#zachstaph

tags:

m mc, trans mc, m/m

romance, realistic

comforting, charming, queer

modern fantasy, office/workplace

found family, mental health, black & white

Rating: 7.5/10

I really like this one. It has a clear goal and understanding of how to convey a story well, and it does so with care and detail. I appreciate how the main character is introduced in relation to his friends, which makes it feel fleshed-out and more realistic, as opposed to the common webtoon trend of two characters falling in love in a near-vacuum without being affected by other events or relationships. The attention put into the art is notable as well, it feels very clean and warm. My only critique would be that the treatment of the characters, who are adults, feels a bit juvenile and oversimplified, which leaves the tone feeling childish when it’s not dealing with more difficult topics.

points it missed on my rating scale were 13) bechdel test, 17) extra satisfying dialogue, 18) personal excitement, 19) made me think a lot, 20) made me feel a lot. Obviously it’s hard to pass the bechdel test if your main characters are men and the perspective doesn’t rotate. That’s fine. Otherwise, I’d just say it’s a matter of personal preference for the ranking, the comic is very polished and high-quality, obviously a lot of effort went into it, and the topics are addressed sincerely and with heart.

2021-2022