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Lumberjanes #OGN1
Lumberjanes Original Graphic Novel: The Infernal Compass
Eisner Award-nominated writer Lilah Sturges (Fables, Thor: Season One) teams with artist polterink (Enough Space for Everyone Else) for the first Lumberjanes graphic novel in a story about finding your way and navigating life, love, and a literal forest. When the ‘Janes start to become separated during an orienteering outing thanks to a mysterious compass, Molly becomes more and more insecure about the effect of her relationship with Mal on the other girls. Meanwhile, a lonely woman explorer is trying to steal the compass, with the help of some weirdly polite automaton butlers.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2018
19 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Watters
204 books192 followersSenior Editor at BOOM! Studios | Head of BOOM! Box | Co-Creator/Writer of Lumberjanes | your favorite boy band butch [she/her]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
December 7, 2018
Cute story. This is a prequel to the Lumberjanes Vol. 1. This is set right before they found out there was something strange about the camp and there were monsters in the wood. Molly and Mal first make their relationship public here. Most of this story is told in black and white. There is a 2nd story that is in color.
I really enjoyed this little story, but it should have been a flashback in the main storyline. Cute, playful and fun. Yeah, Friendship to the Max!
I really enjoyed this little story, but it should have been a flashback in the main storyline. Cute, playful and fun. Yeah, Friendship to the Max!
November 30, 2018
This was cute (and I’m 100% here for queer relationships in middle grade/YA graphic novels) but I’m baffled why this had to be a separate graphic novel and not just a few issue arc in the main Lumberjanes comic where it wouldn’t have been out of place. The cynical part of me says it was for money, which considering this trade retails for $14.99 and 2/3rds of it is the actual comic, might be right. Yes, the entire last chunk of this trade is just a preview of the first issue of Lumberjanes which begs the question: who is this for?
The Infernal Compass itself assumes you know who all the characters are and where this story takes place. You are plopped smack into the middle of the girls going off on another adventure and Molly dealing with some insecurities that have come up in the main comic. It really does just feel like you picked up a random issue of Lumberjanes.
So why then is there a preview of the comic that presumably anyone who would read this comic has already read? If the purpose of this trade is to introduce new readers into the world of Lumberjanes it does a piss poor job of that. So again I circle back to the why?
And the whys in this case make me very uncomfortable. But the story itself was written well and is very cute so I can’t justify rating it lower because the format it was presented in is skeevy. Just don’t rush out to buy this one, maybe.
The Infernal Compass itself assumes you know who all the characters are and where this story takes place. You are plopped smack into the middle of the girls going off on another adventure and Molly dealing with some insecurities that have come up in the main comic. It really does just feel like you picked up a random issue of Lumberjanes.
So why then is there a preview of the comic that presumably anyone who would read this comic has already read? If the purpose of this trade is to introduce new readers into the world of Lumberjanes it does a piss poor job of that. So again I circle back to the why?
And the whys in this case make me very uncomfortable. But the story itself was written well and is very cute so I can’t justify rating it lower because the format it was presented in is skeevy. Just don’t rush out to buy this one, maybe.
November 30, 2018
An adorable addition to the Lumberjanes universe, developing Mal and Molly's relationship while also supplying tons of supernatural hijinks
November 17, 2018
Erm, it was all right? Despite it being 100+ pages, there really didn’t seem to be much to it that made it distinguishable from a regular issue of Lumberjanes. I expected something bigger and bolder and it just felt like a regular jaunt. The lack of color might’ve done it for me as well, as the comics have such a vibrant tone that the subtle splashes of color just felt like line-art.
April 6, 2019
An entire graphic novel Lumberjanes, with Mal and Molly at the centre of it! This is just the kind of hijinks I expect from this series, with a Molly subplot. It is mostly black and white, with green highlights. Overall, cute, fun, and left me wishing it was longer!
October 22, 2018
I really do feel like Counselor Jen and I are soul twins. "NO HIJINKS!!:
Read
January 7, 2020I absolutely love the Lumberjanes and I especially love Molly-centered stories because I always feel like I can really connect with her, so obviously I really liked this one. However, because this is Lumberjanes/Molly I expected nothing less than to absolutely love this, and I didn't. There was just something there that was missing, and even though I liked it I'm feeling a little bit let down as well.
July 13, 2019
This is a very sweet story set in the Lumberjanes world, but which can be read out of sequence of the single issues, or possibly even as a stand alone. A cursed magical compass separates the Lumberjanes in the woods, making one after another lose their way. But sometimes you have to lose your way before you can find it.
March 17, 2023
This was cute and thoroughly enjoyable.
November 25, 2018
Yet another win from the world of Lumberjanes! This standalone graphic novel was fantastic & adorable, and it was so lovely seeing Molly and Mal talk about their feelings (and btw, I'm 100% on team Ripley re: M&M being the best ship name). Lilah Sturges did an excellent job with this universe, and the characters were completely on point. The art by polterink was really gorgeous, though the coloring was more subdued than I'm used to in this universe. I think it worked well, and I still loved the story & art, but it did feel like I was missing something.
November 11, 2018
They kissed! And I squee like April, but now my lips are squeeled.
January 15, 2020
It's sweet, endearing and made me feel good :D
April 17, 2019
The illustrations were a neat change, but I really don't see how this 'graphic novel' is any different from the other Lumberjanes volumes...It's a similar story line, and similar length. Not to mention the last quarter is actually a sneak peek of Vol.1. WHICH doesn't make sense at all. If The Infernal Compass is presumably supposed to be read independently of the series, readers wouldn't really 'get it.' There is no introduction to the 'Janes, the camp, or the Mal/Molly ship. Also, this story felt incredibly didactic....it was super weird. All in all, I was pretty disappointed with this and just really wish Noelle Stevenson would come back to making these comics.
December 4, 2018
This was a real wee delight. I love the Lumberjanes. The new art style with the black/white/green colouring was striking.
November 3, 2018
The Infernal Compass is set in the same world of the Lumberjanes, but separate from the ongoing plot of the series itself. It was created by Lilah Sturges (Everafter, Thor: Worthy Origins, The Magicians) and Polterink.
What’s interesting about the binding of The Infernal Compass (and a couple of the other Lumberjanes stories) is that it is in hardback, and on the whole probably smaller than a single graphic novel. However, where the graphic novel may have several plots and issues, the Infernal Compass is all one plot.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
What’s interesting about the binding of The Infernal Compass (and a couple of the other Lumberjanes stories) is that it is in hardback, and on the whole probably smaller than a single graphic novel. However, where the graphic novel may have several plots and issues, the Infernal Compass is all one plot.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
November 9, 2018
I enjoyed this very much. It still felt very much like a Lumberjanes story just different, and I think that's great for keeping a series like this fresh and interesting. I also liked the art style and the limited color palette.
January 4, 2019
A cute side story revolving around Molly, and her growing relationship with Mal. I really enjoy Molly, as she's the most sensitive of the Lumberjanes, and seeing her grow to trust them is lovely. The story wasn't complicated, serving solely to forward the character and the lesson. Though I very much enjoyed the automatons! I didn't care for the muted art style at first but it grew on me and works well with the story. If you enjoy the Lumberjanes, definitely pick this up!
October 24, 2018
I love Lumberjanes - I didn't like this. I almost felt like it was trying too hard to be Lumberjanes. I enjoyed the different graphics but the text was too didactic and repetitive - I didn't feel like it did anything for the overarching story of the Camp for Hardcore Ladytypes.
October 29, 2019
Not sure where this falls in the Lumberjanes chronicles and why it's separated out from the series. I like full-color comics so that was a disappointment. But the story was cute and Mal and Molly get front and center for their relationship!
October 15, 2018
What a cute little companion story!!
SQUEEEE!!! I loved it!!
SQUEEEE!!! I loved it!!
June 17, 2021
The color theory used in the art for this comic is so beautiful. But, I am biased and I do think the story could’ve used more April and Jo. Still cute though!
April 9, 2019
“Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass” at its core is a story about the power of friendship. The story’s main focus is the relationship between characters Mal and Molly, who up until now have kept their relationship private.
In the opening scene, Mal and Molly are hanging out in Roanoke cabin, when they are suddenly interrupted by one of their besties April, who invites them on a quest for their next camp badge. Readers are introduced to the rest of the Roanoke crew, Ripley, Jo and camp counselor Jen, who informs the girls that today they’ll be working on a badge which requires expertize in navigational skills using a compass and map called orienteering. April puts Mal and Molly on the spot when she sees the two holding hands, which brings up an underlying, uncomfortable feeling Molly has about her relationship with Mal.
Once everyone receives their compass, Ripley’s begins to act up and give off an unusual green glow. When she shows the group, Molly volunteers to take it off her hands and soon after, April mysteriously disappears. April realizes that she’s been separated from the group and a strange robot named Jeeves appears and introduces himself. He acts friendly, but April soon realizes it’s all a façade when he traps and captures her.
One by one, members of the group start disappearing. The campers find a message etched into the back of the glowing compass, however it’s in a language unknown to them. They realize that the missing members are disappearing when they are on their own and no one is watching. They decide to stay close and to keep an eye on each other. Mal and Molly have a moment together. Molly explains that she’s been feeling guilty about spending all her time and attention on Mal and is worried that their friends will become upset with her, ruining the wonderful friendships she has and ultimately being left alone.
Molly decides to destroy the cursed compass, but right as she’s about to smash it, a woman arrives and stops her. This woman is Henrietta Boniface Nibley, who happens to be the owner of the compass. She explains that the compass is magical and reacts to its holders emotions, the compass took Molly’s fear of being alone and made it reality, thus explaining the disappearance of Molly’s friends. Henrietta offers to take Molly to her friends, who just so happen to be being held captive by robot butlers she created and who work for her.
Henrietta asks for her compass back and explains that she needs it in order to cement her membership in the Lady Explorers’ Club. She opens up to Molly about her lack of exploration skills and how she needs the compass for validation. She also shares how she once felt the same way about her friends as Molly, but decided she was better off without them. Molly doesn’t share this opinion.
The group escapes the confinement of the robot butlers and meets up with Molly. Everyone is safe and Molly lets Mal know that she was scared their relationship would mess up their relationship with the other girls, but now knows otherwise. The sentiment between the two cause Henrietta to have a change of heart and she regrets the way she went about her past friendships. The girls show her that she still has plenty of friends, all the robots she’s created who adore her more than anything. The story closes with both Molly and Henrietta realizing that their fears and worries were preventing them from fully appreciating the value of the friendships that had.
Lilah Struges has put together a touching story that captures the anxieties of friendship as well as the importance of them. The characters in Lumberjanes are strong, female, diverse and ready for anything. The illustrations by Polternik are cute and colored in shades of grey with emotional bursts of green that give the story an almost dreamlike feel.
In the opening scene, Mal and Molly are hanging out in Roanoke cabin, when they are suddenly interrupted by one of their besties April, who invites them on a quest for their next camp badge. Readers are introduced to the rest of the Roanoke crew, Ripley, Jo and camp counselor Jen, who informs the girls that today they’ll be working on a badge which requires expertize in navigational skills using a compass and map called orienteering. April puts Mal and Molly on the spot when she sees the two holding hands, which brings up an underlying, uncomfortable feeling Molly has about her relationship with Mal.
Once everyone receives their compass, Ripley’s begins to act up and give off an unusual green glow. When she shows the group, Molly volunteers to take it off her hands and soon after, April mysteriously disappears. April realizes that she’s been separated from the group and a strange robot named Jeeves appears and introduces himself. He acts friendly, but April soon realizes it’s all a façade when he traps and captures her.
One by one, members of the group start disappearing. The campers find a message etched into the back of the glowing compass, however it’s in a language unknown to them. They realize that the missing members are disappearing when they are on their own and no one is watching. They decide to stay close and to keep an eye on each other. Mal and Molly have a moment together. Molly explains that she’s been feeling guilty about spending all her time and attention on Mal and is worried that their friends will become upset with her, ruining the wonderful friendships she has and ultimately being left alone.
Molly decides to destroy the cursed compass, but right as she’s about to smash it, a woman arrives and stops her. This woman is Henrietta Boniface Nibley, who happens to be the owner of the compass. She explains that the compass is magical and reacts to its holders emotions, the compass took Molly’s fear of being alone and made it reality, thus explaining the disappearance of Molly’s friends. Henrietta offers to take Molly to her friends, who just so happen to be being held captive by robot butlers she created and who work for her.
Henrietta asks for her compass back and explains that she needs it in order to cement her membership in the Lady Explorers’ Club. She opens up to Molly about her lack of exploration skills and how she needs the compass for validation. She also shares how she once felt the same way about her friends as Molly, but decided she was better off without them. Molly doesn’t share this opinion.
The group escapes the confinement of the robot butlers and meets up with Molly. Everyone is safe and Molly lets Mal know that she was scared their relationship would mess up their relationship with the other girls, but now knows otherwise. The sentiment between the two cause Henrietta to have a change of heart and she regrets the way she went about her past friendships. The girls show her that she still has plenty of friends, all the robots she’s created who adore her more than anything. The story closes with both Molly and Henrietta realizing that their fears and worries were preventing them from fully appreciating the value of the friendships that had.
Lilah Struges has put together a touching story that captures the anxieties of friendship as well as the importance of them. The characters in Lumberjanes are strong, female, diverse and ready for anything. The illustrations by Polternik are cute and colored in shades of grey with emotional bursts of green that give the story an almost dreamlike feel.
July 9, 2020
It’s funny I was going to give this book 5 stars, but I found there is a glaring issue. Lumberjanes vol 1 beautifully depicts the importance of real friendship and what it means to be a friend. Unfortunately the friends are missing diversity, an easy thing to include in a graphic novel. Children are looking for themselves in literature,but that is missing in Lumberjanes. The Inclusion of diversity, especially in children’s literature should just be a given at this point. Jen is not included in this, she is neither one of the children nor does she have a respected position within the group. The art, story and theme are great, but me personally would love to see some diversity.
March 12, 2020
3.5 like the other one. I’m thinking once you’ve read one Lumberjanes, the rest are pretty much the same, which is totally fine for those who find a love of a series and want to read as much as they can about it. #MaverickList
January 10, 2019
Lumberjanes are everyTHING.
June 2, 2019
My only criticism is that Ripley seemed to change in age at various points throughout the comic
June 13, 2021
Liked this one, even the illustrations.
February 11, 2019
Can't go wrong with the Lumberjanes.
April 13, 2020
Didn't even realize there was a prequel volume for Lumberjanes but I got this one in a recent humble bundle and read it pretty much immediately. Very cute story overall with the main part taking up about 100 pages and then another short standalone and some behind the scenes art filling the remaining page space. I liked the focus on Molly and Mal's relationship as well as getting some more information on the early days of the 'Janes. Not sure why this is entirely separate from the main series because it kind of makes it easy to miss but it's still a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews