By Cat Wyatt

Do you think the Lumberjanes will ever get tired of their explorations and adventures? We saw in the last issue that they’re capable of getting scared (not that I blame them, ’The Voice’ is super creepy). Beyond that, I’m not sure these girls are capable of slowing down. When we last saw our campers back in issue #46, they were back in their cabins, but there’s a hitch (isn’t there always for this group?); while they had given up on their quest, their newly acquired friend did not.

A quick refresher for the failed quest of theirs; in an effort to boost their spirits, Jen had decided that she was going to go search for a Jackalope. While the Roanokes have met countless magical and mythical creatures, apparently Jackalope is where they drew the line on what had to be fake (go figure). I’d love to know their reasoning behind that one, but the jokes surrounding it have been pretty funny, so I’m not complaining. Anyway, while they don’t believe a Jackalope could possibly exist (where a Basilisk can), the girls knew better than to let Jen wander off into the woods on her own, and thus we have the latest set of adventures.

This issue kicks off with a flashback to the day before, when the Roanokes were having a picnic with their new friend, Emmy. It may seem silly to have such a recent flashback, but it ends up being relevant to the situation. They had been having a conversation about fear (while also introducing Emmy to the delight of s’mores) and how it should be overcome when it’s for the sake of somebody else. Between that bit of conversation and the fact that Emmy’s friends (calling them pets sounds too harsh, considering how they’re her family and all) are here without her insight.

Speaking of Emmy’s friends, apparently they have more abilities than I originally would have guessed. I certainly wouldn’t have thought that Peanut was capable of speech (granted, it’s limited at best, but still! That’s impressive!), nor would I have guessed that the Cyclops bison was capable of showing people past events through her eye (again, very impressive). With those two skills combined it doesn’t take the Roanokes long to figure out what happened to our missing Emmy.

It seems that Emmy had taken Jen’s speech about fear to heart, and from that she had decided to go into the plains (a place she’s terrified of, thanks to her father and everyone else she knew getting sucked up into a twister out there) in search of a jackalope (because of course if a jakalope was ever to exist, it would be out in the plains, not a forest – which actually makes sense). And well…let’s just say that some fears are rational, such as the fear of twisters, and there’s nothing wrong with avoiding them.

Granted, most twisters don’t actively show up and pursue a specific person (which appears to be the case here), but really that just furthers my point more than anything. And I’m sure Jen would never have approved of anybody doing something dangerous for her sake (and while she’s willing to risk herself to save others, she never would have risked herself for the sake of finding a jackalope).

In true Lumberjanes fashion it takes them less than two seconds to come to the same conclusion: they have to go and save Emmy. Jen is the only one that falters, but that has more to do with her cautious nature than anything else. Or it could be the hesitation was her forming a plan, as she pretty much saves the day with her forward thinking (go Jen!).

The ending is a happy one, but then again most with the Lumberjanes are (I personally love that I can always count on them to be light and uplifting, even when they’re at their worst). The plot seems pretty well and wrapped up (if you count a bunny-unicorn as a jackalope), but the final page says it is to be continued, so I’m not really sure what will happen next. I certainly am curious, to say the least.

This was a pretty cute plot on the whole, though I feel like I’m demeaning the premise by calling it cute. What I mean is it’s got a lot of emotional growth as well as the supportive nature that comes naturally to the Lumberjanes, and it is followed up by a cheerful ending, which is greatly appreciated. In a world that’s already dark enough, sometimes it’s nice to be able to immerse myself in a world that’s a sweet and caring as this one (even if it is full of traps and monsters and mischievous critters).

I’m happy that the art style switched back to something more like the original issues. It’s not that I hadn’t liked the previous styles, more that this style fits the feel of the series better. As per usual all of the Lumberjanes are adorably drawn, while also being their own unique selves. I love that it’s so easy to tell them all apart, and that they each have their own style and temperament to go with it.

Score: 4/5

Lumberjanes #47
Publisher: Boom! Box