What do you think?
Rate this book
No One Else
In this graphic novel, Charlene is a divorced mom, has a young son named Brandon, and works full-time as a nurse while also caring for her infirm father. She is barely holding their lives together when tragedy strikes and leaves Charlene and Brandon on their own. Charlene, who has put everyone but herself first for years, sees it as an opportunity for a new start of sorts. That is, at least, until her easy-come, easy-go brother, Robbie—a well-intentioned but unserious semi-professional musician—rolls back into town after a long absence. Meanwhile, Brandon, a good kid who aches for life to return to normal, focuses his grief on his cat, Batman, who hasn't been seen for a few days since he ran into the sugar cane fields that lie on the edge of their housing tract.
No One Else is a graphic novel of great tender truth, as Charlene, Brandon, and Robbie learn to navigate life day to day with their plans, fears, and desires. Gorgeously drawn and set in the author's hometown on the Hawaiian island of Maui, it is the long-awaited follow up to his acclaimed debut graphic novel, Night Fisher, and a mature work of literary fiction.
No One Else is a graphic novel of great tender truth, as Charlene, Brandon, and Robbie learn to navigate life day to day with their plans, fears, and desires. Gorgeously drawn and set in the author's hometown on the Hawaiian island of Maui, it is the long-awaited follow up to his acclaimed debut graphic novel, Night Fisher, and a mature work of literary fiction.
99 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
6 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
R. Kikuo Johnson
16 books51 followersR. Kikuo Johnson grew up in Hawaii on the island of Maui. For generations, native Hawaiians have told tales of the shape-shifting shark god Kamohaoali'i; The Shark King is the artist's version of one such tale about the insatiable appetite of Kamohoali'i's son, Nanaue. Kikuo's 2005 graphic novel Night Fisher - also set in Hawaii - earned him both a Harvey Award and the Russ Manning Award for best new cartoonist. He spent his childhood exploring the rocky shore at low tide in front of his grandmother's house and diving with his older brother. Since moving to the mainland, Kikuo has discovered the joys of swimming in fresh water and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he enjoys cooking, playing his ukulele, and riding his bike all over the city.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
December 27, 2021
One of the best Batman comics of all time.
November 30, 2021
No One Else is a short graphic novel set in Maui with lovely, understated artwork, mostly gray, black and wbite, though orange is used judiciously throughout to highlight things. I thought of Adrian Tomine's work as I read it. Charlene is a single mom, taking care of her kid, Brandon, who's seven, and older father with maybe dementia, and she has just had it, after seven years of doing this alone, and she has no resources left to take care of anyone. But when Dad dies (maybe due to her neglect?), she decides to finally apply for med school, when her musician brother was Robbie shows up. And the cat, Batman, goes missing, as laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping all falls apart.
Charlene has a very flat affect; she's overwhelmed, There is no one else to take care of these people or these things. At first, with the death of their Dad, I thought this was about grief, but I think things had fallen apart for Charlene long before that. Now I see this as a slice of life graphic novel about a woman who is depressed. It's about depression. And the ending is abrupt, though maybe there is a slight upturn when they find the cat, but if Robbie would just pitch in. . . but it's not resolved, which the more I think about it, I like it. Sometimes life is like that; it's a snapshot of an ordinary life.
Charlene has a very flat affect; she's overwhelmed, There is no one else to take care of these people or these things. At first, with the death of their Dad, I thought this was about grief, but I think things had fallen apart for Charlene long before that. Now I see this as a slice of life graphic novel about a woman who is depressed. It's about depression. And the ending is abrupt, though maybe there is a slight upturn when they find the cat, but if Robbie would just pitch in. . . but it's not resolved, which the more I think about it, I like it. Sometimes life is like that; it's a snapshot of an ordinary life.
February 3, 2022
An old man dies. His children grieve in their own way. His grandson is more preoccupied with a missing cat. End.
Being set in Hawaii does little to make the above more interesting. Nice pictures though.
I read four two-star books today. Maybe it's me?
