January Staff Picks!

Belly Full of Heart by Madeline Mouse (they/them)

A comic book ode to ooey-gooey homosexual lovers of the past, present, and future. Like the rush of eating dessert before dinner or the tantalizing allure of itching a mosquito bite, Belly Full of Heart is a quick punch to the gut (romantically). Filled with illustrated vignettes of those moments where time slows and nothing exists except you and them, this collection covers topics such as being held, staying held, and squeezing the ones you love really hard.

This comic so warmly and wonderfully captures the silly moments and conversations that happen with your love who fully accepts and sees you. The art style sucks you in, wrapping you up in the warmth and joy that radiates from being in a queer relationship (and maybe any relationship; I can only speak to how seen I feel as a queer person). This zine has entered my favorites shelf hall of fame. I read Belly Full of Heart under a quilt while my partner was making soup, and I couldn’t recommend a more perfect reading atmosphere for this zine.

Neighborhood Story by Ai Yazawa

This stylish re-release of one of legendary mangaka Ai Yazawa’s first series is full of glorious 90s fashion, teenage romantic antics, and general slice-of-life goodness. The story follows teenager Mikako, her childhood friend and neighbor Tsutomu, and the pair’s respective friends as the crew goes through life attending a prestigious art school.

Mikako dreams of being a fashion designer, made all the more obvious by her bold personal fashion sense, which led her to begin attending Yazawa Art Academy (yes, named after the author herself) alongside her childhood best friend, Tsutomu. The decision to “follow” her pal to his school starts to raise suspicion among their friends and family that Mikako has feelings for him, which she staunchly denies. However, after Tsutomu’s sudden rise to popularity earns him the hand of the hottest girl in school, Mikako is left wondering if what she’s feeling is jealousy… and why.

I absolutely loved this book, and can’t wait to get my hands on volume two. The art is gorgeously stylized in Yazawa’s signature exaggerated look, and the fashion illustrations are to die for. The characters are all lovable in their own ways, and complicated as real teenagers are wont to be. Romance is in the air, hearts are broken and repaired again, and the gang still sticks together. Also, there’s an adorable black kitty cat–my kryptonite.

This new edition of the classic story comes in four volumes, which any manga fan knows is a relief. The story has an end in sight, and you don’t have to go broke getting there. Plus, the high-pigmented spines will look fabulous on your shelf. What’s not to love?! I can’t wait to dig into the following volume and find out what happens next.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada

As the bitter St. Louis winter cold creeps around the corner, there’s nothing that can prepare you better than a warm and cozy book to snuggle up with! You may know Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End from its acclaimed anime adaptation, but even if you’ve witnessed Kanehito Yamada’s introspective fantasy tale on the screen, the manga series is definitely worth checking out. Artist Tsukasa Abe’s unparalleled attention to detail brings the eclectic personalities of Frieren and her companions to life in a way the anime simply cannot match. Plus, the story continues beyond the show’s 28 episodes!

For those unacquainted, Frieren follows its titular elven mage after the completion of her decade-long quest to defeat the demon king alongside a party of heroes. However, given her millenia-lasting lifespan as an elf, those ten years of trials are merely a drop in the bucket of her experiences. Time is of no essence for her! Eighty years after her heroic journey, Frieren finds herself seeking out both new spells and an understanding of her former companions. In a life where connection seems so fleeting, she slowly learns to appreciate the feeling of impacting another, in ways both large and small.

With its tenderness and honesty, Frieren is the perfect pick for anyone looking for a warm and reflective read with a dash of witty humor and enchanting action thrown in. Catch up on Frieren’s new journey before the second season begins!

A Frog in the Fall by Linnea Sterte

Come along on an adventure with a young frog experiencing the world in seasons! Follow along a young frog on his journey to find new horizons and learn about the world around him. I started this book thinking I’d just get a few pages in before bed, but ended up reading the entire thing! I was obsessed not only with the phenomenal art, but also with the deeper meaning of his journey. You get to watch him learn about both the good and the bad that the world has to offer.

My favorite thing about this book was the dedication at the beginning of the novel which reads, “For Grandpa, who gave me the old Montblanc pen with which these frogs were drawn.” It was so special to think about how important the pen was in making this book, and how beautiful the process must have been for Linnea Sterte. This book has officially been crowned as my new favorite book, I loved it more than I can put into words! It has very similar vibes to Over The Garden Wall, a show I love dearly. Get ready for some froggy antics, A Frog In The Fall surely delivers!

Semantic Error by Angy and J. Soori

I am so incredibly excited to present volume 1 of Semantic Error, out now for its first official English release! From web novel to manhua to groundbreaking live-action television show (we just can’t get enough!), this story of two college students transitioning from fiery enemies to warm-hearted lovers is sure to capture your heart. When his teammates fail to contribute to their final group presentation, computer science major Sangwoo Choo doesn’t hesitate to cut everyone’s names from the project entirely—including design major Jaeyoung Jang, which ruins Jaeyoung’s plans to graduate. Forced to cancel his study abroad grad school opportunity, Jaeyoung becomes determined to spend the remainer of his undergrad life tormenting the stubbornly righteous Sangwoo – a plan which, naturally, does not go as expected!

I’ve been following this series since its initial Korean release in 2018, and to this day I find it to be an absolute standout in the field of romance comics. Not only is Semantic Error a hilarious and entertaining depiction of two destined-to-be characters who are determined to be each other’s number one haters, it is also a sensitive and empathetic glimpse into navigating relationships and discovering joy despite struggles with neurodivergency, trauma, and internalized homophobia.