Jinx

May 14, 2012
Though admittedly part of the Archie Comics B-list, cartoonist Joe Edward’s Li’l Jinx managed to claim a portion of comic book nostalgia as her own. With her willful temper undercutting the effect of her deceptively innocent pigtails, she pushed back the idea that girls should be demure and culturally shackled. This updated version retains the qualities that made the original from the ’40s memorable, while also making sense of it in a modern high school setting. In 2012, Jinx is a tomboy confined to the geek table at lunch, and is directing her spirit toward crusades like trying out for the all-male football team. Writer Torres’s foreword offers an interesting account of how he fashioned this update, and artists Burchett and Austin capture the light tone of the cartoon, avoiding overwrought teen drama. Flanked by her original supporting cast, now also grown and more complex, Jinx serves as an entertaining role model for the intended audience, girls who can embrace the empowerment suggested through Jinx’s steady stance in life, while enjoying the mishaps born of the teenage confusion that surely is familiar. Ages 11–up.

July 1, 2012

Gr 6-9-Spinning off from the character Lil Jinx, Jinx follows a feisty teenager on her first days of high school. Her circle includes her long-suffering dad, Hap; her male best friend, Greg; and her friends Roz and Gigi, who only hang out with one another because they love Jinx. There is also a stumbling, bumbling boy named Charley who is interested in her. Jinx faces the challenges of high school-what to wear, where to sit for lunch, and how to handle divorced parents. The story is sweet and simple, a good choice for middle school girls looking ahead to the high school transition. The graphics are bright and colorful, much like the original "Archie" series, but with modernized clothes and a more diverse cast. Part of a long-standing series, Jinx will likely continue for a while, but this title is much more of a comic book than a graphic novel, and librarians should consider whether it is a good fit for their collections.-Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2012
Grades 6-9 Li'l Jinx is all grown up and ready for high school, but is high school ready for her? Torres' update of the playful rascal from the classic Archie Comics strips is likely to appeal to tweens and young teens who have starry-eyed dreams of what the best years of their lives will be like. Jinx's antics are funwhether she's trying out for the football team or trying to figure out why she kissed her best friend, Gregbut the old-fashioned quality of the tale may not quite resonate with readers actually in high school. The art has the familiar wide-eyed, brightly colored feel that marks an Archie title. The characters showcase a welcome variety of races and body types, though a few weight jokes ring sour notes. While there is a complete story toldfrom the beginning of school through Jinx's Halloween birthdaythe story is so fluffy it almost floats away. The overall sweetness makes this a good addition for collections where Archie titles circulate well.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)