Book 37
The Mythology Class: A Graphic Novel by Arnold Arre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this one. It was so close to a five star read (I'll say why it wasn't later in the review). The scope of this story is broad and 340 pages or so, making this a weighty graphic novel. It is steeped in in Filipino folklore as suggested by the title. The main point of view character is Nicole, a failed thesis student who has been enamored of the old Filipino mythos her whole life thanks to her grandfather. Her thesis panel all but crushed her spirit until she and a surprisingly large band of young people were gathered up to a house atop a hill by Mrs. Enkanta. They are told they were selected to help heroes of old like Kubin and Sulayman to help gather up encantos, spirits who do not belong in this world.
Oddly enough they mostly agree to this fairly easily. The stand outs in my head is Lane the psychic, the three delinquents (Rey, Gio and one I can't remember, sigh), and Lane's friend Misha. Unfortunately Misha and Rey stand out for the wrong reasons because all they do is fight, they're not quite a couple but argue like one that needs a divorce (and this is one of the reasons I wouldn't go to five stars).
The first half of the story is their various adventures with a variety of creatures of lore and it was a lot of fun. The second half is the rise of the aswangs (a monster I had heard of before) that nearly destroy them all. In the background there are growth arcs for most of the characters and a romantic subplot for Nicole and Kubin.
I did very much enjoy the story. I wasn't a hundred percent sold on the art but it is highly detailed and this was a one-man show in that department so you have to give it respect. I will be looking for more of his work.
So what was my big problem with it? Not going to put it under a spoiler tag because it doesn't really spoil anything. Rey is constantly insulting Misha for her weight (as is Lane her best friend!) straight out calling her fat, eats like a pig etc and I don't know what's worse about this fat shaming is it because she's not drawn as fat (more like slightly heavier than the others but barely) or would it be worse if she was drawn as overweight? Neither scenario would make it better mind you but it seemed somehow worse because she's not really overweight. She's also in the fat people are lazy and dumb stereotype. It added nothing to the story but it really was a distraction from it. I think she was meant as comic relief but she was more whiny than funny.
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