Comic book reviews for Giant Days #24, Giant Days #25, and Giant Days #26 by John Allison and Max Sarin
Average rating: 5/5 stars
Giant Days #24 by John Allison
Art: Max Sarin
I loved this issue. This book soars so much when they deal with real issues that people go through. And just exaggerate them a little bit.
(Though let’s also be real that the women have not really gone to school very much in these last issues. Especially since we’re approaching Christmas. I also wonder how fast Allison and Sarin will progress time as college is a limited time period. Or maybe that will just be when the series ends.)
Oh, Susan, she really needs to stop smoking. Also Geoff is like McGraw, but older and with worse hair. But you can totally see him and Susan’s mom being a 70s/80s version of Susan and McGraw. No wonder Susan can’t move on.
Love Esther and Daisy talking to Ed about how they’ve become weak under Geoff. How lovely it is to have someone take care of you. When I read this, I too dreamed about Geoff helping out around my house. (Of course, I don’t really recall that level of care of taking place, even in my childhood. Beyond obviously when I actually was a baby.)
Their nosey neighbor died without a real confrontation. I don’t blame them for making Geoff go and see if he was still alive. Poor Susan thinking that she killed the old man with her pneumonia.
I loved Susan and her father leveling with each other. Him admitting that her mom has kicked him out of the house and how Susan’s house is warmer than where he was. And how Susan admits that she’s been stretching her illness out.
Of course, Esther takes home the stuffed raven.
Christmas shall be a reckoning, and I cannot wait.
Giant Days #25 by John Allison
Art: Max Sarin
Yes, Susan’s family for the win. I loved her sisters, and how little she’s like them. Or how very much. Also, for someone so tough, it’s a nice contrast to see how in her family, she’s the baby.
It’s very true how her sisters how have their own lives, and they care less about their parents as the center of their family compared to Susan. I love how Susan’s grandma tells her that part of growing up is becoming the parent and realizing the humanness of them.
Of course, then Susan’s missing sister shows up with a small child and needs help from their parents and saves Christmas. And their family. Saves everyone from tin pies and mug sorting.
I love how Esther comes over to Daisy’s house, and everyone wants to be adopted by Daisy’s grandmother. All the cakes. Yes, I agree with Daisy about how a love of baking needs people to eat the cakes. I also love the baking, but have a lack of people to eat said baking.
Now I can’t wait to see the fallout of whatever happened between McGraw and Susan. I love the line about her pouring beer on all her memories.
Giant Days #26 by John Allison
Art: Max Sarin
While I’m now wondering if they ever go to school, I’m not opposed to exploring the lives of these students as if they don’t go to school or really have jobs. Except Esther’s foray into comic book store employment.
Dean continues to be the worst. And of course, he is the guy who meets his lady love over the rip-off of World of Warcraft in this comic. And of course, he rather regrets his true love, who he’s sliding forward with.
I totally remember this guy in college.
(I’m kind of betting next year that the young women, Ed, and McGraw will share a house to solve the Dean problem.)
Though I’m sure Ed and McGraw were too happy to see Dean trying to be less terrible. Even if Esther takes pity on him — and feels she owes him for her comic store job — and ends the marriage, maybe Dean will still be better. Probably not.
Sarin’s art in the video game RPG was pretty great. McGraw just being himself was 100%. I loved the choices that she makes here for each character and bringing out what they see about themselves.