For those at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, strange supernatural creatures have been afoot. Three-eyed foxes are lurking in the night, serpent monsters have been spotted in the river, and a Yeti has been seen wearing a Walkman. But fear not; the Lumberjanes are on the case.
Lumberjanes follows the hilarious and action-packed misadventures of five best friends at an all-girls summer camp. Taken aback by unexplainable happenings in their campsite, this gang of feisty butt-kickers decides to investigate, much to the displeasure of their incessantly irate scout leader. Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley set out on a magical quest tackling everything from secret caves to arm-wrestling stone golems, all whilst accumulating scout badges as they go.
Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis weave an enjoyable tale packed with non-stop hilarity. Every page is bursting at the seams with jokes and gags, enough to keep a perpetual smile on your face.
This lovable gang of misfits is a riot from start to finish. While the characters have eccentric personalities, they are also jam-packed with heart and soul. Each of theLumberjanes is strong on their own, but together this ensemble succeeds where most fail. At its core,Lumberjanes is a story about friendship and comradery, and thankfully this is never forgotten amidst the many calamities they face together.
Brooke Allen knocks it out of the park and plays perfectly off the creative energy of both Stevenson and Ellis. Her bright and colorful panels are a treat for the eyes. The cartoon style rendering of the world of Lumberjanes is reminiscent of old school Saturday morning cartoons. What the artworks lack in intricate detail, they make up for with a vibrant panel layout. Rest assured, no page in this series is ever boring to look at or rendered the same twice.
In a time where the outcry for strong female characters has never been louder, Lumberjanes succeeds in introducing audiences to a new cast of leading ladies for the next generation. They have the potential to be strong figures in the pantheon of graphic novels, and I sincerely hope they continue to stock the stands for years to come.
Lumberjanes is a graphic novel that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a wonderful homage to the old school Saturday morning cartoons of the ‘90s and ‘00s. So take a seat and get acquainted with the genre’s new leading ladies. Kick off the summer with a read that packs a hell of a supernatural wallop.
