I don't think I know a single guy who hasn't been through it... the seemingly endless torture of the Friend Zone. You know... you're friends with a great woman, and suddenly, you realize that the two of you belong together. But you're friends, and making the leap is unbearably frightening and risky. More often than not, that final romantic connection is never made, but Michael Jantze's comic-strip persona manages to do so, and it makes for a heart-warming and entertaining read.
Norm and Reine return from their horrible vacation in Hawaii, and they feel incredibly awkward around one another. Norm decides the time has come to bite the bullet and ask her out, and she proves to be surprisingly receptive to the idea. The relationship doesn't blossom; it grows and shoots up like Jack's beanstalk, thanks, in part, to the long friendship they share. Norm is happy... and then the pitfalls of dating start kicking in. But hey, so do the perks.
Jantze's simple style, reminiscent of Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes work, captures the irreverent, celebratory tone of the storyline and characters. There's a real joie de vivre in both the writing and the visuals... so much so that Jantze's choice of a dull brown cover strikes me as the wrong choice. Something brighter and more eye-catching is definitely called for when it comes to the book's exterior packaging.
There's a nice contrast between the two tones of the script. On the one hand, we have the charming cluelessness that Reine and Norm both exhibit as they try to figure out what they want and how to make it happen. On the other, there's a quiet, content maturity that comes into play when the characters recognize the soothing simplicity of achieving a romantic bond. That cluelessness never fades, though, as new -- yet still simple -- challenges present themselves.
Jantze taps into a universal experience for his subject matter, and he points to the obvious and easily attainable happy ending. Ultimately, he shows the reader how s/he can overcomplicate life with fears and insecurities, and how boldness and honesty often lead to the happily-ever-after we all yearn for.
Note: This mini-comic was not among this week's new releases.
