Giant Days, Vol. 13

Giant Days collected #13

by John Allison

As Esther re-evaluates the biggest decisions in her life, she enters an essay contest that could change everything for her!

LONDON CALLING!

Everything going fine for Esther - she’s only dealing with a past break up, facing her own mortality and the pressure of an essay contest that could change her life. Don’t worry, she’s got everything figured out...except for the getting everything figured out part. Otherwise she’s not racing towards imminent disaster.

But for McGraw, the tough realities of life hit hard as he learns about the loss of someone close to him and has to find a way to process this shocking news.

The Eisner Award winning team of John Allison (By Night) and Max Sarin return to Sheffield for heartbreak, muscle aches, the very special pain of going corporate…and why the love of good friends is the secret to getting through it all.

Collects Giant Days #49-52.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2020

About the author

John Allison is the author and artist of the British webcomics Scary Go Round and Bad Machinery.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Andy Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series is undoubtedly becoming a little repetitive, but I'm still going to miss it when it's finished.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Predictable” is usually a negative for most books but Giant Days is definitely not most books and it’s predictable in the best possible way: it’s always superb. So it goes with lucky volume 13!

Back in her hometown of Tackleford, Esther battles with her English dissertation alongside her parents while babysitting a mini-version of herself, Lottie, who’s busy hunting vampires (of course). The girls step up to bat when McGraw’s teammates come down with food poisoning on the day of their annual cricket match against the posh bully kids. Tragedy strikes McGraw as he loses his father and Esther lands an interview at a big London bank for their graduate program. London? It can only mean the triumphant return of the delightful Shelley Winters!

As always, my review of a Giant Days book is simply a list of things I loved: Esther catching up with her ex, Eustace, and having a moment with her mum were both very sweet and reminded me why I’m madly in love with her. Susan’s explanation of cricket is both amazing and funny and that issue was about the only time I’ve ever been remotely interested in that tedious sport. I teared up at McGraw talking to Susan about his dad’s death and I enjoyed everything about Esther’s trip to London with Shelley as the two help each other realise their writing dreams.

In an artform filled with dark knights and webslingers, a comic about three girls at university effortlessly stands above them all as the best example of what the medium can offer. I say effortlessly but that’s doing a disservice to the enormous writing talents of John Allison and artistic skills of Max Sarin, a truly terrific creative team. The only negative about this book is that there’s only one more left before the whole thing’s over and done with. It’s been so unfathomably good, literally all the time, I could honestly read this series forever, or at least until the creative team run it into the ground a la The Simpsons et al. Or maybe it’s best to end with nothing less than a perfect score - something totally unique!

And perfect it is: Giant Days, Volume 13 - nobody does it better. Thank criminey!

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for what seems to be the penultimate volume 13. Well, growing up stories are often more fun than grown up stories, but this team continues to entertain as the gang enters adulthood, which is to suggest this series could have gone on to old age, but alas (though Allison hints at possible sequels). In the first story Esther is having trouble living with Mum and Dad again as she writes her thesis, which is another word for going to the pub to escape writing. Fun, light Giant Days opening, and next we have a two-sided story where many of the regulars who hate sports have to step up after McGraw’s cricket team gets food poisoning and can't play their crucial match with their hated rivals. Hijinks, as expected, with one highlight being Susan’s (who wears a t-shirt that reads "I HATE THIS SPORT") explanation of how cricket is basically played.

But then, after earning the expected comic Giant Days points, we take a sudden and surprising turn to tragedy (sorry, spoiler): McGraw’s Dad unexpectedly dies, which becomes one of the most affecting moments in the whole series. McGraw is one of these people who does not cry in grief. . . that is, until he does. Then me, too!

In a third story Goth girl Esther goes to London to try with Shelley’s help to get a . . . bank job?! Or is it really to open up a possible writing career in London?? But what will it mean for Esther to live so far away from her friends?

Full marks, Allison and Sarin! Always on my list for best comics of any year. Fun and affecting

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top form for the series as we have humorous bits with writer's block and a game of cricket and heavier topics like grief and life after the bubble of college. The middle chapters are best, with the core gang hanging out together. The first and last chapters are still fun, with Esther having team-up adventures with characters from writer John Allison's other series: Charlotte "Lottie" Grote of Bad Machinery and Shelley Endeavour Winters of Scary Go Round.

