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It's Your Funeral!
Marnie Winters was going to turn her life around; get out of the house, make friends, no more “Miserable Old Marnie!” Everything was going to plan, but then, of course, she died. Now, Marnie’s a ghost trapped on Earth, and the only one who can help her is the overenthusiastic, alien social worker, Xel, whose job is to help ghosts “close their file” and pass on. Are you ready for a sweetly nostalgic trip through Marnie’s life, correcting mistakes and righting what once went wrong? Well sorry, this isn’t that story! Xel has a much better idea to soothe Marnie’s troubled spirit: an internship in the hopeless bureaucracy of the trans-dimensional Department of Spectral Affairs!
This new do-gooder duo has their work cut out for them in a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures throughout the space-time continuum (but mostly in and around the office) as Marnie finds pathways through her feelings of worthlessness by helping others.
A paranormal fantasy about healing, learning to love yourself, and being OK with being not OK, It’s Your Funeral is the cosmic office comedy you’ve been dying to read!
This new do-gooder duo has their work cut out for them in a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures throughout the space-time continuum (but mostly in and around the office) as Marnie finds pathways through her feelings of worthlessness by helping others.
A paranormal fantasy about healing, learning to love yourself, and being OK with being not OK, It’s Your Funeral is the cosmic office comedy you’ve been dying to read!
200 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2020
2 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Emily Riesbeck
6 books11 followersEmily Riesbeck started writing comics at the ripe old age of ten, when they created their first original character, the superhero Aqua Guy. Since then, they’ve been self-publishing their superhero webcomic, The Blue Valkyrie, and their debut graphic novel, It’s Your Funeral, was published by Iron Circus Comics in July 2020. Their upcoming books include Mountain (2021, Cow House Press) and The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl (2022, Simon and Schuster). Their short comics have been featured in anthologies like Chubby and Local Haunts.
Emily was born and raised in McHenry, Illinois and lives in Chicago with their two partners and their cat, Yuri. When not writing comics, Emily enjoys playing tabletop roleplaying games. You can hear Emily on the RPG podcast Roll Dice and Cry.
Emily was born and raised in McHenry, Illinois and lives in Chicago with their two partners and their cat, Yuri. When not writing comics, Emily enjoys playing tabletop roleplaying games. You can hear Emily on the RPG podcast Roll Dice and Cry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 22, 2020
A YA comedy in the vein of The Office or The Good Place. Marnie has just died. Now her ghost is the latest intern at the Department of Supernatural Affairs. It's an agency staffed by demons that help ghost move onto the afterlife. While trying to stay light hearted, the book does deal with topics like depression. The book went a little overboard trying to remain cutesy, as did the art. Still it's not a bad way to kill a half hour.
Received a review copy from Iron Circus Comics and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Iron Circus Comics and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
October 11, 2020
Really liked this graphic novel about a group of interdimensional case workers shepherding human souls to the next stage of existence, sort of like the Office crossed with No Exit. Somehow (not surprisingly?) the human dimension has the most souls who are unsettled and have to haunt before they can come to terms and move on. Each of the case workers is well characterized (I especially loved the eldritch horror receptionist) and the plot, while not too surprising, is lively and interesting. The cartoonish art style makes things more cute and endearing. A satisfying read.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy of this!
I loved this book. It has ghosts, inter dimensional travel, mental illness, new job jitters, and a whole lot more.
I loved this book. It has ghosts, inter dimensional travel, mental illness, new job jitters, and a whole lot more.
July 29, 2020
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this. I found the main character, Marnie, to be very difficult to like. Yes, she has depression; however, that doesn't give you the right to be mean to people and belittle others. She behaved this way for the majority of the graphic novel and it really turned me off. I also found myself not caring about the other characters or the story in general. I do however feel that some people will connect with the characters and may enjoy the story more than I did.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
July 25, 2020
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Quirky, fun, full of sarcastic wit and good intentions. It's Your Funeral is a unique way to look at the afterlife and how to deal with one's own death.
The momentum can be a little stoppy and starty, and Marnie isn't always a very likeable character. But the other characters bring light and laughter, and really were the heart of the story.
Quirky, fun, full of sarcastic wit and good intentions. It's Your Funeral is a unique way to look at the afterlife and how to deal with one's own death.
The momentum can be a little stoppy and starty, and Marnie isn't always a very likeable character. But the other characters bring light and laughter, and really were the heart of the story.
May 14, 2021
its fun!! very good place-esque definitely a nice one hour read when you're bored at work
November 5, 2020
When someone passes away, people believe that they live peacefully in the after life. People believe that they are surrounded by other deceased loved ones and are watching over the living with care. However, one does not realize how these spirits get there and how tricky it can be. The imaginative graphic novel called It’s Your Funeral! Written by Emily Riesbeck, Ellen Kramer, and Matt Krotzer, gives an extremely creative plot on how these spirits get to the after life. When one dies within this book they are greeted by a lovely alien who will help them cope with their death and make sure that are able to reach their final destination, but one spirit named Marnie Winter doesn’t find a place within the afterlife, so one of the aliens hires her as an intern at the business that takes care of the spirits.This novel gives wonderfully thought out character personalities, gives a wonderful plot with lessons that readers learn, and gives a good amount of humor within the book.
When it comes to readers and the characters within a book, readers like a character who is different from the other people within the novel and is easy to connect with. In It’s Your Funeral this is clearly seen and brilliantly done! The characters within the book had their own little characteristics and personalities, each one was unique in their own way and made them very interesting to read about. It is easy to relate with these characters because of their broad spectrum of personalities. The way they react to certain events also helps empathise their character and their purpose within the story. The personalities they have in the book help give the book life, but also give the main character Marine an obstacle. The first alien Marine meets was named X’lakthul, Xel for short. She was a very upbeat, hardworking individual who was driving back successes and accomplishing the goals given to her. However, Marine is the complete opposite, she simply wants to be alone and doesn’t like how people are trying to help her. This causes a bit of drama between them too. At first Xel could take it, but it soon sunk in a bit and she lost her temper at one point. But, in the end they learn from each other and become friends. It is quite interesting how different each character is to one and the other, but they always manage to find a type of relationship in the end because they learn how to deal with one another. Another character named Carol is very interesting. Carol doesn't really speak fluent english and also goes by “them/they” because it is just a genderless blob.. This causes Marnie to be horribly frustrated by not understanding what they are saying. She tries to ask others such as D’vrrah and Z’zraak on how to understand Carol, but each simply tells the story on how they met Carol. Z’zraak simply says “Guess I’m just used to it. Seriously you’ll learn, give yourself time” (Riesbeck et al. 120). Marnie soon learns how to work with Carol and she slowly starts to understand the way “they” speak and becomes somewhat friends with “them” as well .The characters within this graphic novel are creatively done! They each have their own personalities and each character learns from each other and understands how to work with each other.This helps make them feel real and sparks a type of realism within the book, but they also serve as an obstacle for the main character and just for entertainment.
The characters are lovable and are easy to connect with, but other components that make this novel amazing is it’s creative plot. The plot of the graphic novel is quite interesting and leads up to an amazing conclusion that shows the growth of the main character and the growth of relationships between the characters. Each chapter had it’s on little story that relates to the plot. The first chapter was about Marnie meeting Xel and being hired as an intern to the business that helps souls reach their destination. The next chapter is Xel meeting two interesting individuals named D’vrrah and V’qttyr. D’vrrah is someone who wishes to stuff her face with food and take a smooth road to stressful situations, she also hates cleaning. V’qttyr is a massive neat freak who sometimes has little arguments with D’vrrah because of her messy habits. Marnie has to go shadow the two and learns that at times they sometimes stray away from the goal of their little adventure. She sets them back in place by yelling at them and setting them straight. She learns about leadership within that chapter and may have gained new friends. Each chapter is fresh and entertaining to the reader. At the same time, they give lessons to the reader such as that people can be difficult at times, but with patience and the willingness to help them out will help accomplish a goal and develop a relationship with them. Another lesson is that sometimes you need to understand that you can’t help everyone and some may be better than others. But, you can at least try to understand each other and help the ones who need the help at that very moment. But the overall theme within this book is acceptance. Marnie has a tough time adjusting to this new environment and her co-workers, she at times retaliates against orders or simply doesn’t even want to work. But, once she speaks her mind to her workers, she and her workers find a ground of understanding. This growth of talking to others can be seen within the scene where Xel realizes that she has been making Marnie do certain tasks in her way instead of trying to let Marnie do it her own way, “I was to help you. I want you to be well. But all this time I’ve been doing it my way, instead of a way you’re comfortable with. So Marnie, how can I do better” (Riesbeck et al.158)? They find a way to work with each other and they soon become friends and in the end. Marnie soon accepts her internship at the job and learns that her family is within the building's walls.The plot gives this story a type of realism, the lessons that are learned are quite handy for real life situations and it is well thought out when it comes to the situations the characters were in. This is why this graphic novel has such round character arcs and a strong plot.
Another component that makes this graphic novel so interesting is it’s humor. There are times within this book where one has to let out a little chuckle because either a character’s reaction or the way something is said. The character’s drawn within this novel have the most expressive facial expressions, that at times the facial expressions tell the story. So, it isn’t too rare to see a facial expression that is able to make one laugh out loud. Whether it be the absolute confusion of a character, expressed with small eyes and a half opened mouth, or them being dragged into situations and not being happy about it. Another factor of humor seen within this graphic novel are it’s clever little punch lines. For example, when Marnie is trying to think what Xel would do in the given situation her little thought bubble gives this line, “Blah Blah Blah--This is all a trick--you’re actually in hell where you belong” (Riesbeck et al.180). Marnie truly doesn’t like this intern job that was thrown at her, so it is no surprise that she would think that she is in hell. Another humorous part of the story is actually Marnie’s death. She had died from sitting in a chair for too long and it exploded under her. It’s funny because she remembers a text from her mother explaining this very scenario. These are just a couple of examples of the clever humor within this book. Now, it won’t make one tear up from laughing, but it will make one laugh in a semi-loud way.
This book gets five stars because of this brilliantly done plot, characters, and humor. The lessons given in each chapter are extremely important lessons of life and some of the drama within the novel can make one feel horrible for the character who is going through this drama. This book is heavily recommended to those who like a bit of corky humor and life lessons within novels. People who like drama and fiction may also enjoy this book as well! This may also be exceptional for those who like Steven Universe and The Office because at times it gives certain vibes to those two shows or maybe has characters that are really similar to certain characters of that given show!
It’s Your Funeral! Is a very unique graphic novel with an amazing plot, characters and lessons within the book. This is why it deserves five stars, because of it’s amazing story and character personalities/growth. Readers can easily connect with the characters within this thrilling novel and it isn’t natural to let out a chuckle while reading this novel. The simple idea of aliens helping spirits reach their final destination is a very interesting idea that makes the comic stand out from other graphic novels and it gives the story so many possibilities with how everything works within this spirit helping business, and the authors did everything perfectly with this simple idea.
When it comes to readers and the characters within a book, readers like a character who is different from the other people within the novel and is easy to connect with. In It’s Your Funeral this is clearly seen and brilliantly done! The characters within the book had their own little characteristics and personalities, each one was unique in their own way and made them very interesting to read about. It is easy to relate with these characters because of their broad spectrum of personalities. The way they react to certain events also helps empathise their character and their purpose within the story. The personalities they have in the book help give the book life, but also give the main character Marine an obstacle. The first alien Marine meets was named X’lakthul, Xel for short. She was a very upbeat, hardworking individual who was driving back successes and accomplishing the goals given to her. However, Marine is the complete opposite, she simply wants to be alone and doesn’t like how people are trying to help her. This causes a bit of drama between them too. At first Xel could take it, but it soon sunk in a bit and she lost her temper at one point. But, in the end they learn from each other and become friends. It is quite interesting how different each character is to one and the other, but they always manage to find a type of relationship in the end because they learn how to deal with one another. Another character named Carol is very interesting. Carol doesn't really speak fluent english and also goes by “them/they” because it is just a genderless blob.. This causes Marnie to be horribly frustrated by not understanding what they are saying. She tries to ask others such as D’vrrah and Z’zraak on how to understand Carol, but each simply tells the story on how they met Carol. Z’zraak simply says “Guess I’m just used to it. Seriously you’ll learn, give yourself time” (Riesbeck et al. 120). Marnie soon learns how to work with Carol and she slowly starts to understand the way “they” speak and becomes somewhat friends with “them” as well .The characters within this graphic novel are creatively done! They each have their own personalities and each character learns from each other and understands how to work with each other.This helps make them feel real and sparks a type of realism within the book, but they also serve as an obstacle for the main character and just for entertainment.
