mismatch
Screenplay: Anne Camryn
Artist: Isadora Zeferino
Colorist: Jess Rome
Author: Rob Steen
Editor: Andrea Colvin
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Publication date: September 3, 2024
Two centuries after Jane Austen’s Emma was first published, its comedic sensibilities make it a beloved classic. Among the current slew of adaptations is Mismatch, a modern, queer and raw retelling of the story about teenage social media star Evan Horowitz and his formidable matchmaking skills.
Thousands of followers love Evan for his iconic #LOTD (Look of the Day) posts, and he’s also the president of his high school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, but his popularity doesn’t necessarily negate his personality. It is not shown. He is often selfish and outright mean, and the only person who pays attention to him is his best friend and neighbor, Davi. Still, Evan believes he has a sacred duty to play Cupid for his sister and friends, until all his best-laid matchmaking plans go awry and he is forced to rethink his entire approach to romance. teeth.
Mismatched is a fun romantic comedy that reads like a movie, with quick, witty dialogue from writer Ann Camryn and panels focused on characters with simple backgrounds from artist Isadora Zeferino . Facial expressions and body language confess the true meaning behind the characters’ words, and there are times when Evan has no idea what he’s doing or who he’s hurting in the process. Things become more and more obvious, and the tension builds.
There are many romantic mysteries in this story, each with its own clues. Everyone seems to be hiding something, so solving each one is incredibly satisfying. The stakes vary in intensity, but there is a significant lack of communication until the situation is resolved. A plot that fails to communicate can easily fail if the creator drags things out for too long, but that doesn’t happen here. The glowing praise from Kamryn and Zeferino in the acknowledgments to editor Andrea Colvin suggests that she had a hand in this story’s smooth execution of the often troublesome tropes, and for that I am grateful. I’m doing it.
Honestly, the entire creative team at Mismatched is positively glowing. Colorist Jess Rome brings everything to life with her signature bright palette, and letterer Rob Steen balances the text so well that it never feels overwhelming. I appreciate how highlights and shadows emphasize characters’ emotions, and how even app-based text feels natural on the page. I enjoy seeing social media and digital communication used effectively in graphic novels, and it’s done so beautifully here.
Really, my only complaint about Mismatched is the same as my complaint about Emma… In order not to spoil this review, all I can say is that I appreciate the payoff of a slow-burning romance, and I wish this was more All I can say is that I wish it had been better. There’s a little more breathing room. I love how Evan realizes his true feelings. I wanted to experience that realization with him for just a few more frames.
Final verdict: Buy
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