Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke and illustrator Mel Valentine Vargas is almost a perfect 5, but there were a few small things that I would have liked to have seen. With that said, this is a fun book about body image, taking back sexuality and standing up for yourself. If wrestling and roller derby got together and added pillows (and minus the roller skates) you have Pillow Talk. It is a clever way of taking a familiar story that could have just been another Canadian-Cuban-girl-who-does-not-fit-the-ideal model of beauty story and makes it fresh.
It is heavy on the LGBTQ themes that are intermixed with the fun action.We have the gambit of sexualities (they/them; they/she, she/her), several same sex (female) couples and even a character who is ACE. You can see this with the little hints in their outfits (Grace has the ACE colors as her mug; someone has a rainbow shirt and painting on her face), actions, and just what they say. But the focus is on the characters, and Grace in particular.
Trying to deal with the stress of college, her family situation, her best friend/roommates outgoing, party personality and body images, she finds Pillow Fighting. But don’t expect dainty ladies with panties and lacy bras. Expect gals like Pain Eyre, Miss Fortune, and champion Kat Atonic. They are broken into Heroes and Heels (heroes and villains) but they are a sisterhood, family, and even a little more. I liked the realism of the issues (online trolls, body shamers, Grace having no clue about hair and makeup) but they are not “dumbed down” or overly cliched. There is enough humor to balance the seriousness of things, but doesn’t minimize it.
The ending was a bit rushed, but overall things are cute, clever and edgy. The illustrations match the humor and fun with bright colors, bold imagery and details are as needed. Giving me vibes like the novel, Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, I’m adding more Cooke and Vargas to my TBR.