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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Definitely my favorite Lumberjanes collection this far! I loved getting to learn a little more about the history of the camp and Rosie, and there’s still enough mystery that I’m intrigued to continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Continuing to love this series. In this volume, we get more backstory about Rosie, the Bear Woman, and the camp itself. The group is back together, working together, along with Barney from the Scouting Lads camp. Barney and Jo have a bit of an issue, as Barney keeps trying to help, and Jo gets jealous. But they work things out, obviously, and Barney starts talking to Jo about not really feeling comfortable being a Scouting Lad, and Jo comes out as trans.
I knew this was going to happen, because I read the review on Autostraddle a while ago, but honestly, this series continues to blow me away. The conversation is very subtle and doesn't use the words "trans" or "transgender," so it doesn't feel like a huge coming out moment, and the language may be slightly more understandable for kids (I say that because sometimes you don't know the exact word for something but you understand the feelings behind the word, and that's what you can connect with, especially if you're younger) (if I had had this series as a kid, I probably would have figured out/accepted my sexuality sooner, because the relationship between Mal and Molly isn't treated as anything but normal, which is also great). Lumberjanes has always been very good about inclusion--all the girls have different skill sets, different energy levels, different interests; Jo has 2 dads, Mal and Molly are dating-ish, it's kind of hinted at that Rosie may be queer (that could also be me just wanting everyone to be queer and overreading things, though); and they all look different--different heights, hair styles, body shapes (though I think we could do a with a little more variety in that department), skin colors. And they're all accepting of each other. And it's beautiful and lovely and I'm glad it exists, and I'm glad there are kids out there who have this to look to and know that they belong somewhere, because while Lumberjanes is a comic series, there are actual Lumberjanes in the world, waiting to be friends.
And now I'm crying at my desk at work, which means it's time to end this.
I knew this was going to happen, because I read the review on Autostraddle a while ago, but honestly, this series continues to blow me away. The conversation is very subtle and doesn't use the words "trans" or "transgender," so it doesn't feel like a huge coming out moment, and the language may be slightly more understandable for kids (I say that because sometimes you don't know the exact word for something but you understand the feelings behind the word, and that's what you can connect with, especially if you're younger) (if I had had this series as a kid, I probably would have figured out/accepted my sexuality sooner, because the relationship between Mal and Molly isn't treated as anything but normal, which is also great). Lumberjanes has always been very good about inclusion--all the girls have different skill sets, different energy levels, different interests; Jo has 2 dads, Mal and Molly are dating-ish, it's kind of hinted at that Rosie may be queer (that could also be me just wanting everyone to be queer and overreading things, though); and they all look different--different heights, hair styles, body shapes (though I think we could do a with a little more variety in that department), skin colors. And they're all accepting of each other. And it's beautiful and lovely and I'm glad it exists, and I'm glad there are kids out there who have this to look to and know that they belong somewhere, because while Lumberjanes is a comic series, there are actual Lumberjanes in the world, waiting to be friends.
And now I'm crying at my desk at work, which means it's time to end this.
A welcome return to the artwork I love! The arc this volume was fantastic, too -- I love that we're establishing some deeper Lumberjanes lore, and I have SO many questions now about Rosie and the history of the camp (in a good way). I also love that the revelation about Jo was treated with such care. Again, representation matters, and it makes me so happy to read about such a diverse cast of 'hardcore lady types.'
"We're going back out aren't we?"
"Lumberjanes stick together."
This is my favorite Lumberjanes volume to-date. The story starts when Jen tries to teach the girls basic survival skills. But, in the middle of their lesson, a blizzard strikes camp separating Jen from the girls. Jen is rescued by a mysterious taxidermist which a unknown connection to Rosie. And the girls strike out on their own to try to get her back. They are joined on their quest by a friend from a past arc which leads to some really great discussions about identity and being true to oneself.
I love that we get a lot of backstory in this volume, and the direction the story is taking. You can really tell they are starting to play the long game. While we get some answers, we also get more questions which makes me very excited to see where this story is headed. Plus, Brooke Allen is back as the artist in this volume so we get to see the characters looking like themselves again. Overall, this volume was fantastic. The story is well developed, the art is beautiful, and as always their is a wonderful message about identity and acceptance. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
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"Lumberjanes stick together."
This is my favorite Lumberjanes volume to-date. The story starts when Jen tries to teach the girls basic survival skills. But, in the middle of their lesson, a blizzard strikes camp separating Jen from the girls. Jen is rescued by a mysterious taxidermist which a unknown connection to Rosie. And the girls strike out on their own to try to get her back. They are joined on their quest by a friend from a past arc which leads to some really great discussions about identity and being true to oneself.
I love that we get a lot of backstory in this volume, and the direction the story is taking. You can really tell they are starting to play the long game. While we get some answers, we also get more questions which makes me very excited to see where this story is headed. Plus, Brooke Allen is back as the artist in this volume so we get to see the characters looking like themselves again. Overall, this volume was fantastic. The story is well developed, the art is beautiful, and as always their is a wonderful message about identity and acceptance. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
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After the disappointment of Lumberjanes, Vol. 3: A Terrible Plan, I was relieved to see that Lumberjanes, Vol. 4: Out of Time has Brooke A. Allen return as artist. The plot also feels more in line with the tone of Beware the Kitten Holy (Lumberjanes, Vol. 1) and Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max. Ripley is obviously still the best, but other characters are starting to get more time to shine. I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.
4/5
4/5
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Cute as usual! I love the idea of "the real thing the lumberjanes are being trained for" rather than them just being a Girl Scout-like camp they may have a greater, more fantastic purpose.
I'll continue reading this series!
I'll continue reading this series!