Swing Vol. 1 (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Image Comics via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Swing Vol. 1
Authors: Matt Hawkins & Jenni Cheung
Artist: Linda Sejic
Recent Release Date: April 25, 2018

Synopsis: Spinning off from the universe of SUNSTONE comes a slice-of-life romantic story about a couple trying to regain the sexual energy from the beginning of their relationship by swinging with other couples. An emotional journey of two people fighting to stay in love.

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Review: This graphic novel has nudity and sex. It follows a straight couple as they meet in college and continue their relationship through marriage and kids. After being married for awhile, their sex life stagnates and they try out swinging to see if it can aid their relationship.

The graphic novel opens with a story about a first time swinging experience as well as vocabulary and a basic introduction to the Lifestyle. The rest of the comic is an interesting look into one couple's life and their experiences with experimenting. 

The artwork is wonderful and the sex scenes are shown tastefully, while still remaining hot. I'd say this book is both educational and sexy. I give this graphic novel a 4/5. It's cool that there are comics like this out there with such sex positive messages.   


--PAUL

Naja by Morvan and Bengal (graphic novel) - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Diamond Book Distributors and Magnetic Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Naja
Author: Jean-David Morvan 
Illustrator: Bengal
Year Published: 2014

Synopsis: Naja is the perfect killer - because she feels nothing. Literally. Her body registers no pain, nor does her heart, coldly executing jobs given to her by her mysterious boss, known only as "Zero." When another killer in Zero's organization targets Naja for elimination, she has no choice but to fall off the grid and seek answers, as bloody as they might be. Written by international creative powerhouse JD Morvan (Sillage, Zaya) and illustrated by French sensation Bengal (Meka, Luminae), this volume collects the entire five-book Naja series into a single, lavish album!

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Review: Naja is an assassin with quite the complicated past that has left her emotionally empty with the ability or disadvantage of not feeling pain. If you like epic assassin battles both between assassins and assassins fighting larger armies, you will enjoy this. This is definitely a mature graphic novel. There is nudity and gore. 

This book also addresses some pretty messed up issues. The relationships, both romantic and familial, are complex and as they unravel towards the end of the novel may become difficult to follow. Abuse is also an issue that is addressed. 

I enjoyed the narrator. It adds an interesting voice. It isn't until the end that you find the true identity of the narrator. 

I give this graphic novel a 3.5/5. I enjoyed it, but some of the reveals were a little too much for me. These characters are some really messed up people. The artwork was done excellently.   


--PAUL

Irresistible by Raven Gregory - Paul's REVIEW

**An ecopy of this graphic novel was provided to me in exchange for a fair review from Diamond Book Distributors through NetGalley** 

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Title: Irresistible
Author: Raven Gregory
Illustrator: Sean Chen
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: Allen Keeg was just another regular, heart-broken guy - just another face in the crowd. But after he's unknowingly given the supernatural ability to be completely irresistible to women, Allen's life is about to be changed forever! However, although the gift of unparalleled attraction seems like a blessing at first, it turns out to be a horrible curse that Allen can only get rid of by paying an ultimate price! 

Review:  I was surprised how explicit this graphic novel was. And also, oddly enough, Biblical. There was an odd use of religion and sex. This story brings up many interesting questions that really get you thinking. Questions of morals and wants/desires. This was a dark, dark comedy. I think.

I could see this being a really good dark comedy film by Diablo Cody. It reminded me of the 2000 film What Women Want, but a lot darker. 

I must add that you should not read this graphic novel on your computer at work. There is nudity. 

Although a lot darker that I thought it would be, I give this graphic novel a 3.5/5. If you are okay with nudity and like stories that bring up moral questions, this is a graphic novel for you. 

-PAUL