I’m a biased reviewer, this graphic novel is published by Sloth Comics – who also publish Hopeless Maine. The reason I’m able to review it in advance of the release date is that I did a proof reading sweep on it. The original comic is French.
Erika and the Princes in Distress is gender bending comedy fantasy that messes about with fairy stories. I found it really funny, and delightful. All the women in this story are muscular and have swords, and all the guys are little, pretty and delicate and need looking after. That reversal allows Yatuu to do some really entertaining things around gender politics. And really, women should be able to be big, powerful and sword wielding if they want, and men should be free to be pretty and delicate if that suits them, and gender stereotyping is shit.
This comic was surprisingly powerful for me. I’m tall and broad shouldered. My husband, Tom is an inch shorter than me. My beloved Dr Abbey is three inches shorter than me. I’ve always tended to be self conscious about my height and build. I can honestly say that this comic helped me think differently about my identity and body shape. It has helped me navigate and feel better about how I am, and less weird about things.
This is a funny, warm hearted book – it’s not mean in its gender swapping. It also has the best grumpy comedy sidekick horse in the entire history of the world.
You can read Erika and the Princes in Distress for free online https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/erika-and-the-princes-in-distress/list?title_no=341945
And the paperback version will be out in September
Book Depository – https://www.bookdepository.com/Erika-And-The-Princes-In-Distress/9781908830180
Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Erika-Princes-Distress-Yatuu/dp/1908830182
Blackwells – https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Erika-and-the-Princes-in-Distress-by-Yatuu-author/9781908830180