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String
Not yet published
Expected 20 May 25120 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 20, 2025
39 people want to read
About the author
Paul Tobin
899books401followersPaul Tobin is the Eisner-award winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Bandette, Colder, and many other comic books and graphic series.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 11, 2025
An enjoyable rollercoaster of a book - Yoon-Sook Namgung sees strings: blue strings between people that have had sex with eachother, and black strings between a murderer and their victim. People mostly get nervous around her because of the blue strings, but Namgung uses her black-string-vision to solve crimes of the murdery nature. But what is this! Namgung sees a black string attached to herself! Someone is about to murder her, but who?
And then there are several other murder mysteries that she solves during the main story, all the time followed on foot by a police detective who she's also working with.
It's all quite wacky, but stays on the right side of whimsical, so it's actually funny. I really enjoyed the art, very expressive, and Sara Colella actually manages to draw easily readable action scenes, which is its own form of art.
(Thanks to Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
March 23, 2025
3.5�
A retelling of the legend of the red string. But here it's not just one string; there are two, and neither one is red.
Yoon is a 25-year-old woman who has the ability to see two types of strings that connect people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. She starts working with the police to solve cases, but a black string connects her to someone. This means she will either murder someone soon or be murdered herself.
I liked the illustrations, especially the way they're colored.
I like that the plot moves quickly; it keeps you engaged.
If you like urban fantasy, you should check out this story.
� Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title.
A retelling of the legend of the red string. But here it's not just one string; there are two, and neither one is red.
Yoon is a 25-year-old woman who has the ability to see two types of strings that connect people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. She starts working with the police to solve cases, but a black string connects her to someone. This means she will either murder someone soon or be murdered herself.
I liked the illustrations, especially the way they're colored.
I like that the plot moves quickly; it keeps you engaged.
If you like urban fantasy, you should check out this story.
� Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title.
March 18, 2025
This was a big surprise for me.
We have our main lead Yoon-Sook who can see "strings" on people. Blue strings attach from one person to another letting her know those two did the dirty deed. But the Black String on someone means they murdered someone or will. It's a fun story to be had here when Yoon-Sook see a black string on her. Fast paced, funny, and solid art (Though sometimes the faces go haywire) all make for an enjoyable comic. While I feel sometimes we move TOO quick to let things settle in, we have to wrap it up in the set amount of issues given. Overall a fun time. A 4 out of 5.
We have our main lead Yoon-Sook who can see "strings" on people. Blue strings attach from one person to another letting her know those two did the dirty deed. But the Black String on someone means they murdered someone or will. It's a fun story to be had here when Yoon-Sook see a black string on her. Fast paced, funny, and solid art (Though sometimes the faces go haywire) all make for an enjoyable comic. While I feel sometimes we move TOO quick to let things settle in, we have to wrap it up in the set amount of issues given. Overall a fun time. A 4 out of 5.
February 20, 2025
¿Y si la leyenda del hilo rojo existiera, pero de una manera totalmente diferente?
tw: sexo, armas, violencia, secuestro, muerte.
ideal para un público +18, que le gusten las fantasías urbanas y series policiales.
String es un cómic donde se nos presenta una protagonista con un poder particular: puede ver quienes tuvieron o tienen una unión sexual y quienes han cometido asesinatos. Todo esto a través de una habilidad que desarrolló luego de la muerte de sus padres. El hilo azul que ve entre dos personas indica lo sexual y el hilo negro los asesinatos. Por esta razón la Policía trabaja junto a ella en algunos casos para resolverlos; sin embargo, todo da un giro inesperado cuando un día despierta y ve atado a ella un hilo negro. ¿Una premonición de su muerte o ella sería la asesina?
El cómic tiene un tipo de dibujo bastante crudo y grotesco que en cierta manera me ha gustado porque siento que va con la historia y la personalidad de los personajes. Por el momento su trama no es tan difícil ya que esta habilidad es bastante nueva para nuestra protagonista también por lo cual vamos aprendiendo junto a ella.
No soy una fan de la acción, pero siento que acá está en dosis perfectas y que están muy bien ejecutadas.
No tengo realmente nada malo que decir sobre el cómic, pero creo que para algunas personas podría estar algo sexualizado y el sistema fantástico de la habilidad de la protagonista no estar tan bien ejecutado (que se explique a fondo).
Para puntuar uso una versión personalizada del sistema de puntuación CAWPILE, la cual me dio una puntuación de 3.5 estrellas, pero goodreads al no tener medias estrellas lo dejo en 4 estrellas.
Quiero agradecer a NetGalley y a Mad Cave por enviarme esta copia avanzada.
What if the legend of the red thread of fate existed but in a totally different way?
tw: sex, weapons, violence, kidnapping, death.
ideal for an audience +18, who likes urban fantasies and police series.
String is a comic that has a protagonist with a particular power: she can see who had or has a sexual relationship and who has committed murders. All this through an ability that she developed after the death of her parents.The blue thread she sees between two people indicates sexual relationship and the black thread indicates murder. For this reason the Police work with her in some cases to solve them; however, everything takes an unexpected turn when one day she wakes up and sees a black thread tied to her. A premonition of her death or would she be the killer?
The comic has a rather crude and grotesque kind of drawing that I kind of liked because I feel it fits with the story and the personality of the characters. For the moment, the plot is not that difficult since this ability is quite new for our protagonist as well, so we are learning along with her.
I'm not a big fan of action but I feel like it's in perfect doses here and very well executed.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the comic but I think some people might find it a bit sexualized and the fantastical ability system of the protagonist might not be that well executed (explain in depth).
For rating I use a custom version of the CAWPILE rating system, which gave me a rating of 3.5 stars, but since goodreads doesn't have half stars I'm giving it a 4 star rating.
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave for sending me this advance copy.
tw: sexo, armas, violencia, secuestro, muerte.
ideal para un público +18, que le gusten las fantasías urbanas y series policiales.
String es un cómic donde se nos presenta una protagonista con un poder particular: puede ver quienes tuvieron o tienen una unión sexual y quienes han cometido asesinatos. Todo esto a través de una habilidad que desarrolló luego de la muerte de sus padres. El hilo azul que ve entre dos personas indica lo sexual y el hilo negro los asesinatos. Por esta razón la Policía trabaja junto a ella en algunos casos para resolverlos; sin embargo, todo da un giro inesperado cuando un día despierta y ve atado a ella un hilo negro. ¿Una premonición de su muerte o ella sería la asesina?
El cómic tiene un tipo de dibujo bastante crudo y grotesco que en cierta manera me ha gustado porque siento que va con la historia y la personalidad de los personajes. Por el momento su trama no es tan difícil ya que esta habilidad es bastante nueva para nuestra protagonista también por lo cual vamos aprendiendo junto a ella.
No soy una fan de la acción, pero siento que acá está en dosis perfectas y que están muy bien ejecutadas.
No tengo realmente nada malo que decir sobre el cómic, pero creo que para algunas personas podría estar algo sexualizado y el sistema fantástico de la habilidad de la protagonista no estar tan bien ejecutado (que se explique a fondo).
Para puntuar uso una versión personalizada del sistema de puntuación CAWPILE, la cual me dio una puntuación de 3.5 estrellas, pero goodreads al no tener medias estrellas lo dejo en 4 estrellas.
Quiero agradecer a NetGalley y a Mad Cave por enviarme esta copia avanzada.
What if the legend of the red thread of fate existed but in a totally different way?
tw: sex, weapons, violence, kidnapping, death.
ideal for an audience +18, who likes urban fantasies and police series.
String is a comic that has a protagonist with a particular power: she can see who had or has a sexual relationship and who has committed murders. All this through an ability that she developed after the death of her parents.The blue thread she sees between two people indicates sexual relationship and the black thread indicates murder. For this reason the Police work with her in some cases to solve them; however, everything takes an unexpected turn when one day she wakes up and sees a black thread tied to her. A premonition of her death or would she be the killer?
The comic has a rather crude and grotesque kind of drawing that I kind of liked because I feel it fits with the story and the personality of the characters. For the moment, the plot is not that difficult since this ability is quite new for our protagonist as well, so we are learning along with her.
I'm not a big fan of action but I feel like it's in perfect doses here and very well executed.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the comic but I think some people might find it a bit sexualized and the fantastical ability system of the protagonist might not be that well executed (explain in depth).
For rating I use a custom version of the CAWPILE rating system, which gave me a rating of 3.5 stars, but since goodreads doesn't have half stars I'm giving it a 4 star rating.
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave for sending me this advance copy.
February 13, 2025
I have received an ARC copy through NetGalley, however my review is my honest opinion. (4.5 stars rounded up to 5)
***
Do you know the story of the red string of fate? Good, good.
How about the black string of murders and blue string of lovers, hm?
This graphic novel has a something for everyone: a stunning cover and artwork (these pulled me in to request it, actually), an intriguing premise, a diverse and loveable duo, a solid backstory to build up on, pets (!).
It's also the funniest damn thing I've read in a long time. I was chuckling at our characters banter on almost every page.
Who doesn't want to get take away coffee from Agatha Crispie's?
I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series.
***
Do you know the story of the red string of fate? Good, good.
How about the black string of murders and blue string of lovers, hm?
This graphic novel has a something for everyone: a stunning cover and artwork (these pulled me in to request it, actually), an intriguing premise, a diverse and loveable duo, a solid backstory to build up on, pets (!).
It's also the funniest damn thing I've read in a long time. I was chuckling at our characters banter on almost every page.
Who doesn't want to get take away coffee from Agatha Crispie's?
I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series.
February 26, 2025
Cuando Yoon tenía 14 años sus padres fallecieron pero ella (debido al trauma) en ese momento obtuvo un “don�, puede ver hilos entre las personas que los conectan, los color azul para lo romantico / sexual y los color negro para la muerte (el asesino y su victima), con su don, empieza a trabajar con la policia para resolver casos, Yoon no puede ver sus propios hilos pero de repente un hilo la conecta, pero no sabe quien puede ser, y lo mas importante, no sabe si alguien la va a asesinar o si ella va a asesinar a alguien, y ahí empieza todo�
Estuvo muy interesante, me gustó la historia, estaba muy entretenido, y siendo sincera, no soy muy fan de ese estilo de arte, no es de mi gusto jaja pero creo que le da el toque a la “crueldad� de la trama, esta muy bien hecho, da totalmente las vibras jajaja, Yoon es una mujer muy loca, me gusta 😆, de igual manera lo recomiendo!!�
Eng:
When Yoon was 14 her parents passed away but she (due to trauma) at that time got a “gift�, she can see strings between people that connect them, the blue ones for romantic/sexual and the black ones for death (the murderer and his victim), with her gift, she starts working with the police to solve cases, Yoon can’t see her own strings but suddenly a string connects her, but she doesn’t know who it could be, and most importantly, she doesn’t know if someone is going to kill her or if she is going to kill someone, and that’s where it all begins�
It was very interesting, I liked the story, it was very entertaining, and to be honest, I’m not a big fan of that art style, it’s not my taste haha but I think it gives the touch to the “cruelty� of the plot, it’s very well done, it totally gives the vibes hahaha, Yoon is a very crazy woman, I like it 😆, anyway I recommend it!!�
Thanks Netgalley Mad Cave for the arc
Estuvo muy interesante, me gustó la historia, estaba muy entretenido, y siendo sincera, no soy muy fan de ese estilo de arte, no es de mi gusto jaja pero creo que le da el toque a la “crueldad� de la trama, esta muy bien hecho, da totalmente las vibras jajaja, Yoon es una mujer muy loca, me gusta 😆, de igual manera lo recomiendo!!�
Eng:
When Yoon was 14 her parents passed away but she (due to trauma) at that time got a “gift�, she can see strings between people that connect them, the blue ones for romantic/sexual and the black ones for death (the murderer and his victim), with her gift, she starts working with the police to solve cases, Yoon can’t see her own strings but suddenly a string connects her, but she doesn’t know who it could be, and most importantly, she doesn’t know if someone is going to kill her or if she is going to kill someone, and that’s where it all begins�
It was very interesting, I liked the story, it was very entertaining, and to be honest, I’m not a big fan of that art style, it’s not my taste haha but I think it gives the touch to the “cruelty� of the plot, it’s very well done, it totally gives the vibes hahaha, Yoon is a very crazy woman, I like it 😆, anyway I recommend it!!�
Thanks Netgalley Mad Cave for the arc
February 16, 2025
Graphic novels are still pretty new to me, but I really want to read more of them. When I saw the cover of String, I was immediately intrigued—the vibrant colors and the art style caught my attention right away. The premise also sounded incredibly exciting and unique:
Yoon-Sook Namgung can see two types of “strings”—blue ones that connect sexual partners and black ones that link murderers to their victims.
Such an original concept! I was really curious to see how the story would unfold. But in the end, it was just okay for me.
First of all, the illustrations are fantastic! I absolutely loved the art style, and the bold colors made the story visually striking. Yoon-Sook, as a protagonist, is beautifully designed, and the overall artwork was definitely a highlight for me.
However, the storytelling left me a bit conflicted. The plot jumps very quickly between different locations, which sometimes made it hard to follow. I often felt like I didn’t have enough time to fully immerse myself in a scene before being rushed to the next one. The language is also extremely raw—at first, I found it amusing, but after a while, it became too much. Lots of swearing, a lot of sexualization—it could have been toned down a bit for my taste. A big downside for me was the scene where a dog gets thrown through the air for no real reason. That’s just not something I enjoy.
I did like the character Luke, but I didn’t really feel a strong connection between him and Yoon-Sook. Their relationship remained surface-level, and I couldn’t fully invest in it emotionally.
Despite my mixed feelings, String is still a fast-paced and unique story that made me excited to explore more graphic novels. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was an interesting read. A solid 3 stars.
Yoon-Sook Namgung can see two types of “strings”—blue ones that connect sexual partners and black ones that link murderers to their victims.
Such an original concept! I was really curious to see how the story would unfold. But in the end, it was just okay for me.
First of all, the illustrations are fantastic! I absolutely loved the art style, and the bold colors made the story visually striking. Yoon-Sook, as a protagonist, is beautifully designed, and the overall artwork was definitely a highlight for me.
However, the storytelling left me a bit conflicted. The plot jumps very quickly between different locations, which sometimes made it hard to follow. I often felt like I didn’t have enough time to fully immerse myself in a scene before being rushed to the next one. The language is also extremely raw—at first, I found it amusing, but after a while, it became too much. Lots of swearing, a lot of sexualization—it could have been toned down a bit for my taste. A big downside for me was the scene where a dog gets thrown through the air for no real reason. That’s just not something I enjoy.
I did like the character Luke, but I didn’t really feel a strong connection between him and Yoon-Sook. Their relationship remained surface-level, and I couldn’t fully invest in it emotionally.
Despite my mixed feelings, String is still a fast-paced and unique story that made me excited to explore more graphic novels. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was an interesting read. A solid 3 stars.
February 15, 2025
✨Thank you to Paul Tobin, Mad Cave Studios & NetGalley for providing me with a free E-ARC! These are my honest opinions about what I read�
3.25 � This comic is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in terms of supernatural abilities. Our main character, Yoon, can see strings that connect people who have had sexual relationships and see strings connecting murderers to their victims.
While I think the dialogue between the two main characters was at times witty, there were other times where I felt the dialogue was unnecessary. It’s not like Bendis level, but there is a lot of background yapping and information that could’ve been edited out.
Issue 1 is solid enough to entice readers to come back. Again, very interesting premise.
Some of the character introductions and their cases felt rushed. Issues 2 and 3 were fun, though sometimes the ambiguity of Yoon’s powers are used to quickly end cases. It felt like their problems were just wastes time, as neither Litty nor the Quinones case had much to do with Yoon’s initial concern. I was waiting for these cases to tie into each other, as well as Yoon’s parents, but in the end neither did.
Overall, fun characters, art is average, the colorist did a good job. I would be willing to read another installment of this series! Good start to something that has potential.
3.25 � This comic is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in terms of supernatural abilities. Our main character, Yoon, can see strings that connect people who have had sexual relationships and see strings connecting murderers to their victims.
While I think the dialogue between the two main characters was at times witty, there were other times where I felt the dialogue was unnecessary. It’s not like Bendis level, but there is a lot of background yapping and information that could’ve been edited out.
Issue 1 is solid enough to entice readers to come back. Again, very interesting premise.
Some of the character introductions and their cases felt rushed. Issues 2 and 3 were fun, though sometimes the ambiguity of Yoon’s powers are used to quickly end cases. It felt like their problems were just wastes time, as neither Litty nor the Quinones case had much to do with Yoon’s initial concern. I was waiting for these cases to tie into each other, as well as Yoon’s parents, but in the end neither did.
Overall, fun characters, art is average, the colorist did a good job. I would be willing to read another installment of this series! Good start to something that has potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
Book #569
4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this novel. I am a big fan of graphic novels and usually i give them a 1-3 star rating but i really enjoyed this one and the concept was very good, This novel follows a great lead character with pink hair who has an ability to see strings from people.. black strings meaning murderers and people who have murdered someone and blue strings, so basically if she is in the room and sees these strings she knows these people did either of those 2 things she goes on a fast paced journey trying to solve a murder with her non binary cop who was also a great lead and I loved the non binary rep! I really enjoyed the story and the artwork and even the side characters were great. As i mentioned earlier i love how fast paced this graphic novel was and how everything made sense as well and the concept was not confusing at all and all was revealed by the end of this novel. I do hope to get the chance to read the others of this graphic novel story because i noticed this author has other ones i think. If you enjoy graphic novels with great leads i think you all will enjoy this one i sure did!
