On the first Monday of every month we meet up on Twitter for the #WWACComicClub. Last week we discussed This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki.
The response to this comic was unanimous. Everyone loved this simple yet heartfelt coming-of-age story and agreed that Jillian Tamaki’s art was the perfect companion to Mariko Tamaki’s writing.
@womenoncomics LOVED! The art was beautiful & the story was great. It felt every bit the summer read that it was aiming to be #WWACComicClub
— The Road to Omerardo (@ArdoOmer) July 8, 2014
@womenoncomics fav images taken from google. #ThisOneSummer #WWACComicClub pic.twitter.com/C42yBhHwdV
— conrad the man (@conmantherad) July 8, 2014
As we got further into the chat we spoke at length about Rose’s mother – one of the more enigmatic of the characters. It was clear from the very beginning that she was going to provoke an emotional response, even if the reader is unsure why when they start reading.
@womenoncomics I was worried that she’d meet an untimely end & I’d end up bawling #WWACComicClub
— conrad the man (@conmantherad) July 8, 2014
@womenoncomics it may be revealing, on my part,but I had an uneasiness throughout the beginning, aft panel of mom taking meds #WWACComicClub
— conrad the man (@conmantherad) July 8, 2014
@womenoncomics yup. I thought she was being sulky and not being there for her daughter. Ate my words after… #WWACComicClub
— The Road to Omerardo (@ArdoOmer) July 8, 2014
One of the standout moments of the comic was what Mariko Tamaki has dubbed “the feminist showdown”: When Windy calls out Rose’s slut-shaming. One reader was a little disappointed when it wasn’t explored further but was nevertheess happy it was there.
RT @tattooedbuddhas I was expecting more of a conversation btw 1 of the moms & the girls about slut-shaming, double standards #WWACComicClub
— WmnWriteAboutComics (@womenoncomics) July 8, 2014
RT @tattooedbuddhas a bit disappointed that never happened. I was definitely cheering when Windy called Rose out! #WWACComicClub
— WmnWriteAboutComics (@womenoncomics) July 8, 2014
What left some readers with the most questions was the somewhat ambiguous ending.
I know there are so few definitive conclusions in life, but I still long for them in slice of life stories #WWACComicClub
— LB Royal (@laurabeastly) July 8, 2014
But no matter how you feel about the ending it was clear the characters of This One Summer have made a lasting impression.
YES RT @tattooedbuddhas I like imagining Windy growing up to be this loud, unapologetic teenage feminist 🙂 #WWACComicClub
— WmnWriteAboutComics (@womenoncomics) July 8, 2014
Have you read This One Summer? Add your thoughts about the above topics or anything you think we missed in the comments below.
Next Month’s Selection:
Amala’s Blade: Spirits of Naamaron
Written by Steve Horton. Art by Michael Dialynas
The kingdom of Naamaron is bitterly divided into warring factions, Purifiers and Modifiers, with both sides fearing the Great Vizier’s deadliest assassin, Amala. With a price on her head—and a ghost monkey on her back—the future of both kingdoms may rest in her bloodstained hands!
Amala’s Blade is available in print from your local comic shop or digitally through Dark Horse Comics. There’s also a free preview on the Dark Horse website.
We’ll be discussing Amala’s Blade on August 4 2014 at 8:30 EST / 5:30 PST. Join us using the hashtag #WWACComicClub.
