Snotgirl Explained

Snotgirl is a series of comics created as a collaboration between writer Bryan Lee O'Malley and artist Leslie Hung. They concern Lottie Person - also known as Snotgirl - a fashionable social media star with severe allergies. The first issue was published in 2016 by Image Comics, and three collected editions have been published between 2017 and 2020.[1] The series has been praised for its creativity, visuals, and compelling story.[2] In 2017, O'Malley was nominated for a Joe Shuster Award in the Writer category for his work on the first five issues of the comic.[3]

Background

Snotgirl is O'Malley's first collaboration with Leslie Hung, and his first time releasing monthly comics instead of graphic novels.[4] Both Hung and O'Malley suffer with pollen allergies, which acted as an inspiration for Lottie's own allergies. O'Malley felt inspired to make a more racially diverse story - especially one featuring mixed race characters - after noticing the lack of it in his other stories, and has spoken on how he felt he didn't see himself represented in his own work.[5] Fashion is a long-term interest of Hung's, and she has stated that she takes fashion inspiration for a lot of the characters from magazines, blogs and Pinterest.[6] Despite O'Malley normally working with graphic novels, the pair decided to release Snotgirl episodically to mirror the rapid social media trend cycle, and make each story seem more like a moment in time.[7]

Premise

Lottie Person is a fashion blogger struggling to juggle her influencer status with her chronic allergies and poor social life. Things quickly change for her when she meets Caroline, a beautiful girl with the same coffee order as her. The two decide to go for drinks, and this kickstarts a rapid chain of events that are beyond anything Lottie would've expected from a simple first date.[8]

Reception

Snotgirl has had a generally positive reception. CBR praised its frequent blending of fantasy and reality, and its honest depiction of the realities of adulthood; citing Hung's expressive, bubblegum-pop art style as high points.[9] WWAC's review of the first volume also cited the art as a stand-out feature of the comic, but also commented on the way the none of the characters 'feel insignificant or interchangeable'.[10] Snotgirl has also been commended for its range of LGBTQ+ characters, with AIPT Comics placing it number four on their list of the best queer comics of 2018.[11] In 2019, the American Library Association included it in a list of graphic novels and comics that could be used to start discussions on social justice surrounding body image.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Snotgirl. Image Comics.
  2. Web site: Snotgirl #1 Review. Jesse. Schedeen. July 20, 2016. IGN.
  3. Web site: Boyd . Kevin A. . 2017-07-10 . The 2017 Joe Shuster Award Nominations / Les nominés pour le prix Joe Shuster 2017 . 2024-01-22 . THE JOE SHUSTER AWARDS . en.
  4. Web site: Bryan Lee O'Malley & Leslie Hung Open Up About Snotgirl [Interview]]. Image Comics.
  5. Web site: 2016-07-14 . Why 'Scott Pilgrim' Creator Bryan Lee O'Malley's Future Protagonists Will Be Mixed Race . 2024-04-25 . NBC News . en.
  6. Web site: Snotgirl Co-Creator Leslie Hung on Drawing Women and Embracing Our 'Disgusting' Humanity.
  7. Web site: 'Snotgirl' Co-Creator Leslie Hung on Fashion Bloggers, Comics and Murder Mysteries. Graeme. McMillan. May 24, 2018.
  8. August 2017 . Snotgirl . No New Friends . 1 . . . Hung, Leslie.
  9. Web site: Chappell . Caitlin . 2020-03-23 . Snotgirl: Why Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim Follow-Up Is Worth Reading . 2024-01-21 . CBR . en.
  10. Web site: Hearn . Kayleigh . 2016-08-15 . Beauty Behind The Madness: Snotgirl #1 [Review] ]. 2024-01-21 . WWAC . en-US.
  11. Web site: Cline . Eric Alex . 2019-01-04 . The Year in Queer: The top 10 LGBTQ+ comics of 2018 • AIPT . 2024-01-21 . aiptcomics.com . en-us.
  12. Book: Table, C.R . Body Image Reading List . 2019.