Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
‘Coming Back’ by Jessi Zabarsky is a slightly abstract fantasy graphic novel, set in a fictional mystical island inhabited by women with magical powers. It’s a little like Themyscira, the all-female society Wonder Woman comes from, but instead of warriors, Zabarsky’s novel is about magical shapeshifters.
The primary protagonists of the tale are Preet, one of the best shapeshifters in the village, while her partner Valissa cannot do any magic. Something strange happens in their library, which contains all the knowledge about their people, so Valissa volunteers to investigate, disappearing for an unspecified amount of time. And because this is a fantasy book, I really don’t know if she is gone for a few months or years. Because who knows how time functions in magical places?! With Valissa gone, Preet decides to have a child in secret, leading to her being exiled by the village elders when they learn about the kid. What will happen when Valissa comes back?
The artwork in ‘Coming Back’ is beautiful; it’s on the simpler side, with a pleasant pastel palette. The illustrations are the kind that would appeal most to younger readers, but this graphic novel’s themes would be lost on kids. I’d definitely not recommend it for readers younger than 15; on the other hand, it’s too simple for older readers.
One way to sum up the plot of ‘Coming Back’ is this: Preet, a young shapeshifter, decides to have a child without her partner Valissa, then turns into a tree to avoid confrontation over her decision when Valissa returns. Luckily, Valissa eventually warms up to the child, and the couple live happily ever after. That’s practically the whole story.
If you’re looking for graphic novels with queer romances and engaging artwork, I’d recommend ‘Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me’, ‘Camp Spirit’, ‘Cheer Up!’, or even the more popular ‘Heartstopper’ and ‘The Magic Fish’, just in case you haven’t read them. ‘Heartstopper’ is a series, but the other titles are standalone works.
Rating for ‘Coming Back’: 3 on 5.
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