Being set in Hawaii does little to make the above more interesting. Nice pictures though.
I read four two-star books today. Maybe it's me?
October 2, 2022
This is a beautifully drawn, brief slice-of-life look at a daughter's relationship with her dysfunctional father. When he dies early in the story and her brother arrives at her house shortly thereafter, deep-seated tensions rise to the surface.
I liked this for its expressive illustrations. There's no plot, full characterization, or development of the theme. A side story about the family's lost cat is supposed to have meaning, but there’s so little to this book that it’s not clear how, and the ending involving said cat is really bizarre. The graphic novel then ends abruptly, right there, in this odd moment.
No One Else should be double its length, to both tell an actual story and to fully explore the psychology that it only hints at. R. Kikuo Johnson is a gifted artist, and his illustrations save this, but I wish he’d stuck to just those and partnered with a talented writer.
I liked this for its expressive illustrations. There's no plot, full characterization, or development of the theme. A side story about the family's lost cat is supposed to have meaning, but there’s so little to this book that it’s not clear how, and the ending involving said cat is really bizarre. The graphic novel then ends abruptly, right there, in this odd moment.
No One Else should be double its length, to both tell an actual story and to fully explore the psychology that it only hints at. R. Kikuo Johnson is a gifted artist, and his illustrations save this, but I wish he’d stuck to just those and partnered with a talented writer.
September 12, 2023
Set on the Hawaiian island of Maui, single mother Charlene has been caring for her infirm father and young son Brandon alone for years. When her father dies, Charlene is unmoored and decides to go to medical school, when her musician brother Rob returns. While Rob seems like a nice guy, a fight with his father years ago left Charlene with no one else to help when their father slipped into dementia. Charlene, Brandon, and Rob teeter through dysfunction as they try to come to a new equilibrium with this new family dynamic. It was an interesting look at how people process grief, and as someone who lost their mother a bit over a year ago, I could relate.
Despite its short length, this story packs a punch. Illustrated in black and white with grayscale, the only additional color used is orange. The panels show a slice-of-life in an environment we often correlate with paradise, but for this family, it is anything but. There is a theme of fire, in the sugarcane fields nearby, but the fire also symbolizes rebirth, such as when fire (or trauma) burns your life to the ground. Life is messy, and there is no straight line to success.
Author and illustrator R. Kikuo Johnson expertly showcases a true-to-life look at grief and family dynamics. Bittersweet and tender- adults who are facing new chapters in their lives will relate.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2022/02/0...
Despite its short length, this story packs a punch. Illustrated in black and white with grayscale, the only additional color used is orange. The panels show a slice-of-life in an environment we often correlate with paradise, but for this family, it is anything but. There is a theme of fire, in the sugarcane fields nearby, but the fire also symbolizes rebirth, such as when fire (or trauma) burns your life to the ground. Life is messy, and there is no straight line to success.
Author and illustrator R. Kikuo Johnson expertly showcases a true-to-life look at grief and family dynamics. Bittersweet and tender- adults who are facing new chapters in their lives will relate.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2022/02/0...
July 9, 2024
Kikuo Johnson, classe 1981, è nato e cresciuto sull'isola di Maui, nell'arcipelago delle Hawai; il suo è un nome noto nell'ambito del fumetto statunitense.
Di questo suo libro, uscito nel 2021 con il titolo "No one else", firma magistralmente sia la sceneggiatura che i disegni, proponendo al lettore una storia familiare pregna di dolore e molto coinvolgente che si legge tutta d'un fiato in meno di un'ora; molto ben caratterizzati i personaggi e anche il non detto finisce per esprimere tantissimo. Sono arrivata a questo libro a fumetti (o graphic novel, come va di moda dire oggi) per puro caso mentre curiosavo in biblioteca, dove poi mi sono trattenuta a leggerlo: una gran bella scoperta, questo autore, così come mi ha sorpresa l'ambientazione hawaiana, contesto geografico a cui, in verità, non mi sono mai interessata prima d'ora. Quattro stelle abbondanti e meritatissime!