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, my favourite little trio are growing up and focusing on the future! This volume featured a lot of Esther content, which definitely made it one of my favourites. The setting also shifted from Sheffield University to Esther's hometown, and then to London, and I loved seeing her get the chance to shine in these new environments.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sadly one of my least favorite additions to the series (but don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it a ton!). I think it just felt very disjointed, though I can't help but wonder if it's also a subconscious recoiling from the idea of these girls going their separate ways in life and seeing this series come to a close when I'm so not ready to say goodbye.

For the record, though, the panel of McGraw finally breaking down over a certain event... my heart hurts a lot. 😞

[Emma]

As always I loved this volume of Giant Days! I truly feel like here the characters got to experience, for better and for worse, what growing up means. McGraw and Esther really did shine in this volume and I deeply appreciated both their storylines.
I can't believe the next volume will be the last, I'm not ready to say goodbye to these girls!

[Rachel (Kalanadi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought this was the final volume....I guess not!? Which makes me happy! This wasn't the best, with some strange jumps in the individual issues, but I like the more serious route it's taking with the characters getting ready for life beyond uni.

[Paz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I can't help it, Esther is my favorite. You give me a couple of issues with Esther as the lead, and I'm gonna love the TP.

Third year is ending, and Esther has to finish her thesis, but it turns out, American Literature is kicking her ass. She's home for the holidays, trying to write about the greatest American novels and having a few issues with her place in the world. It's actually quite a relatable story.
Second issue is all about cricket, the girls and some other side characters gotta step up to help McGraw with a very 'important' game, but the day ends on a sad note when McGraw receives a call from home.
Next, Esther tries to cheer up their friends by renting a beautiful cottage for the weekend. This issue almost made cry at the end. I just love everyone's friendship, okay?
Last issue is about Esther going for a job interview in London, and helping a dear friend who's struggling with work.

Even though there's a sad event in this volume, this one is such a positive installment, I loved it. There are lots of relatable moments, as silly/funny jokes you know, Giant Days style.
Can't believe I only have 3 more issues and then it's over. But, I think it was the right time to finish the story.

[Sam Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread:
Jesus Christ, my babies are growing and the finale is so close that I don't know if I am ready for it. Deep breaths. Deep breaths!! 4.9⭐

First Read:
I can't believe this ending!! Ohmygod I certainly don't want this to end 😭 why did they need to grow so fast? 💔

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series draws to a close, but there are a few more surprises in store first up in the penultimate volume. You know the drill by now - Giant Days is phenomenal, and it looks to be going out on the same high it started on, and maintained for 50+ issues.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kinda boring I’m not going to lie. And at this point I don’t think my ship is happening so that’s upsetting because that was one of the only reasons I was continuing to read this. I will continue on because you never know and I enjoy the characters enough.

[Dev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this series is getting a little bit too serious for me as it nears its end. I get why it would turn that way but I feel like it definitely used to be a lot funnier and that was one of the things I liked about it. It's definitely not something I can use for a pick-me-up anymore but I am still interested to see what happens in the last volume.

[rachel, x · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1) Giant Days, Vol. 1 ★★★★★
#2) Giant Days, Vol. 2 ★★★★★
#3) Giant Days, Vol. 3 ★★★★★
#4) Giant Days, Vol. 4 ★★★★★
#5) Giant Days, Vol. 5 ★★★★★
#6) Giant Days, Vol. 6 ★★★★★
#7) Giant Days, Vol. 7 ★★★★☆
#8) Giant Days, Vol. 8 ★★★★☆
#9) Giant Days, Vol. 9 ★★★★★
#10) Giant Days, Vol. 10 ★★★★☆
#11) Giant Days, Vol. 11 ★★★★☆
#12) Giant Days, Vol. 12 ★★★★★
#14) Giant Days, Vol. 14 ★★★★★

➸ Trigger warnings for alcohol consumption, smoking, grief & loss depiction, death of a mother recounted, and death of a father (off-page).

▷ Representation: Daisy (mc) is a lesbian.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph

[AquaMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helloooo Lucky Number 13!! I am SO pleased to make your acquaintance!! I believe this will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Or at least an entertaining hour or two.

A few months away from work and locked away from the world (in quarantine) like some sort of bohoesque, cat-obsessed fairy tale princess and I forgot how much I loved some of these series! Lumberjanes... Space Boy... and, of course, the pinnacle of Graphic Novel Lit, Giant Days. Getting back to work and reacquainting myself with Esther, Daisy, Susan et. al. was like a happy reunion with old friends. And this, vol. 13, was the sign of a lucky day indeed!! The story picked up where we last left off and ran with all the drama and all the humor and all the heart I've come to expect from this series. And BONUS! The artists were decent this time and the characters looked as they should (we shall not speak of that wannabe who draws people to look like blobs).

