Comic Corner Roundup: November
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 November which include never-ending moonlit nights, a group of friends who become amateur sleuths, and a spooky school.
The Night Mother Vol. 1
The Night Mother Vol. 1 by Jeremy Lambert, Alexa Sharpe (illustrator) (2024)
The moon is stuck like a broken clock in the midnight sky, the sun a distant memory. No one in this quiet seaside town can remember how long this unnatural darkness has lasted. No one, that is, except for the curious girl who lives in the graveyard, caring for the dead: twelve-year-old Madeline Tock. In gratitude, the departed whisper their worries to her, sounding just like her overprotective but loving father: beware this endless night and she who causes it.
Because there’s someone else who can hear the whispers, too . . . someone whose gown is a map of the cosmos, hair a tangled constellation, eyes like the lights of faraway stars. The Night Mother. Her elemental duty is to gather the souls of the dead in her lantern, then send them to their eternal rest as beautiful moonlight. But when her hunger for power drives her to take souls from the living, Madeline bravely stands up to defend her town and those she loves. Can Madeline help bring back the sun, or will she be lured by the starry promises of this mysterious woman?
Review: The artwork is stunning in this graphic novel and each page of the whimsical world that Lambert and Sharpe have created leaves the reader eager to turn each new page. The story itself felt like a fairytale with the omnipresent narrator and characters leading us along the journey. The world is very immersive, which is key to any fantasy and the story is full of neverending moonlight night, people that control the constellations within the stars, and a very magical protagonist. It also feels as if the story is a coming-of-age narrative as Madeline has to learn to navigate her newfound powers and discover her mysterious past.
I think the first volume does a solid job of world-building and setting up the trilogy for how the story might unfold. It answers some of the questions readers have while also leaving an aura of mystery as to whether the heroine or villain (the Night Mother) can best each other in a fight to regulate day and night. The concept has been done before, but this story felt fresh. I can’t wait to see what will come next in volume two!
Final Verdict:
Jill and the Killers
Jill and the Killers by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, Roberta Ingranata (Illustrator) (2024)
Returning to school after the unsolved disappearance of her mother, teenager Jill Estrada can’t wait for things to return to normal . . . even as her friends become obsessed with Box Killers, a true-crime subscription game where each month’s “unsolved case” is custom-tailored to the life of its player. There’s only one catch: Jill’s game seems to be all too real—and when her clues begin to connect the dots to a very real series of disappearances in her hometown, Jill and her friends must conquer their fears and own personal struggles to solve the case.
But can they find the killer before one of their own becomes the next victim?
Review: Jill and the Killers felt like true crime mixed with amateur sleuthing. While it sometimes keeps a light-hearted vibe, the story never fails to remind the readers and cast of characters of the grave danger lurking around the corner. I love a good mystery and this one gets pretty intense without going too much over the top as some other thrillers do. But it manages to be gritty enough to not classify itself as a cozy mystery. I liked that the story played into the mystery game-style trope and how the progression of the game allows the reader to become more acquainted with each character. On the downside though we only get some snippets of the ensemble individually to connect with them. Something I hope that will change in a second volume?
What stood out to me was the artwork and how it added a layer of vibrancy to the story. The pacing was smooth, and I enjoyed the second half of the first volume the most as the action amps up. This new series has a lot of promise and I’m hoping it can build upon the characters and suspense for future installments.
Final Verdict:
Day of the Living Liv
Day of the Living Liv (Spirited #1) by Liv Livingston, Glass House Graphics (Illustrator) (2024)
Olivia “Liv” Livingston thinks life on the right side of Narrow Bridge is, well, just right! What’s not to love about the perfect town of Pleasant Place? But then her parents pack up and move the family to the left, spooky side of the bridge…right into Gloomsdale.
Liv quickly learns that life is going to be very different, especially in a ghost town…literally. The town looks antique, some students have gleaming fangs, and let’s just say her new house might be haunted. Will Gloomsdale dampen Liv’s spirits? Or can she creep it real and find her place?
Review: If you’re looking for a spooky fun read for the Halloween season or just in general then I would recommend this first installment of the Spirited series. It leaves you with the right amount of creepiness and also adds in the cozy vibes as the characters and plot are too cute! I love how the artwork matches the theming of the story and the setting of a school for the undead. The character designs are fun and it will appeal to younger readers as well as those looking for a light-hearted read.
This was a quick read, but very enjoyable from beginning to end. I love the message of being yourself as Liv comes to terms with the changes in her life (with the new surroundings) and realizing she just needs to be who she wants to be. Though it’s a bit formulaic it didn’t take away from my reading experience and I look forward to reading the next novel, Go, Ghoul, Go!
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.
FTC Disclaimer: I received the a copy of Jill & The Killers and The Night Mother from Oni Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
