I can’t remember exactly what was wrong with the last issue but this issue has a rather obvious problem–writers Stevenson and Ellis think they’re writing a cartoon. Not because of the action, but because of their character approach. They think their characters are rather entertaining just with the superficial personalities they give them. Towards the end of the issue, during some banter, I realized–the writers are assuming the reader can “hear” the characters’ voices.

Except Stevenson and Ellis do nothing to give these characters distinctive voices. There’s so much action–all the banter is in between or leading up to action–and there’s no time spent on defining these characters.

Allen’s art has a lot of energy, but her design work is lazy. Or maybe the monsters are all supposed to have three eyes. It doesn’t really matter, because the writers aren’t creating any mystery.

I had hoped Lumberjanes would be better.

C 

CREDITS

Writers, Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis; artist, Brooke Allen; colorist, Maarta Laiho; letterer, Aubrey Aiese; editors, Whitney Leopard and Dafna Pleban; publisher, BOOM! Box.

I wish Lumberjanes was better. The first issue definitely shows promise, but it’s missing something. Unfortunately, what it’s missing seems to be a connection between the writing and the art.

Brooke Allen’s art is hyperactive and intense. The comic takes place at a girls camp where one cabin of girls is obviously going to get into trouble. Only they’re apparently getting into trouble with mystical creatures and their cabin leader isn’t in on it but the camp director knows about the creatures. Allen has a great time with all of it.

But writers Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis are writing too slow for the art. They don’t maintain an adequate level of humor and they let their characters disappear without exuding enough personality. Allen can make up for some of it on the art, but not if she doesn’t have the material in the script.

I’m still hopeful, but guardedly.

B- 

CREDITS

Writers, Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis; artist, Brooke Allen; colorist, Maarta Laiho; letterer, Aubrey Aiese; editor, Dafna Pleban; publisher, BOOM! Box.