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Sisters | June 29, 2016

by Raina Telgemeier (GRAPHIX / Scholastic, 2014)

In 2014 alone, Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels grossed over $4.6 million, easily outpacing every comics creator not named Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead). This is no small feat; when it comes to kids’ comic sales, the cartoonist, whose works also include Smile and Drama, is leading the pack. However, in spite of her triumphs in the comic book market and with critics and audiences alike, the comics world still tends to be a bit insular; Telgemeier and other successful non-DC/Marvel comics creators are often left out of important conversations about the state of modern comics. Which is a shame, really, given that Telgemeier’s success is no fluke. Sisters only solidifies what readers already know — Telgemeier’s comics are fun, sweet, and hard to put down.

Sisters is an autobiography centered around Telgemeier’s relationship with her little sister, Amara. Young Raina is ecstatic to be an older sister…until Amara arrives and puts an end to her perfect sibling fantasies. Sisters manages to be universal and specific all at once — their dynamic is easy for any sister, be it older or younger, to identify with, and Telgemeier is able to bring Raina and Amara’s distinctive personalities alive through her accessible writing style and cartoon-y artwork. The story oscillates between funny and bittersweet with ease, and it’s refreshing in it’s honesty. Raina is never a saint, and Amara is more complex than one might expect. And Telgemeier does a great job at tying the sisters’ difficult relationship together with the rising tension between her parents. Sisters is a comic worth reading, writing, AND talking about.