Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets' by Kate Leth (Writer), Zachary Sterling (Artist), Chrystin Garland (Artist), Meredith McClaren (Writer, Artist), Aubrey Aiese (Letterer), Various Inkers and Colourists

2025 EDIT: I have not changed my mind: 'Bitter Sweets' is one of the best Princess Bubblegum solo comics - and stories in general - ever. What a fun and sweet ride and adventure! It's feminist, peaceful, diplomatic, and social justice-y AF, too!

Next to the pink scientist and adventurer princess, Peppermint Butler might be my favourite character here!

Hooray for the cartoon and the comics!

Final Score: 4/5





Original Review:



One of the best Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum stories ever, hands down.

'Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets' is so colourful, so cute, so creative, so heartfelt, and so darn funny, and it contains important morals and messages concerning environmentalism, sourcing, colonialism, and trade between homelands. Unions learning to get along peacefully and with understanding - helped by a dexterous and multitalented female leader, no less - is fantastic to see in a kids' comic.

It has Bubblegum as a travelling, sensitive, social justice action heroine; a psychopathic Peppermint Butler; magic stones; mermaids (one of whom is clearly in lesbian love with another); lettuce people, plus other vegetable people; sprites; the marvellous and green Princess Fern; hot chocolate; and a Marceline cameo at the end, who dances with Bubblegum!

'Bitter Sweets' is a beautiful epic quest, where no one dies and no one is evil or a jerk for no reason. There can be a lot to learn about leadership and using your brains and words to solve problems from this! Subverting gender roles and placing great importance to female characters also elevates it from other mainstream children's comic books.

Bubblegum is brilliant - brilliant and exhausted. She is lucky to be surrounded by friends and associates who love and appreciate her. She does so much for others!

Final Score: 4/5