Oni Press 2017
By Sarah Graley
Lettered by Crank!
Like most university students, Kim works a part-time job to make ends meet. UNLIKE most university students, Kim's job is pretty dang cool: she's a grim reaper, tasked with guiding souls into the afterlife. Like most university students, Becka has a super intense unrequited crush. UNLIKE most university students, Becka's crush is on a beautiful gothic angel that frequents the underworld. Of course, she doesn't know that. Unaware of the ghoulish drama she's about to step into, Becka finally gathers up the courage to ask Kim on a date! But when she falls into a ghostly portal and interrupts Kim at her job, she sets off a chain of events that will pit the two of them against angry cat-dads, vengeful zombies, and perhaps even the underworld itself. But if they work together, they just might make it... and maybe even get a kiss in the bargain.
First of all kudos on another all-ages lesbian book coming out! It’s so nice to see this kind of diversity in comics and it shouldn’t come as a surprise it’s the smaller indie press companies making the headway. Though to be honest i’m still waiting on an all-ages gay boy book to hit stands it seems that’s harder to sell than Roseanne Barr in a new comedy.
I have to say I really enjoyed this book and a huge part of that is because Becka is really relatable to. She’s shy, quiet and nervous about meeting the girl in class she’s got a massive crush on. That is until her friend, the guy she sits next to in class and hangs out in public with, makes a suggestion that she can’t resist. This sets us off on a series of unforeseen events that are funny and have the comedy scripting of old classic comedy television shows. The characterisation is spectacular and the way that Kim interacts with Becca after their official meeting well sheer brilliance.
Now I like the interior artwork but I have a question. Why does all-ages these days seem to mean let’s make it look like Rick & Morty? I miss the days when interior artwork meant something different to different people instead of all of them looking like same thing. Also I miss the days all-ages meant Angel Love and ‘Mazing Man now we seem to be in this bad cartoon network infused culture. Becka’s body type isn’t your typical one seen in movies or on tv and that alone is stupendous! So keep up this diversity that we are seeing in every aspect of this book!
Reading this I kept laughing out loud, chuckling and smiling my way through the pages. Why because whether you’ve found yourself on either side of an unrequited crush you can relate to seeing what the characters go through here. Also it’s nice to see Becka being able to overcome her shyness or insecurity and approach her to begin with. Never let your fear stop you from doing something because you never know what could happen otherwise. This really does have something for everyone regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation because you can see yourself in one form or another in this!