Comic book reviews for Lumberjanes #32, Lumberjanes #33, and Lumberjanes #34 by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Carey Pietsch, and Carolyn Nowak
Average rating: 4.6/5 stars
Lumberjanes #32 by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh
Art: Carey Pietsch
Even though I haven’t been a huge fan of Diane’s issues, this was just great. It had a lot of elements which has made Lumberjanes a wonderful book over the years:
- Friendship
- Problem-solving via brains
- Different girls showing off different skills
- Humor
- Helping each other
- Warmth
I always love how this book does games of feat. Zeus may have been the swan behind the whole game, but these girls are going to work together to beat it. There’s no way Diane would’ve or could’ve done it on her own. Same with Ligo. Or perhaps even the Lumberjanes themselves.
It also took some finesse to get the stone spell lifted from the Zodiacs. The ending where Hera and crew are standing over the mirror pools commenting on how Diane was making friends was such a mom thing. With the nice twist that they were still Olympian gods with swan Zeus statue.
I’m hoping the next arc has some good Barney action. They did get left out of this romp with being turned to the stone in the first issue.
Lumberjanes #33 by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh
Art: Carolyn Nowak
This issue was cute, but lacking something. Perhaps, the story seemed to focus on Diane and her being back with the Zodiacs more than it did on actually welcoming Barney (and Marigold) to the gang. As clever as a bait and switch was to show that Diane has changed…a little bit.
As much as I enjoyed the subtle use of “they” for Barney, I’m glad to see the comic being more explicit for representation and teaching kids how to ask about pronouns. It’s so important to model behaviors so they become natural.
The writers continue to do a great job at exploring Greek mythology in the forest. It was perhaps my favorite thing about this issue to see the boys scared to go into Apollo’s cabin. Rightfully so. I’m glad that Barney and Marigold didn’t die, especially when Diane was supposed to deliver them to their surprise welcoming party.
The little four leaf clover in Barney’s hair is adorable.
Lumberjanes #34 by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh
Art: Carolyn Nowak
Yes, this book has some classic Lumberjanes hijinks, and I am loving it.
First, Jo is having them build a forge so she can power the computer that she’s trying to build. The non-technology rule is pretty evil. You’d think that Rosie would want the girls to learn some hacking skills or have an easy way to resupply or have the girls be able to email their families.
Second, Ripley yelling to everyone about the ice cream truck delivering ice cream to the camp. Then being shocked when she finally convinced the Roanokes to take a break (and told them last) that there was a long line for ice cream. Of course, then they discovered that the freezers weren’t working so all of it had to be given away anyway.
Third, roller derby! Oh, April, she hears about roller derby for two seconds from Mal and is immediately on board. Not just onboard, but challenging Sasquatches to a contest against the Roanokes and the Yetis. Mal describes roller derby in the most perfect way — “It’s all about skating and speed and bruises and blocking and teamwork and puns.” Heck, yes.
I love how April knows that being a tween is an important marketing demographic.
So great that they guessed the training course was from when Bear Woman ran the Lumberjanes camp. Loved the pop-up creatures.
Roller derby challenge!