Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, “The Plain Janes”

I read about D.C.’s new imprint, Minx, in the New York Times last year. The line of graphic novels aimed at young females intrigued me, in part because the first book’s illustrator, Jim Rugg, is a Pittsburgher. “The Plain Janes” is the story of a girl whose family moves to the suburbs from the big city after she survives an attack. Jane quickly spots the girls who should be her friends (all with names varying on Jane) but has a difficult time convincing them. But a citywide guerrilla art project brings them together, and strikes fear in adults.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2007, 176 pp.
Obtained via: Read at Borders
Date started: 5.28.07
Date finished: 5.28.07
What I liked: The young-female-driven plot is a great development in comics — I hope it catches on. Minx has a lot of books in the queue, so I guess we’ll see. The Janes’ group — “People Loving Art in Neighborhoods” — is inspiring to me, even at 25.
What I didn’t like: There are a couple parts that feel like they’re taken straight from “Mean Girls.” There are a couple of pages of the story that look a little off, artwise, but that’s minor.
What I learned: Teen fiction is entertaining for grownups, too.
Unresolved question: Why does teen fiction still hold on to stereotypes so much?