The characters are lovable and are easy to connect with, but other components that make this novel amazing is it’s creative plot. The plot of the graphic novel is quite interesting and leads up to an amazing conclusion that shows the growth of the main character and the growth of relationships between the characters. Each chapter had it’s on little story that relates to the plot. The first chapter was about Marnie meeting Xel and being hired as an intern to the business that helps souls reach their destination. The next chapter is Xel meeting two interesting individuals named D’vrrah and V’qttyr. D’vrrah is someone who wishes to stuff her face with food and take a smooth road to stressful situations, she also hates cleaning. V’qttyr is a massive neat freak who sometimes has little arguments with D’vrrah because of her messy habits. Marnie has to go shadow the two and learns that at times they sometimes stray away from the goal of their little adventure. She sets them back in place by yelling at them and setting them straight. She learns about leadership within that chapter and may have gained new friends. Each chapter is fresh and entertaining to the reader. At the same time, they give lessons to the reader such as that people can be difficult at times, but with patience and the willingness to help them out will help accomplish a goal and develop a relationship with them. Another lesson is that sometimes you need to understand that you can’t help everyone and some may be better than others. But, you can at least try to understand each other and help the ones who need the help at that very moment. But the overall theme within this book is acceptance. Marnie has a tough time adjusting to this new environment and her co-workers, she at times retaliates against orders or simply doesn’t even want to work. But, once she speaks her mind to her workers, she and her workers find a ground of understanding. This growth of talking to others can be seen within the scene where Xel realizes that she has been making Marnie do certain tasks in her way instead of trying to let Marnie do it her own way, “I was to help you. I want you to be well. But all this time I’ve been doing it my way, instead of a way you’re comfortable with. So Marnie, how can I do better” (Riesbeck et al.158)? They find a way to work with each other and they soon become friends and in the end. Marnie soon accepts her internship at the job and learns that her family is within the building's walls.The plot gives this story a type of realism, the lessons that are learned are quite handy for real life situations and it is well thought out when it comes to the situations the characters were in. This is why this graphic novel has such round character arcs and a strong plot.
Another component that makes this graphic novel so interesting is it’s humor. There are times within this book where one has to let out a little chuckle because either a character’s reaction or the way something is said. The character’s drawn within this novel have the most expressive facial expressions, that at times the facial expressions tell the story. So, it isn’t too rare to see a facial expression that is able to make one laugh out loud. Whether it be the absolute confusion of a character, expressed with small eyes and a half opened mouth, or them being dragged into situations and not being happy about it. Another factor of humor seen within this graphic novel are it’s clever little punch lines. For example, when Marnie is trying to think what Xel would do in the given situation her little thought bubble gives this line, “Blah Blah Blah--This is all a trick--you’re actually in hell where you belong” (Riesbeck et al.180). Marnie truly doesn’t like this intern job that was thrown at her, so it is no surprise that she would think that she is in hell. Another humorous part of the story is actually Marnie’s death. She had died from sitting in a chair for too long and it exploded under her. It’s funny because she remembers a text from her mother explaining this very scenario. These are just a couple of examples of the clever humor within this book. Now, it won’t make one tear up from laughing, but it will make one laugh in a semi-loud way.
This book gets five stars because of this brilliantly done plot, characters, and humor. The lessons given in each chapter are extremely important lessons of life and some of the drama within the novel can make one feel horrible for the character who is going through this drama. This book is heavily recommended to those who like a bit of corky humor and life lessons within novels. People who like drama and fiction may also enjoy this book as well! This may also be exceptional for those who like Steven Universe and The Office because at times it gives certain vibes to those two shows or maybe has characters that are really similar to certain characters of that given show!
It’s Your Funeral! Is a very unique graphic novel with an amazing plot, characters and lessons within the book. This is why it deserves five stars, because of it’s amazing story and character personalities/growth. Readers can easily connect with the characters within this thrilling novel and it isn’t natural to let out a chuckle while reading this novel. The simple idea of aliens helping spirits reach their final destination is a very interesting idea that makes the comic stand out from other graphic novels and it gives the story so many possibilities with how everything works within this spirit helping business, and the authors did everything perfectly with this simple idea.
June 22, 2020
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
I loved the concept of this one, featuring Marnie, who quite suddenly finds herself a ghost suddenly meeting her case worker, Xel - at the Department of Spectral Affairs. They're struggling to find her place in the afterlife so they end up working together in the DSA.
To me, Marnie was a very unlikeable character. While I understood she was upset, angry and miserable, she was often downright mean to those who were trying to help her. There were definitely lessons learned and I loved the overall messages about healing, but I would have enjoyed it more if she was dialed back just a little bit.
I did love all of the different characters and how Marnie got to know their unique personalities. I also really loved the different settings and the art style. Each characters had different styles/colors of text bubbles, so that was great when you might not be sure who is talking. Overall the story was fun and did have a number of messages conveyed.
I loved the concept of this one, featuring Marnie, who quite suddenly finds herself a ghost suddenly meeting her case worker, Xel - at the Department of Spectral Affairs. They're struggling to find her place in the afterlife so they end up working together in the DSA.
To me, Marnie was a very unlikeable character. While I understood she was upset, angry and miserable, she was often downright mean to those who were trying to help her. There were definitely lessons learned and I loved the overall messages about healing, but I would have enjoyed it more if she was dialed back just a little bit.
I did love all of the different characters and how Marnie got to know their unique personalities. I also really loved the different settings and the art style. Each characters had different styles/colors of text bubbles, so that was great when you might not be sure who is talking. Overall the story was fun and did have a number of messages conveyed.
September 14, 2020
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through
NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions are my own.
This reminded me a bit of Dead Like Me, it was a funny YA comic book about a 19 year old girl who just died and is enrolled in the administrative afterlife service. I absolutely loved the graphic style, there was a lot of funny scenes while touching some more serious topics, like depression. Finally, I thought it had a great panel of secondary characters.
Why didn't I like it more then, you might ask? Well, if most of the cast was interesting, I didn't like Marnie, the main character. I get that the book want to carry the message that it's ok not to be ok, which I strongly agree with. But the continuous "woe is me" attitude of Marnie and her way to be rude to everybody around just made it impossible for me to empathize.
Overall it was an okay read but I think it had much more potential than what it ended up delivering.
NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions are my own.
This reminded me a bit of Dead Like Me, it was a funny YA comic book about a 19 year old girl who just died and is enrolled in the administrative afterlife service. I absolutely loved the graphic style, there was a lot of funny scenes while touching some more serious topics, like depression. Finally, I thought it had a great panel of secondary characters.
Why didn't I like it more then, you might ask? Well, if most of the cast was interesting, I didn't like Marnie, the main character. I get that the book want to carry the message that it's ok not to be ok, which I strongly agree with. But the continuous "woe is me" attitude of Marnie and her way to be rude to everybody around just made it impossible for me to empathize.
Overall it was an okay read but I think it had much more potential than what it ended up delivering.
March 29, 2025
Idea seemed like it would be a silly read, (a ghost stuck in an office job till they could crossover to the other side) but I found all of the characters to be very obnoxious and one sided. Marnie spent the entire book yelling at everyone around her and no one seemed to care and even seemed to encourage her! Also all of the characters seemed to be shallow representations of mental disorders…D’vrrah=ADHD, X’lakthul=Generalized Anxiety Disorder, V’qttyr=OCD, & Marnie=Clinical Depression. But it was almost like the author had never met someone with these disabilities and just googled their symptoms, then that became the character.
I wouldn’t read again.
I wouldn’t read again.
June 26, 2020
The bright, engaging, artwork and fun characters make this graphic novel a pleasure to read. I especially enjoyed the moral of the story that personal growth is a process and we should be patient. The main character was not magically fixed at by end of the story. I think these feelings will resonate with readers of all ages.
Thank you Iron Circus Comics for the free ARC!
Thank you Iron Circus Comics for the free ARC!
March 27, 2020
This graphic novel is so different from other stories I’ve read. I love the way it handles talking about deep-rooted depression amidst a background of characters you learn to love immediately. Cute art combined with a mostly silly story leads to heartwarming moments you don’t really expect. Very cute!
August 4, 2020
Funny and profound
August 7, 2020
Actual rating: 4.5🌟
This was a very fast read for me. I ended up reading it on one seating.😅
So we have Marnie who died but can't move on to her next journey. Enters Xel, a leading agent of the Department of Spectral Affairs, assigned to help Marnie 'move on'.
This is a story of how Xel is trying to help Marnie with her issues and unfinish businesses. It also features the chaotic office life on the Department of Spectral Affairs.
I love the artwork and the story. The concept of afterlife is very interesting and the characters are unique and lovable.👍
Can't wait for the next volume.❤
Thanks for Edelweiss, the publisher and author for making this available for review.
This was a very fast read for me. I ended up reading it on one seating.😅
So we have Marnie who died but can't move on to her next journey. Enters Xel, a leading agent of the Department of Spectral Affairs, assigned to help Marnie 'move on'.
This is a story of how Xel is trying to help Marnie with her issues and unfinish businesses. It also features the chaotic office life on the Department of Spectral Affairs.
I love the artwork and the story. The concept of afterlife is very interesting and the characters are unique and lovable.👍
Can't wait for the next volume.❤
Thanks for Edelweiss, the publisher and author for making this available for review.
August 18, 2020
Loved this book. Marnie's story is very touching.
Marnie has lived her life mostly alone and when Xel, the afterlife agent, tries to help her she is difficult to get through to. Marnie constantly feels detached and bored and is unable to appreciate Xel's help. But with time she sees that Xel means well and helps the afterlife office avert a crisis.
The story provides a great depiction of mental illness and how other people can help. It also throws light on the office politics in a humorous way. I loved the illustrations and the characters. They are all absurdly cute and weirdly adorable.
Marnie has lived her life mostly alone and when Xel, the afterlife agent, tries to help her she is difficult to get through to. Marnie constantly feels detached and bored and is unable to appreciate Xel's help. But with time she sees that Xel means well and helps the afterlife office avert a crisis.
The story provides a great depiction of mental illness and how other people can help. It also throws light on the office politics in a humorous way. I loved the illustrations and the characters. They are all absurdly cute and weirdly adorable.
June 28, 2022
It's Your Funeral is an excellent graphic novel by Emily Riesbeck. When a Marnie dies right before she changes her life around she gets stuck on Earth because she hasn't come to terms with her death. Therefore, she is assigned to an interdimensional case worker named Xel who will help her pass on to the afterlife. When that plan goes awry, she ends up interning for Xel's agency.
Overall, I thought this book was excellent. It was humorously written with many unique characters (I loved Carol). Amazing illustrations. Quick lighthearted read. I am hoping for a sequel!
Overall, I thought this book was excellent. It was humorously written with many unique characters (I loved Carol). Amazing illustrations. Quick lighthearted read. I am hoping for a sequel!
April 6, 2020
Cute, weird, and moving.
March 23, 2025
‘It’s Your Funeral’ is a delightfully quirky and unexpectedly relatable graphic novel that blends humour, the supernatural, and a touch of existential crisis in the best way possible. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in, but I ended up completely charmed by its wit, heart, and fantastic art style.
Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is wonderfully engaging, with a fun yet meaningful narrative that balances humour and depth effortlessly. There’s an undercurrent of commentary about responsibility, burnout, and finding balance, which makes the story feel surprisingly relatable despite its supernatural setting. It’s a fresh take on the afterlife concept, blending whimsy with just enough emotional weight to make it stick with you.
Character: ★★★★★
The characters are absolutely fantastic. Each one is well-developed, distinct, and full of personality. The protagonist is incredibly easy to root for, and the supporting cast adds so much charm and energy to the story. They feel like real people, and their interactions are filled with humour, warmth, and the occasional bit of snark, which I loved.
Setting: ★★★★★
The worldbuilding in ‘It’s Your Funeral’ is fantastic. The afterlife setting is both visually striking and conceptually interesting, filled with fun details that make it feel alive (ironically). There’s a great balance between the supernatural elements and the everyday struggles of the characters, making it feel both fantastical and oddly grounded.
Illustrations: ★★★★★
The artwork is gorgeous! The bright, bold colours and expressive character designs perfectly match the book’s tone. The illustrations add so much charm and energy to the story, making every panel feel dynamic and engaging. The visual storytelling is top-notch, with great attention to detail that enhances both the humour and the emotional beats of the story.
Engagement: ★★★★★
From the very first page, I was completely hooked. The story moves at a great pace, never feeling rushed but keeping things interesting with engaging dialogue, humorous moments, and well-timed plot developments. It’s one of those books where you sit down to read a few pages and suddenly realise you’ve devoured the whole thing in one sitting.
Readability: ★★★★★
The writing flows beautifully, making this a super easy and enjoyable read. The dialogue feels natural, the humour lands perfectly, and the combination of text and visuals makes the story effortless to follow. Whether you’re a casual graphic novel reader or someone who devours them regularly, this one is an absolute breeze to get into.
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
I absolutely loved ‘It’s Your Funeral’! It was funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning - a perfect mix of humour and meaningful storytelling. It’s one of those books that leaves you smiling by the end and wishing there was more.
‘It’s Your Funeral’ is an absolute gem. With its witty writing, lovable characters, and vibrant illustrations, it delivers a heartwarming and hilarious take on life (and death). If you love quirky, character-driven graphic novels with a supernatural twist, this is definitely one to pick up!
Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is wonderfully engaging, with a fun yet meaningful narrative that balances humour and depth effortlessly. There’s an undercurrent of commentary about responsibility, burnout, and finding balance, which makes the story feel surprisingly relatable despite its supernatural setting. It’s a fresh take on the afterlife concept, blending whimsy with just enough emotional weight to make it stick with you.
Character: ★★★★★
The characters are absolutely fantastic. Each one is well-developed, distinct, and full of personality. The protagonist is incredibly easy to root for, and the supporting cast adds so much charm and energy to the story. They feel like real people, and their interactions are filled with humour, warmth, and the occasional bit of snark, which I loved.
Setting: ★★★★★
The worldbuilding in ‘It’s Your Funeral’ is fantastic. The afterlife setting is both visually striking and conceptually interesting, filled with fun details that make it feel alive (ironically). There’s a great balance between the supernatural elements and the everyday struggles of the characters, making it feel both fantastical and oddly grounded.
Illustrations: ★★★★★
The artwork is gorgeous! The bright, bold colours and expressive character designs perfectly match the book’s tone. The illustrations add so much charm and energy to the story, making every panel feel dynamic and engaging. The visual storytelling is top-notch, with great attention to detail that enhances both the humour and the emotional beats of the story.
Engagement: ★★★★★
From the very first page, I was completely hooked. The story moves at a great pace, never feeling rushed but keeping things interesting with engaging dialogue, humorous moments, and well-timed plot developments. It’s one of those books where you sit down to read a few pages and suddenly realise you’ve devoured the whole thing in one sitting.
Readability: ★★★★★
The writing flows beautifully, making this a super easy and enjoyable read. The dialogue feels natural, the humour lands perfectly, and the combination of text and visuals makes the story effortless to follow. Whether you’re a casual graphic novel reader or someone who devours them regularly, this one is an absolute breeze to get into.
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
I absolutely loved ‘It’s Your Funeral’! It was funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning - a perfect mix of humour and meaningful storytelling. It’s one of those books that leaves you smiling by the end and wishing there was more.
‘It’s Your Funeral’ is an absolute gem. With its witty writing, lovable characters, and vibrant illustrations, it delivers a heartwarming and hilarious take on life (and death). If you love quirky, character-driven graphic novels with a supernatural twist, this is definitely one to pick up!
July 13, 2020
It’s Your Funeral by Emily Riesbeck, Ellen Kramer, and Matt Krotzer is a young adult graphic novel currently scheduled for release on July 21 2020.
Marnie Winters was going to turn her life around; get out of the house, make friends, no more “Miserable Old Marnie!” Everything was going to plan, but then, of course, she died. Now, Marnie’s a ghost trapped on Earth, and the only one who can help her is the overenthusiastic, alien social worker, Xel, whose job is to help ghosts “close their file” and pass on. Xel has an idea to soothe Marnie’s troubled spirit: an internship in the hopeless bureaucracy of the trans-dimensional Department of Spectral Affairs! This new do-gooder duo has their work cut out for them in a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures throughout the space-time continuum (but mostly in and around the office) as Marnie finds pathways through her feelings of worthlessness by helping others. A paranormal fantasy about healing, learning to love yourself, and being OK with being not OK.
It’s Your Funeral is a graphic novel that is fun to look at. I really enjoyed the artwork and colors, and thought the imagination involved was wonderful. It was also a read that will appeal to many on an emotional level. There are a number of very different personalities, and I liked that no one style is touted as perfect or better, rather it is those differences that make things work. I cringed a few times, especially when Marnie took her emotions out on others, but those emotions and reactions rang true and help move the story forward and raise the emotional stakes of the story. I like that the book acknowledged that dealing with anything, including depression or anxiety, is a process and that taking the time and being kind (including to yourself) is key. I thought the overall product was very good, and good read.
It’s Your Funeral is a well drawn and told story that will appeal to a number of young adult and adult readers.
Marnie Winters was going to turn her life around; get out of the house, make friends, no more “Miserable Old Marnie!” Everything was going to plan, but then, of course, she died. Now, Marnie’s a ghost trapped on Earth, and the only one who can help her is the overenthusiastic, alien social worker, Xel, whose job is to help ghosts “close their file” and pass on. Xel has an idea to soothe Marnie’s troubled spirit: an internship in the hopeless bureaucracy of the trans-dimensional Department of Spectral Affairs! This new do-gooder duo has their work cut out for them in a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures throughout the space-time continuum (but mostly in and around the office) as Marnie finds pathways through her feelings of worthlessness by helping others. A paranormal fantasy about healing, learning to love yourself, and being OK with being not OK.
It’s Your Funeral is a graphic novel that is fun to look at. I really enjoyed the artwork and colors, and thought the imagination involved was wonderful. It was also a read that will appeal to many on an emotional level. There are a number of very different personalities, and I liked that no one style is touted as perfect or better, rather it is those differences that make things work. I cringed a few times, especially when Marnie took her emotions out on others, but those emotions and reactions rang true and help move the story forward and raise the emotional stakes of the story. I like that the book acknowledged that dealing with anything, including depression or anxiety, is a process and that taking the time and being kind (including to yourself) is key. I thought the overall product was very good, and good read.
It’s Your Funeral is a well drawn and told story that will appeal to a number of young adult and adult readers.
August 5, 2022
Marnie Winters has died, in a pretty ridiculous way, and now the agency that's tasked with helping ghosts move on to the afterlife doesn't know how to help her move on. So... they hire her as their intern instead!
I mean, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it's a fun read. It's full color, the art is clear and fun and whimsical, even when the topics aren't. The character designs are distinctive, you're never confusing one character for another (partly because most of the characters aren't human. But the designs are still fun!)
But from a narrative standpoint, I was actually really impressed with how it handles depression. You catch on pretty early that that's Marnie's problem, and I really appreciated the depiction of her depression- She's not just moping around feeling tragic and sad, which is too-often what depression is stereotyped as. Marnie's grumpy and irritable, she pushes people away and tells herself and others that she's beyond help. She tells them (particularly Xel) that she knows they'll give up on her eventually, and then gets mad when she feels like they're doing just that. There's no pretty, sudden epiphany where Marnie gets to be all happy all the time and feel loved. By the end of the book, It may be one of my favorite depictions of depression in media to date.
I mean, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it's a fun read. It's full color, the art is clear and fun and whimsical, even when the topics aren't. The character designs are distinctive, you're never confusing one character for another (partly because most of the characters aren't human. But the designs are still fun!)
But from a narrative standpoint, I was actually really impressed with how it handles depression. You catch on pretty early that that's Marnie's problem, and I really appreciated the depiction of her depression- She's not just moping around feeling tragic and sad, which is too-often what depression is stereotyped as. Marnie's grumpy and irritable, she pushes people away and tells herself and others that she's beyond help. She tells them (particularly Xel) that she knows they'll give up on her eventually, and then gets mad when she feels like they're doing just that. There's no pretty, sudden epiphany where Marnie gets to be all happy all the time and feel loved. By the end of the book, It may be one of my favorite depictions of depression in media to date.
July 2, 2020
× Thanks to Iron Circus Comics and NetGalley for the eArc. It was provided in exchange for an honest review ×
Marnie dies before she can do anything with her life and that is why her soul cannot move forward and is now trapped as a ghost on Earth. This is how she meets Xel and all the workers of the department for spectral affairs. While she get to knows them and does her job as an intern, she will progress little by little on her way.
Ok, the story was not bad and the graphics are very good (I really liked the character design) but the truth is that I could not connect with the characters. I felt them quite flat and let's say I didn't really care what happened to them. For such a short graphic novel, it took me quite a while to finish reading it, I was just not interested in grabbing it and seeing what happened next.
Marnie muere antes de poder hacer algo con su vida y es por eso que su alma no puede avanzar y ahora está atrapada como un fantasma en la Tierra. Es así como conoce a Xel y a todos los demás y trabajadores of the department for spectral affairs, mientras los conoce y hace su trabajo de interna irá avanzando poco a poco en su camino.
Ok, la historia no estuvo mal y los gráficos están muy bien (me gustó mucho el diseño de personajes) pero la verdad es que no pude conectar con los personajes. Los sentí bastante planos y digamos que no llegó a importarme qué pasaba con ellos. Para ser una novela gráfica tan corta, me costó bastante terminar de leerla, simplemente no le interesaba agarrarla y ver qué pasaba a continuación.
Marnie dies before she can do anything with her life and that is why her soul cannot move forward and is now trapped as a ghost on Earth. This is how she meets Xel and all the workers of the department for spectral affairs. While she get to knows them and does her job as an intern, she will progress little by little on her way.
Ok, the story was not bad and the graphics are very good (I really liked the character design) but the truth is that I could not connect with the characters. I felt them quite flat and let's say I didn't really care what happened to them. For such a short graphic novel, it took me quite a while to finish reading it, I was just not interested in grabbing it and seeing what happened next.
Marnie muere antes de poder hacer algo con su vida y es por eso que su alma no puede avanzar y ahora está atrapada como un fantasma en la Tierra. Es así como conoce a Xel y a todos los demás y trabajadores of the department for spectral affairs, mientras los conoce y hace su trabajo de interna irá avanzando poco a poco en su camino.
Ok, la historia no estuvo mal y los gráficos están muy bien (me gustó mucho el diseño de personajes) pero la verdad es que no pude conectar con los personajes. Los sentí bastante planos y digamos que no llegó a importarme qué pasaba con ellos. Para ser una novela gráfica tan corta, me costó bastante terminar de leerla, simplemente no le interesaba agarrarla y ver qué pasaba a continuación.
November 4, 2025
I was surprised by how much of an impact this book made on me.
I selected it without reading the description to read as part of a reading challenge because I was having a HELL of a time trying to find an author with my initials who wasn't some pretentious literary fiction author or an old white dead guy who was also a pretentious literary fiction author. This was certainly not pretentious, and was honestly a lovely read. I was so glad that I picked it up.
The cover makes this graphic novel look like it's some sort of silly supernatural comic, and it is... sort of. What it really shakes out to be is a nuanced story about self-acceptance, friendship, differences, standing up for others, and persevering in the face of impossible odds. I laughed and cried reading it.
The art is really lovely. All the characters are visually interesting and emotionally complex and impactful. I found myself enjoying every new office person who showed up throughout the story, and I was rooting for even the boss by the end.
The only thing that I didn't love about the book was the pacing. At times it felt like the pacing was more of that of a webcomic than that of a printed one-shot graphic novel. It was too slow and then too fast with several plot points and it occasionally took me out of the story.
That said it is an overall amazing read and I would highly recommend it for a 16+ audience, those who love a good office comedy, and anyone who needs a little bit of a cry.
I selected it without reading the description to read as part of a reading challenge because I was having a HELL of a time trying to find an author with my initials who wasn't some pretentious literary fiction author or an old white dead guy who was also a pretentious literary fiction author. This was certainly not pretentious, and was honestly a lovely read. I was so glad that I picked it up.
The cover makes this graphic novel look like it's some sort of silly supernatural comic, and it is... sort of. What it really shakes out to be is a nuanced story about self-acceptance, friendship, differences, standing up for others, and persevering in the face of impossible odds. I laughed and cried reading it.
The art is really lovely. All the characters are visually interesting and emotionally complex and impactful. I found myself enjoying every new office person who showed up throughout the story, and I was rooting for even the boss by the end.
The only thing that I didn't love about the book was the pacing. At times it felt like the pacing was more of that of a webcomic than that of a printed one-shot graphic novel. It was too slow and then too fast with several plot points and it occasionally took me out of the story.
That said it is an overall amazing read and I would highly recommend it for a 16+ audience, those who love a good office comedy, and anyone who needs a little bit of a cry.
March 29, 2021
Marnie Winters has just died and finds herself now as a ghost. Remorseful for her wasted life she is less than interested in 'moving on', so when the Department of Spectral Affairs (whose job it is to do help ghosts do this) appears and tries to assist her she flatly refuses. X'lakthul, her demon-like caseworker after multiple attempts to encourage her to the next plane of existence fails decides to hire her instead. If Marine thought life was boring, wait until she has to deal with the bureaucracy of the afterlife...
While this is an interesting enough concept the execution of it is somewhat drawn out. The main characters of X'lakthul (think demonic version of Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation) and Marnie have quite mundane interactions - even when further characters are introduced and new locations. Riesbeck seems to want to make a point about how to deal with mental illnesses and things like manic depression (that Marnie seems to suffer from) but hasn't written an engaging enough story to fit this around, which is a shame as the potential is there. Likewise Kramer's artwork is fine simple and clear but could do with more detail (especially in the backgrounds and settings) to really elevate the book.
While this is an interesting enough concept the execution of it is somewhat drawn out. The main characters of X'lakthul (think demonic version of Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation) and Marnie have quite mundane interactions - even when further characters are introduced and new locations. Riesbeck seems to want to make a point about how to deal with mental illnesses and things like manic depression (that Marnie seems to suffer from) but hasn't written an engaging enough story to fit this around, which is a shame as the potential is there. Likewise Kramer's artwork is fine simple and clear but could do with more detail (especially in the backgrounds and settings) to really elevate the book.
August 20, 2023
This is a fun story where the main character is dead.
Literally, before the story even begins, Marnie dies, and the first panel is of her realising she died and is a ghost.
The rest of the story is a bizarre yet hilarious exploration of the afterlife in the form of "aliens" (for lack of a better description—otherworldly characters each of distinctly unique and only MOSTLY humanoid appearances (Carol being the one major exception)—whose job it is to shepherd ghosts such as Marnie off to their intended eternal destinations. As they cannot figure out why Marnie is unable to move on, they (Xel) come up with a completely new plan: take on Marnie as an intern.
I admit it's not my favourite story, since I've actually read it several times and never remember how it goes after a few days, but when I'm reading it, it's so well-written and well-drawn that I love it, up until the very end (which, THAT I admit is a little weak, but possibly open to a potential sequel?). It feels very much the vein of "I hate this... but now that I've been through so much with these weirdos, I love it" kind of story, and if you like those stories, I absolutely recommend you give this one a read!
Literally, before the story even begins, Marnie dies, and the first panel is of her realising she died and is a ghost.
The rest of the story is a bizarre yet hilarious exploration of the afterlife in the form of "aliens" (for lack of a better description—otherworldly characters each of distinctly unique and only MOSTLY humanoid appearances (Carol being the one major exception)—whose job it is to shepherd ghosts such as Marnie off to their intended eternal destinations. As they cannot figure out why Marnie is unable to move on, they (Xel) come up with a completely new plan: take on Marnie as an intern.
I admit it's not my favourite story, since I've actually read it several times and never remember how it goes after a few days, but when I'm reading it, it's so well-written and well-drawn that I love it, up until the very end (which, THAT I admit is a little weak, but possibly open to a potential sequel?). It feels very much the vein of "I hate this... but now that I've been through so much with these weirdos, I love it" kind of story, and if you like those stories, I absolutely recommend you give this one a read!
July 20, 2020
This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I, honestly, kinda loved this graphic novel a lot. The art is adorable and lively, and the story itself actually has a lot of work put into it that I wasn't expecting. There's genuine talk about depression, and a lot of it seems as though it's alluding to mental illness and how not every day is going to be 100%, sometimes you're going to fall, but that doesn't mean that's it. It's generally a heavy topic, especially when you're dealing with death surrounding it, but... This manages to be cute, fun, and funny despite that.
The characters are definitely one of the best parts of this, too. They're endearing, and I was a huge fan of the fact that they're all just trying their best. Seeing a lot of opposites work together well moments with V'qttyr and D'vrrah, along with some oddly relatable ones for anyone who's worked in an office, it's... It's cute. The art is just so fun.
Definitely one that's up there on my favourites list, maybe there'll be a sequel? I hope so!
I, honestly, kinda loved this graphic novel a lot. The art is adorable and lively, and the story itself actually has a lot of work put into it that I wasn't expecting. There's genuine talk about depression, and a lot of it seems as though it's alluding to mental illness and how not every day is going to be 100%, sometimes you're going to fall, but that doesn't mean that's it. It's generally a heavy topic, especially when you're dealing with death surrounding it, but... This manages to be cute, fun, and funny despite that.
