Yellow Stringer, Volume 1: Fake News Provocateurs

by Goeffrey Jean-Louis, Frederick L. Jones, Saturday AM

Monsters are fake news, right? That’s what many of the readers of the tabloid rag the Yellow Stringer think, but the truth is more frightening than anyone could possibly know.

With front page stories like the demon baby born in an Iowa hospital or the ghost that mysteriously haunts cheerleaders from a small West Virginia town, most people assume that the articles in this national newspaper are sensationalist entertainment for bored shoppers waiting at checkout. However, these stories are real , and the journalists who report on them get the scoop despite the danger they find themselves in. Promising Columbia Journalism School graduate Naomi and her partner, ex-cop Tony, two journalists who have suffered traumatic events at the hands of monsters, now dedicate their lives to reporting true monster crime . While they come from two different backgrounds with very different methods to investigate the truth, they are committed to unearthing the world of the supernatural. Even if no one in the world ever believes them, this dynamic team will stop at nothing to reveal the truth! In this volume, our bickering yet terrific duo have to deal with a unique version of the headless horseman , the undead , cursed artifacts , and more! Naomi and Tony may have seen it all, but when cases start to link up to trauma that only they have experienced, they’re going to stop at nothing to expose the truth. Yellow Stringer is rated OT for Older Teen, recommended for ages 16 and up.

Saturday AM, the world’s most diverse manga-inspired comics, are now presented in a new format! Introducing Saturday AM TANKS , the new graphic novel format similar to Japanese Tankobons where we collect the global heroes and artists of Saturday AM. These handsome volumes have select color pages, revised artwork, and innovative post-credit scenes that help bring new life to our popular BIPOC, LGBTQ, and/or culturally diverse characters. Join in even more adventures with the other action-packed Saturday AM TANKS Apple Black , Clock Striker , Gunhild , Hammer , Henshin! , The Massively Multiplayer World of Ghosts , Oblivion Rouge , Saigami , Soul Beat , Titan King , and Underground .

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Comics, Mystery

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's this, a manga about a newspaper that mostly covers supernatural stories that nobody believes? About two reporters that are thrown together, both having unresolved trauma related to supernatural occurrences?

Well, I'm in! And it's fun, the older ex-cop Tony and the younger just graduated Naomi following up on two possible stories, involving cursed artifacts, mummies and ghosts.

The art is good, it threads the line between western styles and manga.

3.5 stars

(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nod to 1960’s Noir with an X-Files chaser…

“Yellow Stringer” is book one in a new Manga series from the folks at Saturday AM TANKS. The artwork is mostly easy to follow altho’’ I found some of the framing confusing. Artist, Goeffrey Jean-Louis, does a particularly good job with a broad assortment of facial expressions.

Basing the story around reporters doing crime reporting with monsters as the primary suspects combines two popular genres and opens doors to endless possibilities. The storyline does get a bit wonky when it strays into short side stories. I’m still not sure if it was laying ground for future books or testing ideas, maybe bulking up this book? IMO, this book would have been better off without them. My other critique is that the dialogue is often stilted and feels unnatural. Both lead characters need to find their actual voices; really soon.

All things considered, a good start to a series with promise📚

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naomi graduated top of her class from Columbia, and could be reporting for any prestigious paper she wants. But, she has good reason to believe monsters are real, which led her into a career writing for the Yellow Stringer, a paper with a reputation for being a gossip rag with outlandish tall tales. Her new partner is Tony, an ex-cop who is looking for a steady job. Their first assignment is to investigate a potential theft at the local museum. Neither fully expected to find zombies involved! A few other cases come their way that shed light on Tony’s past. A bartender provides Naomi a place to recuperate after a terrible date, and the two end up getting tangled in a terribly-planned revenge plot against Naomi.

Each chapter of this volume contains a different adventure. The first one is a bit long, but all the others are pretty short and a little disjointed. The cases are slightly related to one another, and the overall story of what's happening to Naomi and Tony is clearly sequential, but the threads tying everything together are a little loose. Some of the dialogue is a little choppy as well. Despite these setbacks, there is some solid foundational character work done by our authors. Both Tony and Naomi have some compelling backstories and have already started to take shape as full people within this first volume. If some of the cases would be fleshed out a bit more, this series has great potential to appeal to fans of the long-running Case Closed or find a foothold in a genre of manga that isn't overly written at the moment.

