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Lumberjanes #15
Lumberjanes, Vol. 15: Birthday Smarty
The New York Times bestselling graphic novel series continues with the biggest Lumberjanes birthday party yet - that is, if Jo can make it back in time to celebrate!
BIRTHDAYS TO THE MAX!
Jo’s birthday is coming up, and April is determined to pull out all the stops for her best friend! But when her elaborate plans for a huge, over-the-top celebration fall through, April recruits the yetis and some fellow ‘Janes to put on a play for Jo, instead.
Meanwhile, Mal has been tasked with keeping Jo busy to protect the surprise, but she might’ve done TOO good a job. Will the birthday girl make it back in time for her own party? And does she even want to?
Join the celebrations with this brand-new adventure written by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh (Super Cakes) and illustrated by talented newcomer AnneMarie Rogers.
Collects Lumberjanes #57-60.
BIRTHDAYS TO THE MAX!
Jo’s birthday is coming up, and April is determined to pull out all the stops for her best friend! But when her elaborate plans for a huge, over-the-top celebration fall through, April recruits the yetis and some fellow ‘Janes to put on a play for Jo, instead.
Meanwhile, Mal has been tasked with keeping Jo busy to protect the surprise, but she might’ve done TOO good a job. Will the birthday girl make it back in time for her own party? And does she even want to?
Join the celebrations with this brand-new adventure written by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh (Super Cakes) and illustrated by talented newcomer AnneMarie Rogers.
Collects Lumberjanes #57-60.
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2020
About the author
Shannon Watters
155 books179 followersSenior Editor at BOOM! Studios | Head of BOOM! Box | Co-Creator/Writer of Lumberjanes | your favorite boy band butch [she/her]
(from Twitter profile)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
November 6, 2020
It's Jo's birthday and April is insistent that she needs to make it a very special day as she always has done in their lifelong friendship; all Mal has to do is keep Jo distracted all day. This slightly edgy and very pro women friendships series has really found it's place as a vanilla book with a little bit of mainstream edge and although nice and at times entertaining lacks any real bite. 6 out of 12.
The shout-out to notable women from history is the singularly inspiring and awesome thing about this series... Ladies of Llangollen it's Jo's birthday!
The shout-out to notable women from history is the singularly inspiring and awesome thing about this series... Ladies of Llangollen it's Jo's birthday!
September 27, 2020
I’ve learned that the drawing style is hit or miss for me and affects my enjoyment of certain comics. I love Lumberjanes; this particularly volume is drawn in a style that I find really distracting and hard to distinguish between characters. Not my favorite.
February 16, 2022
#1) Lumberjanes, Vol 1: Beware the Holy Kitten ★★★☆☆
#2) Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max ★★☆☆☆
#3) Lumberjanes, Vol. 3: A Terrible Plan ★★★★☆
#4) Lumberjanes, Vol. 4: Out of Time ★★★★☆
#5) Lumberjanes, Vol. 5: Band Together ★★★★☆
#6) Lumberjanes, Vol. 6: Sink or Swim ★★★☆☆
#7) Lumberjanes, Vol. 7: A Bird-Eye's View ★★★★☆
#8) Lumberjanes Vol. 8: Stone Cold ★★★★☆
#10 Lumberjanes, Vol. 10: Parents' Day ★★★★☆
#11) Lumberjanes Vol. 11: Time After Crime ★★★★☆
#12) Lumberjanes Vol. 12: Jackalope Springs Festival ★★★★★
#13) Lumberjanes Vol. 13: Indoor Recess ★★★★☆
#14) Lumberjanes Vol. 14: X Marks the Spot ★★★☆☆
#16) Lumberjanes Vol. 16: Mind Over Mettle ★★★★☆
#17) Lumberjanes Vol. 17: Smitten in the Stars ★★★☆☆
#18) Lumberjanes Vol. 18: Horticultural Horizons ★★★☆☆
#19) Lumberjanes Vol. 19: A Summer to Remember ★★★☆☆
#20) Lumberjanes Vol. 20: End of Summer ★★★★★
this was the worst sequel since volume two and the art style (yes, another art change! kill me now!) was a disgrace
➸ Trigger warnings for drowning mentioned.
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April 11, 2022
Good story, good writing. The art though. The series gets hit with yet another brand new visual style. I think they’ve gotten worse and worse. This latest is flat and makes every character look like Moose from Archie comics.
I can see the appeal in providing a forum for multiple artists to gain exposure and experience, but I dislike the wildly different styles that have been applied to this series since its genesis. The characters are barely recognizable; they retain distinctive features in their clothing and hair, but wow do they otherwise look completely changed every couple of collected volumes.
It’s akin to a TV series recasting every role each season. No one would stand for that. To me, a good graphic novel is a marriage of the story and art. Can you imagine Saga if a new artist took over with a completely new look every 10 issues?
I can see the appeal in providing a forum for multiple artists to gain exposure and experience, but I dislike the wildly different styles that have been applied to this series since its genesis. The characters are barely recognizable; they retain distinctive features in their clothing and hair, but wow do they otherwise look completely changed every couple of collected volumes.
It’s akin to a TV series recasting every role each season. No one would stand for that. To me, a good graphic novel is a marriage of the story and art. Can you imagine Saga if a new artist took over with a completely new look every 10 issues?
March 25, 2020
Another adorable volume of Lumberjanes. This one mainly centers around April trying to plan a surprise birthday for Jo and some other Lumberjanes but the rest of the gang manages to have a pretty cool adventure with Seafarin' Karen and the selkies as well. Anytime I need a fun light read I check to see if there are new volumes of Lumberjanes out.
Read
December 26, 2023Read as individual issues.
I really didn't like the art in these issues. It wasn't bad art, I just preferred the previous art styles. But the story was cute and adorable, and it felt like a nice change to the last few volumes which were starting to get a bit repetitive. My only gripe is that while Jo enjoyed her surprise, she didn't talk to April about not liking the big parties. Still, it was an enjoyable romp.
I really didn't like the art in these issues. It wasn't bad art, I just preferred the previous art styles. But the story was cute and adorable, and it felt like a nice change to the last few volumes which were starting to get a bit repetitive. My only gripe is that while Jo enjoyed her surprise, she didn't talk to April about not liking the big parties. Still, it was an enjoyable romp.
September 6, 2020
It's birthday celebrations happening at the Lumberjanes camp and one of those girls celebrating their birthdays is Jo. For years ever since they were young ones, April has been planning a birthday party after a birthday party for Jo, always try to best the previous year's birthday party. This year though Jo isn't at all excited as she knows that April will try and make it all about herself, little does she know that April has put a lot of effort into this party and decided that the correct Lumberjane way is to share the birthday spirit? However, will Jo and Mal get back in time to help celebrate the party as Jo has other plans and sabotaged the rafting trip? Of course, we also have the Selkies joining in as their captain has disappeared and needs saving which wouldn't be a proper Lumberjane novel without adventure and magical beings. I do have to admit though, I am wondering if the Lumberjanes graphic novels are on their way out for me and done their dash as the last few haven't been as great as the previous volumes. I love the friendship factors but the adventures just haven't felt the same and the group has been divided rather than the whole cabin working together. In saying that, I will see how I fare with the later releases and if you love Girl Scouts/Brownies or Pippins - then the Lumberjanes graphic novels are perfect reading material.
January 24, 2021
Curse Shannon Watters and the rest of the team behind these for reminding me how adorable this series is every time I'm always ready to read the next one. I think this was one of the best ones yet.
October 11, 2020
April goes all out (and that's saying something for her) to create the best surprise birthday party every for Jo, who is secretly not that jazzed about it. Oh, and there's a giant sea serpent. Because of course there is.
Another great entry in the series. I love these girls so much.
Another great entry in the series. I love these girls so much.
November 25, 2021
Just okay. The artwork was very meh for me, and the storyline was also not my favorite. I will love April forever.
January 31, 2020
Read as separate issues.
This series is super cute and a great pick-me-up! Not a whole ton of plot in this one but like how it explored the relationships between April/Jo and, to a lesser extent, Mal and Molly, more. Also enjoyed the callbacks to previous volumes with Seafarin' Karren, etc.
This series is super cute and a great pick-me-up! Not a whole ton of plot in this one but like how it explored the relationships between April/Jo and, to a lesser extent, Mal and Molly, more. Also enjoyed the callbacks to previous volumes with Seafarin' Karren, etc.
July 22, 2022
Decent story but the art ruins it
September 2, 2020
April's plan for the perfect party for Jo gets derailed by a sea monster, selkies, and the sheer insanity of the Lumberjanes camp in this birthday themed story arc.
There's a lot packed into these four issues; it feels very dense with all the 'Janes getting their own plot running parallel until they all reunite at the end for the party. There's some nice continuity with Mal's fear of water, and some returning friends as well.
Newcomer Annemarie Rogers' artwork takes a little getting used to, since it's a lot more detailed than previous Lumberjanes artists, so it can seem a bit overwrought at times, but after an issue or so it's like she's been the 'Janes artist for years.
Another fun entry for the Lumberjanes annals.
There's a lot packed into these four issues; it feels very dense with all the 'Janes getting their own plot running parallel until they all reunite at the end for the party. There's some nice continuity with Mal's fear of water, and some returning friends as well.
Newcomer Annemarie Rogers' artwork takes a little getting used to, since it's a lot more detailed than previous Lumberjanes artists, so it can seem a bit overwrought at times, but after an issue or so it's like she's been the 'Janes artist for years.
Another fun entry for the Lumberjanes annals.
December 9, 2020
I felt like this volume lacked a plot and really anything exciting. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because I found the whole idea of creating the perfect birthday for your best friend, cute. I remember in middle school and high school my group of friends always tried to go all out and make birthdays special and something to look forward to. Friendships like that are more like family. You create a bond that will last. And just because I feel like I mention this all the time, I must do it again haha.. the artwork - while better than some of the volumes - still wasn't my favorite.
July 1, 2021
Not wanting to disappoint your friend who is doing something nice for you was a good theme for a lumberjane book. Although they never actually talked about it so Jo is going to have to deal again next year.
January 5, 2021
4 star story, 2 star art. April is determined to celebrate Jo's birthday in the biggest fashion, and everyone gets mixed up in new adventures. I quite enjoyed Wren the stage manager especially!
February 8, 2021
Review to come :)
February 11, 2021
Not in love with the art (although the characters do look distinct, something not always done well), but the story of April going over the top for Jo's birthday was fun.
March 15, 2021
This is a solid LJ collection, but the fifth star is really for that GORGEOUS cover!
July 15, 2021
This volume was a disappointment. The story was boring and not magical. The art style looks terrible and not publication worthy. I don't like how she did the blush. The characters don't look themselves. I am going to finish up this series because there isn't many volumes left.
June 25, 2022
3.5
This was cute. I really just enjoy the friendships and I hope a relationship develops more soon.
I feel like I say the same thing every time I read and review one of these.
This was cute. I really just enjoy the friendships and I hope a relationship develops more soon.
I feel like I say the same thing every time I read and review one of these.
October 10, 2022
gooder
September 9, 2023
Another fun installment in the series, although not one that moves the overarching plot forward.
December 2, 2020
Birthdays can be hard. April has a very special birthday party planned for Jo. Can she pull it off when everything can go wrong in such special ways? Lots of plans going astray and lots of love.
March 30, 2021
This one was a delightful little volume about April planning Jo's birthday party. A lot of side characters from previous volumes made appearances and that was fun.
August 10, 2020
Sigh! The previous volume, the one where Ripley and the Magical Kittens defeat the bad guy, was legit the BEST thing ever. Praise be the Holy Kitten! It restored my faith in the series, which had been dwindling, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, Birthday Smarty was the worst yet. The storyline was just "meh" and I absolutely hated the artwork!! it looked more like roughed-in sketches than polished art worthy of publication. I couldn't finish this, guys. Sorry.
Unfortunately, Birthday Smarty was the worst yet. The storyline was just "meh" and I absolutely hated the artwork!! it looked more like roughed-in sketches than polished art worthy of publication. I couldn't finish this, guys. Sorry.
May 1, 2022
3 out of 5 stars.
Okay, so the first thing I have to get off my chest with this volume is I seriously did not like the art style this go around. Now, I'm no artist. I want to make that abundantly clear. Whichever person did the artwork for this volume has already done a better job than I could ever do, unfortunately compared to other volumes it felt as though the standard of the art had dropped. It was too flat, like it had been drawn with felt tip pens...
I don't want to sound too harsh, because like I said these are better drawings than I could ever pull off... but I'm also not being paid to do this artwork, whereas this person was and the cost of the book now feel too high for the quality of the artwork.
The story was fun and it was nice to see a bit of character development for Jo. It would have been nicer if the story had ended with her explaining her feelings to April about her birthday, and not, y'know, enabling her further but no story is perfect.
Okay, so the first thing I have to get off my chest with this volume is I seriously did not like the art style this go around. Now, I'm no artist. I want to make that abundantly clear. Whichever person did the artwork for this volume has already done a better job than I could ever do, unfortunately compared to other volumes it felt as though the standard of the art had dropped. It was too flat, like it had been drawn with felt tip pens...
