I won’t lie, seeing this book (or any) pitched as a retelling of The Beauty and the Beast is what caught my eye. I am what the kids call “a sucker.” But we can unpack all that later.
Brielle and Bear might have the vague skeleton of the classic fairy tale it was based on, but it definitely has its own narrative—a fact that I think is a positive for the story.
That being said, this story is a little hard to get into. There is certainly a lot to like, but ultimately this book is the opposite of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
Brielle is our heroine, and she knows it. She exudes Main Character Confidence and narrates her life using a set of rules that she pulled from her familiarity with fairy tales. She meets Atohi “Bear” Yona while at work at Once Upon A Time University’s bookshop. It’s charmed at first sight, and the story expands on their relationship and the friends they surround themselves with.
Before I get into criticism, let’s look at what slaps:
The art is gorgeous. Brielle and Bear is full of color, whimsy, visual motifs, and beautiful homage to both western-style animation and manga. The atmosphere (and names of every location and character) is very dreamy and perfect for this fairy tale-esque story.
The cast is very diverse. The author specifically wrote that she wanted to create a cast that reflected her time at university, and there was care taken to make every identity unique and specific.
There is some very kind and sympathetic discussion of neurodiversity and physical disability. Brielle has vitiligo, it is seen as running in her family. Bear has dyslexia. One of the things I thought was really beautiful about the story was how much Bear enjoys writing poetry and reading—passions that I do no typically see paired with this particular condition.
Unfortunately, each of these items tend to fall apart under close scrutiny. The art for the settings and environments and locations is so beautiful, but it tends not get center stage with lots of rendering and color. The line drawings are beautiful, but the structures sit with a selected color pallet for the page and remain, well, in the background. It is a logical choice, but it does feel like leaving free points on the floor.
The cast is diverse, but then what? Apart from some phrases in Spanish, this is an aspect of the story that is not referenced or acknowledged. Again, perhaps I have misinterpreted this choice. It might be nice to just see this as a way things are, without it being worthy of commentary.
The vitiligo and dyslexia do pertain to the plot, but it is incredibly minimal. Each character has already overcome the trauma and difficulty that comes with having these conditions. I would say this is consistent through the story as a whole – the stakes are incredibly low. I was never worried about a resolution to an issue, and each issue was small; the biggest one being 2 arguments between Brielle and Bear that are resolved through straightforward communication.
I fear this comic is trying to push its fairy tale origins into its pages, but there really is no need for that. There doesn’t seem to be any magical elements to this world—there are no spells, curses, prophecies, and certainly no beasts. I would have liked to see this story develop on its own, flown far from its magical origins. It sounds like more volumes are coming out, and maybe those books will address some of my concerns, but for now, this story is a slice of cake that is mostly frosting.
Although I personally didn’t enjoy this narrative, I would encourage everyone to look at Doku’s website to look at the visual development journey that these illustrations went on—they are simply gorgeous.
NOTE: Author is black and from England; African-American was picked as creator representation as this was the closest option that is available through NFNT.
Brielle and Bear By Salomey Doku Harper Collins, 2024 ISBN: 9780008617561
Company Age Rating: 13+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: African-American, Character Representation: African-American, First Nations or Indigenous, Disability,
Noelani is angry. She was exiled years ago and now has been suddenly called back by her former lover, the queen Isadora, for her expert aid. The princess, who Noelani has often considered her own daughter, has disappeared on the night before her wedding. Although the king does not seem wise to Noelani’s former romance with his wife (he is portrayed as somewhat dopey), there are dangers all around in the kingdom, and Noelani has to find the princess or lose her life.
On her return to the kingdom of Patria Lupi, Noelani is not met with a welcome reception from everyone. She has enemies in Queen Isadora’s new guard, Benazir (her replacement) and in her former teacher, Father Werham. Seeing the queen again also reignites feelings she previously buried, drowning them in alcohol.
Besides her exile and a summoning that basically amounts to a kidnapping, Noelani has a lot to be angry about. Throughout the narrative are the flashbacks to Noelani’s young life as the “holy champion” knight, and these are some of the more captivating parts of the story. Torn from her home years prior, she endured harsh, sadistic training to become a knight (many reviews refer to this story as “Arthurian noir,” and I can see the parallel). Even in this female-dominated world, she suffered significant abuse and misogyny; of her cruel and barbaric teacher, Father Werham, she says “He took a kind and empathetic young girl and turned her into an engine of hate.” This backstory effectively lays the groundwork for Noelani’s complex character development.
