The Unfinished Corner by Dani Colman, Rachel Petrovicz, Whitney Cogar, and Jim Campbell
CW: Holocaust Discussion, Antisemitism, Death of an Infant
4.5/5
Who would you trust to complete the universe? The unfinished corner is the place beyond Hashem's sight. It's filled with darkness and chaos. Would you trust a child, one preparing for her Bat Mitzvah ceremony? Someone does, and he'll need to take 4 children along to make it happen. Miriam is an artist, she creates worlds for her friends to play in. David is a musician with a lot of compassion. Avi is a nervous scholar learning to stand up for himself. Judith isn't friends with her companions, but she'll use her grasp on beauty to help them all.
This graphic novel will take you through many of the great myths in Jewish scripture, leading you all the way through to that unfinished corner. You'll meet Miriam's namesake, Lilith, seek out the Golem, encounter angels, and meet a giant lion. Every step is essential to the journey. Our four creative kids have things they need to learn about themselves and each other as they go. As with any good adventure story, they have items to collect from the people they visit.
I love the modern and personal touches that went into the story of the graphic novel. It isn't just Jewish mythology here. There are also 4 tweens who have very relatable lives. Judith is having some trouble at home but is trying not to be hardened by it. Miriam has a sweet and supportive family, but she is keeping a big secret from her best friends. Avi has some secrets too despite wearing his fears on his sleeves. Then we have David who desperately wants to be okay but ends up coming face-to-face with the person he blames for his biggest problems. On the surface, we have 4 plucky kids going on an adventure, but the creators have made them real.
The Unfinished Corner is beautifully colored, never holding back on saturation. It's fitting that the colorist is Whitney Cogar, who was a colorist for Giant Days, one of my favorite comics! I also wish to draw attention to the way the typography changes for different species. You can find a great balance of humor, pacing, gorgeous spreads, and serious matters within the pages of this graphic novel. I especially appreciated the discussions surrounding the Holocaust, Lilith, and feminism. If you've been looking for a good modern, Jewish Dante's Inferno or perhaps a Jewish Percy Jackson, look no further. Dani Colman, Rachel Petrovicz, Whitney Cogar, and Jim Campbell have done a phenomenal job!
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