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Reviews tagging 'Bullying'
The Backstagers Vol. 1: Rebels Without Applause by James Tynion IV
5 reviews
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
this was rly fun! the backstagers vol. 1 started out w/ the main character jory's first timid day at a new school, then devolving into going thru the ropes w/ the stage crew, and eventually exploring + stumbling thru the expansive world of the backstage. it's a rollicking, fantastical adventure thats got some emotional heft.
while the backstage shenanigans are fun, i wish we learned more abt the characters both as individuals and their relationships w/ one another. i rly like how theyre effortlessly diverse, however rn many of them come across as flat and one-dimensional, as outright villains or defined by a single trait, w/ little character growth bc of the lack of focus from the narrative. and what development there is, it often frustratingly happens off-pg, w/ a glaring example being hunter and jory's evolving relationship into boyfriends. like hello, id love to get all the tea there???
the story also straddles a difficult line between the magical and reality. sure, their backstage is wondrously expansive and fantastical, but the story's also weighed down by petty high school dynamics where nepotism in the school board results in a club's closure, though a dozen kids going missing for 2 months raise no alarm to anyone whatsoever...tynion needs to decide how dedicated he's going to be abt the whole spiel, lest the story continues flip-flopping in an unsatisfactory manner.
i dont have much to say abt the art, simply bc imo it fits the story well enough, and while i wish it could be more detailed at times, the colors are well done and the paneling are interesting esp for a western graphic novel. all in all, this was a fast and fun read that requires a lil too much suspension of disbelief, but one i'll continue nevertheless.
while the backstage shenanigans are fun, i wish we learned more abt the characters both as individuals and their relationships w/ one another. i rly like how theyre effortlessly diverse, however rn many of them come across as flat and one-dimensional, as outright villains or defined by a single trait, w/ little character growth bc of the lack of focus from the narrative. and what development there is, it often frustratingly happens off-pg, w/ a glaring example being hunter and jory's evolving relationship into boyfriends. like hello, id love to get all the tea there???
the story also straddles a difficult line between the magical and reality. sure, their backstage is wondrously expansive and fantastical, but the story's also weighed down by petty high school dynamics where nepotism in the school board results in a club's closure, though a dozen kids going missing for 2 months raise no alarm to anyone whatsoever...tynion needs to decide how dedicated he's going to be abt the whole spiel, lest the story continues flip-flopping in an unsatisfactory manner.
i dont have much to say abt the art, simply bc imo it fits the story well enough, and while i wish it could be more detailed at times, the colors are well done and the paneling are interesting esp for a western graphic novel. all in all, this was a fast and fun read that requires a lil too much suspension of disbelief, but one i'll continue nevertheless.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
spooderman's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child death, Confinement, and Death
mikaelaandherbooks's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying
jstarshine16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Grief
Minor: Child death, Death, and Confinement
spooderalec's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think I was possibly not the right type of person for this book? I found it quite slow and hard to get into, even though it is very short. My only negatives are the font of the text - I found it hard to read and follow, and how the characters were drawn - the Stage Managers are drawn as if they're in their twenties but are 18 and the same for the sophomore character who flirts and has a crush on the mc (Jory) who is drawn as if he's well into his twenties which gives me bad vibes as Jory is clearly 16/17 . Overall the plot is very enjoyable, although sometimes too slow and sometimes too rushed. The cover does not reflect the actual art style and I doubt I'll read the other vols.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death
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