The Cold Ever After defies easy categorization, blending elements of different genres: detective story, fantasy, horror, and romance. In a flashback to how they met, Noelani battles a dragon to save Isadora (I had never before considered the smell of a dragon, but this book took me there). And in the book’s conclusion, there is witchcraft, sacrifice, and a bit of good old-fashioned gore. Overall, there is a lot going on here, but it’s the mystery and nonstop action that will keep readers turning pages.
Artwork is generally stellar—colorful, believable/realistic facial expressions—but it can get a little confusing during action sequences. The colors are often more muted, and the images are less fleshed out when characters are in battle. This one is definitely for adults and it’s sure to satisfy someone seeking a sapphic fantasy novel that leans into the dark side. There is illustrated nudity and a lot of bloody violence, so proceed with caution.
The Cold Ever After By Jeremy Whitley Art by Megan Huang Titan, 2024 ISBN: 9781787741904
Chris O’Brien and Alicia Ochoa can’t stop graduation day. Literally – they’re stuck in a time loop and don’t know how to find their way out of it. You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne takes on graduating high school and all the fun that entails with a modern, sci-fi tinged angle.
Chris and Alicia are former childhood friends, now estranged classmates and about to be graduates of the class of 2025. Their paths diverged after Chris became one of the popular athletes. Senior year’s been tough, with his beloved swim coach suddenly passing away. He’s ready to be done this high school nonsense and start college in New York City alongside his girlfriend Andy. They haven’t had their first kiss yet, but the perfect spot for it, the biggest party of their teenage lives, is ahead of them. When nothing’s going as planned, Alicia comes to the rescue, taking Chris to the solution to his problem: a swirling portal inside a superstore that will help him relive the day and make things perfect. Except he gets stuck alongside Alicia who has been reliving their graduation day over and over on her own. Can they find a way out and manage to restart their friendship?
You and Me on Repeat reads like a perfect teenage romcom. There’s the rekindling of old relationships, the anxiety of the future ahead, and of course, the blow out party to end all parties. The writing, especially the occasional annotations that dot the pages, even feel like a voiceover effect while reading. But the characters have depth. Alicia is dealing with the expectations of being a first generation college student. Chris is dealing with grief that’s not always easy to articulate, plus the emotions of your first serious relationship.
The book is modern enough without being too obvious in its references; teenagers will recognize personalities and situations that match their own lives. There are some references to drinking and sexual activity, so it’s better suited for older teens, those closer to Chris and Alicia in age. These are only minimal and really nothing out of the ordinary for a young adult novel of any format.
The coloring is a highlight of the graphic novel’s art. The portal itself is a swirling rainbow, so each individual loop is colored in that specific color pattern. New loop, new color. It also helps with the storytelling as a visual cue that a new loop is beginning yet again. Shyne switches Alicia’s appearance up throughout the book too. She tries on different looks in some loops, another clear visual to show the changing days. It’s fun to see the characters evolve and find new details in the many, many loops we follow them through.
You and Me on Repeat is about an endless loop but it’s not repetitive storywise. The details of the loop grow as the days go on and new discoveries continue to be made. Teen readers who enjoy stories with elevated emotions alongside romance will find themselves both hoping the loop never ends and rooting for Alicia and Chris to find their ways out.
You and Me on Repeat By Mary Shyne Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 2025 ISBN: 9781250851840
Tabitha—Tabi to her friends—has always been enchanted by Sommerland. When she was little, the Sommerland movies made her believe in true love and happily-ever-afters. Then she visited the Sommerland theme park, where she had a beautiful moment with her favorite character, Princess Madeline. After that, Tabi became determined to get a job at the park. She wants to bring others the kind of joy that visit brought her. And ideally, she wants to do it as one of the actors portraying Princess Madeline.
So far, so good: Tabi gets into the Sommerland High School Summer Program. She may be starting in a pretty unglamorous position—slinging chips and cheese at a nacho stand—but auditions for new character actors are coming up. And in the meantime, she can bring joy to park guests right where she is.
Tabi’s love for Sommerland is undeniable. She is passionate about creating magical experiences for guests—and she’s good at it. Not every staff member at Sommerland has her enthusiasm, but she meets a cute boy named James who loves bringing joy as much as she does—and seems to like hanging out with Tabi, too. Now, if she can just ace her audition, everything will be perfect. This is Tabi’s chance to show her knowledge of, and love for, the Sommerland characters. No one knows Princess Madeline better than she does. Surely the judges will see that.
