Friday Llibre 3: Ja torna a ser Nadal

Friday #7-9

by Ed Brubaker, Marcos Martín (Illustrator), Muntsa Vicente (Illustrator)

Friday Fitzhugh ha estat enviada un altre cop a la nit que va arribar a Kings Hill. Però la qüestió és per què: per salvar Lancelot Jones, el noi més intel·ligent del món, o per tornar a veure'l morir? Està viatjant en el temps, o és presonera d un bucle temporal? I quin és el pla secret que té la Dama Blanca per al seu poble en el moment present? Tot quedarà revelat en el sorprenent capítol final d'aquesta obra mestra!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Crime, Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2024

About the author

Ed Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.

In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.

Reviews

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I love this series, and I always appreciate a good time travel story as well.

This had so much to love, though the twist with Lancelot toward the end felt like a bit of a disappointment to me, despite it doing a good job of explaining Lance.

Aside from that though, brilliant writing by Brubaker as usual, and surprisingly beautiful art by Martin and Vincente...surprising only in the fact that typically I don't enjoy that style, but it's simply perfect for this series.

So, five stars for the bulk of the story, three stars for the twist.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine ending for an eerie and melancholy series paying tribute to Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys-type teen detectives solving a case that pushes them into adulthood.

I'd sort of like a sequel, but I'm torn because this really is the best place to stop with the characters.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapter Seven. What Really Happened That Night -- Chapter Eight. The Face in the Frost -- Chapter Nine. How the Story Ends -- Afterword -- Sketchbook

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third volume of Friday came out in August and I finally got to it this morning. I reread volumes 1 and 2 first and OMG I FORGOT HOW GOOD THIS WAS. Now I’m even sadder than I could have imagined that it’s over. The storyline is fantastic—total Nancy Drew start that turns into a wild woods fantasy. The art is gorgeous. The friendship is so special. The town is a lovely character. Go, French Fry!!! Absolutely in love and sadly gobsmacked that it’s all over. I’ll have to wait a few years and then pick this up off my shelf and fall in love with it all over again. SO FUCKING GOOD.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread the first 2 volumes in anticipation of getting my hands on this 3rd and final volume. After driving to a nearby library, I had it and read it in one sitting. While the turn towards mystical baddies disappointed me in the earlier issues, I was prepared for that now and it was as good a resolution as those kind of stories can deliver. But the overall story isn’t the real attraction here. The enjoyable and memorable aspects of these issues are the characters of Friday and Lancelot, their relationship, and the artwork. I especially loved the 2 page spreads that opened each of the 9 issues. I read these in the collected trade paperbacks but I’m tempted to get them in digital format (from Panel Syndicate) to see the artwork and coloring up large and vibrant.

[Whitney Jamimah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good ending to a very good series.

The story evolved quite a bit from what Brubaker started us off with but for this story that was a good thing. I loved how continually everything was not what it seemed in their small town of Kings Hill; it harbored this continued sense of discovery throughout the whole story.

Given that Brubaker's writing style is very readable and that this particular series is labeled as "post-YA" or new adult the series is very easy to follow and would be a really good jumping on point for someone looking to get into comics but doesn't know where to start. This is a full series too so it feels much more complete than some one and done single volume comics so that will appeal to someone who generally reads novels. It's just long enough to feel like a full story but not so long that it would be overwhelming as some longer runs can seem or stuffed with a bunch of filler issues, especially for to someone new to comics. I will also add I am not new to comics and I loved this, I'm just saying this one would be a good one for someone looking to get into the graphic medium more as well.

I have said this from the beginning but I will say it again, Marcos Martin (the artist) did SUCH a good job sticking to the vibe of the story through the art in this series. I loved it. Friday is such a freaking cool character, I love her look so much. I love the feel of the small town living that Martin created with the scenery of Kings Hill and everything felt so era specific (1970s). It truly felt like nothing was too small to give detail to for Martin when it came to creating this rich world.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friday's finale veers quite a ways away from the Nancy Drew-meets-Cthulhu vibes of the first two volumes. Namely, we've got time travel! And, uh, fae creatures? Definitely feels a bit like Brubaker had some neat ideas he decided to mash in at the last minute, but all credit to him and the incredible art team: it largely works.

The time travel parts are definitely fun, as we see the events of the first two books from a new perspective. Shades of Prisoner of Azkaban, of course. I'm not sure I entirely understood the "two Lancelot Jones" thing, but it ultimately rounded to a big exciting finale and lovely, sweet coda for our heroes. I'd be excited to read more of their adventures, though this also seems like a good place to end.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt somewhat let down by the conclusion to this series, but it's still a wonderfully-illustrated graphic novel that spends time building its world. I felt things got a little too silly in its full-on turn into the fantasy realm, but I also felt it didn't overstay its welcome and wrapped things up in a succinct and satisfactory way.

