm no longer as much interested in quite a few other comic series, book series, and single books in my bookshelf clear-out. It seems I've just forgotten about them, or have become indifferent to them, and I have no overwhelming passion and desire to reread them. I've always been particularly picky and fussy with what I read and own, anyhow. Making more room, less clutter. And maybe 'Adventure Time' works best for a medium like TV.

Farewell, 'Adventure Time' comics.

Still adore Marceline.





Original Review:



Another fun and funny 'Adventure Time' comic about girls, for girls, and by girls.

'Marceline and the Scream Queens' is about Marceline's rise and fall in her career as the lead singer and guitarist of her band. Princess Bubblegum tags along as her manager, and new appreciator of Marceline's rock music (plus, they're just THAT tight as friends...).

Let the journey of misfits surviving the perils of stardom and criticism begin!

'Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens' is a cartoony rock star tour parody - containing references to real rock legends in imagery, covers and tabloid news; and sharp, biting commentary and satire. But it is no less appropriate for all ages; kids will understand what it is doing. The comic is like a colourful, more fun, more outrageous and female-focused version of 'This Is Spinal Tap'.

I like that the story never forgets that Marceline is a vampire, and a badass as well as a monster and drama queen triggered by any negative criticism of her! She's so unprepared for THAT part of making music and wanting to be famous. The criticism will be extra vicious and hateful because she's a female artist. No matter that the vampire queen is a thousand-years-old, at heart she is still a sensitive, insecure and self-conscious teenage girl. Women are made to feel like this all the time - angry yet afraid to speak out, afraid of not being seen as "likeable", and thus are forced to suffer in silence - no matter what they do, what they choose. I can relate.


How am I supposed to resist?! [Reading reviews] It's like candy that hates you!

I just...wanted to be an artist. [...] I didn't sign up for all the attention!


Also included are short stories. Also starring: Lumpy Space Princess, Slime Princess, Peppermint Butler, BMO, Tree Trunks, Ice King, penguins, shapeshifters, mermaids, genies, the Nightosphere, and Lady Rainicorn!

(And Finn and Jake, too, naturally).

'Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens' - fun for 'Adventure Time' fans, animation fans, girl power fans, music fans, and Bubbline shippers! (Although admittedly this story leans more towards them being friends than anything else. They go through so much development together, however, and Marceline acts jealous when Bubblegum starts hanging out with a male band member. Yeah, it could have been gayer).

Rock on, express yourselves, ladies!

Final Score: 4/5