The New York Four - Brian Wood , Ryan Kelly

The New York Four
Brian Wood (Author)
Ryan Kelly (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 978141211547

This graphic novel focuses around four friends who meet while at university and plan on getting a place together. The main character is Riley Wilder, a young woman who always follows the rules, does what she is told, gets good grades and has overly protective parents. Her parents are over protective because of her wild older sister. While at college, she starts meeting up with her sister again, and between that and a stranger texting her, her life slowly starts to unravel.

Drawn with a mixed style of various frames and full page spreads, the artwork in the book is wonderful. The story captures much of the essence of the university experience, also some of the confusion around family dynamics. The story is compelling and it looks like a second book is in the works because it ends with "see you next semester." It would be interesting to see where the story goes next. The four female characters are very well written, and at times, both inspirational and infuriating.

This short-lived graphic novel imprint produced some great stories for and about girls. They are books I will keep for my daughters for when they are older.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)