Merry Meerkat Marginalia

5 Stars, buy it

Just when I got used to the other artist, the old artist returns.  Suddenly there is a cat problem. A mystical cat problem.  A Seriously funny cat problem. But this issue ends abrubtly and there is another story following it with a guest artist who I don’t think is very good.  I only skimmed the second story but from what I did read it was good. However the usual shenanigans which makes Lumberjanes so completely kick ass were missing. Over all a good issue. I’ll still give this 5 stars. But I want more of the possessed kitties story line!

Amazon description:  Oversized anniversary issue, and artist Brooke Allen returns! The High Council is coming to camp and Jen is determined to make everything perfect, even though a storm is brewing and kittens are suddenly getting magical powers. Includes a special back-up story by Chynna Clugston-Flores (Blue Monday) and Laura Lewis.

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

4 Stars, buy it

Pretty typical mutts book. Some of the typical jokes are regurgitated. However I still love Mcdonnells love of nature and animals. I loved the superhero series, I hope that one continues. I also love when there are quotes with just a cute little drawing. And of course because I love to read, I love the mutts book club. And I always feel sad when I see guard dog chained up. Sniff. The Shakespere in the park strips are very cute and very punny too.  Overall a good Mutts book but some of it is getting repetitive.  Worth reading cause it’s so warm and fuzzy even if a bit repetitive at times.

5 Stars, Buy it

I love the kiss between Molly and Mal. They make such a great couple. And I love how it’s no big deal to anyone. This is a great finally to the story arc.  I love the selkies and I love how it ended with everyone making up.  Onward to the next story arc.  Love me some Lumberjanes!

Quotes: “I”m not attacking, I’m Ripley!”

Amazon Description: The Lumberjanes wrap up their adventure with Seafarin’ Karen and Molly gains a greater understanding of shapeshifters.

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

4 Stars, borrow it

Who knew that a book about mental illness could be so damned funny?   Well, at least in parts. The bit about the dead racoon rodeo at 3am had me laughing so hard that tears were pouring down my face.  In between the funny parts are very serious discussions about mental illness, but even then there are glimpses of humor. This book makes me feel good because I know I’m not alone and sometimes it’s really good to see the funny side of this crazy illness I have. Yet, despite all the good parts some parts make me shake my head - like the part about complimenting people on their insides. What exactly does this have to do with mental illness exactly?.  I have a mental illness, I have severe depression but a lot of this book did not have much to do with mental illness.  I had a very hard time deciding on a rating because some parts were really good and some parts I was scratching my head going WTF is she talking about?   I did like the spoon theory of mental illness/chronic illness. It made way too much sense for me.  For awhile I thought I’d only rate the book 3 stars because parts are kinda weird.  But then there were lines that were just too funny and I had to laugh out loud.  I think I’m going to end up giving this book 4 stars because it was very funny and did have a bunch to do with mental illness, just from someone whose mental illness is a little different then mine.  Anyway, this is definitely worth reading. I’m not so sure I’d recommend buying it because I think I’d only read it once.  I’m definitely going to have to start reading her blog though.

4.5 Stars, buy it

The art is gorgeous even if the story is a bit confusing.  And we have talking cats!!! But this is very gory and is definitely for adults only.  The story is extremely intense and is an emotional rollercoaster. I love the little fox character.  One thing I don’t like about this is seeing animals hurt.  I understand why they do it but ugh I hate seeing animals hurt. I was really confused in issue #4, so much so I considered starting at the beginning again. I have to admit I haven’t been reading the lecture sections after each issue because I hate being lectured at. I suppose it would help to understand the confusing world.  I think this comics need cliff notes. LOL. Issue 5 is less confusing but still I’m struggling to understand all of it. I’m going to have to reread this at some point. Issue 6, the end of this volume is left on a cliffhanger and like a lot of the issues is confusing.  Overall, I do recommend the series, the art is amazing and the story (of what I can understand) is pretty amazing too.

Description from Amazon:Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steampunk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both. Entertainment Weekly praised MONSTRESS as "one of Image Comics' most imaginative and daring new series" and dubbed it the "Best New Original Series" in their year-end "Best Comics of 2015" list. Collects MONSTRESS #1-6

4 Stars, buy it for the series

The girls and the Selkies and Karen have sort of made up but now they are stuck in a storm.  I forgot, Molly and Ripley are not with the others and are with the bear woman. Molly turns out to be super good at archery.

Anyway, this issue isn’t quite as good as the others in this story arc.  It seems like a lot of filler that it didn’t really need to happen.   I felt like they could have had more happen in this issue.  But despite that it’s still very good and a worthy issue in the series.

Quotes:

“My nightmares are having babies with my other nightmares.”- Mal

Description from Amazon: Molly spends time with the Bear Woman to learn more about shape-shifters, and the girls finally have a plan to help Seafarin' Karen get her boat back!

