Review: Blank Slate Books: Luchadoras & We can still be friends

I’m very much drawn to diary-style comics. I’m not sure if there’s a genre for them, or a category, but if there were, I’d love to know exactly what they’re called! They sometimes border on the mundane – but isn’t that what life is at times? There’s no big drama at the corner, merely small surprises and upsets every now and then that makes you want to reach out to the characters and give them a hug or a pat on the back.

So much for superheroes!

My fascination with the mundane is satiated by some of Blank Slate Book’s offerings: Berlin and That by Oliver East, Home and Away & We Can Still Be Friends both by Mawil. They also sent over an interesting comic called Luchadoras by Peggy Adam, and I’ll get into two of my favorites from the list.

LUCHADORAS BY PEGGY ADAM

I love this book.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I’ll tell you why.

Luchadoras is a fictional story that takes place during the height of the Cuidad Juarez femicides in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Since 1993, more than 300 women have been found murdered (speculations have said that actual death toll could be much higher). The bodies of victims (typically aged between 12 and 22), would be found abandoned on the outskirts of town, often showing signs of rape or torture.

Peggy Adam’s story of Alma – a woman who attempts to escape her abusive gang-member fiancé – weaves layers into real-life scenarios. Shadowed by the murders that hits close to home on one too many occasions, Peggy deftly brings out a gamut of emotions experienced by each character – remorse, rage, fear and more. You can almost feel for them in all their hand-wringing, knife-wielding glory.

All I can say is she’s made a book into a drama; and for a graphic novel, it’s one of the best I’ve read so far.

WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS BY MAWIL

Markus Witzel, who goes by the pen name of Mawil, has established a reputation in Europe for his cataloging of the awkwardness of relationships – which is precisely what We Can Still be Friends is about. Chronicling Mawil’s foray into relationships (or the attempt thereof), the book is a trip down memory lane for Mawil and his buddies as they regale around their buddy’s tale of heart-wrenching stories of unrequited love and awkward situations involving the heart.

The intro says it best: “Mawil explores that crushing moment we’ve all experienced when our hopes and dreams are crushed, our stomachs are turned inside-out, and we want the ground to swallow us up.” His books have been translated into English, and I’m glad someone did – his fluid and organic illustrations are refreshingly goofy and perfect at the same time.

If you’ve ever had your heart broken, this is for you.

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You can purchase these books over at Blank Slate Books!

Have a great weekend folks!