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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
It took me a couple weeks to slowly, leisurely saunter through all 20 issues/chapters of this webcomic; not in a bad way, but rather that On A Sunbeam is so dreamy and contemplative and soft that it seems to fit with a slower style of reading rather than frantically consuming it all in one day. The colours are rich and gorgeous, all lush reds and purples in present-day and a lot of cooler blacks-and-blues during the flashback sequences at boarding school.
The setting is lovely, sci fi but by way of vibrant landscape and focusing more on the characters themselves rather than the space backdrop. Tillie Walden's 'about the comic' page describes it so well:
I'd say that the second half (approx. chapters 11-20) are better, because an actual driving plot kicks in and you start getting a sense of where this story is going, how all the pieces fit together, etc. For the first half, it's mostly just character study: our main character Mia's backstory at a boarding school in space, her growing friendship/then relationship with a girl named Grace; and then the present-day sequences where she's piecing herself together with a galactic reconstruction crew. Found family crew feelings also abound!!
I feel like I never would've heard of this comic if it hadn't been nominated for the Hugos, but I'm so glad that I read it. The art has some flaws -- I had some trouble telling the characters apart at times, or following the movement when things got really Actiony(tm) -- but I feel like that's something that'll improve with time and experience (Tillie Walden was only around 20 years old when she made this!). Excited to see what she'll do next.
All available for free online: http://www.onasunbeam.com/
The setting is lovely, sci fi but by way of vibrant landscape and focusing more on the characters themselves rather than the space backdrop. Tillie Walden's 'about the comic' page describes it so well:
I’ve seen a few snippets of all the big popular space movies, and they always bore me. Why are they so full of white hallways and white men?
The inception of On a Sunbeam came from my perpetual disappointment and boredom towards any story set in space. At the beginning, Sunbeam was just called ‘Space Book.’ I spent almost a year just thinking about it before I actually started drawing it. I went into it with no plan. My initial goal with Sunbeam was to create a version of outer space that I would want to live in. So of course that includes tons of queer people, no men (did you notice?), trees, old buildings, and endless constellations.
I'd say that the second half (approx. chapters 11-20) are better, because an actual driving plot kicks in and you start getting a sense of where this story is going, how all the pieces fit together, etc. For the first half, it's mostly just character study: our main character Mia's backstory at a boarding school in space, her growing friendship/then relationship with a girl named Grace; and then the present-day sequences where she's piecing herself together with a galactic reconstruction crew. Found family crew feelings also abound!!
I feel like I never would've heard of this comic if it hadn't been nominated for the Hugos, but I'm so glad that I read it. The art has some flaws -- I had some trouble telling the characters apart at times, or following the movement when things got really Actiony(tm) -- but I feel like that's something that'll improve with time and experience (Tillie Walden was only around 20 years old when she made this!). Excited to see what she'll do next.
All available for free online: http://www.onasunbeam.com/
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is wonderfully drawn graphic novel with a strong core story. I just wish I was able to be engaged with it. Maybe this is simply just a story that isn't for me. However, it is still worth reading.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
hopeful
Really gorgeous art, really nice reveals in the world building. The world building itself was a bit sparse but an intriguing start.
this is, without any doubt, the best graphic novel and even one of the best books i’ve ever read.
it isn’t the first time i read it, i had already read it once, but never finished it because i didn’t want to. now i managed to do it and i think i’ll always come back to this from time to time. their story will always have a big place in my heart. the awesome queer representation, the space setting with awesome landscapes, the psychological depth of each character (elliot was my favorite, i would’ve loved to know more about their story).
i’m truly amazed and i don’t think there’ll ever be another story like this one.
it isn’t the first time i read it, i had already read it once, but never finished it because i didn’t want to. now i managed to do it and i think i’ll always come back to this from time to time. their story will always have a big place in my heart. the awesome queer representation, the space setting with awesome landscapes, the psychological depth of each character (elliot was my favorite, i would’ve loved to know more about their story).
i’m truly amazed and i don’t think there’ll ever be another story like this one.
just finished this & i am being a crybaby about it. genuinely one of my favourite things i have ever read❤️❤️❤️
It’s definitely not what I expected. Judging by the cover I expected smth mature and kinda dark. Somehow she made the most exquisite universe all about teenage drama. No universe setting, no adventures. Just flying around in space talking about weather and throwing tempter tantrums; immature nonsense.
The first and only adventure start at page 366. But the book is nice and cute.
P.S the colors are beautiful, but I couldn’t distinguish the faces of any of the 5 characters until the end.
Recommended for 13-15 y.o.
The first and only adventure start at page 366. But the book is nice and cute.
P.S the colors are beautiful, but I couldn’t distinguish the faces of any of the 5 characters until the end.
Recommended for 13-15 y.o.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes