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eatenbysharks's review
5.0
This was a great complete story that looks at family, friends, and what you do for both of them in a whole new light.
hketler's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
midnighterbae's review
5.0
This comic is so much fun! It features humorous dialogue from Matthew Rosenberg and visual jokes from Tyler Boss, who uses layouts, colors, and different art styles in a creative way. I love how unique and fleshed out the main cast of kids is, and the final chapter has some real heart to go with all the mayhem.
I initially read this in single issues when it came out, but it was even more satisfying reading it in the trade format.
I initially read this in single issues when it came out, but it was even more satisfying reading it in the trade format.
misha_ali's review
2.0
This started off quite promisingly but lost me around halfway through, which is why it took me far longer to wrap up than a graphic novel usually would.
capnhist's review
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amber_lea84's review
3.0
I feel like this one's lost on me.
I usually have this reaction to dark comedy centered around characters going on a crime spree. I'm like wow, that was depressing. I feel like I was supposed to be laughing more than I was.
I'm sure I'll hit post on this and immediately forget I ever read it because it just didn't resonate with me.
But it's not bad. I feel like it's just not my genre? Like I would say if this SOUNDS like something you would like then you probably will.
I usually have this reaction to dark comedy centered around characters going on a crime spree. I'm like wow, that was depressing. I feel like I was supposed to be laughing more than I was.
I'm sure I'll hit post on this and immediately forget I ever read it because it just didn't resonate with me.
But it's not bad. I feel like it's just not my genre? Like I would say if this SOUNDS like something you would like then you probably will.
jonwesleyhuff's review
2.0
I'm very torn on this one. I've been wanting to read it forever, and was glad to get around to it finally. It started off great. It's not that is is a bad book. Not at all. I think it's just not for me.
I really liked the intros where everyone was a "character" in whatever they were doing—D&D, video games, etc. It was a good way of shedding some light on the characters in a less direct way. The characters are quickly sketched out. But they never really break out of that quickly drafted sketch. For example: Walter is quiet (and his dialogue is rendered in an annoyingly small typeface) and remains quiet by the end. Oh, and he barfs a lot, and might have some non-binary tendencies. Or something to that effect. This is interesting, but he doesn't really grow in a way that we get to see in the story. I suppose it's possible the last scene of the story is meant to lead into a second volume where maybe we see the impact the story had on everyone's lives. But it's been a while since this came out and I haven't heard a peep about it.
The art is wonderful and really appealing. The colors adding to the overall mood of the story a lot. But what is that mood? Here's where we get to the part I struggled with the most. It's almost all stylistic. Kids who are too clever for their years is a staple at this point. But these kids are pretty young. Younger than your average CW shows for instance. And the things they say or do stretch credulity. So that mix of sheer capability mixed with the very dumb central idea of Paige's to help her father clashed for me. Also, there was a point where i just wanted everyone to quit being so quippy for two damn seconds. But, again, this is just a personal taste thing.
If you can just go along for the ride and not worry about the "sense" of it all, I think you'll enjoy this. It clearly takes place in a sort of heightened reality. But the fact that it relies on a whole set of very bonkers scenarios and actions but then ends by running into a wall of THIS IS ALL VERY SERIOUS NOW felt weird to me. I am all for clashing tones. I admire the abrupt ending and what it does and how it makes you feel about the rest of the comic. I'm just not sure it left me very satisfied.
I really liked the intros where everyone was a "character" in whatever they were doing—D&D, video games, etc. It was a good way of shedding some light on the characters in a less direct way. The characters are quickly sketched out. But they never really break out of that quickly drafted sketch. For example: Walter is quiet (and his dialogue is rendered in an annoyingly small typeface) and remains quiet by the end. Oh, and he barfs a lot, and might have some non-binary tendencies. Or something to that effect. This is interesting, but he doesn't really grow in a way that we get to see in the story. I suppose it's possible the last scene of the story is meant to lead into a second volume where maybe we see the impact the story had on everyone's lives. But it's been a while since this came out and I haven't heard a peep about it.
The art is wonderful and really appealing. The colors adding to the overall mood of the story a lot. But what is that mood? Here's where we get to the part I struggled with the most. It's almost all stylistic. Kids who are too clever for their years is a staple at this point. But these kids are pretty young. Younger than your average CW shows for instance. And the things they say or do stretch credulity. So that mix of sheer capability mixed with the very dumb central idea of Paige's to help her father clashed for me. Also, there was a point where i just wanted everyone to quit being so quippy for two damn seconds. But, again, this is just a personal taste thing.
If you can just go along for the ride and not worry about the "sense" of it all, I think you'll enjoy this. It clearly takes place in a sort of heightened reality. But the fact that it relies on a whole set of very bonkers scenarios and actions but then ends by running into a wall of THIS IS ALL VERY SERIOUS NOW felt weird to me. I am all for clashing tones. I admire the abrupt ending and what it does and how it makes you feel about the rest of the comic. I'm just not sure it left me very satisfied.
myqz's review
4.0
Great comic. Rosenberg is able to take a trope and wring genuine humor and emotion out of it, creating an atmosphere that isn’t just nostalgic for the sake of no$talgia, but genuinely puts the reader in a childlike mindset. Yet the video games, engaging full page bleeds of Family Circus-ass hi jinx, and small stakes of high school drama mask a quite heavy and serious story, as the reader remembers too late that children aren’t the best judges of risk or consequences.