The art style is deceptively cutesy - this story isn’t for younger audiences. There is alcohol consumption, a few swear words, some characters smoking, and some pretty violent moments where we see people’s heads wrapped off or people get stabbed on the page.

Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12

Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

God, I wanted to love this. I can feel the love that the creators have for the medium and I would love to have more western manga-type stories. And there are great things about this. I think the premise is solid and I think the characters have been well thought out.

Unfortunately, I don't think enough time was taken to create bonds within the characters that the reader can attach to. I do feel in a story like this (essentially a buddy sleuth story) you desperately need to feel the connection between the leads. I also felt that the pacing of the story was off. In places, it rushed and in others it dragged, but it never felt quite right.

The action is great, however, and there is plot that is good enough to have you turn the page. I just know that with some experience this could turn out to be a great series or at least a great publisher.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75 leaves out of 5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Story: 3.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes

Hated|Disliked|Liked|Loved|Favorited

First want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review. Yellow Stringer was a pretty decent read, but if it is on the phone maybe not so much. I am picky with my graphic novels since they hurt my eyes but the story was pretty decent and a bit humorous at times.

[Curious Madra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah I really couldn’t get into this “buddy cop” type graphic novel, the font was too small and plot is just a meh from me dude. Thanks anyways Netgalley and publisher, the art is the only one that’s good here!

[sinag · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The illustrations are adorable but the story doesn't have that much of a strong hold to me. I felt very lukewarm towards this warm. I expected fun and action, but I don't feel the action part that much.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun, I look forward to reading more. Each chapter was a different case, and gave a bit more backstory to main duo, and later a character seen in the very beginning. The chapters varied in length but it was nice having bite-sized stories. Really loved the art style too!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yellow Stringer Vol. 1 started so well, but the pacing harmed it. The volume opens with Jo, a monster woman, arriving in town and tending a monster bar. There, she is told of events regarding the local museum. From there, we are introduced to the protagonists of the book - Naomi and Tony, reporters for the local supernatural magazine. We see how they met and their first assignment together.

Now, the first three-four chapters cover the assignment concerning the museum. Here, the pacing takes the time to build up the characters, the tension, and the mystery. However, this is killed at the end of the story arc.

See, I actually forgot that the museum assignment has a framing device until the volume hits a dramatic moment near the end of the arc and we are then forced back to the present with Jo by a bar patron interrupting the storyteller to say that's not what happened, with the story reversing back to a few moments before the interruption, show what truly happened. And I got to say, all tension immediately evaporated with this, as Naomi and Tony are immediately able to overcome their predicament, in a way that wasn't even hinted at beforehand. I almost want to call it a Deus ex machina.

After the museum assignment, we no longer get multi-chapter stories. Instead, each chapter is its own story, though they do either follow up on information from earlier or advance the arching story by a tiny piece. But, due to this, the tension and mystery that was found in the museum case are lost, as there isn't enough time to build it back up for these new stories.

Of course, for some of the stories, this isn't much of a problem as they aren't trying to work with those aspects of the series, but those that do, are immediately hindered by this, namely the story following the opening arc.

Even though the pacing has proven a hindrance for me, what kept me going was the relationship between Naomi and Tony. Naomi is your Agent Mulder-type character who has experienced the supernatural in the past and wants to bring the monsters into the light for all to see. Tony begins as the Scully, an ex-cop turned reporter that started off as a skeptic, but he quickly becomes a believer, unable to deny what he has seen with his own eyes and backed up by Naomi's words. With this, the two form a sister-brother-like relationship that is just enjoyable to see.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't be so soft! Shoot the kid!



I picked this up because the art reminded me of Dragon Ball and Ranma 1/2. The art is where the similarities end. I like the style, its cute and nostalgic. From what my partner explained, Saturday AM is a place for indie writers to get published. So knowing that this is indie explains why its a bit off. I mean to be fair, even comics at bigger companies are off too so I guess that's not really saying much lol. The paneling is good for the action scenes. Whoever did the art has taken a lot of notes from how manga is set up so that was good.

My biggest issue is the writing/pacing. The first arc was long but then each arc after it finished at warp speed by comparison. The first arc was about half the book while the others were maybe 30 pages each. I liked the set up of the first arc and I wish the others followed it. The arcs with the headless soldier, the crazy date, and the mirror all had more western comic book pacing. Its very action oriented but not always in ways that make sense. With the crazy date, he suddenly pulled a bomb out from somewhere and attacked Naomi's job. It felt so random I actually laughed when it came up. I know its fantasy, but how and where did it come from lol. Because of the speed, there isn't a lot of build up or connection with these characters. They meet and now they're besties so they're attached apparently. This story is meeting all the beats of a usual story but somehow missing them at the same time.

Since Naomi isn't a soldier of any kind, her reactions so some scenarios don't feel right. Same with Tony on occasion. There's a scene where several people are killed and another dies in a car explosion. And they just casually joke about it while watching the car burn. I know she's a journalist and that he's a cop so they'd have more access to grizzly events than the average person. But that reaction felt very out of sorts. I would expect it more from something slap sticky like Helluva Boss.

The story is ok but I think it needs more time in the oven with an editor. I will give them props for getting to this stage though because finishing comics is a whole ass endeavor.

[mad mags · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley/Edelweiss.)

-- 3.5 stars --

Sure, so working at a rag like YELLOW STRINGER might seem beneath an overachieving Columbia grad like Naomi - but ever since her beloved father was murdered by monsters when she was a kid, Naomi has craved revenge/justice. And you know what they say about sunlight being the best disinfectant. It's too bad that most New Yorkers don't think that her paper is fit to line a bird cage, let alone report the news.

Along with her new partner - ex-cop Tony, who's battling his own demons, both personal and literal - Noami investigates a series of mysterious happenings plaguing her city: a zombie infestation in a local museum. A headless ex-soldier hell-bent on reclaiming his pilfered loot. A demon that feeds on human guilt. And a foxy hot bartender who's more than she seems.

Overall, I enjoyed the vibe and style of YELLOW STRINGER, but it fell just short of my expectations. The stories are interesting, though the pacing felt a little off: the first tale, about a cursed Egyptian artifact, runs the longest, making some of its successors seem almost like afterthoughts. And between the storytelling and artwork (admittedly rough and pixelated in the early review copy I read), I sometimes lost the plot altogether.

Jo was a welcome introduction near the end of Volume 1 - along with Naomi/Tony, I appreciate how Jo/Naomi play off of each other - and I love the cliffhanger Jean-Louis and Jones set up. Assuming we see more of Jo in the future, Volume 2 looks promising indeed!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book follows Naomi and her partner Tony as they investigate the strange and unusual for the newspaper they work for. All of their stories have one connection, monsters and the supernatural. Naomi is bent on exposing monsters to the world after they mysteriously killed her father when she was five. Tony, an ex-cop, becomes a believer on his first assignment with Naomi. The overall feel is that of buddy detectives investigating the underworld.
While I liked the stories, I felt unsatisfied overall. While the backstory, from tragic history to everyday information, for Naomi and Tony is alluded to, the author does not really go into it, even when perfect opportunities arise. This leaves the reader guessing and wanting more, but not in a good way. The pacing of the investigations never seems right. Some cases seem to take too long, like with the story within a story format of the zombies, while others are rushed, like with the headless soldier.
Despite any issues I have, I want to know more and see where they go from this volume.

[April Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun, if a bit trope-y and predictable. The Yellow Stringer is an over-the-top gossipy tabloid that reports on supernatural stories (think Weekly World News - I wouldn't be surprised if Bat Boy showed up in the future) as though they were real, which they must be, or why else would Naomi, a graduated-at-the-top-of-her-Columbia-University-class journalist be reporting on them? She gets partnered with ex-cop Tony, who left the force under mysterious circumstances but is obviously a good guy, who doesn't believe in monsters or supernatural stuff at all. Of course, we all know everything the Yellow Stringer prints is real, that Tony will quickly become a believer, and that against ridiculous odds, Naomi and Tony will not only manage to stay alive but will take down evil doers with relative ease (like I said, a bit trope-y and predictable). The art is nice, with a foot in both comics and manga styles, and the chapters are a good blend of story and action with some decent spookiness and character growth. A good, quick read!

#YellowStringerVolume1 #NetGalley

[Nicholas Ball · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gorgeous manga art, though the (beginner) artist is leaning a little heavily into gag-manga style faces in scenarios that seem disjointed for using them.

Unfortunately "disjointed" is an ongoing issue as there are weird stop-start pacing issues and unrealistic dialogue - people being chased by supernatural monsters speaking otherwise complete and polite phrases ("Look, ma'am, I know this looks bad.."), but then rudely interrupting people in otherwise ordinary conversations.

I thought at first it might be a translation issue (making word bubbles in English to fit the action of an already drafted story) but this is a story created by English speaking Americans, so ???

