white_hart: (Default)
white_hart ([personal profile] white_hart) wrote2022-01-26 06:22 pm
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Reading: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vols 1 and 2

I'm not generally a fan of superhero comics, but Ryan North and Erica Henderson's 2015 version of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is great fun. It starts with Squirrel Girl (secret identity: Doreen Green) heading off to college to study computer science, only slightly hampered by the need to see off supervillains and the occasional normal villain, with the support of her roommate Nancy (a knitter who writes Cat Thor fanfic) and fellow on-campus heroes Chipmunk Hunk and Koi Boi (it was only at this stage that I realised that "Squirrel Girl" is supposed to rhyme too, because it very much doesn't in my accent). The guest appearances by other Marvel heroes don't require any more character knowledge than that gleaned from simply living in a world where Marvel is a box-office juggernaut.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is packed with as many jokes as action scenes, and in fact Squirrel Girl tends to try to reason with her opponents rather than fight them (or get her squirrel friends to take them down). I love that she's a female superhero who chooses to be cute rather than sexy, but is still utterly body-positive (her delight at the apparent large and shapely bum that tucking her tail into trousers gives her is a particular joy). If you know small people who like comics, I think this would be a really good present. (Or even if you know older people who want to read something fun and fluffy.)
oracne: turtle (Default)

[personal profile] oracne 2022-01-26 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks for the review! I had heard this was good, but your comments made it seem even more enticing.
hilarita: stoat hiding under a log (Default)

[personal profile] hilarita 2022-01-26 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Squirrel Girl" is supposed to rhyme
I suppose that makes sense... I assume it has to come out more like Squirl Girl, which is really not how I say it either.
rmc28: Rachel in hockey gear on the frozen fen at Upware, near Cambridge (Default)

[personal profile] rmc28 2022-01-26 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)

or Squirrel Gurel I suppose?

tree_and_leaf: Watercolour of barn owl perched on post. (Default)

[personal profile] tree_and_leaf 2022-01-28 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes.
jesuswasbatman: (Default)

[personal profile] jesuswasbatman 2022-01-27 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
The whole series is brilliant. Definitely carry on.

It will probably not surprise you that Henderson got vile abuse from alt-right superhero fans, for the crime of drawing a female superhero protagonist who wasn't drawn primarily to look sexy.
andrewducker: (Default)

[personal profile] andrewducker 2022-01-27 10:53 am (UTC)(link)
I also enjoyed these. Fun and suitable for kids. Will introduce Sophia in a few years!