But character actors are expected to, when in costume, look as much as possible like their characters. And Princess Madeline is thin. All the Sommerland princesses are. Tabi is not. Is this the end of her childhood dream? Or is there another path to becoming a princess?
Tabi is exuberant, kind, and hard-working. After failing her first audition because she didn’t realize dancing would be required, she practices dance steps constantly to be ready for the next audition. She holds onto her dream even as it becomes clear that only a certain type of girl – with a certain type of body – has ever been cast as a Sommerland princess. Well-intentioned and determined, Tabi is easy to like and to root for. She even manages to win over her jaded, skeptical roommate, who ends up helping Tabi and James with an audacious plan.
Sommerland is clearly a Disney analog: it’s both a movie studio and a massively popular theme park sometimes described as “the most magical place on Earth.” It even has its own versions of Disneyland quirks, like hidden kitties (for the Sommerland mascot, Kitty Wise) instead of Hidden Mickeys (images of Mickey Mouse hidden around Disneyland). These details help the park feel lived-in and real, and will be fun Easter eggs for Disneyland fans.
The art is colorful and vibrant, full of whimsical theme park landscapes, fantastical costumes, and a wide variety of uniforms and outfits. The characters are just on the realistic side of cartoony, with expressive faces and postures. There is clear contrast between the bright, magical world of the Sommerland park and the more utilitarian world behind the scenes: employee dorms, costume and uniform storage, actor auditions, and so on. Still, even when Tabi is just in her dorm watching videos, the art is lively and fun.
This is a charming romp with a goodhearted, sympathetic heroine and a fun and interesting setting. Hand it to Disney fans and anyone looking for a sweet, summery romance.
We Could Be Magic By Marissa Meyer Art by Joelle Murray Feiwel and Friends, 2025 ISBN: 9781250379399
Company Age Rating: 12-18
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16), Tween (10-13)
Character Representation: African-American, Black,
Shy Liam is a little confused when gregarious theater kid Milo wants to hang out with him, but they end up having fun together. After that, it seems they’re always running into each other at their boarding school, exchanging banter, and soon they’ve become friends. But Milo wants to be more than friends—and, once he lets himself think about it, so does Liam.
Admitting their feelings and getting together is just the beginning. Liam is terrified of his conservative, overbearing father finding out that he’s dating a boy, so the two agree to be discreet. This involves a lot of negotiation to determine how subtle they can be before it feels like they aren’t dating at all. Then, as they grow closer, it becomes harder to hide their relationship—and Liam starts to realize he might not want to.
This slice-of-life comic follows Milo and Liam through the emotional and logistical challenges of secretly being a couple. Meanwhile, they sometimes get dragged into hijinks thanks to various clueless and/or troublemaking school friends. A few of those friends get enough page time to have their own subplots, which then sometimes involve the protagonists, as when Liam’s roommate asks Milo to join the cricket team with him. We also see a little bit of what each boy is like outside of school, meeting Milo’s parents and Liam’s father, cat, and therapist.
The story touches on some difficult topics: Liam’s dad is critical and controlling, and Liam himself struggles with some ingrained homophobia—the first time Milo says something highly suggestive to him, a flustered Liam actually hits him in the face. Milo’s mom also becomes melodramatically miserable on learning that he is gay, though Milo seems mostly unbothered by this.
There is a little swearing, some smoking (mostly by Liam), and one scene of implied sex. No below-the-waist nudity is shown, but we do see the characters muddle through the realization that neither of them has done this before, and they turn to the Internet to find out “how to avoid it hurting.” There is a brief discussion of condoms and lube, and then we jump to the two cuddling in bed afterward.
The artwork has a manga feel, with most characters having big eyes, swoopy hair, and pointy little noses and chins. Much of the time, they are in school uniforms, though sometimes we see them in regular clothes (or Halloween costumes) that show a little more of their personal styles. The backgrounds are minimal: a few desks or cafeteria tables, a few trees outside, a glimpse of a messy dorm room. The focus stays on the characters, who are distinct and dynamic.