Di questo suo libro, uscito nel 2021 con il titolo "No one else", firma magistralmente sia la sceneggiatura che i disegni, proponendo al lettore una storia familiare pregna di dolore e molto coinvolgente che si legge tutta d'un fiato in meno di un'ora; molto ben caratterizzati i personaggi e anche il non detto finisce per esprimere tantissimo. Sono arrivata a questo libro a fumetti (o graphic novel, come va di moda dire oggi) per puro caso mentre curiosavo in biblioteca, dove poi mi sono trattenuta a leggerlo: una gran bella scoperta, questo autore, così come mi ha sorpresa l'ambientazione hawaiana, contesto geografico a cui, in verità, non mi sono mai interessata prima d'ora. Quattro stelle abbondanti e meritatissime!
November 12, 2021
Instant classic.
Utilizes it’s format so well and its up there with my favorite packages for a book ever. It’s a beautiful 7.75 by 6 inch book making it this unique small package. I don’t know if I’ve read any books at this size, but it created a real intimate experience and the subject matter obviously aids that as well.
I don’t want to say much about the story because I think it does a great job transporting you into the story with the characters. Johnson’s storytelling is so empathetic, you really feel everything the character’s going through. The subtle use of Orange throughout is visually striking and the way it’s used to specifically point out certain things is done really well.
I love the utilization of the wider format, definitely the best use of it I’ve ever seen outside of comic strips. I’m in love with everything about this.
Utilizes it’s format so well and its up there with my favorite packages for a book ever. It’s a beautiful 7.75 by 6 inch book making it this unique small package. I don’t know if I’ve read any books at this size, but it created a real intimate experience and the subject matter obviously aids that as well.
I don’t want to say much about the story because I think it does a great job transporting you into the story with the characters. Johnson’s storytelling is so empathetic, you really feel everything the character’s going through. The subtle use of Orange throughout is visually striking and the way it’s used to specifically point out certain things is done really well.
I love the utilization of the wider format, definitely the best use of it I’ve ever seen outside of comic strips. I’m in love with everything about this.
January 28, 2022
As someone who commonly reads superhero comics, it is good that I get to read something outside my personal preferences, even if this graphic novel, published by Fantagraphics, features a cat named Batman, which even has a collar tag shaped like the Batman symbol. However, this has nothing to with the Dark Knight Detective and really about a family living on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
Written and drawn by R. Kikuo Johnson, No One Else is about Charlene, a divorced mum, who has a young son named Brandon, and works full-time as a nurse while also caring for her infirm father. When tragedy strikes, leaving Charlene and Brandon on their own, her easy-come, easy-go brother, Robbie – a well-intentioned but unserious semi-professional musician – rolls back into town after a long absence and tries to help out, even if the family continues to crumble.
As this story takes place in the author's hometown, I imagine there is a personal angle on Johnson’s side. Without going into much speculation, seeing the dynamic between the three protagonists, as well as how they are feeling individually, humour and sadness ensues. At its core, the story is about how these characters are grieving in their own way, whether it is Charlene dedicating all her time by applying to med school, Robbie trying to help out her son whilst remembering the memories with his dad, which weren’t always pleasant. And then you have Brandon, who is trying to maintain order in the household whilst using his grief towards with his pet cat, who suddenly goes missing.
Although there is dialogue, showcasing the dynamic between the three family members, which can get dramatic, but the best stuff from this graphic novel are the pages where Johnson’s illustrations say it all. As simplistic his art style is, so much expression with his characters and whilst most of the book is done in black and white, the use of colour is subtle but clever, whether it is flashbacks or dream sequences done in splash pages.
What's most interesting about No One Else, is the lack of resolution as often with family dramas, the conflict is resolved and everyone is happy with each other in the end, something that this graphic novel never does. Since feelings are rarely said out loud here, you might feel cold towards the ambiguity, but this may sound cliché, but life moves on and continues to be mundane, given its Hawaiian setting that R. Kikuo Johnson could’ve made glamourous. Also, it does have a cat named Batman, which is already a plus.
