Goodbye, Crestfallen

Serenity Rose #2

by Aaron Alexovich

Serenity "Sera" Rose, noted witch, artist, and social-phobic recluse, is conjuring UNSPEAKABLE monsters in her sleep. But it's NOT HER FAULT! She's being hassled by government goons, ogled by a town full of freaked-out tourists, and menaced by a sadistic blond witch who just showed up to make things worse. The stress is just KILLING wee Sera... and if she can't get her head in order, she might just take several thousand people with her.
Serenity Rose: Goodbye, Crestfallen! is book two of the dark horror comedy series by Aaron Alexovich (Fables, Kimmie66, Invader Zim). Originally serialized on the web, this collected edition will be printed in full-color.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Young Adult, Horror

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

AARON ALEXOVICH (who is me) was born in Chicago, Illinois, the year Elvis died, but I currently sleep the daylight hours away in Southern California. After neglecting to graduate from the world-famous CALARTS, I took up space in the animation industry for a while, contributing character designs to Nickelodeon’s INVADER ZIM and AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. I like making comic books way better, though. SERENITY ROSE VOL. 1 was my first published work, but since then I’ve doodled up KIMMIE66 (DC/Minx), CONFESSIONS OF A BLABBERMOUTH (written by Mike and Louise Carey, DC/Minx), SERENITY ROSE VOL. 2, and issue #64 of DC/Vertigo’s 2000 lb. gorilla, FABLES. Among other things. I am the proud owner of two cats, one theremin, a Facebook account and something called “the photic reflex,” which makes me sneeze in bright sunlight.

Reviews

[klay · Rating 5 out of 5]

just when i thought aaron alexovich’s world building, character creation, and story telling couldn’t get any better, i got my hands on this volume. i’d like to take a moment to appreciate the art (with some color this time around !!!!) and the creative decision to print on high gloss paper. oh my god high quality ink smells so good >o< anyway, wow this volume would get an extra star if i could give it because the skill level just skyrocketed between vol 1 and vol 2. sera’s range of emotions, the introduction of so many more thought out characters, the fighting scenes, and the little details all came together to create this super memorable masterpiece that pulled at my heartstrings. and the vicious whisper content at the end ? just *chef’s kiss*. pleaseeeee if you’re reading this go read these novels, you can read them online (so easy !) !!!

[Chris - Quarter Press Editor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is all sorts of wonderful. I liked volume one, for sure, but volume two takes the series to another level entirely. Alexovich has stepped up both his storytelling and his artwork in a BIG way, and the final product is not only gorgeous, but also emotionally engaging.

While I was already pretty much there with volume one, Alexovich has now earned himself another life-long fan.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had totally forgotten that I had this on my shelf waiting to be read. It's been at least 4 years since I read the first one! It was an interesting story set in an alternative world, and the art was really well done.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better developed, conceptualised and outlined/drawn than the first volume - some real growth here, and it feels like it lives up to its potential.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had been forever since I read the first in this series but, luckily, Alexovich put in a nice little recap at the beginning of the book. Still, I didn't have the emotional connection with the characters that was built in the first, and this is more of a plot-based sort of thing, so there wasn't really time for it to grow back.

That said, it was an interesting story - though bits were a bit confusing and hard to follow, graphics wise - but, overall, I enjoyed it and it was well drawn, and I really like the splashes of color.

My biggest complaint is that I wish/hope Serenity gets more pro-active in the future instead of just curling up and feeling bad about things.

[Kai Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked volume 1, but I am in LOVE with volume 2. We see a slight change in art style (basically the same, but not as....squishy? I guess would be the term I'd use) & not nearly as text heavy. The glossy pages & added splashes of colour make the whole thing just pop. We have a little more of a solid storyline this time round, and it's awesome. I can't wait to get my hand on more of Serenity Rose!!!

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really nice to see more direction and plot put into this installment. I am a big fan of Aaron A's mood in his comics, but it was really nice to cut some of the misunderstood outcast tears and get to the story a bit more. Very interested in the development of these other witches. Can't wait for more!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the artwork in this book. So awesome. I have not read the first volume yet (definitely planning on going back and reading it), but after reading the recap of the first at the start of this volume, I felt relatively comfortable with the story so far. Great twists and turns along the way. I loved trying to piece everything together. This was a very fun work.

[Dov Zeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting series with cool art. Found the story a bit confusing--the action jumpy, the text very small and hard to read, and the characters remote/a bit hard to engage with. All in all, I think it's just not my thing, but I'm glad I gave it a try and would recommend it to folks who like not-too-violent graphic novels about witches with some humor and social anxiety thrown in.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, wow. I liked the first book, but found it a wee bit confusing. Aaron A. has stepped up his game in this second collection of Serenity Rose comics. Everything from the printing production values to the line work and inking show a jump in quality. Superb.

[Iggy D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of Sera Rose's life is faster paced and has touches of color. It is more directly plot driven and therefore perhaps more typical, but still worth reading and enjoying, especially for fans of the first.

[Mark Neumayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great visuals and an interesting storyline about coming of age when you are vastly different from other folks.

[Corinna Bechko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully told tale about standing up and doing the right thing even when the thing you're fighting might be your own creation.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another okay but good volume. This series is just weird, interesting but weird though. Love the art.