Mariko Between Worlds is the latest Mad Cave Studios graphic novel. Frankly there’s a lot with John Tiffany releasing around the same time. As for this piece, it’s more of an art portfolio with the plot as a framing device.
Mariko Between Worlds: The Foundation
From the official… wait…
The “synopsis” isn’t talking about the plot at all.
Basically, a casino waitress (Mariko) at an interversal mega-mall can’t move with her boyfriend for his new job. So on their last day together, they try to make the most of it. But when Mariko gets the opportunity for a visa, she wonders if staying with Rem is even worth it.
The Real Main Character
Sure that’s the plot, but it feels like it’s not the real focus of this graphic novel. It feels like a bunch of ideas Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle threw together. If anything the Mall of Portals is more interesting than our title character’s love life. Maybe that’s the art by Liana Kangas.
The numerous characters designed by Sterle all have quirks that make them memorable for their short times. In contrast to our everyman viewpoint Mariko, her boyfriend Rem has a boundless optimism cooked into his axolotl-like design. It’s like nothing can hurt him that he can’t recover from. Or Rem’s butterfly-like coworker Frisbee whose serious behavior gets pronounced with the hallucinogenic dust she gives off.
Just about every stop in this superstore feel like a chance for new experiences especially with Rebecca Nalty’s colors. Just look at the food court that opens people up to eating your feelings. Or at least jackfruit that look like organs, great for zombies and vegans. This place doesn’t discriminate.
Attention Please!
But now to turn that strength into a weakness. For all of the artwork, there’s little to support our lead characters. Mariko and Rem’s relationship really doesn’t feel like it’s worth investing in. Partly it’s a very basic plot with little substance: A struggling artist and her toxically positive boyfriend are holding each other back.
If anything the leads’ dynamics with the out-there setting are more interesting. Like Mariko literally seeing herself in a dancer while Rem’s positivity blinds him from turning down his new job. The plot’s all there and it succeeds with character arcs and everything. But there’s nothing that makes reader’s feel for why Mariko and Rem got together in the first place.
Mariko Between Worlds: Great Art, Okay Frame
Liana Kangas’ art is the best part of this graphic novel. It gives the feeling of getting lost in a vibrant world where almost anything is possible. Leaving it behind can feel bad, but it makes memories. But the breakup plot that it was supposed revolve around just feels like it was slapped onto an art portfolio. Final score 7/10.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.