As a slice-of-life comic about two high school boys figuring out a romance together, this will likely have some appeal to fans of Heartstopper. The art is very different, and Liam is perhaps more prickly and walled-off than the boys of that series. Still, there are similarities, and fans of Heartstopper are a good place to start in recommending this new series.
Tripping Over You, Vol. One By Owena White Art by Suzana Harcum Macmillan First Second, 2025 ISBN: 9781250330710
Company Age Rating: 14-18
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Lesbian, Character Representation: Gay,
On the first day of senior year, Essie Rosen has it all figured out. She has plans for college, supportive friends, and she’s dating the boy next door. But as the school year unfolds, her perfect life starts to fall apart. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, her best friend has stopped responding to her texts, and her college dreams are on the rocks, all while under the scrutiny of her perfectionist mother. Things get even more complicated when she meets Christopher, an alluring junior, whose older brother set her own brother, Gabe, down the path to drug addiction. Essie just wants to know where she belongs, but everyone around her wants to tell her how to live her life.
You Belong Here, written by debut author Sara Phoebe Miller and illustrated by Morgan Beem, is a coming of age teen drama that explores family and personal relationships, sex, and mental health while navigating the end of high school in a small town. Miller’s story is relatable and engaging. Even though familiar tropes show up, like enemies-to-lovers, there are twists and turns in the narrative that keep things fresh. It’s hard to see how things will turn out for Essie as she zooms through her senior year, but her character development is satisfying. Beem’s beautiful ink and watercolors make the world feel lively, even when there are minimal backgrounds. Beem is particularly talented at expressing characters’ emotions through their facial expressions and movements and every page is visually captivating.
There’s a great deal of diversity among the characters, positively representing several different cultural identities. A discussion between Essie, who is Jewish, and Christopher, who is Chinese American, hints at racism in their small, suburban town, but racial tensions are largely left out of the narrative. This quick reference might have had more impact if it had been explored more deeply, but feels more like an afterthought than a feature of Essie’s world.
One of the most refreshing things about this book is that Essie is drawn fat. Her story, however, has almost nothing to do with her weight. She brings up her size once as a reason she’s been discriminated against in acting roles, but she gets to be a typical teenager, she gets to attract boys and pursue sex, she gets to wear what she wants and be who she is. And no one, not even her mother, who nitpicks every other aspect of her life, tells her to change her body. In a world full of stories about fatness being a problem to be fixed, this is a breath of fresh air.
The publisher gives an age range of 14 to 18, but some content readers may wish to know about include mentions of drugs, addiction, and rehabilitation, depression, underage drinking and smoking, language, and an attempted sexual assault on Essie by an older male stranger. There is no overt nudity, but two teenagers do attempt to have sex. Even with all these tough issues, Essie’s story of drama and romance is a fun read and would be a good addition to a teen graphic novel collection.
You Belong Here By Sara Phoebe Miller Art by Morgan Beem Macmillan, 2025 ISBN: 9781250822307
Company Age Rating: 14 – 18
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) , Character Representation: Jewish ,
The seven children of the wealthy Shiunji family are the talk of their town. Numbering five girls and two boys, with two sets of twins in the middle, they are unmistakable when they go out. All the Shiunji siblings are good-looking and gifted, with the majority of them being talented scholar athletes. The girls all have their own fan clubs and students from other schools travel out of their way to watch them from afar.
All of this is an annoyance to Arata, the oldest of the two Shiunji boys. While many boys are jealous of him for being surrounded by such grace and beauty, the reality of living with five girls your own age is a far cry from the sister fetish stories other boys obsess over. His older sisters bully him. His younger sisters tease him. And worst of all is his twin, Ouka. Given that, and his fears of introducing his crush into the mix, it is no wonder the 16-year-old Arata has never had a girlfriend, despite being the most eligible young man at their school.
That changes on the night of the youngest Shiunji sibling, quiet Kotono, turning 15. It is then that their father confesses to a secret that he kept hidden from his children all their lives. Namely, that all of them are adopted and that apart from the younger set of twins, Minami and Sion, none of them are blood relatives.
This changes nothing for Arata, who is determined to protect the girls as a big brother should. Unfortunately, the girls he thinks of as his sisters all start showing signs that they might be viewing him in a different light. Even Ouka!
In the afterword of The Shiunji Family Children Vol. 1, creator Reiji Miyajima says they were inspired to write a story about sibling relationships because they had no chance to do so in their earlier series, Rent-A-Girlfriend. Because Siblings can be your best friends and your worst enemies. It is a fascinating dichotomy which they wanted to explore.
Your enjoyment of The Shiunji Family Children will likely depend upon how much you enjoy that dichotomy and harem manga. Because make no mistake, that is what The Shiunji Family Children is, despite Arata’s frequent protests that his life is NOT a light novel. Even as his youngest sister hugs him while naked, his second oldest sister mounts him in her bed clothes, his second youngest sister calls him sempai, and his older sister jokes about having a date with him.
Reiji Miyajima’s artwork remains excellent, however, with each of the siblings having a distinctive appearance. They also have unique personalities, moving beyond the usual stereotypes of “smart science girl” and “sporty tomboy” as the first issue goes on. This helps distinguish the book from other harem manga that are only concerned with the sexy bits.
On that note, Yen Press has rated The Shiunji Family Children as OT for Older Teens, 16 and up. I consider that a fair assessment. There is full nudity from the side of the 15-year-old Kotono and a lot of discussion of sexual content. There is no actual sex, however, but given the subject matter this book is rightly aimed at older audiences who can appreciate the emotional issues involved. Amazingly, these issues are treated seriously even as most of the comedy is born of Arata’s discomfort with the conflicting feelings that he and his sisters are dealing with.
The Shiunji Family Children, Vol. 1 By Reiji Miyajima Yen Press, 2023 ISBN: 9781975371418
Company Age Rating: OT
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Miyuu Seno had dreams of becoming an artist. Those dreams were shattered when her application to art school was rejected. With no other plan for her life after high school, she submitted to her mother’s plan for a safe and secure life.
Five years later, Miyuu is completely miserable. She’s working the safe office job her mother always dreamed of, wearing the clothes and makeup her mother picks out, and trying to attract the handsome young accountant her mother pegged as prime husband material. Ironically, that plan goes south when Miyuu gets him alone and he says that he likes her… because she is “a pale, pitiful imitation.”
Incensed and outraged, Miyuu leaves her mother’s house with nothing but the clothes on her back and a blank canvas—the last one she had from her teenage years. Now, homeless but hopeful, Miyuu hopes to make her dreams come true at last, becoming a real artist, getting accepted to art school, and finding a boyfriend who appreciates her true self.
The Essence of Being a Muse is a perfect opening to what promises to be a wonderful slice-of-life series. Aya Fumino does a fantastic job of establishing the setting. More importantly, she firmly sets Miyuu up as a protagonist we want to root for and see succeed.
Miyuu is immediately sympathetic, trying her best to succeed at being a dutiful daughter and competent office worker. When she seemingly fails at that, she questions everything in her life and concludes that she’d rather fail being happy and authentic than endure another day aspiring to mediocrity. Granting that this is standard RomCom fodder, Fumino largely avoids the usual tropes… at least until the last chapter.
It is here that the narrative shifts to Kairi Nabeshima, the accountant whose harsh words inspired Miyuu to abandon her life. We see the earlier scenes play out from his perspective and learn of his own shattered dreams of becoming a male model. Far from being sympathetic, however, he views Miyuu as being like him—a wannabe who never will be, which makes him like her.
In a lesser series, this would set up an immediate romantic subplot. Instead, Kairi’s half-hearted efforts to ask Miyuu out after she starts to find success in her new life are rightly shot down. This is a welcome change from the romance manga where the heroine can’t move on from her old flame and starts to see something decent in him.
The artwork is of similarly high quality to the scripting. For the most part, Aya Fumino’s art fits the standard Shojo aesthetic. There are novel touches, however, such as the perspective and pencils becoming jittery whenever Miyuu is upset. This is most apparent during the fight with her mother but comes up for a few panels later when she is trying to sketch something for the first time in years and starts crying. It is almost as if Miyuu is drawing the comic herself but cannot steady her hand or see clearly through her tears.
This volume is rated T for Teen, meaning audiences 13 and up only. I believe that to be a fair rating. There is no violence or bloodshed, beyond some vivid shouting matches and Miyuu cutting her feet after leaving her home barefoot. There is no nudity, though Miyuu does go home with Kairi and he opens her blouse before she tells him she seriously just wanted to talk before their all too honest conversation. All in all, there is nothing inappropriate for a teenage audience, who will benefit from the book’s themes of following your dreams, being true to yourself, and not entering into a relationship just to be with someone.
The Essence of Being a Muse, Vol. 1 By Aya Fumino Yen Press, 2023 ISBN: 9781975360979
Company Age Rating: T Related media:
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Maha Lee is an aspiring Idol. Her group, Tea Party, hasn’t hit the big-time yet, but she’s made a lot of friends on the circuit. Unfortunately, most of her fame to date is due to her amazing resemblance to solo singer La Lima. It wasn’t a huge issue, however, until Tea Party’s manager got them booked on Pop Idol Sports Games, alongside La Lima and Shax, the hottest boy band in South Korea.
An accident during the games leads to Maha Lee becoming the most hated woman on the Internet. This is partly due to the anti-fans dismissing her as a pathetic imitation of La Lima. Yet what concerns her most is the apparent hatred of Kwon Ryok, the bad boy of Shax, who is equally outspoken about his disapproval of wannabe Idols ripping off established artists. Unfortunately, fate and Maha Lee’s newfound popularity lead to her being offered more work. This includes her first acting role, opposite Kwon Ryok. This pushes Maha to prove to herself (and the world) that she has what it takes to make it big on her own merits and that she is more than just an imitation.
Originally published as a webtoon, Imitation was a smash hit on its original release. Indeed, it was adapted into a live-action series which ran on South Korean television from 2021 to 2023. This English translation does a masterful job of conveying both the story and K pop-culture to Western audiences. Notes in the back of the volume help explain the more subtle cultural references that are lost in translation. This includes a long list of foods Maha Lee must recite featuring various dishes that are considered old-fashioned by Korean hipsters. It is a small thing, but an important one. Thankfully, the general story is more universal, if born of the usual RomCom clichés and stock characters.
Maha Lee is the classic good girl, struggling to succeed in a competitive business. La Lima is the classic Mean Girl. Kwon Ryok is the typical harsh love interest who hides his sensitive side behind a rough facade. Thankfully, the supporting cast vary things up a bit. A good example of this is Yujin, Maha’s friend and lead singer of the boy band Sparkling, who seems to have a crush on Maha he dare not express. The usual love triangle elements are avoided, though Yujin does step in to defend Maha. This, in turn, inspires her bandmates to push her to stop talking to Kwon Ryok so they can guide her to the far kinder Yujin.
The artwork of KyungRan Park is like their writing – smooth and satisfying. There’s nothing visually outstanding about the artwork, but nor is there anything glaringly off. The strangest thing is that for all the talk of La Lima and Maha Lee resembling each other, the two have distinctly different designs apart from similarly shaped faces. Even when Maha instructed to straighten her hair to look more like La Lima, it does little to make her look that much like the elder Idol.
Imitation Vol. 1 is rated T for Teen. I consider that a fair rating. There’s no violence or bloodshed, apart from a staged strangling which leaves Maha Lee bruised and Kwon Ryok bleeding from where her nails dug into him. There’s also no sexual content, apart from one kiss, but that’s a given considering how strict Idol culture is about the Idols dating, much less going further. The end of this first volume, however, suggests more kisses will be inevitable as the series continues.
Imitation, Vol. 1 By KyungRan Park Yen Press, 2023 ISBN: 9781975367008
Company Age Rating: T Related media: Comic to TV
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: South Korean, Character Representation: South Korean,
Full Disclosure: This is a self-published graphic novel.
Tobias Henry is a preacher’s son, but he has little use for God or his Bible-thumping father. The only use he has for the Bible is rereading the surprisingly sexual content of the Song of Solomon. His worst fear is the Rapture will come before he finds a wife, because of his father’s assurance that there is no sex in Heaven – just endless hymn singing. Naturally this sounds like Hell to a 19-year-old who’d rather spend his days fishing.
It is thanks to Tobias’ skipping an Easter Sunday service in favor of fishing that an unlikely chain of events leads to his father wrapping his car around a tree and being blinded by bird poop. With his firing from his position eminent, the preacher gives Tobias a tearful confession. He tells Tobias of his misspent youth as a musician and the dirty money he buried in a dry well in Texas. Now the sheltered Tobias must travel across the country on a mission of mercy. This exposes him to the harsh realities of 1930s America, which had not touched his hometown of Remus, Michigan. It also leads him to befriend a hook-handed scoundrel named Craw and a woman named Sarah, who might be everything he ever dreamed of.
I have not read the novel The Dirty Parts of the Bible, so I cannot assess how well or poorly this graphic novel adapts the original text. Author Sam Torode, who also wrote this adaptation, describes the graphic novel as “a complete re-visioning of the story – full of surprises even for those who’ve read the original book.” In any case, both are based on the Book of Tobit, with the characters transplanted from 2nd century Judea to 20th century Texas.
Regardless, this graphic novel is a riveting read I got through in one sitting. The setting is well captured by the text, and Torode does not shy away from showing how rough life was during the Great Depression. Tobias is a likeable protagonist, moral if not godly, who takes people at their word and tries to help others within his means. Craw is a loveable rogue, who manages to defy most of the Magic Negro cliches despite being a stand-in for the archangel Raphael. And Sarah is a likeable love interest, who is not afraid to call Tobias out on his nonsense, as he grows to true manhood while defying the curse she fears controls her life.
The artwork by Tina Ritchie is simple and streamlined. It perfectly captures the spirit of the time period and the attitudes of the characters. I particularly like the expressive faces most of the characters have. The monochromatic coloring is another particularly effective choice, giving the finished art the feeling of a classic movie.
There is no official age rating on the cover of The Dirty Parts of the Bible. Sam Torode himself recommends it for audiences 16 and up and I think that is fair. Some may object to the blasphemy Craw and Tobias express, but this ironically reinforces the novel’s greater themes of goodness existing independent of the structure of a church. There’s no overt nudity, but a fair bit of sexual content. Most of this comes up during Tobias’ daydreams and his encounter with a prostitute after accidentally renting a room in a brothel thinking it is a hotel. There’s also a fair bit of cursing and some violence, but nothing inappropriate for a teen audience. Older teens, however, will be in a better position to appreciate Tobias and Sarah’s respective problems and the romance that blooms between them.
The Dirty Parts of the Bible: A Graphic Novel By Sam Torode Art by Tina Ritchie Independently Published, 2023 ISBN: 9798851983801
Company Age Rating: 16+ Series ISBNs and Order Related media: Book to Comic
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
sucker.” But we can unpack all that later.
expert aid. The princess, who Noelani has often considered her own daughter, has disappeared on the night before her wedding. Although the king does not seem wise to Noelani’s former romance with his wife (he is portrayed as somewhat dopey), there are dangers all around in the kingdom, and Noelani has to find the princess or lose her life.
Chris O’Brien and Alicia Ochoa can’t stop graduation day. Literally – they’re stuck in a time loop and don’t know how to find their way out of it. You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne takes on graduating high school and all the fun that entails with a modern, sci-fi tinged angle.
—Tabi to her friends—has always been enchanted by Sommerland. When she was little, the Sommerland movies made her believe in true love and happily-ever-afters. Then she visited the Sommerland theme park, where she had a beautiful moment with her favorite character, Princess Madeline. After that, Tabi became determined to get a job at the park. She wants to bring others the kind of joy that visit brought her. And ideally, she wants to do it as one of the actors portraying Princess Madeline.
that, it seems they’re always running into each other at their boarding school, exchanging banter, and soon they’ve become friends. But Milo wants to be more than friends—and, once he lets himself think about it, so does Liam.
On the first day of senior year, Essie Rosen has it all figured out. She has plans for college, supportive friends, and she’s dating the boy next door. But as the school year unfolds, her perfect life starts to fall apart. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, her best friend has stopped responding to her texts, and her college dreams are on the rocks, all while under the scrutiny of her perfectionist mother. Things get even more complicated when she meets Christopher, an alluring junior, whose older brother set her own brother, Gabe, down the path to drug addiction. Essie just wants to know where she belongs, but everyone around her wants to tell her how to live her life.
the middle, they are unmistakable when they go out. All the Shiunji siblings are good-looking and gifted, with the majority of them being talented scholar athletes. The girls all have their own fan clubs and students from other schools travel out of their way to watch them from afar.
other plan for her life after high school, she submitted to her mother’s plan for a safe and secure life.
Maha Lee is an aspiring Idol. Her group, Tea Party, hasn’t hit the big-time yet, but she’s made a lot of friends on the circuit. Unfortunately, most of her fame to date is due to her amazing resemblance to solo singer La Lima. It wasn’t a huge issue, however, until Tea Party’s manager got them booked on Pop Idol Sports Games, alongside La Lima and Shax, the hottest boy band in South Korea.
Full Disclosure: This is a self-published graphic novel.
