nut free nerd

I have an announcement to make, friends.

I am officially a comic book reader.

I had never even opened a comic book before recently. I suppose I gave into the stigma surrounding them, that they’re not real books and that I wouldn’t enjoy them as much as I do novels.

Well, color me corrected.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl series by Ryan North and Erica Henderson has converted me into a lover of comic books. With its fun, quirky humor and amazing understanding of what it feels like to be a modern-day college student, this series is a must-read for any Marvel fan.

+ Doreen Green (AKA Squirrel Girl). Meet Doreen Green, your average college student with super squirrel powers. She is the embodiment of positive body image, self-confidence, and compassion, making this series an incredibly uplifting one to read. She’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, yet she’s also not afraid to ask for help in doing so. With her best squirrel-friend Tippy Toe, there’s nothing that Squirrel Girl can’t do! Squirrel Girl is the positive role model that we’ve all been searching for, complete  the with inspirational positivity and encouraging optimism that we could all use more of in our lives.

+ Nancy!!! Though there are so many great characters to choose from, Nancy is by far my favorite character in this series. She is Doreen’s roommate, best friend, and logical, practical rock of support. She might be the only one without super powers, but that doesn’t mean that she is resigned to waiting in the background. Nancy is always in the center of the action, helping Squirrel Girl get out of trouble with her own mix of intellect, cleverness, and wit. Not only does she accurately capture what it’s like to be an average college student trying to find their way through life, but she does so with a form of dry, sarcasm humor that never fails to make me laugh. Three cheers for Nancy, the real MVP!

+ The artwork. Erica Henderson is queen. The artwork in this series is dynamic, vibrant, colorful, and captivating. Though some readers have criticized it for being too “cartoon-like,” I adore this adorable style of artwork. It lends itself really well to the overall vibe of the story and the fact that it’s a modern comic book series for a new generation of readers.

+ The thoughtful and hilariously clever writing. Ryan North does an amazing job of incorporating relevant, serious topics and humor into his writing. There is an overwhelming sense of “girl power” in this series, as I’m sure the creators are aware of the progressive strides they are making towards making a powerful female super hero who is not the objectified figure of femininity we’re unfortunately used to seeing. Squirrel Girl is smart, funny, independent, and strong, embodying the traits that every female character should posses.

Also, I love how witty the writing itself is, from the impressive use of alliteration at every corner to the hilarious bits of commentary hidden in tiny font at the bottom of every page (definitely take the time to read them!). The dialogue feels authentic, the narration is seamlessly interwoven with the rest of the story, and the language is the perfect balance between genuine and over-the-top cheesy in the best way possible. His writing has given me a greater appreciation for the immense talent it takes to write a brilliant comic book.

Overall, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl series has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of comic books. Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan or just getting into super heroes in general, this series is truly a necessary addition to anyone’s growing TBR list. I’m excited to see where this progressive series takes us in future volumes!

My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Absolutely!! A friend recommended it to me, so it’s only right that I pass the recommendation on to others.

Have you read these comic books before? What are your favorite comic book series? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY