Graphic Novel Review - 'Unfamiliar Volume 2' by Haley Newsome

'Unfamiliar Volume 2' - another fun, girly and witchy little manga-esque comic.

It continues where the previous volume left off, and is quite satisfactory. The main mystery - that is, concerning Planchette's haunted house and its ghosts - and other plot threads and characters - are mostly resolved. It's surprisingly touching and life-affirming as well as comical and colourful, especially in regards to the relationship between Babs and Sun, and their own individual issues. Those two girls are very well developed.

Warning: Depression, low self-esteem, self-image issues, and toxic family members are themes here. Sad ghosts and sad doctors are also present.

Yet 'Unfamiliar' never loses its quirky, cute and funny edge.

I highly recommend 'Unfamiliar Volume 2' if you enjoyed the first volume. It's short but sweet. Creepy and clever. No characters, and no character traits and arcs, are forgotten about. The art manages to look messy but beautiful and bold at the same time. It's all purposeful. The tone is a little darker and sadder, but that counts as progress story-wise, along with its explicit LBGTQ content.

Plus, the reveal of this world's personification of Death is worth the price alone. Absolutely hilarious.

The 'Unfamiliar' series, as well as being like 'Adventure Time', is also like the 'Cucumber Quest' comic series, except it doesn't go completely off the rails, doesn't become too dark for its own good, and it has an ending. Everyone is satisfied, except the villains.


My review of Volume 1.


Final Score: 4/5