The characters are definitely one of the best parts of this, too. They're endearing, and I was a huge fan of the fact that they're all just trying their best. Seeing a lot of opposites work together well moments with V'qttyr and D'vrrah, along with some oddly relatable ones for anyone who's worked in an office, it's... It's cute. The art is just so fun.
Definitely one that's up there on my favourites list, maybe there'll be a sequel? I hope so!
March 29, 2023
Absolutely fantastic. Tackles mental health and grief in a way that's more realistic, kind and empathetic than most media out there. Manages to squeeze a huge amount of character and world into a single book.
"It's Your Funeral" knows what it wants to say - that recovery is messy and nonlinear, people will mess up and deserve a second chance, imperfect people are still worth loving, relationships take work, and people take time to understand. It weaves this really strong sense of theme throughout the story without ever feeling too on-the-nose. Truly truly lovely.
Voracious readers will be tempted to binge this in one sitting, but I would actually recommend reading it in multiple sittings, using the chapters as break points - it fits the story more, imo, which has gaps of time between chapters and focuses a lot on how change takes time and can putting in the work towards self-improvement can feel endless and frustrating.
"It's Your Funeral" knows what it wants to say - that recovery is messy and nonlinear, people will mess up and deserve a second chance, imperfect people are still worth loving, relationships take work, and people take time to understand. It weaves this really strong sense of theme throughout the story without ever feeling too on-the-nose. Truly truly lovely.
Voracious readers will be tempted to binge this in one sitting, but I would actually recommend reading it in multiple sittings, using the chapters as break points - it fits the story more, imo, which has gaps of time between chapters and focuses a lot on how change takes time and can putting in the work towards self-improvement can feel endless and frustrating.
June 13, 2020
Marnie has just died. And it sucks. But that doesn't necessarily mean that is the end of everything. Quite the contrary, actually. Welcome to an afterlife inside a burocratic office where you're in charge of ghosts on Earth and their unfinished business.
By only looking at the cover I knew there was gonna be some fun ahead and maybe in the style of TV series like The Office, The Good Place or Miracle Workers. And boy I wasn't that wrong. There's such fun and colour in the art style that makes every character stand out, an aspect it gets more complex as it delves on more serious topics like friendship, office life, leadership and coping with things like depression, loss and the art of letting go.
It's your funeral is not the typical comic and an odd approaching to the afterlife and mental health, but with a fun and diverse cast that makes the story colorful and enjoyable
By only looking at the cover I knew there was gonna be some fun ahead and maybe in the style of TV series like The Office, The Good Place or Miracle Workers. And boy I wasn't that wrong. There's such fun and colour in the art style that makes every character stand out, an aspect it gets more complex as it delves on more serious topics like friendship, office life, leadership and coping with things like depression, loss and the art of letting go.
It's your funeral is not the typical comic and an odd approaching to the afterlife and mental health, but with a fun and diverse cast that makes the story colorful and enjoyable
July 20, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley.
It's Your Funeral! is charming and funny, which feel like odd words to describe a book where the main character dies in the first few pages and spends the rest of the book in a purgatory office as an intern, and yet, that's exactly what's happening here. Riesbeck's art is colorful and her character designs are interesting and fun, none of which detract from Marnie's struggles with depression and her journey to find peace in her afterlife. Some might complain that Marnie is unlikable, and she is - but that's the point. Her prickliness and Xel's, her afterlife counselor, eternal perkiness provide a good counterbalance that reconciles in the last few pages with both characters finding their own balance. I would read more in this universe.
It's Your Funeral! is charming and funny, which feel like odd words to describe a book where the main character dies in the first few pages and spends the rest of the book in a purgatory office as an intern, and yet, that's exactly what's happening here. Riesbeck's art is colorful and her character designs are interesting and fun, none of which detract from Marnie's struggles with depression and her journey to find peace in her afterlife. Some might complain that Marnie is unlikable, and she is - but that's the point. Her prickliness and Xel's, her afterlife counselor, eternal perkiness provide a good counterbalance that reconciles in the last few pages with both characters finding their own balance. I would read more in this universe.
August 6, 2020
Marnie is about to finally start socializing when she ends up dead and in the hands of her case manager at the Office of Spectral Affairs. The only problem is, she doesn't seem to have any unfinished business, and there's no placement that would make her move on. Marnie's a pretty fatalistic and negative person, and she can't help but find fault with everyone else, until her new job begins to show her that imperfect beings can still make a positive impact.
Sprinkled with cute office drama and sympathetically imperfect aliens, this bright comic is fun, fluffy, and only dragged down a bit by feeling like an afterschool special. I'm not sure I whether I'd recommend this book to 6th graders or new adults, but I think it might be a good read for tweens and younger teens who are in the self-absorbed phase where everyone is exasperating.
Sprinkled with cute office drama and sympathetically imperfect aliens, this bright comic is fun, fluffy, and only dragged down a bit by feeling like an afterschool special. I'm not sure I whether I'd recommend this book to 6th graders or new adults, but I think it might be a good read for tweens and younger teens who are in the self-absorbed phase where everyone is exasperating.
April 28, 2023
With "It's Your Funeral" I expected it to be much more humorous then I got with the premise of "Ghost gets shoved into office work with a bunch of aliens to help her get to the otherside."
Don't get me wrong, I still giggled occasionally, but I feel like this could have improved if it was a series and slightly more drawn out.
And while I loved the characters pronouns being included in their character files, I still found it odd that the only character who uses they/them is a defective blob monster that was man/alien-made and distinctly other. And the comment the main character made about the pyramids being made by aliens definitely rubbed me the wrong way, especially since she criticized her living family multiple times because they believed crazy conspiracies.
There are many other graphic novels to read, but still fun.
Don't get me wrong, I still giggled occasionally, but I feel like this could have improved if it was a series and slightly more drawn out.
And while I loved the characters pronouns being included in their character files, I still found it odd that the only character who uses they/them is a defective blob monster that was man/alien-made and distinctly other. And the comment the main character made about the pyramids being made by aliens definitely rubbed me the wrong way, especially since she criticized her living family multiple times because they believed crazy conspiracies.
There are many other graphic novels to read, but still fun.
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