I really liked this comic! I 100% expected it to go one way, and it went on a different path that I very much enjoyed. I really liked the symbolism of the crocodiles and snakes used throughout and how they added tension to the story visually.

I liked the characters and how they interacted with each other throughout-- I think this is actually something I'd love to see explored even more, tbh! I loved the way Stevie Barot set up the antagonism of the first priest against the residents and then brought in the new one in the way he did to set up our expectations-- can you tell I'm trying not to give anything away? lol

I liked how the story played off of common tropes and ideas and brought them together in a satisfying way at the end, and I think Barot did a great job of keeping us guessing as to what was coming next throughout the comic. I think the story could use a little polishing to make it really shine, but I enjoyed it as it is, too.

The art was great, too; I always enjoy black and white art when done well like this-- easy to read and understand what's going on visually while still pleasing to look at. I liked the visual differences between the two main characters, and I especially loved the use of splash pages here and there to really emphasize the character's feelings in the moment. Another good one I recommend checking out!

This was a comic from last year's ShortBox Comics Fair** in October that I've been saving for a treat, and it was just right for a cozy, snowy morning read before starting work.

**If you're wondering, ShortBox Comics Fair WILL be back in the fall this year-- ShortBox the publisher is retiring, but ShortBox Comics Fair (a separate entity run by the same owner of ShortBox the publisher) will continue for the time being. So start saving your money for October's 2024 fair now!!

Don't Go Without Me by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

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dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Notes: memory loss, manipulation, isolation, impending doom

If any comic is exemplary of the visual craft of comics, it's this collection! My goodness, the strength of these pages' illustrations was genuinely a feast for the eyes! For that alone, I would recommend getting your hands on a copy of this, truly.

It was wonderful to read this while reviewing the digital library of comics devices from Reimena Yee, too. I found it really helpful to see such strong examples of comics devices "in the wild" while trying to study more of them.

I found the stories interesting, too, although I gotta say that the art was much stronger for me than the stories themselves. I found the reading to be a bit tedious after the first story, to be honest. It relied heavily on telling in the script rather than showing, which would draw me out of the incredibly well drawn moments. It felt like they didn't quite flow as one entity most of the time.

But goddamn, did the art make up for that! It was truly just absolutely stunning to look at. It was so meticulously executed. The compositions were carefully considered for maximum impact of each and every panel and page, and the use of values alone made my heart flutter. The was Rosemary Valero-O'Connell illustrates just takes my breath away, and I spent a good deal of time just admiring all the details of the pages.

Beautiful work, I absolutely recommend checking it out for yourself!

The Creator's Guide to Comics Devices by Reimena Yee

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informative inspiring fast-paced

4.5

This is so WONDERFUL!

Last year, Reimena Yee, one of the co-founders of the Cartoonist Cooperative gifted the comics community with this amazing, ever-growing digital library of comics devices as means to "provide language for creators, readers and other colleagues in the ecosystem to speak about comics on its own terms."

I love it because it gives me just that-- words for the visual language I already know and grew up with but never knew how to describe well with words. It's already helped me to write my scripts better, knowing how to easily describe something with fewer words now, and also served as a helpful reminder of my options for exploring the panels and visuals as I develop them. LOVE! IT!

So when I saw they included a print version of the library, I knew immediately that I needed a copy on hand for a quick reference and just as something I really enjoy seeing exist.

My only gripe for this particular printed version is that I wish it included the longer text for each example shared on the website simply because of how helpful I found the breakdown. But having this as a visual reminder to me while I'm working is genuinely so helpful, and I'm really grateful to Reimena Yee putting this guide together in such an accessible manner! I'll definitely be adding any future editions to my shelf if they ever come out!

If you're at all interested in making comics or even just furthering your understanding of the visual language that comics are made of, I highly encourage you to check this or the digital library out!

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jbeoin's reviews 131 reviews

jbeoin's reviews
131 reviews