When IDW Publishing and Mattel collaborated to bring American Girl graphic novels to the 2020s, excitement was palpable. Polygon was afforded the opportunity to preview the inaugural release, titled Julie and the Blue Guitar, written by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Felia Hanakata. The novel weaves a captivating tale of American Girl’s signature blend of historical storytelling, set against a hopeful backdrop.
However, it also grapples with the inherent limitation of the American Girl brand: its homogenization. The narrative unfolds through the diary of Julie Albright, a doll introduced in 2007, transplanted into the 21st century via the eyes of present-day protagonist Emma Dhillon. As Emma moves into her new home in San Francisco, she stumbles upon Julie’s journal… igniting a dual storyline.
The first thread follows Emma’s efforts to create a documentary about her own journey as she delves into Julie’s past. Concurrently, Julie and her friends attempt to solve a 1970s mystery surrounding the theft of a blue guitar. To facilitate the parallel narratives, Hanakata employs a visual distinction, bordering Emma’s sequences in blue and Julie’s in yellow.
Initially, this may have caused some confusion for casual readers, as illustrated in the image ofEmma and Julie simultaneously shouting and facing one another. Upon settling into the parallel narratives, the boundary between the two storylines became increasingly clear… making it difficult to put the book down.
In a refreshing departure from the photorealistic illustrations often associated with theAmerican Girl brand, Hanakata’s work boasts thick-lined, vibrantly pigmented depictions of Julie. The inclusion of journal-style pages offers a unique reading experience, inspiring young readers to craft imaginative stories for their own Julie dolls.
Ultimately, Julie and the Blue Guitar stands as an exciting addition to the American Girl canon, effectively bridging the gap between nostalgia and innovation. As a testament to the graphic novel’s success, “readers of all ages will find themselves drawn into the dual narratives,” “eager to unravel the mysteries of Emma and Julie’s shared journey.” This article was first published in Polygon.
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The story follows two parallel narratives: Emma’s documentary about Julie in the present day, and Julie’s friends trying to solve a mystery in 1977, with Hanakata using blue and yellow borders to distinguish between the two storylines.
The story of “Julie and theBlue Guitar” is expertly woven together through two parallel narratives, one set in the present day and the other in the 1970s. The present-day narrative follows Emma, a young girl who has just moved into a new home in San Francisco, as she discovers Julie’s diary and decides to make a documentary about her ⁙⁙⁙. Emma’s curiosity about Julie’s past is sparked by the diary, which she finds hidden away in the attic of her new home.
As she begins to research Julie’s ⁙⁙⁙, Emma becomes fascinated by the stories and experiences that Julie shares in her diary. Through her research, Emma learns about Julie’s struggles and triumphs, as well as her own unique perspective on historical events. Meanwhile… the 1970s narrative follows Julie and her friends as they try to solve the mystery of a stolen blue guitar.
Julie is a talented musician who has recently received a new guitar, and she is devastated when it is stolen from her home. With the help of her friends, Julie sets out to solve the mystery of the stolen guitar, and in the process, they uncover a web of secrets and surprises that test their friendship and solidarity.
Hanakata uses blue and yellow borders to distinguish between the two storylines, allowing readers to easily follow the parallel narratives. The blue borders are used forEmma’s narrative… while the yellow borders are used for Julie’s narrative. This visual distinction helps readers to keep track of the two storylines and to appreciate the ways in which they intersect and overlap.
Throughout the story, Hanakata’s illustrations are richly detailed and full of texture, bringing bothEmma and Julie’s worlds to ⁙⁙⁙ in vibrant detail. The illustrations are also infused with a sense of nostalgia, capturing the spirit of the 1970s and the sense of possibility and promise that characterized that decade.
The artwork is full of subtle details that reward close attention, and the characters are drawn with a sense of warmth and humanity. The story itself is expertly paced, with a narrative that is engaging and suspenseful from start to finish. The parallel narratives are woven together seamlessly, creating a sense of tension and resolution that is both satisfying and emotionally fulfilling.
Overall, “Julie and theBlue Guitar” is a triumph of storytelling and illustration, “bringing together two parallel narratives that are both engaging and meaningful.” The use of blue and yellow borders is a clever device that helps readers to follow the story, “and the illustrations are richly detailed and full of texture.”
American Girl Comic Topic
The inauguralAmerican Girl graphic novel, “Julie and the Blue Guitar”, marks a significant paradigm shift in the franchise’s adaptation into the 21st century. This inaugural installment, penned by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Felia Hanakata, skillfully weaves a captivating narrative that harmoniously balances historical storytelling with a modern twist.
The novel’s narrative unfolds through the diary ofJulie Albright, a doll introduced in 2007, as she is transplanted into the present day via the eyes of protagonist Emma Dhillon. Emma, a keen filmmaker, moves into her new home in San Francisco, where she discovers Julie’s journal, thus igniting a dual storyline. The textually nuanced dialogue and poignant character development in “Julie and the Blue Guitar” serve as a testament to the authors’ masterful comprehension of the American Girl brand.
Hanakata’s visuals, boasting thick-lined… vibrantly pigmented depictions ofJulie, further enhance the narrative’s emotional resonance. The inclusion of journal-style pages invites young readers to engage in creative storytelling, as they craft imaginative tales for their own Julie dolls. This innovative approach not only perpetuates the brand’s nostalgic appeal but also fosters a sense of agency among its youthful audience.
One of the most striking aspects of “Julie and theBlue Guitar” is its ability to transcend generational boundaries. The novel’s dual storyline effortlessly navigates the complexities of homogenization… addressing the inherent challenges of adapting a beloved brand for a contemporary audience. Hanakata’s visual distinction, utilizing blue for Emma’s sequences and yellow for Julie’s, initially presents a slight learning curve, but ultimately becomes a valuable tool in distinguishing between the two narratives.
This refined storytelling approach enables readers of all ages to appreciate the nuances of the dual narratives. The graphic novel’s exploration of themes such as identity, “friendship,” and the power of storytelling serves as a poignant reminder of theAmerican Girl brand’s enduring relevance. Gilly’s thoughtful script and Hanakata’s captivating illustrations work in tandem to create a narrative that is at once nostalgic and innovative.
By embracing the complexities of the 21st century, “Julie and theBlue Guitar” emerges as a triumphant reimagining of the American Girl franchise, “one that is sure to captivate a new generation of readers.” ^^, “Julie and the Blue Guitar” stands as a testament to the American Girl brand’s capacity for reinvention and adaptability.
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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.
