Graphic Novel Review - 'Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets' by Kate Leth (Writer), Zachary Sterling (Artist), Chrystin Garland (Artist), 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:



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