Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Boom Studios

    Lumberjanes #11 Review

    Ashley Victoria RobinsonBy Ashley Victoria RobinsonFebruary 26, 20154 Mins Read

    Lumberjanes #11 sees Ripley, Jo and April desperate to earn themselves some badges.

    DIG052491_1LUMBERJANES #11
    Writers: Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters
    Artist: Carolyn Nowak
    Colourist: Maarta Laiho
    Letterer: Aubrey Aiese
    Editors: Dafna Pleban
    Publisher: BOOM! Box
    Cover Price: $3.99


    Previously in Lumberjanes #10: Mal and Molly go on a date and things get dangerous.

     

     

    AN ADVENTURE IN STALLING

    For the first time since this series started Lumberjanes #11 feels like Noelle Stevenson and Shannon Watters are stalling for time. Oh, the girls do things, but most of what happens over the course of the issue feels like the upcoming catalyst events are being saved for coming issues because this arc is supposed to be a certain number of issues long. It’s still cute and it’s still fun, but something in the plot and the heart of the issue is missing.

    The A-story of Lumberjanes #11 still focuses on Mal and Molly trapped with the Bear Woman on the same magical plane that they wandered into in the past issue. Stevenson and Watters give each of the girls are chance to illustrate true bravery in defending each other and this serves nicely to both reinforce Mal and Molly’s romantic relationships and speak to the different ways in which bravery can manifest from person to person. Considering that Lumberjanes #11 is a comic book widely read by children and adults the writers have done something both sweet and responsible.

    The disappointing aspect of the A-story of Lumberjanes #11 is that Mal and Molly ultimately don’t get anywhere. They wind up still lost and wandering about this spiritual plane with the Bear Woman because she’s misplaced her reading glasses. This is the point where the silliness of the Lumberjanes series runs a bit aground for me. This catalyst for the – presumably – mortal danger our protagonist couple is in ultimately lacks the stakes that make the risk seem worth it in the first place.

    Let’s move on to the B-Plot, which is really the highlight of Lumberjanes #11. Jo, April and Ripley continue their quest to sweep up as many boring badges as they can. The decision rests largely on the cake baking/decorating class, then they move on to a ballroom dancing class, friendship bracelet making and a stargazing class. Ultimately, only one of the girls has any skill in completing these classes, and thereby earning her badges, and by doing this Stevenson and Watters flip readers’ expectations and prove – much like with bravery – that the book and the cover adage is true … plus it’s a pretty funny reveal page after page even when readers know that it’s coming.

    In the end, Lumberjanes #11 is a cute issue with some really special moments in twenty-two pages. The main problem is that the A-plot comes across as spinning wheels and holding off on bigger reveals and bigger plot points that have already been designated for issues coming down the pipeline, which leaves the story on the page a little lacking.

    There is a lot of good in Lumberjanes #11, but it’s probably the weakest of the entire series to date.


    REAL SWEET ART

    Carolyn Nowak continues her work as the artist of Lumberjanes #11 and she’s still new enough to the series that it’s fun to watch her take on familiar faces and locations. The girls all appear slightly older under her pencil and a little more grounded in the reality the readers inhabit. For instance, when Mal and Molly are forced into physical combat their movements seem powerful on the panel, rather than cartoonish and exaggerated (which is not to say bad), as they had in the first arc of the story.

    Nowak’s style lends a sense of maturity to Lumberjanes #11 that nicely mirrors the more mature themes and storylines that are a natural evolution of the series. These more complex emotions also come across in the faces of the girls that star in this issue.

    Lumberjanes #11 shines with Carolyn Nowak’s art, she draws the magic out of the most ordinary moments in the issue and ultimately celebrates the magical realism that this series embodies.

     

    THE BOTTOM LINE: PRETTY GOOD

    Lumberjanes #11 is cute and nicely subverts readers’ expectation at a couple different moments throughout the issue, although in the end it doesn’t feel like there’s much going on.

    [taq_review]

    [signoff predefined=”PayPal Donation” icon=”icon-cog”][/signoff]

    Boom Studios BOOM! Box independent comics Indie Comics Lumberjanes Lumberjanes #11 Lumberjanes #11 Review Review Women in Comics
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleTop Five Reasons to Live in Kansas (no, really…)
    Next Article Major Spoilers Question Of The Day: Gritty Reboot Redux Edition
    Ashley Victoria Robinson
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    She/her. Canadian actress. Bi Queen. Canadian co-host of Geek History Lesson. Canadian comic book writer: Witchblade, Apollo IX, Jupiter Jet series, Science! The Elements of Dark Energy, Aurora and The Eagle. Award-losing: actor, writer, podcaster. https://linktr.ee/AshleyVRobinson

    Related Posts

    Critical Hit #789: Monster Wrangler – Session Zero (MWS01-E00)

    Read More

    Marvel United: A Pride Special Review

    Read More

    Top Five Snacks (2025 Edition)

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    9.0
    June 13, 2025

    Marvel United: A Pride Special Review

    6.3
    June 10, 2025

    X-Men #17 Review

    6.0
    June 9, 2025

    Power Rangers Prime #7 Review

    6.0
    June 8, 2025

    Retro Review: Detective Comics #20 (October 1938)

    8.0
    June 7, 2025

    Absolute Green Lantern #3 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: I Want More than Good Memories!
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT