The Graphic Library
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Review List by Author
  • Terminology
  • Info Postings
  • About Me
  • Other Resources
    • Research
    • Collection Development

The Backstagers Vol 2 by James Tynion IV

5/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Cover of The Backstagers vol 2
Vol 2, The Show Must Go On: illustrated by Rian Sygh

One day while the Backstagers are hanging out and playing games, they here cries for help that send them back into the magical world behind the theater. They discover the Heart of the Theater and run into Beckett’s old school crew from Penitent Angel.  The Heart is a huge space with a ton of concentrated magic. Sasha’s “friend” Polaroid comes to explain that all theaters' backstages are connected, and all their paths lead to The Heart.  This is where the true magic of the theater lives, and each of their spaces borrow from here to put on performances.  Polaroid gives Jory a sketchbook that reveals the magic of the backstage, and then he threatens the two crews with releasing all the magic into the real world.  Jory discovers that their faculty advisor knows more about the crew who disappeared in 1987, which included Polaroid.  Through their Stage Managers, crews from across the world collect together to help stop Polaroid from destroying the magic of the theater.

The inclusivity that was present in the first book continues into this volume.  Hunter and Jory are actually going to go on a date, which is interrupted by the major plot points of the story, and readers will surely feel the disappointment.  However, Jory and Hunter get to share some relieved kisses and tender moments when they reunite after tense encounters. There is a subtle drop that Beckett is trans, and some readers might miss it if you’re not paying attention that the crew from Penitent Angel is all female.  We get resolution for the Crew that was lost in 1987, which was a carryover plot line from the first volume.  All in all, this is a sweet story that puts the power in friends helping one another, and pays homage to the mysteries and magic of theater. The artwork continues to be perfectly suited to the story with beautiful, bold coloring on the characters, and pastels for the magical world.

BOOM! Studios' rating was not available.  I would rate this title suitable for grades 6 and up owing only to themes that can be slightly complicated for younger readers.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-12


Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1

Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Comicbooks, Friendship, LGBTQ+, Magic, Theater, School Age 

Never miss a review! Subscribe and get the best delivered to your inbox.

* indicates required
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    I've been reading Manga and comicbooks for years.  Now, it's time to share my knowledge with you.

    Read More

    Search this site


    Advertisement

    Picture

    Never miss a review! Subscribe and get the best delivered to your inbox.

    * indicates required

    Ratings, Audience, and Subject Tags

    All
    Action Adventure
    Adaptations
    Autobiography
    Biography
    Comicbooks
    Culinary
    Deities
    Demons
    Dystopian
    Family
    Fantasy
    Farming
    Folklore
    Friendship
    Graphic Literature
    Graphic Nonfiction
    Grief
    Historical Fiction
    History
    Horror
    Humor
    Isekai
    LGBTQ+
    Magic
    Magical Girl
    Manga
    Mecha
    Memoir
    Mental Health
    Music
    Mystery
    Native American
    Race Relations
    Rating: 10/10
    Rating: 3/10
    Rating: 4/10
    Rating: 5/10
    Rating: 6/10
    Rating: 7/10
    Rating: 8/10
    Rating: 9/10
    Realistic Fiction
    Romance
    School Age
    Science
    Science Fiction
    Slice Of Life
    Sports
    Steampunk
    Suitability: Adult
    Suitability: Elementary School
    Suitability: High School
    Suitability: Middle School
    Superheroes
    Supernatural
    Surrealism
    Survival
    Theater
    Video Games
    War
    Western

    Advertisement

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018


​Follow Me

Picture
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Review List by Author
  • Terminology
  • Info Postings
  • About Me
  • Other Resources
    • Research
    • Collection Development