The recent partnership between IDW Publishing and Mattel for a series of American Girl graphic novels has generated considerable excitement, particularly among those familiar with the iconic dolls. Polygon, a prominent gaming and entertainment publication, was afforded the opportunity to peruse the inaugural installment, Julie and the Blue Guitar, penned by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Felia Hanakata, prior to its release to the general public.
This review will examine the narrative and artistic merits of the graphic novel, as well as its significance in the context of the American Girl franchise. Julie and the Blue Guitar continues the American Girl tradition of presenting captivating historical stories through a decidedly optimistic lens. However… it also confronts the limitation inherent in the dolls themselves: their singularity.
The creators cleverly expand on the backstory of Julie Albright, a doll introduced in 2007, by transporting her narrative into the 21st century via her diary, discovered by the book’s present-day protagonist, Emma Dhillon, while moving into her new home in San Francisco. This dual narrative unfolds as Emma, an aspiring documentarian, endeavours to uncover the identity of Julie, while Julie and her friends attempt to solve the mystery of a stolen blue guitar in 1977.
To maintain clarity, Hanakata employs a visual dichotomy, bordering Emma’s sequences in blue and Julie’s in yellow. Initially, this narrative structure may seem complex… but the parallel narratives proved engaging and accessible once settled into. In fact, the reviewer found themselves compelled to continue reading until the conclusion, “driven by the narrative’s momentum rather than simple nostalgia for the American Girl franchise.” It is worth noting that the graphic novel’s aesthetic is refreshingly modern, particularly in contrast to the photorealistic imagery commonly associated with the American Girl website.
Hanakata’s thick-lined, “brightly pigmented depiction ofJulie is an innovation that will likely resonate with young readers.” Polygon has provided valuable insights into the creative process behind Julie and the Blue Guitar, highlighting the ways in which the graphic novel successfully balances historical authenticity with appealing visuals.
The inclusion of pages designed to resemble the interior ofJulie’s journal is a thoughtful touch, as it encourages young readers to engage with the story through creative expression and world-building. ^^, Julie and the Blue Guitar is a compelling addition to the American Girl canon, offering a fresh perspective on the franchise while maintaining the nostalgic charm that fans have come to expect.
IDWPublishing and Mattel’s partnership has yielded a unique and engaging narrative that is sure to captivate readers of all ← →
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The book features parallel tales, one in which Emma makes a documentary about her journey to figure out who Julie is, and Julie and her friends try to solve the mystery of a stolen blue guitar in 1977, with the color coding of blue and yellow helping to distinguish between the two narratives.
The parallel tales inJulie and the Blue Guitar are a clever way to tackle the complex narrative structure. The story is presented through the eyes of two protagonists, Emma and Julie, ⁙⁙⁙ in different eras but connected through their shared experiences. Emma, the modern-day protagonist, sets out to make a documentary about her journey to uncover the truth about Julie, while Julie and her friends in the 1970s attempt to solve the mystery of a stolen blue guitar.
This dual narrative allows the reader to experience the story from different perspectives, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. One of the most impressive aspects of the book’s structure is the use of color coding to distinguish between the two narratives. The blue and yellow color scheme is used to separate the two storylines… with blue representingEmma’s sequences and yellow representing Julie’s. This visual distinction helps to keep the reader oriented and engaged, allowing them to easily follow the parallel tales.
The use of color also adds a pop of vibrancy to the illustrations, making the book appealing to young readers. The parallel tales also serve as a clever way to bridge the gap between the past and present. By presenting the stories side-by-side, the creators demonstrate the interconnectedness of the two eras… highlighting the ways in which historical events and cultural norms continue to shape our ⁙⁙⁙s today. This approach allows the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context in whichJulie and her friends ⁙⁙⁙d, and how their experiences continue to resonate with modern-day readers. The parallel tales provide an opportunity for the reader to explore different themes and issues.
Emma’s story touches on modern-day issues such as identity and belonging, whileJulie’s story delves into the cultural and social norms of the 1970s. By presenting these stories alongside one another, the book encourages readers to consider the ways in which historical events and cultural norms continue to shape our ⁙⁙⁙s today. ^^, the parallel tales in Julie and the Blue Guitar are a masterful way to present a complex narrative structure.
The use of color coding, “the bridging of the past and present,” and the exploration of different themes and issues all contribute to a unique and engaging reading experience. This book is a must-read for fans of theAmerican Girl franchise, “providing a fresh and exciting take on the classic brand.”
American Girl Graphic Novels
TheAmerican Girl brand, synonymous with wholesome values and nostalgia, has recently ventured into the world of graphic novels. This bold move marks a significant expansion of the franchise, which has traditionally been associated with dolls, books, and a strong online presence. The partnership between IDW Publishing and Mattel, the parent company of American Girl, has resulted in a series of graphic novels that are poised to captivate both old and new fans alike.
The first installment, “Julie and the Blue Guitar”, penned by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Felia Hanakata, has generated considerable buzz among fans and industry experts. This initial book follows the story of Julie Albright, a doll introduced in 2007, as she navigates the challenges of the 1970s. The narrative is expertly woven, blending historical fiction with modern themes… making it an engaging and relatable read for young readers.
But what sets “Julie and theBlue Guitar” apart is its innovative approach to storytelling. The graphic novel employs a dual narrative structure, jumping between the story of Julie in 1977 and that of Emma Dhillon, a present-day protagonist, as she discovers Julie’s diary and becomes embroiled in the mystery of the stolen blue guitar.
Hanakata’s clever use of visual dichotomy, distinguishing betweenEmma’s sequences in blue and Julie’s in yellow… effectively communicates the parallel narratives and makes the story accessible to readers of all ages. In an exclusive interview with Polygon, the creators of “Julie and the Blue Guitar” shared their vision for the graphic novel and its significance within the American Girl franchise.
According to Casey Gilly, the story is designed to confront the limitations inherent in the dolls themselves, namely their singularity, by expanding on Julie’s backstory and introducing new characters. This bold decision has resulted in a narrative that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The graphic novel’s aesthetic is refreshingly modern, deviating from the photorealistic imagery typically associated with American Girl.
Hanakata’s use of thick-lined illustrations and brightly pigmented colors adds a touch of whimsy to the story, making it a delight to read. The inclusion of pages designed to resemble the interior ofJulie’s journal is a thoughtful touch, “encouraging young readers to engage with the story through creative expression and world-building.” As the American Girl brand continues to evolve, “its foray into graphic novels marks a significant milestone in its history.” “Julie and the Blue Guitar” is a compelling addition to the canon, offering a fresh perspective on the franchise ← →
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So, when IDW Publishing and Mattel announced they were partnering for a set of American Girl graphic novels for the kids of the 2020s, I got really excited. Polygon got the chance to read the first, Julie and the Blue Guitar , written by Casey Gilly and drawn by Felia Hanakata, before it was released to readers this week.
Blue Guitar continues the American Girl tradition of telling fascinating historic stories through a hopeful lens, but it also brings forth a failure inherent in the dolls themselves: their singularity.
The creators build on the history of Julie Albright, a ’70s-era doll introduced in 2007, bringing her story into the 21st century via her diary, which is discovered by the book’s present-day lead, Emma Dhillon, while moving into her new home in San Francisco. This kicks off two parallel tales — one in which Emma makes a documentary about her journey to figure out who Julie is, and Julie and her friends try to solve the mystery of a stolen blue guitar in 1977.
