Bark Bark Girl

by Michael Furler

Jolanda is a high-schooler struggling and/or failing at math, until she has the bright idea to lose her dog (that she loves more than anything else in the world) on purpose to skip an important test. The plan actually works and she gets a few more days to study, but now Jolanda has a bigger problem... where the FUCK is her dog?>:[

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

204 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Ryan Mandelbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has got to be the most Peow book that Peow published (...Peowblished?) yet, so I think it is safe to say that your enjoyment of this one will directly correlate to how much you dig their stuff. For me, they are pretty much a buy on sight publisher and even when I don't absolutely love one of their books, I am always at the very least charmed and impressed with the overall aesthetic and packaging - truly some of the nicest books to look at on a shelf - and I'd say this one falls somewhere just above the middle of the pile in terms of the 20 or so books I've read from them and really had everything I'd come to expect and love.

Stylistically this one was totally unique even for a Peow book, incorporating a number of styles which were used very effectively and always seemed accentuate the humour, and a really simple but bold two tone colour palette that really made the pages pop. The humour was very much on some internet era, gen-z manic energy (again, something I always expect from this publisher), and as the kids of the generation would say "it's a mood". I'm not always in the mood for a book about a probably A.D.H.D teen struggling to grasp any semblance of responsibility and is overall kind of a shithead but is also just a kid who will probably figure it out one day and for the record is pretty much exactly me at that age, but when I am, I know which book I'll return to for that slightly painful but mostly hilarious look at what idiots we basically all were at that age.

I'd maybe give this 5 stars, but as a professional trainer and walker of dogs, I HAD to dock a point due to the fact that the protagonist literally loses her dog on purpose in order to postpone a test. As a plot point it definitely serves it's purpose, but as a certified dog-man i CANNOT CONDONE IT!

[Ruxandra Grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone at work loaned me this and described it like *really ADHD* and I really have to concur. This was really lovely visual storytelling, the story about a girl whose dog gets lost and also procrastinates (heavily!!!) on studying for her math exam. The panels inside are black & white with really cute accents of uranium green (as it is described in the back) and it was pretty darn great. But a very stressful experience.

There are quite a few little subplots other than Jola's story, that happen mostly visually, things that Jola kinda ignores or puts at the margins in the middle of her procrastination crisis, getting constantly distracted. I felt personally attacked by the way the procrastination was depicted - it was actually a bit of a harrowing emotional experience for me, a lot of feelings came up. Jola is a bit of a difficult character - loved the constant swearing, was annoyed at her lashing out at people around her who just wanted to help, but I understood her all the same. Particularly loved her very emotionally wise best friend who had a lot of patience to deal with this.

4/31 reads in 31 days in January.

[Marcel Shorjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not in the habit of leaving reviews but seeing as this book doesn't have any and has only been rated twice, I think it's important to leave a message saying how inventive, original, and enjoyable I found this comic. It has graphically experimental elements yet it is entirely accessible and can be enjoyed by both art school zine enthusiasts and occasional comic readers. And if the style wasn't compelling enough, the plot is incredibly sweet, funny, and relatable. It's very rare to say this about an author, but no one does it like Michael Furler.

[simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love how stylistic this book is, it’s so fun to just look at honestly

also, even tho i had a nice time reading it, this was quite possibly like one of the worst things to read bc i was getting so anxious for jola about her exams and grades which then increased my anxiousness about my exams and grades

(rating: honestly a 3.5, but i like to round up rather than down)

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loves the old-zine look with a modern risograph look… this book was tasty to look at… not to mention also one of the more heartfelt graphic novels I have read while also having a blasphemous sense of humor and generally light overtones of struggles with math and losing a dog! Whether you like graphic novels or not… worth a read and I’m glad I picked this up randomly

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best graphic novels I've read recently. Loved the mix of dithered, crunchy next to smooth with that green spot color! <3

[Campbell Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!! yes good

[Dan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the oekaki board art aesthetic. I love the almost unbearably relatable teenage angst. I love that this was inspired vaguely by one of my favorite video games. A book for me

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the storytelling in this book. I loved the story. I related to the protagonist, Jola, as well as her friend, Maddy. I appreciate a true to life teenage girl story. They're mean! They're selfish! I was too! But they're also smart, and loyal, and loving. Sometimes they're bad at math! Aside from the story, which I really loved, the art was the best part of this book. Jola's expressions were laugh-out-loud funny. The black and white color scheme with pops of electric green is sooooo cool. Eye candy. I'm also a sucker for comics within the comic trope, so I found the tomato-chan comics incredibly charming. I read this book in one sitting, as I do with a lot of comics (I can't help myself, I just love them!) and I'm already looking forward to revisiting Bark Bark Girl soon. I immediately followed Michael Furler on social media to see more of their comics- and they're all very good. I love the silly, but earnest, storytelling that they seem to excel at.

[juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM JOLA. SHE IS ME. this was painfully relatable. i am hyperaware of the onset of my own reckoning. genuinely a brilliant comic. and that ambiguous ending........ i have been getting lucky with reading the right books at the exact right times because it happened again with this one. and the very impulsive, independent, meaningful, and intentional way i acquired my physical copy of this book only adds to my appreciation (i drove 2 hours from monterey to san francisco on new years day 2023 to a queer indie comic store to buy their last copy of this book because i found out the day before that peow was going out of business and wanted to own at least one of their published works before they were no longer available. i also couldn't find almost any other physical copies of this comic for sale anywhere in the world so it felt... important and like i would be stupid to pass it up. i am so glad that i didn't).

[Axolotl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the ms-paint type art style very much, and the composition of the panels were always interesting to look at. Sometimes it was hard to tell what was and wasn't a flashback, but it only ever took me two pages of confusion until I figured it out. The characters were realistic to. Jola curses, which I think adults believe never happens lol. It's more true to life when it's not censored like real people often are in media.

At one point a character tells Jola to be more respectful of her dog, and while I don't think calling your dog a curse word is disrespectful, (how could they know what you were saying?), I think it foreshadows her decision later very nicely.

[Sara Mchl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. The drawings are amazing - the change of styles, the mix of lines, the use of old apple painting apps, the pixel shadows and green accents - i loved it. The story surprised me; I was expecting something light and funny, but it had a deeper story. I had to re-read the last pages a few times to make sure I understood. Overall, I liked Bark Bark Girl a lot! I want to read more from this author :)

[Kit Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book; the art is incredible—so exuberant and varied—Furler uses every tool in the box to push the story (and the comedy); the story is so funny and absorbing, especially the frustrating/too-relatable-at-times protagonist; the book design itself (that Pantone, that barcode, those French flaps) and on and on. It’s an absolute gem—one of the most fun comics I’ve ever read.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this graphic novel was such a fun reading experience: from the varying styles of illustration, to Jola's weird and funny personality, to the unique story. although I have to say, I was very stressed about the missing dog for the entirety of the book!!!! will definitely be checking out more from Peow in the future—and shoutout to my faves at room of one's own bookstore in madison, WI for helping me find this one!!!

[Luke Liscom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art and the story really went well together. I love comics that play up the silliness when the writing is silly, but also knowing when to tone it down. The fact that this was really a slice of life comic while still managing to have some truly emotional moments blows my mind. Highly recommend this book if you get a chance.

[Rana René · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the chaotic 2000-ish internet/paint style to it haha idk how to explain it but I enjoyed it!! There were lots of panels that became my favorite drawing throughout the story. I also like when artists include a behind the scenes where they talk about where or how the idea came to be :o) Happy to add this one to my little Peow collection

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl purposefully loses her dog to skip a test that could determine her year. Teenagers, amirite ? I didn't quite care for most of this but the last quarter kind of brings it together. It's a coming of age story told in the most absurd of way, and in a really chaotic style. I can definitely see how people could love this.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

loooooved the art style and how it was to tell the story, huge fan! i am too old i think to connect fully to the story, but this would've possibly been 5 stars 15 years ago.
(is Kuma a popular dog name or is it just Bark Bark Girl Jola's dog and Seungcheol's from Seventeen????)

[Francis Montas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this made me feel a lot of hard to explain feelings that I haven’t experienced since like early high school, felt nostalgic on first read. Built up stress without me even noticing. and the art was amazing, I love this style with all my heart. I think the ending was absolutely perfect.

[Keith Kavanagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun, fast paced and mischievous, with cute moments, much like a real life dog !

[eliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic art that revels in modern trends but still pushes the craft at every level. I wish the story reached for more depth than it did, but it was still a satisfying read.

[Philippa Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. The art style is so fun and expressive.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's too bad this graphic novel isn't more widely available because the art and storytelling are top-notch. Highly recommended if you can get your hands on it.

[YY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is no joke one of the best comics I've ever read. Michael Furler your brain is so big and full of wrinkles

[Aglaé · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good!! The blend of different art styles and mediums truly amplify the story beats and keeps you hooked throughout.

[Jes Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars? Vaguely sad feeling/uncomfortable. Also chaotic. And the art style was not my favorite.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love my dog :)

[Zoe Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow

[Melhiahaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une de mes bd préférées, graphiquement énergique et dingue, les personnages sont trop attachants et réels et ce chien !!!!! Ultra bg, ultra drôle

[Twilight Sparkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking teenage girl real and relateable I love this a lot. Very green.