When we last left our heroes, Ripley, Jo, and April were making one last effort to try to earn some camp badges (because apparently saving the world isn’t worth that much) while Mal and Molly were trapped with the old, blind transforming former camp counselor whose glasses had been snatched by a velociraptor. Meanwhile, everyone has been trying to deal and recuperate from their adventure with Apollo and Artemis. Issue 12 of “Lumberjanes” is filled with last ditch efforts, people wishing they could be something better, and desperate escapes, and it remains as wonderful and thrilling as ever.
Written by Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters
Illustrated Carolyn NowakMal and Molly just want to get back to their friends, but things are looking more dire by the minute. It’s going to be a crazy dash through this weird mixed-up world as they try to not only find a working portal, but one that will take them back to camp!
It’s not until you step back and look over all the disparate elements of “Lumberjanes” that you register its bonkersness. In this issue alone, there are thrilling chases to multidimensional portals against scorned raptors; there’s a character admitting how she doesn’t feel strong, that she constantly wishes she had more of the strengths and features of another character; there’s a highly competitive and somewhat brutal scrapbooking session; and plenty of one-liners, meaningful looks, and spectacular visuals. “Lumberjanes” has always been packed to bursting with gags, plot, and character, scenes that jump between being dramatic or humorous or outright silly, and yet, although so much goes on at any given time in any single issue, all these factors feel like they’re part of the same concoction, none of them are out-of-place or unintentionally jarring or disruptive. The creative team have gotten so strong at delivering their story, you don’t notice the sheer amount of stuff happening until you’re trying to summarize the plot.
With issue 12, Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, and guest artist Carolyn Nowak wrap up an equally charming, fun, and rousing second arc of the series.
This issue is the culmination of everything the Lumberjanes have been trying to cope with and understand following the crazy events that occurred in the first arc. They try turning toward each other, being more open about their feelings and emotions, or simply throwing themselves into inane camp activities. You can sense their frustrations and fears as they try to comprehend what happened to them, and I think that that not only makes this book more honest, but also prevents the book from feeling stale and trivial.
Stevenson, Watters, and Nowak stress the importance of collaboration and teamwork, of friendship to the max. What I appreciate above all is how they have refused to allow the characters to get stagnant. Even for this much less ambitions and more focused arc, Jo, April, Ripley, Molly, and Mal have started to realize who they are in the broader world around them, what they want out of it, and the kind of people they want to be. The events of the first eight issues hover over them an inform their every action and reaction and while that weight doesn’t bog down the book, it lets you know there’s a history. A continuity.
Carolyn Nowak brings an entirely different energy and vibe to the story than Grace Ellis, and it perfectly matches the mood and tone here. Her designs retain the cartoon-like and animated style, though she keeps her frames tighter, doesn’t have the same wide diagram-like approach or fluid strokes in her action set pieces. It’s a bit more intimate, with emotional moments delivered with subtle gestures that help make it all the more effective. It’s perfect for the sort of script Stevenson and Watters are turning in.
Her action doesn’t lose any liveliness. The opening scheme and plot seem like they came straight out of Fantastic Mr. Fox and I totally heard Desplat’s music sting playing throughout the whole scene. The bear vs. dinosaurs thing is so over the top it can’t help but be fantastic. Maarta Laiho’s neutral-toned color palette sings when she brings in vibrant reds and oranges.
By staying true to itself, honest with its emotions, and constantly embracing its own weirdness, “Lumberjanes” #12 proves again that this is one of the most charming, fun, important, and engaging comics Boom!Box is putting out right now. I’m always disappointed when one issue ends and can’t wait for the next one to begin.
Final Verdict: 8.8 – Stevenson, Watters, and Nowak bring all these disparate elements together in a satisfying conclusion to a quieter and more emotional arc.
