Member Reviews

*reviewed from uncorrected eARC via netgalley*

graphic fiction, series (vol. 1 from the Rigsby WI webcomic) - teens coming of age in 2002 rural Rigsby, Wisconsin; in this volume, Beth (who is homeschooled by her aunt, thankfully away from her intolerable, hypercritical mother) and her friends get ready for the homecoming dance, with the usual disappointments -- plus some bonus comics that provide interesting backstory. Jeordie is the one brown/Iranian person in school, Jenna is Jeordie's girlfriend of 3 months, Anna (still kind of a mystery) seems like a good friend, and Erik (who, like Beth, is considered "overweight") is crushing on a girl who doesn't like him that way. (CW/TW: fat-shaming, distrustful parent; cigarette and pot-smoking; potential medication abuse; making out and potentially going "all the way")

I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but by the end I was wrapped up in these characters and their messy lives. Looking forward to reading more, thanks!

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Rigsby, Wisconsin is a pretty typical small, midwestern town in 2002, populated by angsty teens. This is a slice-of-life volume, centering on troubled, 17 year-old Beth, who's trying to find her new normal living with her aunt in a new town. By her side are dorky, Iranian-American Jeordi, his intense, rich, goth girlfriend Jenna, their friend Anna, and jock Erik. The main plot line of this one is preparing for homecoming. It felt like an introduction to the world and the characters and I hope there's more. The art style is charming and the characters are a little derpy (meant affectionately).

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This book captures youth angst and the feeling of being stuck in a small town in the Midwest well. Fans of Sophie Campbell’s Wet Moon series would feel at home here, though I’m not seeing any undercurrent of violence as with hers. The art is fantastic, the characters believable and likable. I want to read vol2, as this one mostly seemed to introduce me to the large cast.

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A coming of age story set in the early 2000s post 9/11. The story is pretty solid and the setting really pulls you back in time. The language is pretty problematic (given the time setting) and the character interactions are pretty genuine. It touches on topics of mental health, racism, and sexism. I can see myself finishing this series.
The art is good but can be inconsistent at some points, leaving the reader wondering if that was the same character as before. Overall, a decent read with a story that has potential.

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