Invincible Summer: An Anthology, Volume II: Issues 9-14

Invincible Summer #9-14

by Nicole J. Georges

The usual doggies, sheep, and elephants wearing clothes - but this volume, collecting issues #9-14 of the comic, focuses around Nicole Georges’ long term relationship. It begins, blossoms, and then falls apart - as she sails solo on the ocean, pictorally speaking. The first Invincible Summer character to use a real name goes from hero to villain in these 5 issues. We're also treated to the usual vegan recipes, priceless moments, friendships, humor, fashion, and heart from this rad Portland lady.

Genres: Comics, Queer, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Comix, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Nicole J. Georges is an award-winning writer, and illustrator from Portland, Oregon. Nicole has been publishing the autobiographical comic Invincible Summer since 2000, and has toured the country extensively, including two month-long appearances on Michelle Tea’s Sister Spit: Next Generation. Her work has been featured in many publications, including Tin House, Vanity Fair, and Slate.com.

Her graphic memoir, Calling Dr. Laura, was called “engrossing, lovable, smart and ultimately poignant” by Rachel Maddow, and “disarming and haunting, hip and sweet, all at once” by Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home. In her spare time, Nicole volunteers with senior citizens in North Portland, chronicling their experiences through comics and writing in a zine called Tell It Like It Tiz’.

She is currently the 2013/14 Fellow at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont.

Reviews

[King]

I really loved this. The voice, the humor, the slightly weird but charming drawings, all the gay drama. Just a lovely read.

[Bonnie Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different tone and style from the first volume. More one page diary entries, fewer vegan recipes and less cluttered panels. I like the recipes, but found this collection more entertaining overall, and much easier to read.

[Pamster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanna read the first one now. I pretend all the dogs are cats, and all the vegan food actual food. I wish I had her hair.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed each page of Ms. Georges most recent collection of autobiographical diary entry like comics from cover to cover. I feel like we're old friends.
In fact, I wish there were more...
Without getting any stalkier than I already sound, here are two of my favorite quotes from Invincible Summer 2...:

"I went out for coffee and let friends look through the remnants of the clothing swap (in my van). Leading people to a van 'to look at something' feels creepy to me."

Regarding tattoos:
"I used to go to a Parlour in Kansas City, starting at age eighteen, where they talked me out of Nightmare Before Xmas sleeves and facial tattoos of realistic freckles. No comment."

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this on the airplane to Portland, as it was set in Portland. A fair introduction to that fairly magical land. Errol leaned over and said "isn't she just some hipster chick?" and i said, well, hey, if you're creating and sharing something real out of it, I don't just regard you as some hipster chick. Though I tired of bringing up veganism, I enjoyed the shifting emotions, varying artistic competencies, puppies, chickens, fights with friends, and especially the kissing cows at the end. Girl Comixx.

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Cara loaned me Invincible Summer 1. When I was recently in Portland I saw #2 at Powell's and had to get it.
I learned how to alter certain items of clothing from thrift stores thanks to Nicole Georges. Now I just need to learn how to sew.
NG's portraits of pets are the best. I wish I had a dog so I could commission her to paint it's portrait.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had a monster crush on NGJ since I was a little teen zine queen. Though I'd read some of what's included in this anthology previously, it was nice to read it again. She's living the dream and it's inspiring--sounds dumb, but what more can I say? It's always nice to read the stories of ladies who engineer their own lives and don't give a fuck.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful diary comics of the everyday/quotidian sort, as well as of the tour/road trip variety. There are also alternately lovely and goofy animal drawings galore within these pages, especially of dogs - Nicole Georges may well be the best dog drawer-er in the alt-comics/zine scene. I loved it all and really look forward to her forthcoming graphic novel Calling Dr. Laura.

[Jenny Stracener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georges knows how to write and her life is one that's fun to follow- She's easily one of my fave zine writers ever and this anthology just shows how much more she so well documents her everyday and makes the possibly mundane very interesting.

[Tristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore this. It's so truthful and funny and beautifully put together. Nicole Georges' honesty and great drawing style are so fantastic and delightful. I just want to eat up everything she publishes. What a treasure!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute!

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicoles colection of diary comics are the best. She also has a briliant advice column on the web.

[lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a fellow obsessive dogmom, i (still) love pretty much everything about nicole georges.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slow first third but the rest is great stuff.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this one and the other one, i was lent by steve weber. i was totally, totally flattered that he said i reminded him of this girl. perhaps steve weber can see who i COULD be as well as who i am...?

[Marcela Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty much love everything Nicole J Georges does. This anthology included. Love it.