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

So I'm maybe 45% of the way through this book (a re-read for me) in audible and I've finally gotten to the 2nd narrator. The female narrator isn't as good as the male but she isn't bad. I think it will just take some getting used to. Hoping though that Michael Kramer (I think that's his name) will come back, his voice is amazing.

4 Stars, Buy it

The story line with the selkies continues.   Good story but not as hilarious as other issues but still really good. I’m getting used to the artist. Worth reading and buying.

Description from Amazon: When selkies hold Seafarin' Karen's boat hostage, the Lumberjanes will have to rely on the one person they aren't sure they trust: the Bear Woman.

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

I have to know if some of these conversations have actually happened. Not so much about Mental illness but when she does talk about it it is funny. 

I don't feel like figuring out how much more progress I've made. Audible doesn't make it easy to figure out how many minutes are left. Or I could be clueless. Anyway, the story is very good, just like I remembered. I doubt I'll give it 5 stars as it's not as good as The George R.R. Martin series (blanking on the name at the moment).  Narrator is still amazing. The female narrator has yet to make an appearance but she has credit so at some point she must make an appearance. 

4 Stars,

Buy it

Have I mentioned I love Bubbles the raccoon? Anyway this is an interesting beginning to a new story line (I think ) with a new camp instructor and some selkies and a werewolf. Not as funny as some of the other issues but still good so I’m going to give this 4 stars but it’s still a buy it as the series is so good.

Description from Amazon: The Lumberjanes are startled to learn that they’ve already met their first werewolf!

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

5 Stars, Buy it

Ok so I’m getting a little used to the artist. But I’m still bothered by the noses a bit.   April learns a hard lesson and what she had originally intended to happen when she messed around ended up happening naturally.  A very good issue. Love the dyke mermaids and I continue to love the series despite the new artist.  If you aren’t reading this, why aren’t you? It’s tons of fun.

Description from Amazon: It's a mermaid war! April has made a real mess of things by trying to get her mer-pals back together, but can she make things better with the help of her friends?

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

4.5 Stars

Buy it

And so the funny story line with the mermaids continue.  The very dyky mermaids I must say. April is being selfish and Ripley is upset she might miss her event. Still great story line, funny and trouble. However the artist still stinks.

Description from Amazon: April does her best to repair the mermaids' friendship, but she just keeps making things worse!

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

4.5 Stars, buy it

And I’ve made it to the last issue I’ve read in the series! Yeay! Everything will be new to me from here on out. I’m still not a fan of this new artist, I don’t like how the girls all have pig noses now. Seriously? Anyway, the writing is just as awesome so I think I’m going to increase this issue’s rating to 4.5. I had to lower it a little because I don’t like the new artist (Please tell me it’s temporary?)

Description from Amazon: When April meets two mermaids who used to be friends but are now stuck in a crazy rivalry, she decides to put her friendship repairing skills to the test!

Characters for my reference

April- Short red head girl

Jen- dark skinned camp counselor

Jo- tall kid

Mal: Dark haired girl with half shaved head

Molly: Blond haired girl

Ripley: Short brunet with headband around her head and blue streak in hair

Rosie- head of camp. Constantly calls Jen Jane. Very cool.

Diane- girl from another cabin at the camp, black hair Apparently the sister of Jo.

Bubbles- Molly’s raccoon hat who happens to be a live raccoon

Barney- Boy from boys camp that they run into a lot

4 Stars, Buy it

I’m a little sad that there is a new artist to the series.  The book is half dairy, part newsletters, part various other vinettes about the Star Wars Jedi Academy.  I have to admit, I got a little anxious because Victor Starspeeders only friend is a real jerk and he can’t see that.  Overall a good addition to the series. Very cute and I like the art.  I got used to the new artist and ended up thinking it was definitely good. Worth reading and buying for yourself or your kids.

Description from Amazon: Victor Starspeeder is psyched to be starting school at the Jedi Academy. His sister, Christina does not share an enthusiasm for Victor's newfound educational path. She's horrified that her annoying baby brother will be there to cramp her style.

While Victor means well, his excess energy leads him to spend a lot of time in detention with the little, green sage, Yoda. Yoda wants to channel Victor's talents, so he makes the young Padawan join the drama club. Victor is not pleased. "Learn to control your anger, you must! Successfully manage their emotions, a good Jedi can. Box step and jazz hands ... hee hee ... young Padawan will!"

Victor will have to make new friends, get on his sister's good side, learn to use the force, and hope the year's drama club performance ("Wookie Side Story"? "Annie Get Your Lightsaber"?) goes off without a hitch!

I'm really going to love this!  But this is definitely for mature audiences only.