Reviews

Heavy Vinyl: Riot on the Radio, Vol. 1 by Nina Vakueva, Carly Usdin

curiousmonkey7's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

hangngt_'s review against another edition

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5.0

•4.5/5•

Amazing concept! I love the theme of this book and the art style is so pretty! The dynamics are amazing as well! There also so much diversity in this book. Definitely recommend.

I just wish it was longer.

hila_tz's review

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

spenkevich's review against another edition

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4.0

Sapphic book lovers: plug in and turn the dial all the way up because this a hit!
Welcome to Vinyl Destination, the coolest vinyl shop in 1998 where teen girl Chris has just landed her first job. Awkward but determined to be cool, she’s blissfully immersed in a land of amazing music and hip women coworkers, especially Maggie who is ‘literally the cutest.’ But something is amiss and this new girl suspects her coworkers are up to something when they send her home after close…
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Author Carly Usdin blends the love of music with the fight for justice in Heavy Vinyl, a rocking good time of a graphic novel with wonderful artwork from Nina Vakueva and Irene Flores. When bands start going missing, its up to a gang of tough teens to save the day and..oh wait, yea, I should probably mention that this record shop is just a front for a music loving gang who love to punch up at the patriarchy and stand up for justice.
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This is such a fun graphic novel full of action, music, queer romance and features a lovely inclusive cast of characters. Chris is suddenly ushered into this new world of post-close crime fighting and will have to keep her confidence up to keep up—made all the more difficult when D., her “arch enemy” (D’s words), is resentful of her being included in the group. But when the singer of the hardcore band that is supposed to play their shop disappears right before a new album release and her bandmates seem pre-programmed with polished, interview friendly marketing replies to any question, it’s going to take all of them to crack the case. Chris is so much fun to follow as we are treated to the chaotic anxiety running through her head, made all the more high-strung when she cannot stop thinking about Maggie who is always so sweet to her and can really land a kick.
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I enjoy how well this captures the adorableness of Chris and Maggie very blatantly having mutual crushes on each other but the accuracy of teenage anxiety that makes Chris scared maybe Maggie isn’t into her or even girls at all. Aww you adorable little crime fighting dorks, just kick the bad guys ass and kiss already. But for real, this is super fun and…okay the plot is a bit ridiculous involving mind control record labels with a plot to take any social justice messages out of music but its also a pretty timely evil villain idea as book censorship is rampant and queer stories or marginalized identities are often the primary targets.
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Is it all kind of dumb? Maybe. But is it super cute and fun? ABSOLUTELY. This is a joyous ride full of music and mayhem and I had a blast. Extra special shoutout to my assistant director who recommended this to me today when we were supposed to be talking about library programming. Heavy Vinyl is a blast.

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archie_xxv's review against another edition

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1.5

So... Is everyone fine with the fact that the manager is the whole adult and makes her teenager employees literally fight? And it's Chris' first job. It's even stated that she would have been fired if she didn't agree to join their little exploitation group. Hello????

emily_gaynier's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm normally not a big fan of comics. I prefer longer form graphic novels, but I loved this

Everyone felt like a real person and the diversity is great and I love the Woman Power

chip4201's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

ceceewing_'s review against another edition

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5.0

This was GAY and GREAT

aicee's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

thelilbookwitch's review against another edition

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4.0

Full review has been posted on my blog.
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Review to come!

But bless my bi little heart, this normalizes so many things and I love it and I wish I had found this comic growing up.

soft f/f genuine, endearing, and a little awkward romance pairing.