##1-4: Aya, Maggie the Mechanic, Good As Lily, Shortcomings

[puritybrown.livejournal.com]

Four graphic novels to kick off my 50. Short assessments outside the cuts, longer discussion/commentary behind them.

( Aya, by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie )

Aya is funny and charming and clever and offers an insight into Ivorian society during its all-too-brief period of peace and prosperity. Highly recommended.

( Maggie the Mechanic, by Jaime Hernandez )

Overall, I can sort of see why Maggie the Mechanic is so popular -- the central characters are very attractive and fun, and the series has a kind of punk-rock sensibility to it -- and parts of it were great, but I can't say I enjoyed it as a whole.

( Good As Lily, by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm )

Good As Lily is a heartwarming teenage comedy; fluffy and touching at the same time.

( Shortcomings, by Adrian Tomine )

I really enjoyed Shortcomings and highly recommend it. (Also: I accidentally spilled hot chocolate on one page, and it wiped right off without leaving a stain, which proves that Faber & Faber aren't skimping on the paper quality.)