This stands out as the very best of the Blue Monday comics thus far, and the reason is clear: creator Chynna Clugston-Major gets a bit serious this time around. Previous instalments have revolved around high-school hijinks and pop-culture adventures; it was something of an Archie for a more sophisticated yet raunchier crowd. Here, there's more of a teen drama riff on the go, and given how strong these characters' personalities are, it's quite engaging. But the real reason one should check out this comic book is the main character's heart-wrenching speech toward the end of the book. Her sentiments are ones everyone can relate to; Clugston-Major sums up that universal sense of being different and alone.
Bleu finds herself treated like a pariah at school in light of rumors abounding over the video Alan and Victor shot of her taking a bath. She's never felt more alone, and that turfs Alan's chances at getting together with her. Erin urges Victor to take his shot at wooing Bleu, much to the chagrin of Clover, who's a bit smitten with Victor. Meanwhile, Bleu's still pining over her teacher, Mr. Bishop, and Clover convinces her that the two of them need to go out and "find new boys."
Clugston-Major continues to impress with the balance she brings to these characters. She captures their sexuality and their innocence at the same time. These characters are full of energy and personality, and it shines through in the artwork. Most importantly, the artist shows us just how alone and lost Bleu feels. There's a longing and a sadness in her face during the quieter moments of the story. Clugston-Major's Amerimanga style is a lot of fun, but I detect a little Jim (Stupid Comics) Mahfood influence at play in her work here as well.
One of the elements that sets this apart from previous Blue Monday comics is that there's a greater sense of these characters' lives. We meet Bleu's brother, for example, and we see Clover interact with her dad. Bleu's life at school changes as a result of recent events in her life. There's a sense of forward movement and growth here.
I honestly don't know which character I like better: Bleu or Clover. They make a perfect pair, balancing one another nicely. Bleu's insecurities and romanticism are qualities one can recognize in oneself, but Clover's attitude and courage are incredibly admirable. She doesn't wallow in self-pity; she decides to do something about it. Blue is who we are, but Clover is who we want to be.
