Matthew Erman

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

With her boyfriend Rem about to start a new job at the Moon of Plenty, and the government denying her a visa so that she can relocate with him, Mariko sees no other option but to break up. But why not enjoy one last wild night together, dimension hopping at the Mall of Portals?

A carefree evening turns into a fight to hold onto their years-long relationship when a sketchy stranger offers Mariko a shiny new visa - if she'll deliver a mysterious package for him. Mariko's journey involves no small amount of self-reflection and, by the end of the night, she's questioning the very love she set out to save.

The artwork is easily the best thing about MARIKO BETWEEN WORLDS - arresting and vibrant, Erman and Kangas have created a 'verse populated by aliens that are by turns glamorous and gorgeous, treacherous yet beguiling. Yet the plot line leaves a lot to be desired. For all its ambition, it feels surprisingly empty. There are tons of gaps; for example, something is obviously afoot at the Moon of Plenty (is Rem going to hell?), but we never learn what. Rem just appears in the epilogue, some two years later, surprisingly well adjusted.

At its core, MARIKO BETWEEN WORLDS is a story about losing yourself in a relationship, and then unexpectedly finding yourself again. The rest just feels like window dressing. Really pretty and kind of bizarre, but ultimately unnecessary.*

* Though I have to admit, I really dug the "Jesus take the wheel" bit.… (more)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I have very mixed feelings about this graphic novel. I loved the world-building, the locations were all fantastical in a sci-fi type of way. I liked how they made average things like a record shop, a food court or a club feel futuristic to the reader but an everyday location to the characters. But the plot itself was sort of meh. The plot synopsis describes it as a "rom-com" but nothing was all that funny or romantic. I liked Mariko, and I emphasized with her a bit. She keeps doing things even if they make her life worse because that is what she thinks is the correct thing to do. Rem on the other hand...annoyed me. I'm not sure if the reader is supposed to dislike Rem, but his entire attitude annoyed me. He really felt like the living embodiment of "toxic positivity". The overarching plot was a bit confusing, and nothing felt all that connected. I understood what the end goal was for Mariko, but the events to get there felt very randomized. The art style was fine. It's not my favorite in the world, but it was nice to look at.… (more)