Emiko Superstar (Minx Graphic Novels)

There are no shortage of comics that feature an "ordinary" central character who decides to venture into the "strange" side of life. Emiko Superstar (Minx, $9.99) follows that well worn path, but it takes a surprising turn and ends up as quite a pleasant read.

User reviews

LibraryThing member kayceel

I was kind of..."meh" on this one. Emiko, while babysitting one summer, finds the diary of her employer and, instead of LEAVING IT WHERE IT WAS AND NOT READING IT, not only reads it but copies several entries and READS THEM ONSTAGE at a performance art showcase.

Yes, there are mild consequences, but

wow, was I uncomfortable with it all...

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LibraryThing member stephmo

Emiko Superstar could easily be dismissed as an angsty teen attempts to find out who she is over the summer tale, and yet it's manages to be more. Yes, we start out with Emi - shy, awkward Emi who's biggest act of rebellion to date has been skipping Young Entrepreneur Camp with her geek friends

because she wasn't fully committed to being a geek anymore.

When Emi discovers a group of performance artists at "The Factory," this is where lesser stories would fall down. Lesser stories would merely have Emi blossom as she discovered her true path. Instead, this is a rich little story where it isn't just about blossoming - it's about flaws, missteps and successes.

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LibraryThing member elmyra

This is up there with The Plain Janes as one of my Minx favourites. There are two levels to the story - Emily's and that of her bosses' marriage. It's a classic coming of age story, and the best bit about it is that the "catalyst" for that coming of age isn't a relationship. Emily finds art and

friends and meaning for herself, not through a boyfriend or first love.

Am I the only one who thought the Curator looked somewhat like Destruction of the Endless and that Poppy not only looked like but definitely was Delirium?

But yeah, great book.

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LibraryThing member stonelaura

Emily’s life is completely humdrum from the A in chemistry to the stupid job as a coffee drink mixer. She doesn’t even join her geek friends when they go off to spend the summer at the Young Executives Retreat. Then, when she’s at the mall one day a flier the Freak Show at the Factory just

flutters into her hand. There Emily discovers a world of self-expression that opens new doors to her hidden artistic side. But in an effort to express herself Emily finds herself stealing another person’s identity in an attempt to find her own. A sweet and sincere coming-of-age tale.

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LibraryThing member hsollom

Personal Response:

While the antics at the Freak Show are pretty wild, readers can relate to Emiko's struggle to find her own identity and voice. The book offers a great opportunity for discussion of the ethics of reading and using someone else's diary.

Curricular or Programming Connections:

Small

group discussion

Teen performance art show at the library

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LibraryThing member scote23

This isn't quite as strong as Skim but it's still pretty good. Emiko sees herself as invisible until a flyer for the Factory floats into her hand. What comes next is entirely up to her...

LibraryThing member andreablythe

Emily is a lonely geek, who discovered the Freak Factory, a dumpy, garbage strewn hangout, where people come to perform and let their weirdness shine. Enamored by the dancer Poppy, Emily finds courage to take the stage and become Emiko the superstar, even if only for a short while.

This is

definitely a young adult comic/graphic novel with a simple, uplifting storyline. It's not deep and there is no sense of complexity. But it's a well put together story and Emily is likeable. And like Emily, I could fall in love with Poppy and her sense of freedom, too. The art style also supports it well and I like that a variety of body types are shown.

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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Emiko tells the story about the Factory, a place for performance art based on the Factory that Andy Warhol had in the sixties.

LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Emiko tells the story about the Factory, a place for performance art based on the Factory that Andy Warhol had in the sixties.

LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill

Emiko tells the story about the Factory, a place for performance art based on the Factory that Andy Warhol had in the sixties.

LibraryThing member LibroLindsay

This is definitely a little more subversive than the cover lets on.

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