Have you ever decided to make a new friend? You don't need to answer that; I know we are all introverts here regardless. But if you want to see how the experience goes, your best bet is in my latest spotlight. My new friend is a cat deluxe by BlackRose108!
Author
So few notes to make here before we begin. First, they are technically two different versions of the story. Deluxe is the colored version, while the og version is traditionally black and white and a little ahead in the overall story. I'll be sticking with the Deluxe version since I got into the series through there. Idk much about the author, but here's what I scrounged up. Blackrose108 or Jael Jackson is a female aspiring comic artist, novelist, and middle school art teacher who often tries to balance the two sides, hence the bi-weekly updates.
Summary
This is a relatively simple story about two boys named Ken and France. And while France might be the one with all the physical scars (hence the kitty mask), both young men still have their buried secrets. But with a bit of time and their continued friendship, they might be able to unveil them all and live a life unburdened.
Characters
Ken: He's pretty much your average 9-year-old kid who's popular at school with his love of music and compassion for others. While we don't know much about his family situation, we know his big brother is the only one to take care of him.
France: After a tragic car accident, France gets physically and mentally scarred. To even attempt a normal life, France keeps to himself with a cat mask 24/7. However, the more time she spends with Ken, the more he opens up to him.
Overview/Good stuff
While I can't say much for the og version, I can say that Deluxe has a perfect sense of color theory. It makes many scenes pop, as while the colors do stand out, they never feel like they're in your face. It reminds me of certain paintings if you look closely enough. I will say that this is one of the most heartwarming stories I've seen in a while.
Ken and France have a very natural and friendly dynamic with another that only deepens as time goes on. While I am fine with representation and (shipping for the most part ), it irks me when two friends can't just be that, friends since implying that they have to be more than that for them to mean something to each other can grind my gears. While Ken is one of the first people to reach out to France, Ken is a character with his faults and issues as well, and France is still a young boy who still has a lot of issues that can't be swept under the rug so easily.
This is a story of friendship, about letting people in when you need it most, looking past differences that are only skin deep, and, most of all, moving past tragedy. While it is a pretty basic message, I think that it is still an important story to tell in this world of electronic courage, toxicity, and where we are more judgemental than ever. Real-life is short and hard enough, so what gives us the right to tell others how to live it?
Epilogue
I hope you all enjoyed the review, I originally wanted to put this on the Canvas spotlight, but I feel like it deserves a proper spotlight. If all goes well, this will be the last one in a while, so until our lights meet again, we'll see what I talk about next.