Writer & Artist: Jackie Morrow
Image Comics
It’s strange, but there aren’t a lot of combinations better than food and comic books. Relish, Flavor, and Space Battle Lunchtime are just a few beloved comic books that feed readers with words and art. Despite this lovely combination, there aren’t too many books out there that prioritize putting food into the narrative. Fortunately, Jackie Morrow and Image comics are here to give us Supper Club, a slice-of-life story that is as much about food as it is friendship.
Supper Club takes the reader on a journey through the senior year of three close friends. In an effort to spend time together, they create Supper Club, an opportunity for them to bond over cooking together. Of course, a lot of life happens for these girls, and sometimes Supper Club might not be enough to keep them together.
As Morrow’s debut graphic novel, Supper Club gets a lot right. It’s a slice-of-life story that does a spectacular job at highlight both the important and mundane moments of the characters’ lives. Everything from awful medical diagnoses to a nice evening of baking together is covered here. Even if it isn’t actually a significant moment, it’s important for the reader to feel like it is. In high school, everything can feel like the end of the world, and Morrow successfully makes that felt here.
Supper Club isn’t a comic without a lot of action, so it heavily leans on entertaining dialogue and gorgeous art to keep the reader engaged. Fortunately, every line reads naturally, and each of the three protagonists has a unique voice. The panels are structured in simple ways that allow for the dialogue to flow naturally from moment to moment. Scattered between lines are faces full of dialogue that are often larger than life. This animated feeling makes everyone easier to empathize with while also keeping the story lighthearted. Every conversation is a delight and hits the reader with just the right amount of emotion.
Aesthetically speaking, Supper Club looks like something that you might find published By Boom Studios. It’s full of bold lines and bright colors that tend to define the genre. There isn’t much to the backgrounds, but they are often colored with the right shade to deliver the emotion that the panels need. The design choices throughout complete the package, with lettering that gives the characters (and their smart devices) voices.
Supper Club is a joyful look at how food brings people together. Jackie Morrow’s debut graphic novel successfully explores its themes while giving readers a delightful and focused experience to indulge in. Anyone who needs a comfier comic book on their shelf will want to check out this
Supper Club
The Good
- The art is full of life
- Tons of heart
The Bad
- There aren't more books like this