I don't want to sound too harsh, because like I said these are better drawings than I could ever pull off... but I'm also not being paid to do this artwork, whereas this person was and the cost of the book now feel too high for the quality of the artwork.
The story was fun and it was nice to see a bit of character development for Jo. It would have been nicer if the story had ended with her explaining her feelings to April about her birthday, and not, y'know, enabling her further but no story is perfect.
Read
August 4, 2020Read as individual issues
July 22, 2021
More Lumberjanes cuteness! Loved basically anything to do with our selkie friends.
October 15, 2021
This is a collective review for the entire Lumberjanes series.
I’ve been wanting to do a complete Lumberjanes read-through ever since I bought the first TPB at the New York ComiCon, back when the series first started. My son and I had just finished reading Namona together, and I was a big Noelle Stevenson fan on the back of that, so Lumberjanes was an obvious choice for what to read next. I read the first few volumes, and then let it sit for a few years as the series ran its course. Now, I have the chance to go back and take it all in as a single, extended reading. So what’s the verdict?
Lumberjanes is a magnificent comic property. Even if it doesn’t speak to you directly (and it doesn’t always speak that strongly to me), the truth is that a book with this much heart, accessibility, respect for each others’ differences, love for a good yarn, and investment in its own characters is a book worth everyone’s notice.
The story involves a very long and unusual summer for a gang of young women at a summer camp where mythical beasts roams and time works at its own pace. It is full of both epic danger and mundane camp stuff, where we might see our heroines fighting a creature from Greek myth one volume, and play a board game of their own making in another. For them, this time-warping summer camp experience is an extended exercise in facing the many challenges of burgeoning adulthood, where growing together matters more than growing up.
Throughout the Lumberjanes is a strong commitment to representation, and this book really delivers there. Just about every reader can easily see themselves in Lumberjanes, which is a feature, not a bug. Even though the stories themselves can hit a kind of rut without any real stakes or advancement of characters or meta-plot (this was especially the case once Stevenson moved off the book), the fact remains that this is a story that provides a much-needed presence in the world of graphic storytelling. You’re not going to find many books this overwhelmingly positive, especially to any dimension of diversity within the audience, and in a comics scene that so often meets diversity kicking and screaming, Lumberjane’s steadfast embrace of our differences really matters. There are more than a few books that feel cut from the Lumberjanes cloth nowadays, but one imagines they wouldn’t be around if not for Lumberjanes themselves. And you know what? We’re all better for it. Whether you like this book or not, you must respect it, and that is no small thing.
I’ve been wanting to do a complete Lumberjanes read-through ever since I bought the first TPB at the New York ComiCon, back when the series first started. My son and I had just finished reading Namona together, and I was a big Noelle Stevenson fan on the back of that, so Lumberjanes was an obvious choice for what to read next. I read the first few volumes, and then let it sit for a few years as the series ran its course. Now, I have the chance to go back and take it all in as a single, extended reading. So what’s the verdict?
Lumberjanes is a magnificent comic property. Even if it doesn’t speak to you directly (and it doesn’t always speak that strongly to me), the truth is that a book with this much heart, accessibility, respect for each others’ differences, love for a good yarn, and investment in its own characters is a book worth everyone’s notice.
The story involves a very long and unusual summer for a gang of young women at a summer camp where mythical beasts roams and time works at its own pace. It is full of both epic danger and mundane camp stuff, where we might see our heroines fighting a creature from Greek myth one volume, and play a board game of their own making in another. For them, this time-warping summer camp experience is an extended exercise in facing the many challenges of burgeoning adulthood, where growing together matters more than growing up.
Throughout the Lumberjanes is a strong commitment to representation, and this book really delivers there. Just about every reader can easily see themselves in Lumberjanes, which is a feature, not a bug. Even though the stories themselves can hit a kind of rut without any real stakes or advancement of characters or meta-plot (this was especially the case once Stevenson moved off the book), the fact remains that this is a story that provides a much-needed presence in the world of graphic storytelling. You’re not going to find many books this overwhelmingly positive, especially to any dimension of diversity within the audience, and in a comics scene that so often meets diversity kicking and screaming, Lumberjane’s steadfast embrace of our differences really matters. There are more than a few books that feel cut from the Lumberjanes cloth nowadays, but one imagines they wouldn’t be around if not for Lumberjanes themselves. And you know what? We’re all better for it. Whether you like this book or not, you must respect it, and that is no small thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews