Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I did like the overall story, but I expected there to be way more romance in it. This graphic novel was almost purely ~lesbian pining~ which leaves you feeling unsatisfied if you were expecting romance. But the overall story was interesting to read. An American art student in Paris meets a British debutante, and they slowly start falling for one another. Unfortunately, you don't see any real romance, just vague pining and hinting at romantic ideas. The plot line feels like it goes by just a bit too fast. It jumps from event to event very quickly near the end and wraps up in a way that is both satisfying and unsatisfying. Some of the dialogue was a bit hard to read because it felt like it didn't make sense structurally. I think it was just trying to emulate British or French ways of speaking, but didn't come across too well. The art style was okay, but I didn't really care for it. The art style did NOT match the cover art, and even more bafflingly, there were some illustrations in the "extras" section that matched the cover! I would have vastly preferred that art style over what was within the graphic novel. The art style that is actually in the novel almost borders on caricatures. Thick gritty lines and blocky character designs make for an art style that isn't very fun to look at. The larger scenes with groups of people were honestly a mess. Because everything is drawn in the same line weight, it makes everything blend together and harder to parse what is happening in the scene. The one thing I found interesting about the art was instead of sticking to a black and white palette, it did black and pastel yellow instead. Not sure how much I like it, mostly because it made the "everything is blending together" effect worse in big crowd scenes, but it was an interesting style choice. For all my griping, I did like this graphic novel to an extent. I honestly think it would translate well into a movie! The plot premise is a very interesting one, I just think it needs space to breathe, which would be perfect in a movie.

My actual rating is 2.5 stars which for me is not bad, it’s just average. The writing and drawing styles are really cool and it’s overall a cute story but I personally would like it if there was a bit more substance to it. I simply felt underwhelmed and I expected a lot more from it. I can see why someone else would enjoy this but it’s just not for me.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this romance graphic novel that’s set in Paris. I was really gone on the colour decision with it being only gold grey. However art wise, it’s actually pretty alright on the eyes. It’s just I would’ve liked it more colourful. The story was pretty nice as well as decent enough with the girls realtionship blossoming but with an abrupt ending.

This book was not my cup of tea. I can see other people liking it, but the art style was a little weird for me. I know of similar graphic novels that have the same story premise that are popular.

wish i would have liked this one more. the premise was intriguing, but the plot was incredibly superficial and didn't have a ton of depth, as i would have expected based on the plot description. the art was interesting but busy, and if this was a remaster since it was originally published in 2007, i would have liked to see maybe a one-shot at the end showcasing the characters' future.

Thank you Netgalley and Image Comics for the ARC!

- This book is definitely more for ~vibes~ than plot, especially with how short it is.
- I was thrown off by the French that Juliet and her friends use throughout their conversation, especially as she's American. If you're not familiar with French, that will be a little bit of a barrier to reading parts of this book.
- Juliet seems to be using some vaguely slang phrases, but a lot of it comes off as forced and not accurate
- the whole plot line with the fiance needs way more development. Everything felt very out of the blue.

Paris by Andi Watson and illustrated by Simon Gane is a graphic novel being republished with updating. It looks like the original work was published in 2006-2007, and is being revised now for release in 2023. It’s a GLBTQ romance set in the City of Light in the 1950’s, and features Juliet, an American art student who pays for her art school tuition by painting portraits of wealthy debutantes ,including Deborah, who is being completely controlled by her mother. Mom is forcing her to marry a guy who (also) happens to be gay.

The romance is nice, but the art is the centerpiece, a celebration of fifties Paris, the people on the streets and cafes, and the architecture, inspired (I read in the afterword) by photography of the period. The dialogue--mixing French with English, feels a little stilted at times (and before I post this I read that the French used is awkward, seen by a French reader). The story is fine, really, as a romance (which I just happened to read on a weekend I attended a joyous wedding between two women I love so much, one a young relative, and now hey both are, yay!).

I never read the 2007 original, so I can't comment on the quality of the revision. But I thank Andi Watson and Simon Gane, Image and Net Galley for the look at it.

The comic Paris sets the tone with a clear visual ambiance even before the story picks up. Everything is grayscale with a sort of blocky, angular approach to all kinds of subjects, including the characters. Busy, full-page scenes were my favorite. The lack of color and the riot of patterns and shapes create a visual game of sorts. There was so much to see that I slowed down to snoop out every detail. The lack of color forced me to be extra focused so as not to miss anything. My favorite find was a dog peeing on a crying girl in the background of a scene where everyone is bustling around in the bridal suite before a wedding. Another interesting visual aspect of the comic is the references to paintings, made possible because art is what brings our characters together. While maintaining the comic's signature style, classic works appear in the background as our characters walk through museums, fancy houses, art galleries, and studios. Famous feats of architecture stand tall behind and around them as they walk Paris' streets.

So what's the story? It centers on Juliet, our artist, and Deborah, her muse in 1950s Paris. Juliet lacks family money and support for her less-than-practical dream of studying to be an artist. She wants to learn professionally even if the classical training doesn't suit her vision. Meanwhile, Deborah has led a claustrophobically sheltered life, so it's no surprise she's not satisfied, even though she dutifully fills her expected role. When Juliet's teacher hires her out to do Deborah's portrait to cover part of her tuition, they light a fire within one another, and a romance ensues that's characterized by yearning and forbidden attachment. Juliet's fiery roommate provides comic relief as she rails against the bourgeoisie and commits crimes.

My only complaint is that the comic seems more focused on the visual components than the story. Our characters-- their struggles and their triumphs both-- have stories with only a few main beats in contrast to the complexity of the art. I would have liked a bit more depth so the characters feel less generic. All the same, we love to see sapphic love surviving and thriving no matter what. Thanks to Image Comics for my copy to read and review!

The graphic novel Paris follows an American artist studying in Paris who paints portraits of wealthy debutantes in order to pay her tuition fees.

I overall enjoyed parts of the novel, some of the art was quite detailed and beautiful particularly the buildings.

The dialogue switching between English and French did get a little annoying at times, because I felt like the options were to keep reading and be a little confused or stop the flow of the story by searching on google translate.

I did enjoy the story for the most part although some parts felt a bit confusing and the ending did feel a little abrupt and rushed.

The art style transports you right into the story. I really enjoyed the visuals and the queer representation. However, I wish it was longer because the story feels a bit rushed. Things start and then BOOMBOOMBOOM, it ends. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

“Paris” by Andi Waston, will require you to deal with lots of chain smoking, lots of nudity, and lots of Google translate.

In a sentence: A struggling art student living in Paris is commissioned to paint a debutante, but antiquated ideas about class and women’s liberation keep either woman from thriving - can they help each other break free?

Themes: class, queer, lesbian, self actualization, LGBTQIA, women’s liberation

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (rounded up)

Art student, Juliet, travels to Paris to study painting. She’s broke. Living in a flat with a broken washer and a thin hanging sheet is all that protect her from viewing her roommates orgasms. Juliet commissioned to paint a portrait of Deborah, a high society young English woman by the model’s snotty classist aunt. Juliet has two weeks to finish the portrait; she desperately needs this commission to pay for art school. Juliet and Deborah push back against what’s expected of them and are hit with blockers at every turn.

The illustrations are truly beautiful. The graphic novel is illustrated in black and white with intricate details on every page. Every scene is filled with interesting background characters that make you slow down and stay on the page. FYI, there’s some nudity.

The story line is short and sweet. You can easily finish the graphic novel in one sitting. The characters were pretty dynamic considering how short the story was. Also, you may need Google translate to read the French phrases integrated throughout.

I think I'd read anything that describes itself as a sapphic romance set in Paris and this was a quick, enjoyable read.

The story itself was predictible and I would have enjoyed it more if there was more depth to it. I also found the mix of French and English to bit a bit jarring at times (and I'm saying this as a French speaker. I'm not sure how much I'd have enjoyed needing to flick back and forwards to the end of the book for translations).

I loved the illustrations, they were the highlight of the book for me.

This was beautifully drawn kind of riff before Portrait of a Lady, but in the same vein, and I loved it.

The dialog was very numerous in parts, especially conversations with the main character’s roommate. The art was wonderful however different characters were designed as though they were from different time periods which was a little confusing

This is a beautiful love story set in 50's Paris. I wish we had more content of the couple once they find each other, but this falling in love story is wonderfully written with unique, gorgeous drawings.

The art is so cute and I took my time reading it just so i could appreciate it for what it is. it is a very simple work of art that i would love to see more of.

i thought the text went along with the drawing just fine and i honestly found it quite humorous. anyways give it a read it’s short and quick!

I can’t say I clicked with this one, and it’s equally on art and storytelling.

The art style was painfully busy and dense; some people might enjoy the experience of looking at a page for a long minute just to understand what to pay attention to, but to me it felt like an artsy version of Where’s Waldo: business for the sake of aesthetics that undercuts the narrative clarity.

And then the story: it’s three quarters vibes, which was fine for establishing Paris scene, but hardly adequate to develop and conclude a conflict. An abrupt conclusion didn’t help the matters either, so it’s more vibes and art references… it seemed like not enough information narratively and too much visually.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of Paris.

I somehow missed Paris when it was releasing in single issues, but I’m so glad I caught the collection.

I’ve been a fan of Andi Watson since Slow News Day and I was delighted to see this latest offering.

This is my first introduction to Simon Gane’s work, and I’m glad to have him on my radar. His style is a compelling blend of sleek vintage shapes (like Watson’s own drawings) with an added chunkier texture reminiscent almost of Mignola. It adds depth and detail to the scenes without overpowering the characters or the story, and I suspect I’ll find new goodies hidden in the details with every reread.

Paris is the story of two women dissatisfied with their respective destinies who’s lives intersect and are immediately enriched. Without going into too much detail, it’s a queer love story told among the backdrop of art history and 1950s Paris and if it makes you cry, at least I can promise they’ll be very different tears than the queer classic it evokes.

This was a short and sweet story. The ending felt rather abrupt and there were a lot of loose threads and things left unexplained, which is why it didn't get more stars. The artwork was interesting and unique, although difficult to see at times since everything was in the same shade of beige. But overall, it was lighthearted and quick to read and perfect if you have a few spare moments on a bus or in a queue.

This Manga was cute. I enjoyed the mix of the french language and that there was a translation guide in the back. Their story is sweet. With the art style being different from traditional Asian manga, it helped with the immersion. The whole esthetic of the book was really cohesive. I would not recommend for anyone under the age of 16 due to some nudity.