Double Review: Emily and the Strangers & The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

Title: Emily and the Strangers #1
Authors: Mariah Huehner, Rob Reger, Emily Ivie
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 27th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Dark Horse Comics

★★★★

Four Stars.

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I have to admit, this is the first graphic novel/comic that I've read of Emily the Strange. I am familiar with her and love her style, and own quite a few clothing pieces with her on it. I'm one of the "strange" ones out there, pale with a love of solitude and dark clothes, and therefore am definitely in the target audience for these books.

I really just adore her as a character. She's not afraid to be herself and be different, and that's a trait that's admirable no matter your age or style. In this particular installment of Emily and the Strangers, Emily has to learn to work with others in order to win battle of the bands. I, like the main character, am not all too big of a fan of working with others in most capacities, so I related and laughed with her as she struggled to make this arrangement work in order to get what she wants.

There's plenty of strange and dark in this book, which makes me happy. The artwork is well detailed, and rather dreary, but that is exactly what I wanted and anticipated when I set my eyes on this graphic novel. The plot also includes plenty of kick ass rock music, a cast of strangers, and the grand prize of a haunted guitar. Pretty rad right?

I liked this overall and would read the next one for sure. Fans of Emily the Strange and things that are a little weird and macabre would also enjoy this I think. Thanks to Netgalley & Dark Horse Comics for my chance to review this.

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Title: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1-6)
Authors: Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, Becky Cloonan
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 7th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Dark Horse Comics

★★★★★

Four and a half stars, rounded up.

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I got an unhealthy amount of excited when I came across this collection. I am a huge fan of Gerard Way's other comic/graphic novel work, and I was eager to give The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys a chance, and I'm really glad I did.

The plot takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting, given a more twisted tone and cast of characters in Battery City. This world contains a girl who has to step in and find her place in order to be the one that the world needs to protect them from conformity in the form of things such as mega corporations. Not to mention, of course, the androids and robots and other cool creatures that make an appearance.

The books (this one contains the first six installments of the Killjoys graphic novels) may be a little hard to get into at first, since it's a pretty bizarre story that's only heightened by the bright, in your face artwork throughout, which I loved by the way. However, if you're a fan of My Chemical Romance, and especially if you have watched the videos/listened to the album Danger Days, these phrases, ideas, and people will be far more familiar to you. That being said, you don't have to be an MCR fan to enjoy Way's work. This is a fairly quick read with a lot of plot and the kind of twisted but powerful themes and writing that I've come to love from Gerard Way. If you like your graphic novels with a bright cast, brighter art work, and the idea that we all should be able to be who we are in a world that wants us to be the same, than you can appreciate this book. Thanks to Netgalley and Dark Horse Comics for my copy in exchange for an honest review.