Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift #4

I love the show but this really didn't do much for me. It was silly but not witty enough. Once in a while there was a bright moment but overall I was just kind of bored.

I love Adventure Time! I purchased this graphic novel around the same time that I got the Fionna and Cake graphic novel, but for some reason I didn't write a review for this one at that time. Hmmm...Anyways, PB is one of my favorite characters in the series, and I love the back-and-forth that she and Marcie have when they're around each other. This story is illustrated in the the same 'Adventure Time' style, and focuses on PB going on the road with Marceline and her band. It's definitely more of a light read than anything (or as light as 'Adventure Time' can be....). It showcases two characters who don't get a lot of screen time in the series, and expands on a side quest, so to speak--not something deeply meaningful but a good read, nonetheless.

Like the best Adventure Time stories, this one features the incredible absence of Finn and Jake in any significant way.

Beyond that it's a sweet character-driven tale focusing on Marceline and Bubblegum's friendship, esp. around Marceline's insecurities although with a little bit of Bubblegum comeuppance along the way.

It also takes on a really good rock'n'roll tour vibe, with each section of the original comic book series bookended by notes and scribbles that you'd imagine a band to have, setlists, notes on the errands that make a tour happen, etc...

The animation style of Adventure Time aggravates me for probably personal subjective reasons, but in the static mode of a graphic novel I feel the characters' dynamism comes out a lot more and while I can still see the TV show's style within, they are far less annoying.

My only complaint is that the series only takes up about half the book, the rest being filled with some very lovely fanart and other assorted art and sketches from the making of this comic series. It's nice (the orange/black photo of Marcelline/Bubblegum on stage is one of my favourite AT pictures), but it feels like too much "extra" when it approaches 50% of the payload.

oh Adventure Time. You're so adorable and funny and I love you.