Trish Trash: Rollergirl from Mars Vol. 1 (Trish Trash graphic novels)

Can't wait for the next book in the series. Have been awaiting the printing of this book for a long time - worth the wait. Jessica Abel delivers!

First, let's stop this stupid label of "graphic novel." These have panels, word balloons and sequential action: That's a comic, and that's also a lovely word for generations of readers. Comics are good, graphic novels ar collected comics in one big book. Second, let's tras comic books today: Once upon a time, a kid could pick up cheap reads at a corner grocery or candy shop. Then came the distributors who pulled comic books off newsstands, signed exclusivity rights with publishers and they all but vanished into grimy little shops run by young fat guys. Marvel and DC? Overpriced, less-read. So, off they went to make movies because digital effects made more money. Imagine this: multimillion dollar movies based on twelve cent comic books: Pfffha. BUT, libraries and Scholastic publishers took chances and indie creators built fan circles. If you're leaning toward a young, female protagonist in a story that will stand up to time, here it is.So, this is about Jess' new comic TRISH TRASH.Some years ago, I was poking around Sung Koo's late, great Haley's Comix when he showed me to a basket and in it, indie comics, done with great love and freedom. Sung said, "you've got to check his out..." It was Jess Abel's ARTBABE, her now-famous mini comic. Sewn binding, and a couple of nifty things across a few issues gave a playful kind of sacredness to her work: organic, nowhere near the mainstream, this was great stuff. Self-pandering: I interviewed Jess for my little magazine at the time: Fanboy Magazine. In it, I got to meet a few of the budding talents who were doing their own thing. My favorite was Jess Abel's Artbabe. There were no straight lines, no editor's over-mensching; just talent and the ability to tell short, urban stuff. Then, she was off to Mexico, doing Village Voice in editing collections of grat, new talent in New York, then France and brought it all back with infused flavor to her talent. It never got bad, it just grew. I've followed her other work, and podcasts and such. As a fan and a sort-of follower, I look forward to whatever she's doing, especially now that she's a big, international deal.TRISH TRASH is the first book in what looks to be a trio of comics. On Mars where months are doubly long and water is in demand, a young girl fixes a problem and enters the world or roller derby. It has a cliffhanger, so buy this, and while waiting out the next volume, check out ON THE WIRE or other Abel work. She has a perfect ability to make us focus on one point. It's what Hitchcock did well; Jess does it superbly in TRISH.A teenaged Patricia (7 in Mars years) ditches school to try out for the roller derby. Mars is a hostile, dusty (VERY dusty) life and very rough. Taking a daring step leads to bigger things. As Stan would say, "'nuff said. Keep reading; this is the gold standard of today's youth market and top-shelf comics work.Seeing Jess Abel’s work in such saturated color and lighting (kudos to the colorist) pulled me into examining everything. The color is crucial to everything here, because helmets and barriers to Mars dust are impossible to do in anything but well-thought out planning. This book obviously shows the level of prep it required (what as it, 10 years?).Originally published in french, TRISH TRASH has the european feel of a new Tintin or Mobius. That Jess Abele did a solid character who is both young and female with a vernacular and behavior all her own on a different planet is great work. Thee’s excellent written notes and back of the book examination of backstory stuff, from what they wear to life on Mars.I'm an old library trustee; I know this stuff when young readers find new material and lemme tell ya, boy, will this get talked about in library circles and book fan clubs! This is a safe YA title, so give it to a young reader who may shun "comic books." Here's what one of the world's best does so well. As Jess continues to teach young people how to creat and produce their own work, here's proof that she does it really well. Love it! Ready for book 2!

I just ordered this for my fourteen year old daughter. She's been doing junior derby for about four months and this book is perfect. The art is beautiful and carries the story forward in harmony with the words. The characters are real. I've been a fan of Jessica Abel since Drawing Words and Writing Pictures but this seals it. Thanks for getting it in English, Jessica!