The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
#26 in my 2007 book challenge was the first graphic novel is The Plain Janes, from DC Comics new imprint Minx. I liked Plain Janes, as I liked Breaking Up and the Hopeless Savages books. But they’re awfully similar to one another, and to the plot of Mean Girls. They all are told from the viewpoint of a cute but not beautiful artistic girl. She develops a crush on a cute, geeky guy, and in the end mean people get their comeuppance. It’s an enjoyable formula, made more interesting by individual art styles, but it _is_ a formula.
Jane moves to the ‘burbs after getting injured in a 9/11-esque attack. She has to make new friends and negotiate a new school. To rebel, she creates a guerilla public-art group. While I’m fine with people speaking out against strip malls and for more art, I disagree with bubbles in a fountain. Art? Maybe. Environmentally damaging? Yes–most soaps are corrosive. Expensive vandalism? Also, yes (see what happened in Philly last year).
This was a decent story with good art. Recommended, with reservations.