Kim Reaper Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings (Kim Reaper #1-4)
Published March 13th 2018 by Oni Press, Paperback 112 pages
Part-Time Grim Reaper. Full-Time Cutie!
Like most university students, Kim works a part-time job to make ends meet. Unlike most university students, Kim's job is pretty cool: she's a grim reaper, tasked with guiding souls into the afterlife.
Like most university students, Becka has a super intense crush. Unlike most university students, Becka's crush is on a beautiful gothic angel that frequents the underworld. Of course, she doesn't know that.
Unaware of the ghoulish drama she's about to step into, Becka finally gathers up the courage to ask Kim on a date! But when she falls into a ghostly portal and interrupts Kim at her job, she sets off a chain of events that will pit the two of them against angry cat-dads, vengeful zombies, and perhaps even the underworld itself. But if they work together, they just might make it... and maybe even get a smooch in the bargain.
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review Diversity does not equal a good book I love diversity in comics.
It can enrich a story dramatically and act as a backdrop for enhancing the story. Kim Reaper focuses so much on diversity and representation that the story falls absolutely flat and relies on internet humour that is subpar.
"Characters"I'm not too fond of Kim. I don't like Becka much either. The plot is centred around internet and humour found in Gravity Falls. I don't feel like this comic brings anything new to the table. The weirdness seems forced - it seems as if it took on weirdness in order to feel special or different when in fact it is not at all unique. It's all centred around pandering to internet humour and PC. The romance is completely rushed and I feel the characters had no connection or prior knowledge on which to build their relationship. Kim and Becka already go on a date in issue 2! The romance is the central focus of the story, and yet it is so poorly written. Becka and Kim already experience relationship issues from issue 2 and have no healthy way of solving it. This does not bode well for them or for my sanity.
Kim impossible! Kim is a terrible Grim Reaper. Kim is such a horrible human being who does not have a trace of empathy despite having such an important job that is rooted in morality.
The plotThe plot does not include an outline or goal. The comic mostly consists of the rambling and wandering of Kim and Becka. Whatever the two of them do, there is no consequence. A plot without consequence is a poor plot and a character without consequence is a poor, poor character.
Poor writingThis comic has terrible writing. It’s staler than the toast I forgot to eat this morning.
RedemptionI like Tyler
If you want to read a good Grim Reaper teen story, Go. Read. Scythe.
Rating: really liked it
Kim Reaper is a positively adorable story about two college girls falling in love and fighting baddies! Becka is an innocent baker looking for a fun date with her crush, only to find out that her crush, Kim, is a part-time grim reaper! Antics ensue, and the entire ordeal is precious, hilarious, fun, and diverse! While the writing was cheesy and young at points, I had so much fun reading
Kim Reaper and would totally pick up the next volume.
Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Rating: really liked it
What would you do if you encountered a soul reaper? I would be curious just like Becka and I will hide to watch what that reaper will do. But I would never have the guts to talk to him/her, no matter how tame-looking that reaper looks like. However, Becka is quite different because aside from the fact that she's a very inquisitive character, she likes Kim the Reaper. Because of this, Becka got entangled with Kim's situation and problems as a reaper.
The story of Kim Reaper is narrated in both the equal perspective of Becka and Kim. The illustrations are also adorably drawn just like the story; the author, Sarah Graley, did an awesome job on the pacing of the story and on the plot line. Graley is not only a comic artist, she is also a good storyteller because she was able to come up with not only a good plot, but on how to make readers engrossed in the story.
Rating: really liked it
Too cutesy and squee for me. Becka has a crush on Kim Reaper. She accidentally gets pulled into one of Kim's jobs as a grim reaper while trying to ask Kim out. The rest of book revolves around Kim's reaping job. There's a lot of stream of consciousness story here and no larger plotting going on. It almost feels like a web comic where it's just a couple of jokes and then you return the next day for another dose of the same thing.
Rating: really liked it
Hmm wanted to like this but it fell pretty flat for me, both in terms of random meandering plot with no consequences for anyone's actions and superficial characters that didn't feel like real people and whose relationships felt rushed. Plus, the internet speak that everyone talks in is super annoying. Some of the art is cute but nothing to write home about. Even the queer romance couldn't save it. Too bad. âšī¸
Rating: really liked it
Kim Reaper Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings combines the first four issues of this fun new series. Becka and Kim are both studying fine arts at university but Becka’s crush on Kim, which consists of staring dreamily at the back of her head in class, is the sum total of their interaction. Becka’s friend Tyler finally convinces her to ask Kim out so after class she follows Kim, who disappears into a portal in the corridor.
Naturally this is a job for social media so Becka gets ready to capture this moment for internet posterity but then her phone and Becka both get sucked into the portal. It turns out that Becka’s crush has a part time job to help pay her way through uni and to fund her expensive goth clothes. Kim is … đĨ … a reaper … of animals because she hasn’t been promoted to reaping people yet. đ
What follows is a process of the two girls getting to know each other, visiting each other’s favourites places and a few other fairly typical getting to know you scenarios, like encountering a cat hoarding gym junkie energy drink addict hulk, zombies đ§âī¸ đ§âī¸, bed cookies, ghouls, and going to hell via the employee’s entrance.
I wasn’t quite sure what I expected from this collection. I was sucked in purely based on the wonderful cover image and its implied promise of purple tones throughout. I got the purples I was looking for along with a beautiful soft colour scheme. All of the illustrations were really sweet and I was impressed that both girls actually had curves.
The stories were interesting and the budding relationship between Becka and Kim was cute, with arguments along the way before their first kiss. Aww! đ While the language used came across as a bit too young for the characters, I was entertained for the entire ride. The strange occurrences in the stories took me deeper into this world instead of the jarring effect I sometimes experience. I had no problem believing anything was possible in this world and I look forward to finding out what’s next for this cute new couple.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
Rating: really liked it
I love diversity in books and we need more of it. I'm queer and disabled. My queer goth heart thought i'd love this. I'm sorry but diversity in and of itself does not make a good book.
I couldn't stand the characters, the writing or the plot. And if I hear the word "cute" one more time, i'll scream.
Rating: really liked it
*ARC provided by netgalley. Opinions are my own*
Book #1 finished for #SapphicAThon
This was really funny and a quick read. I really liked the premise and the execution was okay. There's not much depth to the plot or characters but that's okay for such a comic, it promised to be funny and to have a cute and diverse f/f relationship and it definitely delivered on that part.
Rating: really liked it
I am not a graphic novel type of girl, but oh boy!, this was so good. Cute, funny and exciting. I enjoyed the introduction of characters that were not heterosexual, and the overall premise of Kim having a part time job as a grim reaper. Can't wait to read the next one when it comes out!
Special Thanks: Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Please consider me in the future for any works published by this author.
My review is fair and honest, and in no way is a reflection of the fact that I received this book at not cost to myself. My review is based on immediate feelings after completing this book, and is not meant to be in comparison to other books I have read.
Rating: really liked it
Full review here: https://youtu.be/EcLbuG5Y4Ms
Timestamps in the description for quick navigation
Rating: really liked it
This was so goddamn cute I can't even handle it. I was giggling to myself while reading it. I couldn't get over how cute Becka is. The little hair buns! Her little tummy!! Honestly, seeing that she had a little tummy outline all the time gave me life. Plus this funny and goofy and has a cute little romance. Definitely lives up to the premise.
Rating: really liked it
Kim Reaper is an adorable graphic novel about a college baker who gets swept up in her crush's drama with her job as a grim reaper. The storyline was interesting, but I did feel there was a certain something missing. Perhaps it went a little too fast for me, or maybe it just went in a strange direction. However, the graphic novel was really easy and quick to read, and for the most part, I did enjoy it - especially the parts where Becka and Kim interact and talk to one another.
All in all,
Kim Reaper was a sweet and fun graphic novel, and I'm definitely be picking up the next volume.
Thank you to Oni Press for providing a copy of this graphic novel.
Rating: really liked it
rep: poc bi mc, sapphic li
ARC provided by the publisher. What a wild ride, holy shit!! I was honestly in love from the very first page when our protagonist said she definitely
is at uni to stare at btfl girls... I mean, talk abt relatable content!!
So yeah, this is a story abt Becka and the goth girl she has a crush on, Kim, who's a grim reaper. Totally no big deal, that happens all the time, right. They get into some hilarious & ridiculous shenanigans together, it's truly a great fun! But one of the things I loved most is that Becka is very unapologetic in her beliefs and gets to call Kim out on her bullshit one or two times. Pls, get me more bi heroines of color like that!! Cute
and strong, that's my type.
The art is also real fun in this one, doesn't take itself too seriously which works out Great with a story like this one!!! A truly amazing choice.
I will definitely buy a physical copy of this & oh boy, I can't wait to see how this story further unfolds.
Rating: really liked it
Personal rating: 4.5
"It's full of skeletons and junk, and I have a skeleton inside of me. Which makes me goth Tyler"The book gods have answered and have granted us the cutest graphic novel of the lands!!
We are first introduced to Becka who has a MAJOR SERIOUS crush on this goth chick named Kim in her class. She follows Kim down a hallway trying to get her attention when all of a sudden, Kim walks into a portal that looks similarly to a vortex of death. Low and behold, Kim is actually a part time reaper. Whodathunk?
This was intensely hilarious and intriguing and fabulous! I really loved the art! It told an awesome story and it was lively and the expressions were perfect. I giggled quite a few times, it's just really hilarious. Who doesn't like a sassy LGBTQ+ couple??
THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL IS AN ABSOLUTE TREASURE AND I LOVE IT.
Rating: really liked it
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalleyThis was so cute!!
Mega Super Cute!!!
If you enjoyed Lumberjanes, Moonstruck, Coady and the Creepies, or Space Battle Lunchtime then I think you will enjoy this too. It definitely gets a bit ridiculous at times ...
..but it's a lot of fun and I'm definitely loving this new trend of cute/hilarious/paranormal/queer comics that have been coming out lately. Definitely recommend this!
Also here's some bonus footage of Actual Me trying to be goth lol
#same
