A comiXologist recommends:
Fresh Romance #4
by: Lindsay Smith
I don’t know about you, but I have a select group of comics I refer to when I want to… convert someone.
No, not like that. There are no spiked kool-aid drinks, stranger-danger, basement baptisms here. When I want to convert someone to comics, I have a list of titles that I know will work for someone who says that they just don’t think they “like comics”.
Well, TWIST, until recently I would have told you that I just didn’t really have an interest in comics in the romance genre. Fresh Romance, an anthology from Janelle Asselin’s Rosy Press, has totally bungled my stance on romance comics and I hope the creators behind it are only the first in an exciting revival of this genre.
There are 3 romances per issue of Fresh Romance; “School Spirit” which is a queer high school tale amongst a very charming flirtatious group of friends with a dash of magic added in, “Ruined” which follows a regency era arranged marriage and is utterly compelling despite a familiar story line, and “The Ruby Equation” which shows us what life could be like as a fairy/barista who is so caught up in her assignment to make matches that she gets lost in the numbers and forgets about true chemistry.
In issue #4 of Fresh Romance, out this week, the group flirtations start to catch up with Malie, Justine, and Miles. Catherine and Andrew have finally reached their wedding night… but Catherine might be hiding more than we’ve realized. And Ruby learns just how hot your cheeks can feel when you start blushing… plus she might be starting to understand what chemistry really is.
With irresistible characters written by Sarah Kuhn, Kate Leth, and Sarah Vaughn, accompanied by stellar art from Arielle Jovellanos, Sarah Winifred Searle, and Sally Jane Thompson, Fresh Romance #4 is certainly worth your while, even if you think the romance genre just isn’t for you.
[Read Fresh Romance #4 on comiXology]
Lindsay Smith is a member of the International Production Team. She lives in Brooklyn and has been invited to join multiple cults…. She probably just has one of those faces, right?
The much anticipated Fresh Romance from our friends at rosypress is now available on comiXology!
A comiXologist Recommends:
Jen Keith recommends Saga #19
From the series that brought us Lying Cat comes the next installment of the abundantly award-winning Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and fionastaples. If you haven’t been following along, it is my duty to direct you back to issue #1; you can thank me later. For those of you keeping up with your required reading, then you already know Saga #19 will be a comic treat.
Saga is your standard boy and girl meet, fall in love, betray their own species during an inter-planetary war, and run off to have what might be the cutest child that side of the universe. Narrating this space romp through lushly designed alien worlds and cultures is said cutest child, Hazel, whose impish personality shines through the re-telling of her own childhood. In Saga #19, we find our besotted heroes/haggard parents in domestic bliss – if you can call juggling a rigid mother-in-law, a messy house pet, and a live-in ghostly baby-sitter the calming, everyday life of domesticity. Work may be tough, but your kid is cute, your spouse is gorgeous, and hopefully no assassins and/or robot princes will end up on your front lawn today.
The aptly named Saga enraptures its audience with Brian K. Vaughan’s perfect balance of poignant and comedic writing and Fiona Staples’ rich, expressive artwork. If you’re all caught up on Saga and aching for more from these two wildly talented creators, Vaughan’s Y: The Last Man and Staples’ work in The Mystery Society will hopefully hold you for now.
As in every issue, Saga and its captivating cast continues the journey across the galaxy and into our hearts.
For fans of: sci-fi, diverse characters, POC leads, female leads, romance, action
Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic creator, music addict, and shamelessly unapologetic Green Arrow enthusiast.