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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyable twist on sports romance, thoroughly enjoyed.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very enjoyable romance and drama- it hit all the sweet spots if you want drama, conflict and deeper character development.
I gave 4 stars because the comic hit everything I wanted, but didn't have much time to explore it. Some of the more dramatic moments came out of nowhere, with no establishment at the beginning. This feels to me mostly a fault of American comics sticking to single volumes, combined with the art style choosing to go with less panels per page to give a nice cinematic flow (it was beautifully drawn and paced). Faith is clearly experienced in storytelling, and s mply working I think under the limitations of single volume comics, where there just isn't enough pages to really dive full on into multiple characters and their intertwined relationships, and keep comic pages spacious. As I read more US drama comics, I realise I've been spoiled with the many romance/dramas I grew up with in Japanese comics, where you get to know characters over 10+ volumes that equal the cinematic pacing found here, and as such you love them so much that when the drama hits, it hits really hard. This certainly could have been the case with this addictive story, if only American comics were willing to print multiple volumes!
I gave 4 stars because the comic hit everything I wanted, but didn't have much time to explore it. Some of the more dramatic moments came out of nowhere, with no establishment at the beginning. This feels to me mostly a fault of American comics sticking to single volumes, combined with the art style choosing to go with less panels per page to give a nice cinematic flow (it was beautifully drawn and paced). Faith is clearly experienced in storytelling, and s mply working I think under the limitations of single volume comics, where there just isn't enough pages to really dive full on into multiple characters and their intertwined relationships, and keep comic pages spacious. As I read more US drama comics, I realise I've been spoiled with the many romance/dramas I grew up with in Japanese comics, where you get to know characters over 10+ volumes that equal the cinematic pacing found here, and as such you love them so much that when the drama hits, it hits really hard. This certainly could have been the case with this addictive story, if only American comics were willing to print multiple volumes!
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was very much an okay read. I liked the art style and the premise was interesting but the execution just didn’t do it for me. There were also a few transphobic jokes and comments that weren’t called out, which didn’t sit all too well with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Transphobia
**Most of my reviews contain detailed Content Notes (including CW/TW) sections, which may include spoilers. I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.**
3.5/5
Graphic Novel
Summary: Two teens from very different social groups find themselves able to offer comfort, support and affection to each other when a bullied hockey player asks a confident theater kid for help.
Stats: CR, M/F (bi/pansexual-somewhat still questioning MMC), kisses only, stand alone (HFN-ish due to brevity/age).
Notes: I enjoyed this, but felt like it was really part of a longer story and not complete. I thought the teens acted like teens, and the parents like parents who sometimes don’t do their best job, but that the plot was a bit random and chaotic. I enjoyed the art quite a bit - some amount of colour seems to be really helpful for me to follow graphic novels.
OTT and Spoilery Content Notes:
Bullying, fistfight, homophobia (from villains), transphobia (from villain), absent parent, intimate partner violence/abuse/domestic violence (between MCs parents - briefly described)
3.5/5
Graphic Novel
Summary: Two teens from very different social groups find themselves able to offer comfort, support and affection to each other when a bullied hockey player asks a confident theater kid for help.
Stats: CR, M/F (bi/pansexual-somewhat still questioning MMC), kisses only, stand alone (HFN-ish due to brevity/age).
Notes: I enjoyed this, but felt like it was really part of a longer story and not complete. I thought the teens acted like teens, and the parents like parents who sometimes don’t do their best job, but that the plot was a bit random and chaotic. I enjoyed the art quite a bit - some amount of colour seems to be really helpful for me to follow graphic novels.
OTT and Spoilery Content Notes:
This graphic novel challenges heteronormativity and emphasizes the importance of emotional connection. I loved the character development both protagonists went through, from anger management to the unintended consequences of passively dealing with conflict. Hicks had really great expressions and illustrated more panels with less dialogue. A great addition to Hicks’ show work.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes