DC Comics/Boom! Box-Boom! Studios 2016
Written by Chynna Clugston Flores
Penciled by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell
Inked by Maddi Gonzalez
Coloured by Whitney Cogar
Last issue the students from Gotham Academy went in search of their missing teacher while the Lumberjanes in search of their missing scout master. Both trails led to Greenwood Lodge and as the two groups met, were chased away Jen and Olive were taken inside the Lodge as guests. Everyone else went back to the Lumberjanes camp to regroup.
I love the opening it really does wonders in setting the stage and answering questions for readers that the other kids are still asking. It’s funny that I remember the eighties extremely well it’s when I got a driver's license and graduated high school. The girls reaction to the room and it’s contents was priceless in showing us just how big a generation gap there is and how far technology has advanced. Nostalgia what a lovely thing.
The characterization at the camp with such a large group of characters is extremely well done by Chynna. I like the way they behaved and then calmed down and got the story underway. She does a really solid job in getting these kids to act like kids and then as the bright young people who have their skill sets and determination. The transition and realistic display of them is great to see and goes a long way in not only making them likeable but relatable as well. Also when there’s no internet connection it’s great to see who thrives and who doesn’t understand what to do.
As the girls get more answers than they bargained for at Greenwood Lodge it definitely takes on this weird supernaturally bizarre tale. There’s a reason the guest list was chosen and why everything is stuck in 1986. The girls examination of the Lodge and subsequent meeting of the other guests doesn’t answer the nagging question of why this is happening, just yet. I do like that they essentially trapped in the Lodge and that the grownups are back to being teenagers like them and are basically of no real use as they are all in same predicament.
What’s going to happen when the rescue party gets to the Lodge? Well that’s anyone’s guess and it’s going to happen sooner than we think!
I like the interiors here it’s this great all-ages style. The flow of the story is wonderful though pages, panels by use of angles and perspective. It’s interesting that generally speaking all-ages doesn’t contain a lot of backgrounds in its panels if I would change anything it would be to add more to really flesh out the rooms, tone and feeling of what’s happening. Otherwise there’s great expression from the pages and it’s wonderfully done.
This is great in that if you aren’t a fan of both series you’ll find yourself more interested in whichever one you haven’t been reading. If you haven’t read either one then you’re missing out on some great storytelling.