I don’t go in for romance novels. Giant proclamations and hearts heavy with longing just never really catch me. I’ll read Austen all day (because she’s a total gossip), enjoy some rom-coms, and sometimes get invested in the romantic side plot of a show or book. But capital-l-Love capital-s-Stories aren’t really my jam.
So bear that context in mind while I spend a few paragraphs freaking out about Fresh Romance.
Freak out #1 – Look at this Kevin Wada cover!!
Earlier this year, Janelle Asselin – writer, Senior Editor for Comics Alliance, general Cool Cat – started Rosy Press. Issue one of Rosy Press’ first comic, Fresh Romance, released yesterday and I emphatically recommend it. Fresh Romance is a digital-only romance anthology book, available via the Rosy Press website or on Comixology. Be aware that though this issue is PG-13ish (just a tiny amount of cursing), Rosy Press deems the book as a whole R-rated.
This issue introduces three stories. First is “School Spirit”, a modern high school romance written by Kate Leth, with art by Arielle Jovellanos, colors by Amanda Scurti, and letters by Taylor Esposito. It’s full of sneaking around and secrets, and I’m interested to see where it goes.
“Ruined” is a Regency story about a less-than-happy looking wedding day. It’s written by Sarah Vaughn, drawn by Sarah Winifred Searle, and lettered by Ryan Ferrier. This story also has a historical consultant – Joanne Renaud – and it really seems to pay off. The first chapter feels like it could be happening one carriage ride away from an Austen novel.
I’m all heart eyes and bated breath for the whole issue, but the third story is my favorite. “The Ruby Equation” is written by Sarah Kuhn, with art by Savanna Ganucheau and letters by Steve Wands. It’s about an antisocial, magical barista from another world, conscripted in to a matchmaking mission. She’s pretty disinterested in touchy-feely stuff about chemistry. She’s nudging people together based purely on a like-attracts-like system and counting down the minutes until she’s done here. Ganucheau draws fantastically expressive faces, which allows the reader to really engage with Ruby in just a few pages. You can see Ruby go from smug, to nervous, to excited over the course of a few panels. Plus there’s a wee-tiny magical animal and an equally tiny top hat.
The issue as a whole is published and edited by Asselin, designed by Erin Toth, with a cover by Kevin Wada. There’s fun bonus material like Wada’s initial cover sketches, and a relationship advice column, and it’s all just a damn good time.
The next issue features a continuation of these stories, plenty of other stories and teams on later issues. Marcy Cook – super-cool lady, awesome writer, and a contributor at Panels – wrote a story that will be in later this year. And friend of the blog* Kyle Latino is the artist for a story written by Jen Van Meter.**
You can buy Fresh Romance one issue at a time, or go for a 1-year subscription (assuming you haven’t already locked this down by backing the Kickstarter). It has a monthly release schedule, with new issues coming out on Tuesdays. Romance comics! They’re the hit sensation, sweeping the nation! Don’t miss the bandwagon! PEER PRESSURE!!
Books I’m Picking Up This Week:
Convergence #8
Convergence: Shazam#2
Fight Club 2 #1
Inferno #1
Infinity Gauntlet #2
Nutmeg #3
They’re Not Like Us #6
*This is my first time having to refer to someone as a “friend of the _____”. I think it went well. And also, by invoking this phrase, I am now elevated to “Basically Carson”.
**I was going to put an extended bit here about how Kyle and Tony have known each since they had an edgy street magic act, but I don’t know if other people find Criss Angel references as inherently funny as I do.***
***MINDFREAK!****
****Do you think Tony will cut these dumb foot notes? Maybe he won’t scroll far enough to see.
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