Step into the wild, whimsical world of Lumberjanes, where five fearless girls tackle supernatural mysteries at a summer camp that’s anything but ordinary! This award-winning comic book series, blending action, fantasy, and heartfelt coming-of-age tales, has captured hearts with its vibrant art and inclusive storytelling. Perfect for all ages, Lumberjanes is a celebration of friendship, bravery, and girl power.
Created by a talented team including Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, and Gus Allen, Lumberjanes invites readers to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types. Here, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley face three-eyed foxes, magical quests, and quirky adventures, all while forging unbreakable bonds.
How Lumberjanes Began
Lumberjanes sprang to life in 2014 when Shannon Watters, an editor at BOOM! Studios, teamed up with writer Grace Ellis to craft a girl-centric comic for the BOOM! Box imprint. They envisioned a story set at a summer camp, bursting with supernatural fun and feminist vibes. ND Stevenson joined as co-writer, and Gus Allen brought the characters to life with bold, colorful designs. Originally planned as an eight-issue arc, the series’ soaring popularity made it an ongoing hit, running for 75 issues until 2020.
The Heart of Lumberjanes
The series kicks off with Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy, where the Roanoke cabin crew battles mystical creatures and unravels camp secrets. Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max dives deeper into their bonds, tackling sibling rivalries and magical challenges. Vol. 6: Sink or Swim introduces Seafarin’ Karen and shape-shifting portals, while Vol. 9: On a Roll pits the girls against yetis in a roller derby showdown.
Lumberjanes shines with its themes of friendship, teamwork, and self-discovery. The camp setting, alive with secret caves and anagrams, blends humor and heart, reminiscent of Gravity Falls or Adventure Time. Its inclusive representation, including queer and trans characters like Jo, a trans girl of color, adds depth and resonance. The art, with its sketchy, vibrant style, perfectly matches the series’ playful yet empowering tone.
Beyond comics, the series expanded into middle-grade novels by Mariko Tamaki, starting with Unicorn Power!, where the girls reunite a lost unicorn with its herd. These stories amplify the series’ focus on skill-building and camaraderie, making Lumberjanes a versatile, all-ages gem.
Why Lumberjanes Resonates
Lumberjanes has left a lasting mark on comics, earning two Eisner Awards in 2015 for Best New Series and Best Publication for Teens. Its female-led, female-authored narrative broke ground in a male-dominated industry, offering young readers strong, diverse role models. Fans on platforms like Reddit praise its lighthearted humor and queer representation, calling it a joyful escape that feels both radical and accessible.
The series’ planned animated adaptation for Max, with ND Stevenson at the helm, promises to bring its magic to new audiences. Lumberjanes continues to inspire, proving that stories of friendship and courage never go out of style.
- Publication Years: 2014–2020
- Total Issues: 75, plus specials and novels
- Awards: Eisner Awards (2015), GLAAD Media Award nominations
- Authors: Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, and more
Grab Beware the Kitten Holy and dive into Lumberjanes’ fantastical world of adventure and friendship!