Lumberjanes

Lumberjanes
Publication information
Publisher	Boom! Studios[1]
Format	Ongoing series
Genre	Action Fantasy
Publication date	2014-present
Number of issues	27, plus 2 specials
Creative team
Writer(s)	Noelle Stevenson Grace Ellis Shannon Watters Faith Erin Hicks
Artist(s)	Brooke A. Allen Brittney Williams Aimee Fleck Faith Erin Hicks Becca Tobin Carolyn Nowak Felicia Choo T. Zysk
Letterer(s)	Aubrey Aiese
Colorist(s)	Maarta Laiho
Creator(s)	Grace Ellis Shannon Watters
Editor(s)	Dafna Pleban Whitney Leopard

Lumberjanes is a comic book series created by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen and Noelle Stevenson^[2] and published via the Boom Box! imprint of Boom! Studios. The story follows a group of girls named Mal, Ripley, Molly, April, and Jo spending summer at a scout camp, and the strange creatures and supernatural phenomena they encounter there. Originally planned as an eight-part series, the comic was quickly made an ongoing series following strong sales and critical acclaim.^[3]

Publication history

Lumberjanes came about as the result of Boom! Studios editor Shannon Watters approaching writer Grace Ellis in the hopes of creating a girl-centric comic series. After settling on a story set at a summer camp, the pair brought in Brooke A. Allen for initial character designs and Noelle Stevenson as a co-writer.^[4] The series would be the second published on Boom! Studios' Boom! Box imprint, which aimed to feature experimental, creator-driven work by writers and artists from outside the mainstream comics industry.^[5] A single eight-issue story arc was originally planned, but shortly after the release of the second issue, Boom! Studios announced that Lumberjanes would become an ongoing series.^[6]

Overview

The story is set in and around Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, a summer camp whose attendees are known as Lumberjane Scouts. The five scouts of the Roanoke cabin - Jo, April, Molly, Mal and Ripley - witness a mysterious old woman transforming into a bear, and after following her into the woods, encounter a hostile pack of three-eyed supernatural foxes. As more three-eyed creatures start to appear, the girls task themselves with solving the mysteries surrounding the camp.

Over the course of the story, characters earn or refer to various Lumberjane scout badges; these are added to a sash printed on the back of each issue. The characters frequently invoke the names of notable female pioneers, with phrases such as "Oh my Bessie Coleman" and "What the Joan Jett?" ^[7] Each issue ends with a track listing for a mixtape prepared by one of the characters.

Characters

Jo is the most cool-headed and analytical member of the group. She is a transgender girl. She sometimes acts as the leader and specializes in the more mathematical puzzles the group faces, and is the most by-the-book of the scouts, knowing the Lumberjane pledge by heart. She has a strong bond with April, including a secret handshake. When Jen is absent, Jo is the most likely to worry about the safety of the group and attempt to rescue her friends. She has the most badges in Roanoke cabin.

April has a flair for the dramatic and a love of puns, and habitually takes notes on the various puzzles the group encounters in her diary. She sometimes acts as the leader, and though outwardly the least physically imposing Lumberjane, she is revealed to be the strongest after successfully arm wrestling a giant living statue. She is also the fact-finder and knowledge base for most of their adventures, and is always ready to face the unknown.

Molly is a skilled archer with a magic bow, but being shy, she sometimes worries that she doesn't contribute enough to the group. However, it is revealed that she has a head for word games and puzzles, and likes to read, and has the second-most patches of anyone, belying her experience. She sometimes acts as the leader from the back of the group, preferring to look after Mal (often anxious), or Ripley (often distracted), while Jo or April take the lead and forage ahead. She has a raccoon companion named Bubbles whom she wears as a hat and has a mutual (shy) crush on Mal.

Mal, despite her punk appearance, is the most cautious and sensitive of the group. She sometimes acts as the leader, specializing in crafting elaborate plans. She is often paranoid about the dangers facing them at the camp, and is watched over and protected by Molly, whom she likes romantically. They often hold hands or share storyboards together as a couple.

Ripley is the youngest and most energetic of the girls, liable to launch herself towards danger without any fear. Her famous move includes drop kicking things in the stomach, including foxes, yetis, statues, and even Mal. She loves animals, from kittens to dinosaurs, and cookies, candy and other sugars. She sometimes acts as the leader and is often the catalyst for trouble, forcing the others to follow her to rescue her from jumping into white water rapids, or venturing into a cave. Molly and Mal are often Ripley's unofficial guardians, and if not them, then Jo.

Jen is Roanoke cabin's scout-leader, and a college student between the ages of 20-22. The girls consider her an adult figure, meaning that they are likely on the younger end of their teen years, though it is never specified. Though Jen takes her job very seriously and is often stern with her campers, she genuinely cares for them and tries to protect them from harm. She is extremely knowledgeable about various fields such as botany and astronomy, and usually tries in vain to interest her adventurous campers in safer activities before catching on to the odd happenings at Camp.

Rosie is the camp scout-master, an easy-going, tattooed woman who enjoys woodcarving (and by dress, tattoos, name, and hobbies, is an obvious nod to Rosie the Riveter, playing into the theme of "Hardcore Lady Types" and feminist empowerment). She seems to know more about the mysterious events surrounding the camp than she is willing to reveal, and encourages the Lumberjanes to keep their eyes peeled, tacitly encouraging them to solve the mystery.

Reception

Lumberjanes launched to positive reviews. Many reviewers commented on the importance of the comic as an all-ages, female-led and female-authored title. Alison Berry of Comicosity said that "Lumberjanes is the book that so many have asked for, both accessible and girl friendly without sacrificing entertainment value for the older set... Girls doing for girls is important in comics especially, because it is traditionally dominated by male characters and creators." ^[8]

The series has a rapidly growing fanbase and at the Staple Comic Con in Austin Texas on March 7, 2015 the regular artist of the series, Brooke Allen, said the official name for fans of the series is "Lumber Jumbies" and hopes the fans takes to this name.

In 2015, Lumberjanes was nominated and won two Eisner Awards, for Best New Series and Best Publication for Teens;^[9][10] In 2015, it was also nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book.^[11]

Film adaptation

As of May 2015, 20th Century Fox is working on a live-action adaptation.^[12] In August 2016, Emily Carmichael was announced to direct the film.^[13]

References