Written and drawn by R. Kikuo Johnson, No One Else is about Charlene, a divorced mum, who has a young son named Brandon, and works full-time as a nurse while also caring for her infirm father. When tragedy strikes, leaving Charlene and Brandon on their own, her easy-come, easy-go brother, Robbie – a well-intentioned but unserious semi-professional musician – rolls back into town after a long absence and tries to help out, even if the family continues to crumble.
As this story takes place in the author's hometown, I imagine there is a personal angle on Johnson’s side. Without going into much speculation, seeing the dynamic between the three protagonists, as well as how they are feeling individually, humour and sadness ensues. At its core, the story is about how these characters are grieving in their own way, whether it is Charlene dedicating all her time by applying to med school, Robbie trying to help out her son whilst remembering the memories with his dad, which weren’t always pleasant. And then you have Brandon, who is trying to maintain order in the household whilst using his grief towards with his pet cat, who suddenly goes missing.
Although there is dialogue, showcasing the dynamic between the three family members, which can get dramatic, but the best stuff from this graphic novel are the pages where Johnson’s illustrations say it all. As simplistic his art style is, so much expression with his characters and whilst most of the book is done in black and white, the use of colour is subtle but clever, whether it is flashbacks or dream sequences done in splash pages.
What's most interesting about No One Else, is the lack of resolution as often with family dramas, the conflict is resolved and everyone is happy with each other in the end, something that this graphic novel never does. Since feelings are rarely said out loud here, you might feel cold towards the ambiguity, but this may sound cliché, but life moves on and continues to be mundane, given its Hawaiian setting that R. Kikuo Johnson could’ve made glamourous. Also, it does have a cat named Batman, which is already a plus.
April 22, 2022
I really liked this one. Many have not. I can see why. There isn't really a driving plot, or even a crescendo of an ending.
This is a slice of domestic life set in Maui. The reader gets dropped in at a particular moment. Life unfolds the way life does - slowly, without fireworks. I was fully invested in the characters, and the exploration of familial ties and expectations. We all see things from our POV, and POV is explored in interesting ways here.
I'm being purposefully vague because I knew nothing going in, and think I appreciated it all the more for that. I still think about parts of this slim graphic novel over a month later. Oh, and I also really liked the illustration style.
This is a slice of domestic life set in Maui. The reader gets dropped in at a particular moment. Life unfolds the way life does - slowly, without fireworks. I was fully invested in the characters, and the exploration of familial ties and expectations. We all see things from our POV, and POV is explored in interesting ways here.
I'm being purposefully vague because I knew nothing going in, and think I appreciated it all the more for that. I still think about parts of this slim graphic novel over a month later. Oh, and I also really liked the illustration style.
August 9, 2021
3.5 stars--NO ONE ELSE is a well-written, engaging graphic novel filled with nuanced characters. There are scenes of humor and tragedy with an exploration of how people deal with and process grief and loss (or neglect to do so). I liked the musician brother quite a bit--he seemed like my kind of people--and laughed out loud when the kid used cheez-ball crumbs to "anoint" his cat a la the famous scene in "The Lion King."
However,
However,
December 14, 2021
A short graphic novel depicting the harsh reality of being a full time caregiver and single parent. Charlene is a full time nurse who struggles to stay on top of caring for her aging father and young son. When her father suffers a tragic accident she is barely holding it together. Then her hippie brother shows up out of nowhere and adds fuel to the fire. Where has he been all these years and how dare he try to criticize her life. An honest and painful look into caregiving that many will understand and empathize with.
April 9, 2022
Beautiful, sad and poignant, one of the best graphic novels of 2021.
June 2, 2023
The story is about a family who deals with the sudden death of one member of the family Grief makes everyone act in their own way. It's a very "slice of life" kinda book. The drawing style was very nice, I enjoyed the touch of colour. Ending was very surprising but still fits into this "slice of life" style.
Enjoyed overall but I can understand why some people might find this either boring or uneventful.
