Comic Corner Roundup: May

Comic Corner Roundup is a bi-monthly segment that compiles mini-reviews of comics, graphic novels, and manga that I’ve read recently. Here are my reviews for the month of May which includes a coming-of-age story, a girl that has superhuman strength, and a story of overcoming hate.

---

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser, Robyn Smith (2022)

Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story comics that follow these young women through the ups and downs of their daily lives in the Bronx.

The book takes its title from the wash day experience shared by Black women everywhere of setting aside all plans and responsibilities for a full day of washing, conditioning, and nourishing their hair. Each short story uses hair routines as a window into these four characters’ everyday lives and how they care for each other.

If you ever need to read a graphic novel that will wrap you in a warm hug, I recommend this graphic novel. This story is a testament to Black girl magic, sisterhood, and the power of friendship. Readers navigate through the girls’ lives and everyday obstacles they face and how their bond of friendship is tested through these events. The artwork was so stunning and I love how the vibrant colors made the story leap off the page.

In between the girls’ narratives, the author weaves in commentary on sexism, discrimination, grappling with mental health, and romance. Though short I felt connected to these girls from the representation on page and their overall personalities. I didn’t want the story to end.

Final Verdict:

---

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy (2021)

Huda and her family just moved to Dearborn, Michigan, a small town with a big Muslim population. In her old town, Huda knew exactly who she was: She was the hijabi girl. But in Dearborn, everyone is the hijabi girl.

Huda is lost in a sea of hijabis, and she can’t rely on her hijab to define her anymore. She has to define herself. So she tries on a bunch of cliques, but she isn’t a hijabi fashionista or a hijabi athlete or a hijabi gamer. She’s not the one who knows everything about her religion or the one all the guys like. She’s miscellaneous, which makes her feel like no one at all. Until she realizes that it’ll take finding out who she isn’t to figure out who she is.

I’ve been a fan of Huda’s webcomics for years so I was very excited to read this graphic novel. It’s a heartfelt and comedic comic about growing up finding your identity, accepting your culture, and family. Seeing this story also share a connection with my home state, Michigan was also an added bonus as well. Huda’s art may be simplistic, but her stories are engaging and relatable. She educates people about her own experiences and the dangers of treating people as a monolith.

I loved hearing about her upbringing and the important theme of the story being to stay true to yourself. This graphic novel put a smile on my face and I can’t wait to read more of Huda’s stories. I highly recommend you check out her webcomics as well.

Final Verdict:

---

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq (2021)

Nisrin is a 13-year-old Bangladeshi-American girl living in Milwaukie, Oregon, in 2002. As she nears the end of eighth grade, she gives a presentation for World Culture Day about Bangladesh while wearing a traditional cultural dress. On her way home, she is the victim of a hate crime when a man violently attacks her for wearing a headscarf.

Deeply traumatized by the experience, Nisrin spends the summer depressed and isolated. Other than weekly therapy, Nisrin doesn’t leave the house until fall arrives and it’s time for her to start freshman year at a new school. The night before class starts, Nisrin makes a decision. She tells her family she’s going to start wearing hijab, much to their dismay. Her mother and grandparent’s shocked and angry reactions confuse her—but they only strengthen her resolve.

This choice puts Nisrin on a path to not only discover more about Islam, but also her family’s complicated relationship with the religion, and the reasons they left Bangladesh in the first place. On top of everything else, she’s struggling to fit in at school—her hijab makes her a target for students and faculty alike. But with the help from old friends and new, Nisrin is starting to figure out what really makes her happy. Piece by Piece is an original graphic novel about growing up and choosing your own path, even if it leads you to a different place than you expected.

The illustratons in this graphic novel are so vivid and beautiful. The watercolor-esque styles features in the artwork is as memorable as the story. While I have read so many graphic novels about identity and culture but this one was incredibly impactful and will stay with me long after reading. The book will be triggering for some as notated in the beginning of the story. I learned so muh about Bangdeleshi culture, history, and customs through this story.

Thoughthe main character, Nisrin, goes through something traumatic and that will shape the rest of her life she is incredibly resilient and strong. Even though she goes through a process of healing the novel felt realistic because she has a ways to go with the journey even after the novel ends. This graphic novel is a inmportant read for its recommended audience and also for readers of multiple ages.

Final Verdict:

---

What comics, graphic novels, or manga have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share those as well.