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heabooknerd's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this cute and inclusive graphic novel and I'm looking forward to more.
nerdysread's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
laura_cs's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to the Georgia O'Keeffe College of the Arts and Subtle Dramatics! Now meet our players: Charlie, an aspiring filmmaker and transfer student; Olivia, a textbook over-achiever; Ashley, who sings like Beyonce and dances like Rihanna; Tiffany, who would like you to join her coven and, no, those are definitely not candles in her dorm room; Nicole, the cynic; and Jay, who is a quiet gentle-giant. Together they are: the Avant-Guards!
This motley crew come together to play basketball in a brand-new league for small colleges, and develop friendships (and romances) as they learn how to become a team. It's sweet and cute and funny, and the art is fantastic. But what a cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what will happen in Volume 2!
Welcome to the Georgia O'Keeffe College of the Arts and Subtle Dramatics! Now meet our players: Charlie, an aspiring filmmaker and transfer student; Olivia, a textbook over-achiever; Ashley, who sings like Beyonce and dances like Rihanna; Tiffany, who would like you to join her coven and, no, those are definitely not candles in her dorm room; Nicole, the cynic; and Jay, who is a quiet gentle-giant. Together they are: the Avant-Guards!
This motley crew come together to play basketball in a brand-new league for small colleges, and develop friendships (and romances) as they learn how to become a team. It's sweet and cute and funny, and the art is fantastic. But what a cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what will happen in Volume 2!
laurenkara's review
5.0
tw: mentions of anxiety and panic attacks
omg i loved this so so so so much i need a volume 2 stat. i loved all the characters so much and i'm so weak for team sports dynamics!!!
omg i loved this so so so so much i need a volume 2 stat. i loved all the characters so much and i'm so weak for team sports dynamics!!!
geekwayne's review
3.0
‘The Avant-Guards, Vol. 1’ by Carly Usdin with art by Noah Hayes is a sports comic about a somewhat diverse group of people who get together to form a basketball team.
Charlie is new to the Georgia O’Keeffe College for the Arts and Subtle Dramatics. During a student fair, she meets force of nature, Olivia, who is trying to form the school’s first basketball team. Charlie is reluctant, and really doesn’t seem to fit in to this group of outgoing drama students. We learn she is there to study film, and that she is a bit shy. We also learn that she doesn’t like team sports for some reason. During the team’s first game, the Avant-Guards crush the competition.
After 100+ pages of a comic, I feel like I barely found out anything about these characters, except for the diversity notes. Perhaps that will play out as the story goes, but Charlie is kind of a boring character, especially compared to Olivia. I liked the art well enough. As far as sports comics go, it was really just kind of mediocre.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Boom! Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Charlie is new to the Georgia O’Keeffe College for the Arts and Subtle Dramatics. During a student fair, she meets force of nature, Olivia, who is trying to form the school’s first basketball team. Charlie is reluctant, and really doesn’t seem to fit in to this group of outgoing drama students. We learn she is there to study film, and that she is a bit shy. We also learn that she doesn’t like team sports for some reason. During the team’s first game, the Avant-Guards crush the competition.
After 100+ pages of a comic, I feel like I barely found out anything about these characters, except for the diversity notes. Perhaps that will play out as the story goes, but Charlie is kind of a boring character, especially compared to Olivia. I liked the art well enough. As far as sports comics go, it was really just kind of mediocre.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Boom! Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
geekwayne's review against another edition
2.0
'Strange Skies Over East Berlin' by Jeff Loveness with art by Lisandro Estherren is an alien encounter story set in the Cold War in East Berlin.
The story takes place in the shadowy realm of East Berlin in 1973. An American spy encounters a strange being from outer space. The being is very powerful and the spy has to make strange alliances to survive.
I love the moody art and the idea of the story. I felt let down by the execution of the story. It had potential, but just wallowed in sameness.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from BOOM! Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The story takes place in the shadowy realm of East Berlin in 1973. An American spy encounters a strange being from outer space. The being is very powerful and the spy has to make strange alliances to survive.
I love the moody art and the idea of the story. I felt let down by the execution of the story. It had potential, but just wallowed in sameness.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from BOOM! Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
radikaliseradgroda's review
4.0
Lots of fun and very cute, but there wasn't quite enough plot progression for a whole volume. Really nuanced characters though!
arieanstar's review
4.0
*Thank you to NetGalley, BOOM! Studios and Carly Usdin for sending me an eARC for review.*
This was a wholesome graphic novel about forming friendships in the most unexpected places. It showed us that you can always fall back into what you love to do, even if you fell out of love with it. I loved that the romance in this was not the main focus of this story, but we still see them clumsily showing that they care. It's an adorable read that everyone should get their hands on.
This was a wholesome graphic novel about forming friendships in the most unexpected places. It showed us that you can always fall back into what you love to do, even if you fell out of love with it. I loved that the romance in this was not the main focus of this story, but we still see them clumsily showing that they care. It's an adorable read that everyone should get their hands on.
punkgremlin's review
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75