Enjoyed overall but I can understand why some people might find this either boring or uneventful.
June 10, 2021
I liked the art in this, and I thought that it explored the different ways that people can grieve in an interesting way. I didn't really understand the ending, and I thought that the family's relationship with the deceased father could have been developed more. 3 stars.
September 8, 2022
You made your point, pal. ❤️
March 8, 2022
A showcase of double standards for women - perhaps unintentionally. Charlene just gets dogged on the whole book. She got stuck caring for her father - which is an extremely difficult job - while her brother got to go run off into the sunset and realize his dream. Then when her father is dead, she finally gets to create her own future, and her brother has the audacity to call her selfish. She's a flawed woman, but she FINALLY gets to have her own life now. Get off her back. And then on top of that, her brother undermines her to her son, making some comment like "Nothing would get done without you around to clean up" when the book literally opens on a scene where she has to push her kid to open the freaking door for his grandfather. It just made me sad seeing this woman whose life is dominated by entitled, ungrateful males.
Anyway the plotline with the cat made me sad. Glad it turned out okay.
Anyway the plotline with the cat made me sad. Glad it turned out okay.
April 30, 2022
Saaaaad
October 17, 2024
very disappointed by this book i’m sad to say. i picked it up because the topic of grief is so individualized that i love to see other people’s versions of it and how incredibly different everyone’s experiences are.
the illustrations are beautiful but i could not follow the plot unfortunately. i had a hard time feeling sorry for any character besides the kid.
the ending to be honest confused me, i thought i was understanding the symbolism until the last few pages. some topics were thrown in once and then left loose, no ends tied.
this gave me a weird feeling that i really don’t like
the illustrations are beautiful but i could not follow the plot unfortunately. i had a hard time feeling sorry for any character besides the kid.
the ending to be honest confused me, i thought i was understanding the symbolism until the last few pages. some topics were thrown in once and then left loose, no ends tied.
this gave me a weird feeling that i really don’t like
December 26, 2022
I don’t know how to feel about this one. I liked it, I read it in one sitting. Nice short story, don’t really recommend unless you have a specific interest in reading it. I got it as a gift
The pops of orange especially with the character Brandon was cool.
We definitely got to see some of this plot through his pov young, and not really understanding what is happening around him, with his mother grieving a loss.
The pops of orange especially with the character Brandon was cool.
We definitely got to see some of this plot through his pov young, and not really understanding what is happening around him, with his mother grieving a loss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2023
4.5 - This short graphic novel’s haunting, minimalist style reminiscent of Adrian Tomine tells the story of a mother, her son, and her brother dealing with the aftermath of a family tragedy. Johnson is very adept at suggesting complex emotions through his art. My main complaint is that I wish it was longer!
June 8, 2022
There isn't really enough here. The characters just start to get interesting, then nothing. The plot continues just long enough to feel like it's going somewhere, then it's over. There is no real ending, but there was also no real through line. A few things happen, none of them critical, the end. The art was nice though.
December 3, 2023
This was a 4.5 stars for me, not quite a 5 star but pretty close. It had everything that I like in my standalone graphic novels: likable or interesting characters, subject matter that piques my interest, & art that’s easy on the eyes.
“No One Else” tells the story of a regular family. It’s very ‘slice of life’ & relatable & familiar. The art style is simple, but expressive, one that manages to adequately convey much with minimal lines & color. The story & writing are similarly minimalistic, very deliberate and to the point, but the pictures and words together paint a perfect picture. It’s a story about life & death told in a common & unremarkable but yet very familiar way.
We are first introduced to this nameless family’s matriarch, a nurse & a single mother, she is also the sole caretaker for her elderly father. The sort of mother that is common is Asian-American households, small & unassuming, naturally obsequious, reliable, selfless—the strong and sturdy backbone of the family. Usually a distinct contrast to the oft spoiled, selfish, doted on males in the family. She is juggling all the family’s responsibilities by herself while working full time & still being helpful to others, the epitome of the over worked, taken advantage of single mother. Her coworkers take without giving, her son is sheltered from the strain of all the weight she is carrying, spends his days watching tv & eating Cheetos with his cat Batman, & her brother is absent, spending his days traveling & performing as a “musician” aka dooood who parties in bars all over the world with an instrument.
When her father passes, the once dependable caretaker is suddenly lost to paperwork & computers, her tasks unknown to her son and brother, both of them forced to do things for themselves and each other in the wake of her deliberate & pointed absence.
I really loved this, I thought it was short, but sweet. Succinct, without being barren. It is a graphic novel after all, I look for characterizations that I can gather from pictures rather than just words, emotional depth that is visible on the faces of characters, and a cohesive storyline, and “No One Else” gave me these things. It tackled such large themes but did so simply, & gracefully. Major family issues & problems were addressed & handled without needing to depict huge fights, characters were taught lessons gently, & silently. It was great! And the art was great too, I love when an artist can competently depict charming traits in cute facial expressions. And the fact that it was set on the island of Maui just endeared it all the more to me, with it’s little Hawaiianisms thrown in here & there. This is a quick and easy read that is absolutely worth the time!
Read 11/30/23
“No One Else” tells the story of a regular family. It’s very ‘slice of life’ & relatable & familiar. The art style is simple, but expressive, one that manages to adequately convey much with minimal lines & color. The story & writing are similarly minimalistic, very deliberate and to the point, but the pictures and words together paint a perfect picture. It’s a story about life & death told in a common & unremarkable but yet very familiar way.
We are first introduced to this nameless family’s matriarch, a nurse & a single mother, she is also the sole caretaker for her elderly father. The sort of mother that is common is Asian-American households, small & unassuming, naturally obsequious, reliable, selfless—the strong and sturdy backbone of the family. Usually a distinct contrast to the oft spoiled, selfish, doted on males in the family. She is juggling all the family’s responsibilities by herself while working full time & still being helpful to others, the epitome of the over worked, taken advantage of single mother. Her coworkers take without giving, her son is sheltered from the strain of all the weight she is carrying, spends his days watching tv & eating Cheetos with his cat Batman, & her brother is absent, spending his days traveling & performing as a “musician” aka dooood who parties in bars all over the world with an instrument.
When her father passes, the once dependable caretaker is suddenly lost to paperwork & computers, her tasks unknown to her son and brother, both of them forced to do things for themselves and each other in the wake of her deliberate & pointed absence.
I really loved this, I thought it was short, but sweet. Succinct, without being barren. It is a graphic novel after all, I look for characterizations that I can gather from pictures rather than just words, emotional depth that is visible on the faces of characters, and a cohesive storyline, and “No One Else” gave me these things. It tackled such large themes but did so simply, & gracefully. Major family issues & problems were addressed & handled without needing to depict huge fights, characters were taught lessons gently, & silently. It was great! And the art was great too, I love when an artist can competently depict charming traits in cute facial expressions. And the fact that it was set on the island of Maui just endeared it all the more to me, with it’s little Hawaiianisms thrown in here & there. This is a quick and easy read that is absolutely worth the time!
Read 11/30/23
January 23, 2025
Estou dividida com essa hq.
O formato é bem bonitinho, é pequena meio retangular, muito gostosinho de ler. A arte é bem bonita, em tons de azul meio cinza e laranja. A historia é "cotidiana", mostra o cotidiano de uma familia apos a morte do avô. Achei interessante o jeito que aborda o luto, e a falta dele.
Tambem achei legal como o quadrinho comunica algumas coisas com as cores, mas voce tem que prestar atenção e interpretar o que esta lendo pra entender. Tem uns quadros de cor diferente, que de inicio parecem meio perdidos mas depois fica claro que esses quadros com essa cor representam lembranças do passado.
Mas fiquei dividida com o final. Achei que acaba de forma bem abrupta. Acho que isso é uma moda agora em alguns quadrinhos, nao é o primeiro que eu leio que tem essa vibe mais contemplativa, cotidiana e que acaba do nada. Acho que o final era pra ter algum significado maior, mas nao entendi bem o pq terminou nessa cena meio aleatoria.
De qualquer forma gostei bastante da arte. Apesar de ser um quadrinho meio cotidiano, meio nada acontece, acho um bom quadrinho pra qm quiser comecar a ler graphic novels e etc. É curtinho, o tamanho do livro fisico é bem bom de ler, a arte é bonita e tem poucas informacoes nas paginas (nao é aquele tipo de quadrinho com mt coisa na pagina que vc n sabe nem pra onde olhar).
O formato é bem bonitinho, é pequena meio retangular, muito gostosinho de ler. A arte é bem bonita, em tons de azul meio cinza e laranja. A historia é "cotidiana", mostra o cotidiano de uma familia apos a morte do avô. Achei interessante o jeito que aborda o luto, e a falta dele.
Tambem achei legal como o quadrinho comunica algumas coisas com as cores, mas voce tem que prestar atenção e interpretar o que esta lendo pra entender. Tem uns quadros de cor diferente, que de inicio parecem meio perdidos mas depois fica claro que esses quadros com essa cor representam lembranças do passado.
Mas fiquei dividida com o final. Achei que acaba de forma bem abrupta. Acho que isso é uma moda agora em alguns quadrinhos, nao é o primeiro que eu leio que tem essa vibe mais contemplativa, cotidiana e que acaba do nada. Acho que o final era pra ter algum significado maior, mas nao entendi bem o pq terminou nessa cena meio aleatoria.
De qualquer forma gostei bastante da arte. Apesar de ser um quadrinho meio cotidiano, meio nada acontece, acho um bom quadrinho pra qm quiser comecar a ler graphic novels e etc. É curtinho, o tamanho do livro fisico é bem bom de ler, a arte é bonita e tem poucas informacoes nas paginas (nao é aquele tipo de quadrinho com mt coisa na pagina que vc n sabe nem pra onde olhar).
April 24, 2022
These drawings are beautiful and have so much power visually. When the orange is used in the navy blue, you really feel it glow off the page. I appreciate the lack of moralizing too. It's an accessible story but it doesn't have a neatly packaged message, and it doesn't make any suggestions on who to side with, or who to believe. Except Batman the cat because I obviously am siding with him!!!!!!!
June 4, 2023
I use graphic novels as a good palate cleanser for my mind and eyes between books. I’m always pleasantly surprised how emotional they can be with the graphics. This one in particular was interesting how the artist used orange as a contrast. Quick read but sad story. Nothing monumental happened, just regular life and the sorrow it can bring.
June 19, 2021
NO ONE ELSE is a beautifully illustrated story about a grieving family in Maui, Hawaii.
The illustrations are my favorite part. So many of the panels consist only of body movement, facial expressions, and landscapes, which Johnson excels at. This is a short book and one not to be missed.
I received an ARC.
The illustrations are my favorite part. So many of the panels consist only of body movement, facial expressions, and landscapes, which Johnson excels at. This is a short book and one not to be missed.
I received an ARC.
June 17, 2022
Huh. Another Lynd Ward Award book that I don't exactly get. This is a tough moment in the life of a family. And no one handles it especially well. The art and story are kind of simple. Hawaii isn't as much a character of this as I would have expected. An a somewhat disconnected surprise ending.
July 24, 2022
Tender, bittersweet and good fodder for conversation with the open-ending. I liked it, the art is beautiful but it made me quite sad. Impressively done, and worth checking out the author’s interview with Noah Van Sciver on YouTube.
September 26, 2024
The switches between past and present events confused me and I found the passage of time unclear. illustrations are nice, but the storyline feels underdeveloped; there's little to no closure, none of the characters really reconcile or come to terms with the change/loss presented. Ends weird too: Batman (the cat) gives birth to kittens in Brandon's sleeping bag. Just weird.
April 9, 2022
This was an interesting read, a peek into a life, the beginning is almost as abrupt as the ending. The color palette is sparse but makes the right impact.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews