Shade the Changing Girl vol. 1: Earth Girls Made Easy by Cecil Castellucci, illustrated by Marley Zarcone
Reviewed by: Dave Gibbons, Library Volunteer
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults, Teens
What is the book about?: Sometimes, life is easier when you can just be someone else. Bored dropout Loma Shade certainly thought so when she stole the infamous Madness Coat and astral projected away from her home planet of Meta to inhabit the brain-dead body of Megan Boyer. Before her injuries Megan was popular, beautiful, and a horrible bully to everyone she knew. How can Loma hope to navigate Megan’s social minefield, and can she do it before forces back on Meta find her original body? Or before the madness coat erodes her very soul?
My Review: In an attempt to return to the heyday of the popular Vertigo era of DC comics, several titles have been “reimagined” under the new Young Animal imprint: Shade the Changing Girl is the latest incarnation of “Shade the Changing Man” (originally created by Steve Ditko, and revamped in the 80s by Peter Milligan and Chris Bachalo). Somewhere between a sequel and a reboot, this Shade is truly its own comic. Less esoteric then the previous version, the story has a very down to earth relatable feel as Loma struggles to deal with her own alienation (she is actually alien after all) and the consequences of Megan’s actions. This is not for a moment to say the comic is overly dour – it has several moments of lighthearted fun. I hope that future volumes will continue this tone rather then sinking into trite darkness in an attempt at complexity.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Modern, Fun, Metaphysical
Give This a Try if You Like… Steven Universe, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Star vs. the Forces of Evil
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!