One example of this is the unnecessary inclusion of Maria’s wedding. The three issues that readers will face are intermittent aimlessness in scenes, the occasionally unclear transitions between minor arcs, and the anticlimactic resolution to conflict in the story.įor the first, some scenes – particularly those that aim to provide backstory through both Ari’s and Hector’s friend sets – would not be missed if they were shortened or altogether left out. Though Ari ultimately finds himself living the life he most hoped to avoid, it was a decision he came to by exploring and rejecting the path he thought he wanted to take.Īside from the message that the story is sharing with regards to self-discovery and the inclusivity involved, the book is not without its flaws. Much more important to this story is how Ari sees himself fitting into the world at large and how his decisions will affect his ability to find happiness. Rather than choosing to make the story about Ari being a gay young man, it includes this as a part of who he is without it completely defining him. The story is also inclusive in a way that is subtle yet powerful. In this regard, Ari is a character that many adults will find relatable, regardless of where they are in their own post-high school journeys. This is a story that aims to acknowledge and pay homage to choice rather than path by proximity or compulsion. In “Bloom”, the reader and Ari explore the concept of wanting to find your own passion and way through life, rather than accepting without question that your passion is determined by familiarity or family. At its core, “Bloom” is about discovering – and rediscovering – passions in the midst of life transitions. This is not a coming out story, no one seems surprised or unaware of Ari’s sexual orientation, and there is no shock value or suggestions of a first experience.

The crux of the protagonists’ dilemma is not found in his romantic or sexual awakening. While readers may expect an emphasis to be placed on the romance due to the loving gaze between two characters seen on the graphic novel’s cover, it is ultimately not the focus.

Panetta and Ganucheau serve up a flawed but ultimately enjoyable young adult coming of age story, with a hint of LGBTQ+ romance, all wrapped in a clever title. Illustrated, colored, and lettered by Savanna Ganucheau

Bloom kevin panetta savanna ganucheau