The only bittersweet bit is this series looks to be nearing the end. Only one more volume and then done. Then I'll have to find a new story to follow, new characters to love. But we shall not think of sad goodbyes. Not yet. Not today. For today is time to enjoy and appreciate the series thus far... and to look forward to what is to come.

p.s. Esther's Hippie Dress is freaking awesome. And irony: I was wearing a peasant blouse of a very similar print and style at the time of reading.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly light fun this time around, but there was one very sad storyline. The funniest part was Susan’s explanation of cricket, which probably would have been even funnier to me if I knew anything about cricket.
As the gang ventures further into their adult lives, I hope Allison continues to write the series. I could hang out with this group of pals for many more volumes.

[Alex Nonymous · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I love these, I didn't really love this volume. Everything's kind of splintering off and becoming disjointed as the issues set themselves up for the eventual, inevitable conclusion which made a lot of the storylines either harder to get invested in or feeling pretty hit or miss.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is why I’ve been in denial over the end of Giant Days for years. Allison and Sarin, you hilarious, heartbreaking, gut wrenching, heartwarming geniuses you. This series is a masterpiece. Even though I’ll never understand cricket.

[penta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niby bohaterki powoli zbliżają się do nowego etapu życia, a ja przez pół zeszytu miałam wrażenie, że nie do końca wie, co z nimi zrobić - nawet w obliczu wątku, który pisze się sam tak bardzo jak POGRZEB OJCA JEDNEGO Z GŁÓWNYCH BOHATERÓW.

[Brujaxa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo, fue muy triste, pero la verdad es que estuvo muy bien.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful volume in the Giant Day series. This was hit closer to home as it dealt with post-college plans, the panic of winding up in a career that drains you, and the loss of a loved one. It was very well handle and relatable.

[Angela]

Sigh. I don’t think I’ll ever get to read this vol. Apparently, for reasons completely unknown to me, trying to find a physical copy of this book in the part of Canada I live in, is literally impossible. No where to be found. Le sigh. Maybe one day.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good vol.

[Mari Mankle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried. Twice. What moving conversations. What representations of growth.

[Avid Reader and Geek Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I completely skipped the cricket chapter (couldn't possibly care less) and the London chapter was nearly incomprehensible (and convenient)

[Alex Sarll]

"What are you doing after uni?"
"Now there's a question no one's ever asked me before."
"Ughh. Let me phrase it a different way. How will the future be crushing you?"

As the end of university looms, Giant Days faces an ever trickier balancing act when it comes to keeping events somewhere vaguely relatable and real, without ceasing to work as primarily a comedy. Yet somehow Allison and Sarin manage it, just as they do when tackling bereavement, or the tensions with family and old friends on a trip back home. And indeed, when tackling Tackleford, its weirdness kept just offscreen enough to contradict neither other Allison works, nor the just-about-plausible tone of this series. All this, plus a high-stakes pub cricket match, and the entirely correct description of a certain breed of rural British train as "like a bus that had a bad divorce". Once I would likely have grumbled at the last issue's anti-London agenda, but now the points in the city's favour are mostly extinct, I can't mount much of a case. Likewise, I think I'm going to be haunted by McGraw's line, wise as ever, on grieving: "Life has to get bigger to make death seem smaller". Oh, for the days when that was an option.

[Adam M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esther realizes you can never go home again. Susan explains cricket better than anyone ever has then the gang plays the worst game of it ever. Daisy has a blind spot for "bad girls" that Esther finally points out. There is a death in the family and everyone retreats to the country side for a little R&R. Esther gets an interesting job opportunity after a terrible one.

please don't let this series end... I'm not ready.

[Amelia Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh god this is the end. Well I have had a good time with this comics !!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen volumes in and Giant Days is still just an absolute sheer delight. I'm giddy every time I'm returned to my favorite band of British young adults. I don't know if this was a true five-star read, but the fact that the series as a whole has held up so well is worth all the stars.

In this volume, we get: Esther struggling with a return to her home town, McGraw taking a less-than-stellar team to a cricket match, McGraw (and the others) dealing with a loss, and Esther journeying to London for a job interview. McGraw's narrative is emotional! Esther's narrative is often funny! And it points towards a future without Giant Days - university will be ending soon, and so will our time with this wonderful crew. Deep sigh