This was so cute. I loved the art style and color scheme. It fits perfectly for the whole story. There were a lot of representations and that was perfect. Thank you for this arc.

this is a graphic novel following Charlie who is a transfer student. she gets approached by a ragtag group of girls asking her to join their basketball team.

when i got approved for this, i was so excited. I've heard so many great things about The Avant-Guards and it did not disappoint. this was such a cute book. i loved the art style and the concept of the story. there was also so much representation it blows my mind and makes my heart so full! we have LGBTQIAP+ rep, we have so many people of color, mute rep, hijabi rep, anxiety rep...

i loved this book. Xx

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this comic!

Rating: 4 stars
Rep: POC, LGBTQ+ and mental illness rep. F/F romance, non-binary side character.
TW: panic attacks

This sports comic was such a quick, easy, feel-good read! It's so effortlessly diverse, with well drawn out characters. The art style and colours were beautiful. I can't wait to read the next volume!

I would 100% recommend this to anyone who loves graphic novels about sports and diverse characters with a very charming storyline.

Avants-Guards is, simply put, everything I look for in a graphic novel. It is funny, beautifully drawn, relatable and actually contained a good story.

In this graphic novel, we follow Charlie, a new student that lost her scholarship in her previous school. She has anxiety and doesn't easily make friends. She is sarcastic, cool and broody. She also is a confirmed Scorpio sun Capricorn moon. The other main character is Olivia. She is the one setting up the girls basketball team. I loved Olivia because I felt connected with her. She is hard-working and knows what she wants and seems confident, but when you look into her head you see that she is totally panicking after that flirty line! The story is told from their perspectives and I actually felt it when the chapters shifted from one main character to the other. The change of mindset and perception of the world was visible and that can be tougher when you are drawing the environment and not describing it through words.

I adore all of the characters in the team. They were are very distinct and I actually cared about them, which already is harder in a graphic novel. You have the coach Ashley, who sings like Beyonce, parties like Rihanna and balls like LeBron. Her own words. You also have Jay. They don't talk much but they have a deep love for puppies. They are also non-binary! I also adored Tiffany, the witch, who definitely does not have any candles in her room. Finally, we have Nicole, the bi cynic, who also happens to be Olivia's ex.

The dialogue was realistic and so were the character dynamics. Nothing felt out of place. It was funny at times but serious when needed. Another thing that needs to be said: it was really diverse and I love it! We have lesbians, a bi character, a non-binary character... and it didn't feel forced at all.

This didn't feel like one big introduction and I'm very grateful. So many first parts don't actually contain a story but feel like one big introduction showing you main characters, side characters, this is the world that we are in and ... if you actually want a story read the sequel! Here, stuff actually happens and we get to know these characters along the way.

The art also stood out. It played a great part in the storytelling and the colours perfectly suited the mood. The characters are drawn in a beautiful style and I didn't confuse them with each other because everybody was so different! Definitely a must-read!

5/5 Stars

This month I decided I wanted to finally delve into the world of graphic novels. They always intrigued me, but I never knew where to start. When I first saw this graphic novel, I knew I had to give this one a try. And needless to say, I ended up loving it!

It’s safe to say that I am a white woman who knows virtually nothing about basketball. So going into this graphic novel I was a bit hesitant. However, from the second I started I knew I would have no issues.

This graphic novel surrounds a rag tag group of college kids trying to form a makeshift basketball team. One of my favorite things about this story is how incredibly diverse it is. Each character has such a distinct personality and interests yet they all blend so nicely together and really do embrace the idea of being a team.

The writing was perfect and really made you feel for these characters in such a short amount of time. The combination of dialogue and the inner feelings of the characters also helped play the fact that everyone is just trying their best, and even if things aren’t perfect, at least you are trying and having fun along the way.

As for the illustrations, they were perfect. The art style and color scheme complimented the story so well. I even found myself laughing at some of the expressions the characters would make. Additionally, I loved how they wrote the passage of time. You could feel the time moving in a way that made you feel like you were apart of the team as well.

Overall, I truly loved this graphic novel. I am honestly sad I have to wait for more! I can’t wait to see what happens next to this lovable team!

What an amazing comic book!!! I NEED MOOOOORE!!

It was such an awesome read. This story is about a newbie called Charlie, who was transferred to this new college, bringing with her a bit of "baggage" from the past, and she couldn't help but get acquainted in the best way possible, with this quicky girl called Olivia, who's persuasive maneuvers, and I'm using euphemism here rsrs, convinced Charlie to become a member of this peculiar non-existed basketball team. It might sound strange, but the plot is super funny and you simply can't put it down.

I loved all the characters. Their relationship dynamics was so on point. All of them have such unique personalities and you can't help but want to be BFFs with everybody. I appreciated so much that I saw so many different people here, such as immigrant descendents, LGBTQ, introverts, punks, it goes on... it's such an inclusive environment and that nowadays is so important. Ash is my favorite so far, and I really wish I could ask him to teach me how to sing like Beyonce, party like Rihanna and ball like Lebron... well, he can scratch the latter, I suck at sports anyway hahahaha!!!

I loved this story so much, it's just so funny and cute, BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER (*BANGS HEAD ON THE WALL)... WHY, WHY, WHY???? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT!!!
Highly, highly recommended it and I can't wait for the next volume!!!

Before I start, I would like to say thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

The story follows Charlie Bravo who transfers to the Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics. She stumbles across the sign up for the school’s new basketball team who need one more team member before they can officially compete. Liv, the team captain is adamant that she wants Charlie on the team and recruits the other members to help her recruit Charlie.

If you don’t know anything about basketball before reading this book don’t panic. The story focuses more on the friendships between the diverse group of characters.

Artistically I really liked this graphic novel. I liked how the montage was broken up to look different from the normal format of a comic book but I had so much trouble meshing with the story. The characters quickly got on my nerves (especially Liv who was presumptuous and extremely pushy in my eyes). The only character I liked was Tiffany with her coven and her crystals.

I liked how they portrayed a wide range of characters including having the main character suffering from anxiety but I was disappointed with how poorly they put it across. As some who has suffered and is still suffering from anxiety you tend to avoid the situations which cause you to panic. There is no way that she would put herself back into that situation so easily.

I didn’t find myself laughing out loud to the jokes and instead felt like it all fell flat which upset me because after reading the synopsis I really did want to enjoy it.

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.