Comic Corner: Unexplainably entertaining

‘Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy’ review

By Brittney MacDonald, Life & Style Editor

3/5

With simplistic art and page after page of oddity, Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis is probably one of the most unique reads I’ve had recently.

The plot follows five friends attending camp at “Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types,” and if you thought that was hard to wrap your head around, try getting through the rest of the book. Mixing elements of magic into a modern setting, this graphic novel represents the entire genre of urban fantasy down to a “T,” even going so far as to include a magical quest that the diverse plethora of main characters have to perform.

Now, with a write-up like that, you might assume that I didn’t like this graphic novel, but you’d be wrong. I enjoyed Lumberjanes, I just have no idea why I enjoyed it. The setting makes no sense and the dialogue can be tedious and complicated—but the narrative and the characters are so charming, I couldn’t stop reading.

Lumberjanes is quirky, funny, and similar to cartoons like Adventure Time and Bee and PuppyCat. You have no idea what’s going on, and even when you think you do, something changes and you’re back to going “What the heck?”

Art-wise there’s not much to say. Lumberjanes is super cartoony and very simplistic with minimal use of black. Done by Brooke Allen, the art is a little messy and not super impressive. I really wish that Stevenson had illustrated this herself, because in my opinion she is a far superior artist, based off of other publications I have read, such as Nimona and Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman.

If you’re a hipster who enjoys long walks to the coffee shop or imported beer, this off-beat graphic novel will probably delight you. I recommend it if you’re looking for something a little off the wall.