Customer Reviews

Spell Checkers Volume 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I couldn't say Spell Checkers had me hooked at first glance, and even after reading through I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The wit is amazingly entertaining, and all the pop-culture references and other little Easter eggs entertained me throughout. The art changes here and there, and though it confused me at first, it's really nice to see different takes on the characters style-wise. But there is something about the story that makes me want to read in further.

It hasn't captured me entirely just yet, but I am enjoying it thus far. I do plan to read volume two when I can get it.

When I first picked up this volume I have to admit, I was expecting it to be better than it was. It's got a good cast of artists to it & the plotline sounded interesting in a The Craft meets Mean Girls sort of way. I was just so sad that this floundered so badly.

Spell Checkers follows the exploits of three truly mean girls- not only do they rule the roost at their school, but they also have magical powers! Unfortunately two of the trio are slowly starting to lose their powers as well as having horrible things written about them on the walls of their school while the third mysteriously keeps her strength. With tensions rising & a sweet sixteen party on the horizon, these girls better get their acts together or they'll discover that there's worse things than a little harassment & not being able to get it up magically.

I liked the premise of this book & I do like all of the artists. It's just that this didn't really seem to grab me. The artwork is fab, but then what do you expect from Jamie Rich & company? No, where the book failed to keep me was with the characters. I absolutely LOVE a good mean girl book, but none of these three girls really had me hooked. They just seemed to lack in the "read about me more!" charisma that I've found in other books such as the Pretty Little Liars series & other media. I'm really hoping that the second volume fleshes these girls out a little more & makes them a little more entertaining as well as going into a bit more about what makes them tick.

The story & jokes in this book are really what makes it readable- there's a lot of sarcasm in here, so much so that it just drips off of the pages in a wonderfully twisted way. And watching how our little witches misuse their powers? Incredibly entertaining. It's just that again, the three main characters just seem to be a little one dimensional in a not-good way. I kind of understand where they're trying to go with this, but I really do hope that the character developments improve in the next volume.

If you're looking for a great indie read, I suggest that you go halfsies on this wish a friend or get it from the library, if you can. This isn't a bad graphic novel & it has the potential to be really great, but it just doesn't seem to be as "OMG! MUST READ!" as some of the other books out there are.

I was really looking forward to this book and it didn't disappoint. The book is unapologetic about how these characters feel. And while you can say you'd react differently in their situations, you'd be lying to yourself. The humor is quite dark at times and it fits the subject matter perfectly. I don't mean witches, either. I'm talking about teenagers. Yikes! Mean girls behaving unabashedly... well... mean! Entertaining and vivid. I loved the book!

I thoroughly enjoyed the quick dialogue and witty retorts provided by Jamie Rich in this volume and am looking forward to the next story. I don't know what's in the works, but I sure hope it's released soon.

Joelle Jones' interludes were too few for my tastes. Before picking it up I was hoping the penciling would be a pretty even split between her and Nicolas Hitori De. Still, the art isn't disappointing at all and captures the mood perfectly of the story. I'll be seeking out more by all three of these talents just as soon as I post this review.

Mr. Rich's "Mean Girls meets The Craft" ends up being his most enjoyable project to date. The tormented halls of high school provide the perfect backdrop for his own powers of scathing wit and existential stickiness; It's the kind of setting that allows him to be a kid in the Devil's candy store.

Eschewing the standard "Afterschool Special" ethics lesson, the book, as imagined as it is, stills retains a bitting truth most stories of this nature either ignore or cover with plastic mouse ears. He lets mean girls be what mean girls are -- mean! Combine that amoral attitude with magical powers -- and you've got three teenaged shrews who are unstoppable. I've never understood anyone who thinks that despicable characters have no entertainment value. If that were the case, shows like, The Soup would have disappeared a long time ago!

Make no mistake about it. These girls are mean; and they are very fun to watch.

The story, combined with the exceptional art of Nicholas Hitori De and Joelle Jones makes for a wonderful tale of high school power plays, witchcraft, and evil fun.

Jamie's quick witted sarcasm really comes through in this book. I cant seem to put it down, It pulls at me. The art flows clean across the pages, and Joelle's flashbacks are fantastic. Cant wait for volume 2.

At first glance, it could seem like this is just another take on the well used "mean girls" story. But the girls' biting sarcasm and witty dialogue makes this very fresh and entertaining! Jamie Rich's dark humor shows up throughout the story, and it's fantastic.

I really enjoyed the art, it makes them look innocent and friendly, while you know that inside they're mean, catty, and using magic to get their way in life. I really love the flashback sequences as well.

SPELL CHECKERS Volume 1 by Jamie S. Rich (Twelve Reasons Why I Love Her), Joelle Jones (You Have Killed Me), and Nicolas Hitori De is a non-stop, push the pedal to the floor, full throttle barrage of self absorbed girls looking to get by on their looks and powers. They embody everything awful about "mean girls." I loved the line by Kimmie, "no hugs, no learning." These girls play it loose, are loose, and never stop to think, they just react and take care of whatever comes their way.

Jamie Rich's twisted sense of humor shines with some raunchy one liners that will crack readers up and the non-stop insults...honestly, I think these three girls are his inner id shining through. Every catty and nasty comment Jamie thinks about people, but either filters, tempers, or mutes comes out on these pages.

Joelle Jones' flashback sequences are gorgeous and Nicolas Hitori De perfectly captures the present day girls in all their meanness. The art is rich and lush.

This is a solid read and highly recommended! Jamie Rich perfectly captures the voice of these three...*ahem ladies. Looking forward to Volume 2.

I have been a fan of Oni Press for 12 years and a fan of Jamie S. Rich for 10 years, and this is the worst thing that either of them have ever produced.

Imagine the three people you hated most in high school. Now, give them magical powers that allow them to get everything they want on a whim while simultaneously making the lives of everyone around them miserable. Congratulations, you've now read Spell Checkers while saving yourself twelve dollars and 150 pages.