Octopus Pie

In this collection of the first two years of the long-running webcomic, Eve's boyfriend abruptly dumps her, and she finds herself in need of a roommate-a need filled by Hanna, a young woman Eve hasn't seen since preschool (they're now in their 20s). Together, they attempt to make a life in Brooklyn, where Eve works at an organic grocery store and marijuana-fueled Hanna runs a pastry company, Bake 'n' Bake. As the wonderfully diverse cast of flawed characters stumble through laser tag wars, renaissance faire shenanigans, a bizarre Halloween party, and shallow Brooklyn art shows, they confront their own shortcomings and desperately try to find (and keep) love. Gran's (Marceline and the Scream Queens) cartooning is top-notch, as is her pacing; the wit is far more sophisticated than a typical "gag a day" strip. Part send-up of the borough's hipster residents, part soul-searching slice-of-life saga, Gran's work dissects what it means to be a modern 20-something. Agent: Hansen Literary. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gran (Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift) introduces the often surly Eve Ning and her childhood friend-turned-stoner and baker Hanna in this initial print volume of her successful webcomic. Twentysomethings Eve and Hanna, as well as Hanna's boyfriend Marek, have assorted adventures in Brooklyn and the surrounding city along with an excursion to upstate New York for a Renaissance Faire episode. Other highlights include an encounter with Eve's childhood ice-skating nemesis America Jones; a stoners vs. nerds laser-tag battle; and an Ollyween street party hosted by Eve's boss Olly to promote his store Olly's Organix. There is some romance, various aggravating members of their social circle, and plenty of zaniness. Gran's cartoony art isn't highly detailed, but she still captures body types and facial features so that each character is identifiable. Volumes 2-4 of the series will appear in quick succession through the end of May. Verdict Eve's often sour moods are well matched with Hanna's goofiness. Dry humor alternates with more realistic vagaries of postcollegiate existence to provide glimpses of a life that many readers may feel is familiar. Fun while also occasionally poignant.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib., Wisconsin Rapids © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.