Rigsby WI
Vol. 1: Foothold
A troubled but resilient teenager and her friends are profiled in the suburban coming-of-age graphic novel Rigsby WI.
Beth is somewhat new to Rigsby, Wisconsin, where she is homeschooled by her Aunt Alice to escape her mother’s domineering rule. One of her friends, Jeordie, is dating Jenna. Everyone else has to decide whether to go to the upcoming homecoming dance and who to ask.
The characters span the breadth of high school student existence; all are intriguing enough to merit ample attention. Their interweaving plotlines capture the complexity and drama of the teenage years from multiple perspectives. A swirl of school, family, medications, unrequited love, and petty theft, the story is at turns funny and touching.
Subtle differences in people’s speech, as with one person mentioning “Lyme disease” while another refers to it as “Lymes,” contribute to the book’s verisimilitude, as does the rich, detailed artwork. “What to wear to the dance?” is a big question for the teenagers, and the clothing worn in each panel reveals hidden aspects of who they are: Some don formal wear, others ratty T-shirts. In both language and appearance, Rigsby is an appealing world that begs to be revisited. While the dance is this volume’s grand conclusion, there are hints at interesting developments in the future.
Rigsby WI is an excellent graphic novel in which young people navigate the pleasures and perils of adolescence.
Reviewed by
Peter Dabbene
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
