The first issue of “Lumberjanes” won us over entirely, kicking off an irreverent camping adventure. This third issue makes for a solid jumping on point; there’s mystery in the air as the girls encounter a cavern full of puzzles.
Written by Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis
Illustrated by Brooke AllenJo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley will have to put their Lumberjane knowledge to the test as they make their way through a mysterious cave filled with traps and riddles!
I read my first comic ever when I was eight or so. It was an educational comic for kids who had asthma and I loved the heck out of it. It was full of science and puzzles and the characters were cool (and had wicked 90s sunglasses). Unfortunately my next comic wasn’t until ten years later, and if I could pick a comic to fill part of that gap, it would be “Lumberjanes”.
“Lumberjanes” is a special comic for a number of reasons, but the sense of fun and adventure at its core is what really sets it apart. As the girls find themselves in a tough spot, the emphasis is on their enthusiasm and aplomb as they confront the challenges that face them. They’re a diverse group of characters, but already their personalities are distinct; watching them delegate and collaborate on math puzzles, word games, and even a feat of strength is really a delight.
All the while, jokes (of varying levels of sophistication) jump from every corner, and the puzzles themselves offer a bit of a challenge regardless of your age. The comic engages on multiple levels, springing for easy laughs at one moment and making an obscure literary reference the next. In that respect, it’s the best kind of all-ages comic – the kind a kid can enjoy initially, and enjoy even more with time.
Brooke Allen’s cartooning style shows an even broader range than in the first issue. Besides the expressive and lighthearted portrayals of the girls themselves, we’ve got a talking statue to deal with, and Allen portrays this entity with an enthralling silliness – a bit like Kate Beaton’s work in this instance. Allen’s lines are loose but sure, laying out an increasingly novel environments as the girls progress with the puzzles. And, as though the brain-teasers weren’t enough, there are visual Easter eggs of all kinds – enough to provoke a laugh in their own right. (Why is that stalagmite grinning at me, you guys.)
Maarta Laiho’s colours keep us in the warmer spectrum as we negotiate the cavern, painting the rooms in a variety of earth and orange tones. Between these and Allen’s confident lines, the pages take on a crisp and inviting look, making this issue very easy on the eyes. And while the storytelling is straightforward, there’s a doodle-art sense of spontaneity to it all – thanks in part to Aubrey Aiese’s expressive lettering.
In the end, this issue feels a bit like a standalone – but then, the episodic structure of “Lumberjanes” is one of its strengths. There’s a lot of humor – even a little pathos – in the idea of these girls scaring the crap out of their camp counsellor every night, and while this pattern has repeated itself, the underlying mystery of the camp is continuing to develop. This comic delivers short-term laughs while promising long-term payoff, and it’s struck a solid balance between the two so far.
“Lumberjanes” has got its heart in the right place, continuing to deliver a lightweight all-ages story that’s intricately wrought enough to warrant multiple re-readings. And now that it’s an ongoing, you’ve no excuse not to invest in this delightful romp of a comic. If you haven’t checked it out yet, be sure to give “Lumberjanes” a shot; it’s great read in its own right, and it’ll get plenty of lend-out mileage.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy
