annieb123
Written on Jul 13, 2022
The Last Session Vol. 1: Roll for Initiative is a graphic novel collection of the first five issues of The Last Session by Jasmine Walls and Dozerdraws. Released 12th July 2022 by Mad Cave Studios through Diamond Distribution, it's 136 pages and available in paper graphic novel and ebook formats.
This is a graphically appealing and sweetly written slice-of-life story about a group of real life friends from their geeky high school days through their young adulthood, as they're finding themselves, forging relationships, and interacting with one another and the wider world. They're nerdy and sweet and utterly charming.
The characters are so relatable and real that most readers will have no trouble seeing themselves in one or more of them. I love it so much that they're individuals, with believable reactions and motivations, but that they also have this (mostly) stable network of support. It's a small part of the overarching storyline, but I also really liked seeing the support and acceptance from a secondary character (mother) of one of the main group. They're diverse, and their ethnicities and gender presentations are not emphasized in a preachy manner. They're just allowed to be themselves and it's so refreshing and fun to read.
The art is quirky, simple, and engaging and manages to convey movement and action very well. It's told in 5 panel comic format on double page spreads. Lettering is easy to read and clear.
Five stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition as well as for comics and gaming fans who enjoy non-superhero comics too.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.