[Valerie Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I mean even the devil loves a deal"

a great end to such a wild ride of a mystery where you really just have to let go and let Brubaker cook. It was really cool seeing everything tie up and even get a little glimpse into the future from here

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good ending to a good story. It's a nice little mystery book. Nothing spectacular about it, but it was enjoyable and I always looked forward to picking up the next book

[GҽɱɱαSM · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2*
Una joia de la narrativa humanista construïda al voltant d'un inquietant misteri lovecraftià al més pur estil Stephen King. L'art del Marcos Martín i el color de la Muntsa Vicente es combinen per a crear imatges provocatives mitjançant unes composicions creatives que són tan captivadores com els diàleg i el mateix misteri. Un cop més, Brubaker explora temes familiars des d'una perspectiva única que rivalitza amb qualsevol de les seves col·laboracions anteriors. Una de les millors novel·les gràfiques que he llegit aquest any, amb un deix de malenconia i enyorança.

[Marina Santaeugènia · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 còmics per devorar. T'enganxa des de la primera pàgina i no pots parar. I és que a cada pàgina et fa un gir i la història millora a cada moment.
Hi ha de tot: misteri, aventura, cifi, fantasia, ocultisme, desamors... I tot, amb unes il·lustracions meravelloses.
Ho he gaudit com una postadolescent.

[Els Book Hunters]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF8VZo...

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friday, Book Three: Christmas Time is Here Again completes the digital comic series from Ed Brubaker and Marcos Martin. A series that was marketed as a genre-defying, post-YA story was something I couldn't quite grasp when I read the first volume, but after re-reading all the chapters again leading up to this release, I feel like I get what Brubaker and Martin were going for here. Those who look to the typical crime comics fare that Ed Brubaker has made his name on might find the underlying mystery behind Friday a little disappointing - I know I did at first - but after grasping the various horror and sci-fi concepts blended into the series, along with the firecracker characterization of the story's two protagonists, I definitely found this to click a lot more.

Told over nine installments, the story follows Friday Fitzhugh who returns to her small New England hometown of King's Hill where she dreads a potentially awkward reunion with her childhood bestfriend, a quirky, puckish and highly intelligent boy named Lancelot Jones. Throughout their childhood, the pair would tackle mysteries around their small town in a way clearly meant to be evocative of the Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys variety, but the soon complex teenage hormones complicates their otherwise platonic relationship. Awkwardness ensues on night shortly before Friday is going to head out for college, and the pair never quite reconcile on this. So when Friday returns, she fully expects a serious conversation between her and Lance to finally clear the air, but instead he immediately takes her onto investigating a new mystery. Over the first two volumes, the story gets serious quick, with a shocking twist to end the first volume. The second volume similarly ends on another shocking cliffhanger with a new fantastical element introduced to kick off this volume.

And that's where the story does get complicated and a little disjointed. Brubaker understands his audience likely is looking for a mystery to captivate them - and yes, there is a central mystery to drive the plot forward. But instead, the criminal investigation aspect is only the premise, since Friday really actually serves as a mashup of Lovecraftian horror, sci-fi and a coming of age romance story all at once. It's not a smooth blend to be sure, but once you let it all sink in, the reading experience is surprisingly enjoyable.

It helps that Marcos Martin is handling the art duties, especially with Muntsa Vicente adding the colors. King's Hill is a lavishly realized setting, from it's gothic architecture, foreboding woods and oddball denizens, the story just leaps off the page. The Christmastime setting adds a surprising layer of coziness for a story that happens to be riddled with grief and horror, but that's really the magic that Martin brings to the table. Friday is an uneven adventure to be sure, but the well developed characters and grandiose artwork makes me hope for more adventures of Friday and Lancelot in the future.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I had predicted a bit about this one with the supernatural side of things and the ending of this one and even having predicted that, I enjoyed reading it. The twists in this one seemed almost a little out of left field, but not in any way that seriously disturbed my enjoyment. Glad to have these stories by Brubaker with great art by Martin and Vicente!

[Mark Schlatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this whole series had been about 33% longer. This last volume introduces a lot, including a deeper understanding of one character and a motivation for the villian, and I think we needed more time to absorb all the changes before reaching the finale.

[Mariano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a lot of fun, but the book I liked less in the series. A ton of exposition and plot stuff coming out of nowhere. I love the "Eerie, Indiana" vibe to it, but to many things get solved by a line of dialog.

[Kevin Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a million more genre-bending Friday stories, and am also glad this will probably be the only one.

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What else can be said, come to this point?

Perfect ending for such a fun series, Friday is an endearing and complex character, and this volume totally closes the circle, in what's the perfect blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and your everyday murder mystery, with the wholesome addiction of an element of coming of age trouble.

