In another, it conveys instead looseness, a lack of structure, or a yielding quality. In one sense, it can mean comfortable, inviting, pleasant to touch.

There are interesting layers of meaning to the word “soft”. Seriously, if you haven’t already read it, you are missing out.A+ The Verdict A staggering work that is at once high-minded poetry and delightful, satisfying pulp. They were all so distinct, and I managed to love every single one of them.Īll in all, On a Sunbeam is a graphic novel that hits all the right spots, whether it be in the worldbuilding, the art, or the characters. Walden makes her cast effortlessly diverse, making On a Sunbeam a tale for the ages.Īnd now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…FOUND FAMILY VIBES! The chemistry between Mia and the rest of the crew is impeccable, and I can’t help but adore every single character we come across. There’s also several background wlw relationships and…not a single man in sight? I simultaneously love that but also recognize that it raises a few questions. Most of the Sunbeam crew is POC (Black, Latinx, etc.), and there’s also a nonbinary character who plays a crucial role. And speaking of that cast–there is diversity aplenty here! In the group of main characters, there is not one but two multiracial wlw relationships (including Mia and Grace). It alternates between the past and present fluidly without any confusion, and through both, you come to love the whole cast of characters. ONE.īeyond the beautiful artwork, On a Sunbeam boasts a tender romance that spans across the stars. Each planet that the crew visits is so unique, and I ADORE the design of all of the ships–all inspired by fish! What’s not to love? WHERE. The design of the vast reaches of Walden’s universe is beautifully atmospheric, a sci-fi with a fantastical twist. I kid you not, both the desktop wallpaper of my laptop and the home screen of my phone are both panels from On a Sunbeam now. There’s so much detail and care put into the backgrounds and settings, with carefully picked color schemes that make for an immersive, lived-in sci-fi world. The character’s facial features are simple, but are able to show such a wide range of expression. I’m not normally a fan of more simplistic art styles like Walden’s, but she makes it work in all the best ways. It is “Motion Picture Soundtrack,” it is “Sail to the Moon,” it is “Videotape,” and it is very nearly everything I could ever want in a graphic novel. On a Sunbeam is the comic equivalent of a Radiohead song hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric, with a story that will never truly leave your mind.

On a sunbeam