As for the story itself, it's a buddy comedy teaming up a middle aged ex cop with a tween newspaper reporter investigating supernatural stories for a tabloid newspaper called Yellow Stringer.

This project needed more time and more editors, it's a pity. Great art, though.

[Gray Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Saw a tweet from Saturday AM about this being a book for Pride month. I was excited for that, but was very disappointed when reading. The art style seems interesting, but the story wasn't memorable. Don't see much of a reason to pick up the next volume, if another one comes out. And LGBT rep? What a joke. Honestly offended by where she says "I can't find a good guy, it's like I'm not meant to find a guy" to which another character-a man, of course-says that maybe she shouldn't try a guy... I hate seeing my sexuality serving as a punchline. It's like the author is trying to say the only reason she's gay is because she can't find a good man. Give me a break. You can tell the author was a dude. Gross.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this from Oxfam on a whim. I think it has lot of potential. It's a fun concept with The X Files vibes. Tony and Naomi are paranormal investigative journalists working for a newspaper called Yellow Stringer. Despite the fact that they uncover real life zombies, monsters, curses, etc., nobody ever believes the newspaper.

I was frustrated that I read 125 pages of the first story arc, only for it to end with two characters not being able to remember how the story concludes. I felt very unsatisfied.

Despite this coming out three years ago, I can't see any sign of Volume 2 and Geoffrey Jean-Louis doesn't seem to have much of an online presence.

[Souleye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoooo!! I started reading this in the saturdayam app and lost track but since I got the book I re read and fell into the world all over again! Naomi is so cool and cute! She’s like truly running it! Love the way each chapter has its own monster 👹! Keeps the story fun and helps keep it in the realm to me like law and order svu when each villain is a mystery. The art style is my favorite part! It’s so clear and clean like unbelievably! Sometimes when I’d be reading I’d stop to just look at the imagery. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in crime and monsters! Can’t wait for volume 2!!!

[brightredglow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable start to series. Naomi is a journalist for a tabloid paper. Tony is her partner and former cop. Both have reasons for being at the low-brow paper. The opening volume has complete chapters but leaves it open for more. The creators don't go too deep but still manage to keep it entertaining. I hope that there is a 2nd volume.

[Tyler Kalarchian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining, fun story! The humor was spot on as was the action. The two main leads Naomi and Tony are very likable and interesting. The worldbuilding is done perfectly with very little in the way of exposition, instead easing the reader in with this first volume and giving hints at what’s to come. I’m definitely excited for the next volume!

[A_davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot and art are wonderful. It feels like Kolchak the Nightstalker for a modern age. However, I wish the writer had a little more patience with his story. The storylines resolve in a fun and logical way but he doesn’t give the stories enough time to breathe so that we can get closer to the characters and care about their emotional revelations. Overall a fun series that I hope gets a Vol 2.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A monster of the week series. It's fine, and the manga inspired art is good, I just didn't feel a connection to the main characters, or really feel a connection between them. I guess they're going for a platonic Mulder and Scully vibe, but it didn't quite work the same for me.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stuff. A monster of the week with an overarching storyline brought in at the end. The stories moved quickly with enough action to keep things moving. In future volumes a greater depth for the characters is needed. The art fit the genre well. I will look out for future volumes.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is the seed of a good story plot. The introduction to the world and premise is pretty good.
It is also a good buddy cop story setup with an "odd couple" of former cop and talented journalist.
The art is overall good but does have some peaks and valleys.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[HaileyAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting premise. The last couple chapters were a little disjointed, but I would read more of this series.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic mystery manga, lots of fun 🤩

[Sarah AK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really fun art, and so much potential, but just not great pacing or storytelling...

[Eliud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations, cool stories and easy read.

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first four "articles," or stories, are the strongest of the eight in this volume. I think that is because those four tell one single story and it has a good deal of pages to develop both plot and characters. The two main characters, Naomi and Tony, are interesting, but the remaining four stories felt rushed even though there were continuing story threads between them. The first half make this collection worth buying. I liked the art, the style was something I had not quite seen yet in graphic series. You can make an emotional connection to the two main characters through their words and actions which is important to me.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork was interesting and engaging, and the colouring was used effectively to draw your attention to the key moment in each frame. Despite this, the overall plot was very disjointed and the short stories didn't match up. The characters have the potential to be interesting, but in this volume, they seemed flat and predictable. Overall I would not read this comic again, but I am still interested in seeing where future stories go.