Most satisfactory ending I've encountered in a graphic novel series in a long while, I wouldn't be sad to see these characters return in the future, but I'm also completely at peace with the fact this exists, and everyone can enjoy it for years to come.

[Enric Herce · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75/5.
Recull amb els darrers tres números de la història de la Friday i en Lancelot. S'afegeixen nous elements als quals ja coneixíem del segon, potser masses, i arribem a un desenllaç no gaire original i una mica precipitat. Resulta curiós com a mesura que la història va destapant les seves cartes de gènere ha anat perdent, per a mi, una mica de la seva màgia inicial.
Dibuix i color continuen sent una delícia.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story and a wonderful ending to a great trilogy!

For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:

https://youtube.com/shorts/QvqG3PE5VA...

Enjoy!

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

And thus it ends. This series has been a long and wild ride (long mostly because of its very slow release schedule). You can kind of feel Brubaker scrambling to make sense of everything as he's trying to tie up all the loose ends, but he honestly does a pretty decent job of it in the end. The book went through so many different vibes, it's kind of weird thinking back to the begining when it was just an innocent post-ya Nancy Drew meta-fiction. The conclusion might feel somewhat abrupt to some, but I kind of like that. Makes it feels like just another case to our detective duo, just another news brief in the next day's paper. And character wise, it couldn't have ended better. I think they're done with them for now, but I can't help but hope they'll return to Lance and Friday down the line.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great wrap up of this series. Again, I had to remember all that was going on; perhaps folks should read it now that the whole thing is released. Suitably creepy in spots, too. Another winner from Brubaker, Martin and Vicente.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic way to finish out the story. Satisfying with lots of heart and plenty of action. 4 stars.

[Juju · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book went off the rails, but I’m not even mad. Between the characters, artwork, and colors it was a beautiful journey until the end.

[Zedsdead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the story and Brubaker sticks the landing.

I'm relieved he didn't biff the time travel element; no tortuous, byzantine time travel rules that seem to be entertaining to everyone but me. Brubaker's treatment is as straightforward and sensical as time travel can be, and it serves the story.

And the supernatural elements are marvelous, the creatures gorgeous, creepy, and otherworldly, the colors that key on the fae world look like colors out of space.

If I have a complaint, it's that the ending is too pat, too neat. Three centuries of plotting by the fae queen and she abandons it all for a too simple bargain because fae love bargains. [skeptical face]

But it was a terrific ride with terrific art and terrific characters and terrific plot turns, and it's all built on a story frame that I've loved since I was a kid. Easy five stars.

Plot points:
--Friday has just gone back in time to the day she first arrived home from college. She frets about all the possible time travel rules and how they might trip her up (with good reason...time travel stories mostly suck).
--She tracks her original self--she is the one who had been watching them, of course. She examines the symbol that Weasel had carved into a tree. A portal opens and a man and three fae monsters come out. The man creates the magical blizzard that had plagued the town. The monsters detect and chase Friday; she's saved by Father Poole's dog.
--Friday races to Lancelot's secret hideout and sees him fighting himself. The man from the portal is the Lancelot who died and burned in the clubhouse. Her Lancelot survived. Turns out he's a changeling, swapped at birth by the fae queen. As Friday's allotted time travel expires, they agree to meet back in the present.
--Lancelot uses the device to go back and talk to his mother who died when he was two. She explains the history of the town: in the 1600s a hunter killed the fae king and took his skull. Since then the queen has been stealing children and setting up the invasion.
--Friday, Lancelot, the sheriff, and Father Poole meet the queen's army on the frozen lake and strike a bargain: the return of the king's skull for peace.
--Friday and Lancelot go off to college together, life is back to normal, all is well. The end.

[Maude · Rating 5 out of 5]

ce dernier volet d’une série palpitante, un peu épeurante et mystérieuse m’a rendue très heureuse et un brin nostalgique… une conclusion satisfaisante mais qui pourrait permettre à un éventuel retour de nos enquêteurs.

ceci dit, je crois bien que dans quelques années je vais relire les aventures de friday et lance.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Taking the bygone trope of 'teen detective' like The Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew and turning it into something arcane and East Coast like a Stephen King story. Really enjoyed this wild trip into time travel, the lands of the fae, and a young detective with his muscle girl Friday. Like a funhouse mirror version of Sherlock and Watson. Touching and extremely original.

[Kerowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suite et fin de la trilogie.
J'adore

[Núria Martínez Quer · Rating 4 out of 5]

la historia es xulissima PERO LES IL•LUSTRACIONS son una locura

[Sergi De la cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

M’ha pesat molt el batibull d’idees mal resoltes de la resolució, però s’aguanta per una ploma i pinzell exquisits.