This comic really isn’t about basketball, but the relationships of everyone involved. This first volume really focuses on Charlie and Olivia specifically, and there potential budding more than friendship. We also get glimpses into their past, which adds to the character growth and their overall personalities.

Overall, the characters are the best part of the story thus far. They are diverse in multiple ways and all have their own distinct personality and stories. However, the overall storyline felt rushed to me in this first volume. To me, it felt like Charlie gave in a little to easy with her backstory of anxiety and panic. She was presented with such a tough exterior, I wanted her to be harder to crack. Also, for me, the Olivia and Charlie romantic relationship also happened way too quickly, particularly Charlie’s side of it. We just barely met these characters and had a single game, but already have these intense relationships and a lot of backstories presented. I know that since this is a volume it is multiple chapters put together, but it was just the first four chapters and so much already happened.

The volume did end on a cliffhanger, with the fate of the team at stake. The characters make me want to read more, despite the slight rushing of plot in my opinion. I’d definitely recommend this comic because its characters are already great and the story has its charm and intrigue, despite its small issues.

Charlie is a bit nervous about transfering schools to the school of Arts in Georgia. Despite being a school of arts, some kids want to start a sport club.

She feels a bit out of place and is not a team player so she is struggling to decide if she should join the basketball team. Apart from her story we also getto follow a bunch of interesting and cute diverse set of characters.

As soon as I see a graphic novel by BOOM Box, I know it's going to be quality content. I loved everything abut this even though I'm not a fan of basketball. This was a cute, light and funny LGBTQ story. I loved the artwork and can't wait for the next volume.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me early access to this cute comic! This was such a cute and fluffy read that had so much representation it made my heart feel so full! I can’t wait to read volume 2 and find out what happens next! Defo a different read for me but one that I enjoyed ☺️

I'm all for more sport based graphic novels, especially with female athletes. The art and vibe reminds a bit of Lumberjanes with its playful girl-positive elements. With a very broad cast of characters any reader is sure to find themselves represented somewhere within the story arc. It's more sparse on words but you'll definitely be ready for volume 2. Which when does that come out? I need to know the NCAA shaped up.

For fans of Slam! and Giant Days, The Avant-Guards focuses on a cast of characters on a women's college basketball team. Liv is the team captain and has just recruited Charlie to round out the first basketball team their art school has had. Along with Liv and Charlie, are Ashley, Nicole, Jay, and Tiffany. All the girls are vastly different making this an inclusive group of women. This volume collects the first 6 issues and we see the beginnings of the team and the beginnings of a relationship between Liv and Charlie. I look forward to more in the series!

**I received an e-ARC from Netgalley**

This was super cute! I really love the story so far (an art school starting a basketball league is so unique) and the art style and colors were both very pretty. Can’t wait for the next volume!

Boom! consistently publishes fun queer comics for younger readers with great art, and The Avant-Guards is no exception. The story is light and enjoyable about women at an arts college trying to get together a basketball team, but addresses serious issues like anxiety too. There's a sweet lesbian romance between the main characters, and we get to meet each unique member of the team too. The art is gorgeous and full of energy too. This is a great start to a story and I'll be reading the next volume when it comes out.

I read this and I liked what I could read of it because reading it on my phone was hard it is hard to read comics on your phone but I thought this was good and that if you like college and basketball then you will like it too

Loved this! Quirky and fun, it was everything I could've asked for and more. I love the art style and the story itself - each character is fierce and cute and ahhh! Just precious.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
The colors in this book! So beautiful, so gorgeous.
Avant Guards starts with Charlie transferring to a new school and being drawn in by the charismatic Liv to play basketball on the newly almost ready basketball team. It’s just needing one more thing to be confirmed... another player and Charlie is the right gal for the job. The team is made up of extraordinary and diverse women and Charlie seems to be finding new friends, a new family in them.
I loved this. I love Liv’s energy and commitment to everything she did and Charlie’s wary but hopeful approach to being on the team. I loved the adorable relationship building between the two of them. I can’t wait for the next book, just to see more of them together.

Charlie just transferred schools and while trying to figure out school, a new dorm, and extracurriculars, she is convinced by the charismatic Liv to join the Avant-Guards, a basketball team that is nearly formed. As the team tries to get the logistics together and quickly prepare for their first game, Charlie faces some old anxieties with new, supportive friends.

Carly Usdin of Heavy Metal and Noah Hayes of Goldie Vance are involved, so, of course, it's solid. I love the art. I love the representation. I love the story. So much to love here.

This collected volume isn't out until September, but if you can't wait (and I suggest you don't), you can pick up issues #1-5 now and #6 will be out on June 26th. I am told it will be a 12-issue run, and I can't wait for the rest of this story.

Avant-Guards is a great story about friends and basketball as these girls try to find their place with both, and I look forward to their future endeavors.

A good start with potential for this new LGBTQ graphic novel focused on a newly contrived basketball team. Charlie has transferred into the school and she is 'set upon' by the enthusiastic recruiting of Liv, who is described in the blurb as 'charming' but I just thought she was too full on. The temperature of this graphic novel is a little bit funny and a little bit serious.

I really liked some of the characters that I've met so far, Charlie, Nicole and Jay. As a team working together, I am hoping to see more of what that brings. I must say, that I felt a general disconnection with the story line that seemed to go in strange directions at times with elements that didn't make sense but might, I guess, when the next volume comes out. Seeing as Liv will be a main character, I am going to need some winning over to like her and connect with her. The burgeoning romance seemed to come out of nowhere and again, I will need some more convincing. I have to say the visuals were very appealing and that cover really does draw me in.


I voluntarily read an early copy of this book, thank you BOOM! Studios.

THIS WAS SO GOOD! It's super adorable, super queer, super diverse, and super sweet! There's a character that uses they/them pronouns, most of the cast are POC, and there's a f/f romance brewing. Add this to your TBR immediately!

First, I loved the premise of the book. It sounded pretty interesting and something I would enjoy. I thought it had a lot of potential. I did enjoy the illustrations throughout the book . However, the storyline fell flat for me. I felt like the characters acted pretty immaturely for being in college. I just didn't connect to them in a way I like to.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book to review.

this is SO CUTE!! effortlessly inclusive, beautifully illustrated, queer, and unique. Boom! studios really is doing the most out here in the best way.

The dynamic go-getter Olivia is determined to create a basketball team at her all-female drama school “The Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics”. If new transfer student Charlie joins, that will give her enough players to get started. But Charlie’s got some kind of past with the sport — she doesn’t like the team aspect any more — and Liv has a crush on her.

The conflicts are small and predictable in outcome. Of course Charlie is going to wind up joining the team. The appeal is the emotions, such as understanding the feelings of Charlie having trouble finding where she fits in, and the diverse group of characters, particularly the humor of over-enthusiastic Liv. The team also includes Liv’s ex-girlfriend Nicole, who is extremely direct, the wannabe witch Tiffany, and the quiet Jay, who uses “they” pronouns. Usdin’s voices are well-captured, and Hayes does a great job with the various attitudes, body types, action, and personalities, creating a smooth read with a focus on character.

There’s a lot of appeal and a lot to appreciate in seeing such welcoming personalities working to “be a team and have fun!” instead of worrying about competition. I feel for all the team members, and I’m curious to learn more about them. Boom! has been trying a number of misfit sport teen team comics, including Fence and Dodge City. It’s a rich subject matter area, with plenty of opportunity for drama and emotion. The Avant-Guards fits in well.

It was a cute and fun read. This was a light graphic novel that had a diverse cast of characters and a good message about opening up yourself to new people and opportunities. I thought the art style was good and that if you enjoyed Check Please or Fence then you will enjoy this one as well.

A fast paced story, but I was invested. I wish there was more character development spend on the rest of the team, but I am excited to see where this story goes next!