Review: Sugar Volume 1
It used be that love stories were all about boy meets girl, boy loses girl and finally boy gets the girl. Regardless of the differing viewpoints and situations on show throughout this volume, it is surprising that this maxim is pretty much what this book boils down to.
In one corner in this boxing match of love is Julia, a university student, struggling to make ends meet as she ekes out her long term future, one semester at a time. In the other is John, fresh out of a relationship that went south, due to either a lack of attention on his part or the lack of fidelity on his soon-to-be ex-wife’s. Both, have their respective issues; both trying to get through their lonely corners of the night. Through a chance meeting, an invite to a bar follows with a further invitation to even more, tempered by an offer. This offer, designed to keep the fragile emotional state of John intact, serves as a minor bone of perception for Julia, which crops up time and time again. As with all great love stories, the course of true love never runs straight and this pair are no exception with friends, ex’s, lifestyle issues and feelings all thrown into the mix.
The book is a creation of Yishan Li, Matt Hawkins and Jenni Cheung with the former providing the art and the latter pair providing the story. Taking the writing first, as you would expect from this pair, the book is essentially a love story, in much the same way Swing is, with the sex only being part of it. However, Hawkins and Cheung seem to have taken a step backward. With Swing, the couplet seemed consensual; this time around, especially with the agreement, things seem a little 50 Shades but without the bondage. The agreement is the thing that makes this an uncomfortable read. The idea that John provides funds and gifts for Julia as long as Julia agrees to be his girlfriend at the weekends seems a tad insulting. In addition, Julia’s rule of not falling in love seems a little out of place for a character that seems so strong.
Yishan Li’s pencils are the epitome of easy flowing. Super clean lines used for the figures, hint at a manga style hidden under a more western viewpoint. The backgrounds are detailed, giving the reader a real world effect, that seems to contrast the seedy perceptions of John and Julia’s non-sexual interactions. The art conveys the emotions of the pair as they try to weave their way through their particular journey. Li also provides the colors for the book with each environment getting equal measure. Of course, some people will be looking to buy the book for the sex; there is plenty of it. For the most part the sex is pretty much what you’d expect from any couple in the thrusts of a new relationship.
I am by no means a prude having enjoyed Swing and Sunstone, books to which this volume acts asthe third part of an unofficial trilogy. The difference between those books and this volume, is that for the first time I don’t actually buy in to either John or Julia. His actions seems creepy and could be seen as buying affection. Regarding Julia, does she really love him or love the fact shes doesn’t have to worry about tuition fees? I understand that the topic of Sugar might be uncomfortable, and I agree that comics can challenge our beliefs; but to do this successfully, the reader needs to be engaged. On this occasion, no matter how many breasts and legs are on show, I am sorry to say that I feel that the validity of the characters let the volume and the intention of Hawkins and Cheung down.
Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Matt Hawkins & Jenni Cheung
Art by; Yishen Li
Published by; Top Cow via Image Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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