Artist: Nina Vakueva
Publisher: Boom! Studios
As someone with a lot of musician friends, a series like “Heavy Vinyl” has a lot of appeal right off the bat. But it takes more than some common ground for a title to stick with me. Lucky for me, this series brings a lot to the table.
Set in 1999, we’re at a pivotal point in the music world: Lauryn Hill, Garbage, Veruca Salt, No Doubt—I could go on.
And right in the middle of all this is Vinyl Destination, the place for any young music lover to work. As the series shows us, music is all about identity, expression and learning who you are—certainly a mission for Chris, of the series’ main characters. She’s a month into the job when we crack open the first issue and ready to deal with anything—misogynistic metalheads, grunge wannabes, even a crush on her co-worker Maggie.
How about learning that the store is really part of a network of teen girl vigilantes? Well, that might take a bit.
This series really drew me in, but it wasn’t just one thing: from the beautiful art by Vakueva, the hilarious and heartfelt story by Usdin, the extremely realistic characters, or just nerding out on some of my favorite bands. I’ve read the two volumes a half dozen times and have no desire to shelve them.
But let’s begin with the story. Set in 1999 in New Jersey, Vinyl Destination really took me back to the many music stores I frequented in the past. Sadly, many of these places are gone, but they’ll always hold a place in my heart and have a lot of memories. I never worked in one of these, but had I done so, I know it would have been an amazing adventure.
The characters are a real bright point. Chris is a wonderfully awkward sort: she has big dreams, but isn’t quite sure where she falls in this big ol’ world of ours. Her journey in the series seems to be one of discovery and luckily, she has a great team beside her. That’s the thing about this book: while Chris is certainly a main character, she’s not THE main character. Maggie, Dolores, Kennedy, everyone has a reason for being here, and not just to be the supporting cast. They’ve got all a story to share, and the different narratives are beautifully woven together.
The art is a nice blend of styles. It has an inviting quality, not too intense, but possessing of a great talent that tells you you’re in for a visual experience you’re sure to enjoy. I loved all the details in each scene, from the chill layout of Vinyl Destination to Chris and Maggie’s first (kinda) date, to the road trip to NYC. There’s such great detail and I’m always finding something new.
In the end, “Heavy Vinyl” is like an old friend, and like your close buddy, you’re never sorry to see them.
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