A review by timefliesaway
String, Volume 1 by Paul Tobin

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

That was pretty cool. 

 

I had imagined the string thing to be more secretive, that Yoon is a private detective in the shadows or something, and was surprised that it’s a public ability. Although most people think she’s a witch. Still, there were some ‘private detective’ moments, like her going to a gang bar. 

 

Overall cool idea, and a nice twist on the red string of fate – blue string for sexual partners, and black string for murder-victim. 

 

I loved the ‘reality’ parts of it. Like, actual police work: watching surveillance cameras all day, instead of chasing cars on the streets all the time (although that is part of the job as well). Or porn star characters, who are human beings, where the porn acting isn’t a 24/7 job, and that they aren’t perverted or horny all the time. (Litty was quite a deep character actually!) 

 

It being queernormative also was very nice. 

 

The only contra I have is that the art was a bit ... odd at times. Overall really great drawings, typical American comics style, and lots of details. Also distinct character designs. But sometimes too intense, especially during the action scenes, tho even during the slice of life scenes, the expressions were always very ... how to put it? Realistic, but too realistic perhaps? 

Not an argument to not check it out, though. 

 

I’m not sure whether it’s a series, the epilogue teased a bit, but I’m definitely looking forward to a sequel, if there is gonna be one. 

 

~ 

 

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios for an e-ARC. 

 

-16.03.25