4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this novel. I am a big fan of graphic novels and usually i give them a 1-3 star rating but i really enjoyed this one and the concept was very good, This novel follows a great lead character with pink hair who has an ability to see strings from people.. black strings meaning murderers and people who have murdered someone and blue strings, so basically if she is in the room and sees these strings she knows these people did either of those 2 things she goes on a fast paced journey trying to solve a murder with her non binary cop who was also a great lead and I loved the non binary rep! I really enjoyed the story and the artwork and even the side characters were great. As i mentioned earlier i love how fast paced this graphic novel was and how everything made sense as well and the concept was not confusing at all and all was revealed by the end of this novel. I do hope to get the chance to read the others of this graphic novel story because i noticed this author has other ones i think. If you enjoy graphic novels with great leads i think you all will enjoy this one i sure did!
February 20, 2025
I really loved the whole idea of this story. Going along with Yoon-Sook as she follows the strings she sees connecting people, blue for lovers and black for murderers and their victims. Yoon-Sook is quirky and brave and she is so easy to like as a character. She is rather accepting and unapologetic and I appreciate that about her. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the story as a whole.
My only gripe about this graphic novel was that it was too short. I am very new to reading graphic novels, so this might be the normal length and I’m just not used to it yet. I just felt like there wasn’t enough time. Everything happened so very quickly and it feels like if I could have spent more time with the characters I could have learnt more about them and connected with them more.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this story and as soon as I can I would really like to read the next one.
4 out of 5 Turtle the cats.
My only gripe about this graphic novel was that it was too short. I am very new to reading graphic novels, so this might be the normal length and I’m just not used to it yet. I just felt like there wasn’t enough time. Everything happened so very quickly and it feels like if I could have spent more time with the characters I could have learnt more about them and connected with them more.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this story and as soon as I can I would really like to read the next one.
4 out of 5 Turtle the cats.
March 31, 2025
I really enjoyed String! The art is solid overall, though I did notice a couple of continuity errors—like a character’s glasses disappearing and reappearing in the same scene without explanation. That aside, the storytelling kept me fully engaged from start to finish.
The villain was a real standout: completely unhinged, delusional in his self-righteousness, and utterly detached from reality. It made him all the more compelling and unsettling.
Litty was my favorite character, hands down. I also really liked Luke, the cop partner—I found myself wanting to know more about them. And Yoon, the main character, was great too. She’s definitely a bit loony, but that just made her all the more interesting to follow.
Plus, the cast was wonderfully queer, which is exactly how I like it.
The villain was a real standout: completely unhinged, delusional in his self-righteousness, and utterly detached from reality. It made him all the more compelling and unsettling.
Litty was my favorite character, hands down. I also really liked Luke, the cop partner—I found myself wanting to know more about them. And Yoon, the main character, was great too. She’s definitely a bit loony, but that just made her all the more interesting to follow.
Plus, the cast was wonderfully queer, which is exactly how I like it.
March 4, 2025
I have been OBSESSED with The Red String of Fate for as long as I can remember. So to think that there could be more kinds of strings that connect you to someone, really many people, is so intriguing. This book explores how a woman who can see those strings can help solve murders for the Seattle police.
While this book isn’t inherently gay, it is very queer, diverse and with great representation. The MC, Yoon, is Korean, her partner is Black and Non-Binary and both of them seem to have no problem having sexual relationships with any sex. So that’s a HUGE plus in my eyes.
I’d be interested to see how this could continue on for more volumes.
While this book isn’t inherently gay, it is very queer, diverse and with great representation. The MC, Yoon, is Korean, her partner is Black and Non-Binary and both of them seem to have no problem having sexual relationships with any sex. So that’s a HUGE plus in my eyes.
I’d be interested to see how this could continue on for more volumes.
February 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
String tried extremely hard to be both edgy, and woke at the same time, and it failed on both accounts. I kept eye rolling at how bad the dialogue was written for the FMC. Men writing women can sometimes just give you the ick.
The art is what cinched an extra star for me, because the art was great. Plus, the story takes place where I live which was fun. That's where the enjoyment ended for me.
String tried extremely hard to be both edgy, and woke at the same time, and it failed on both accounts. I kept eye rolling at how bad the dialogue was written for the FMC. Men writing women can sometimes just give you the ick.
The art is what cinched an extra star for me, because the art was great. Plus, the story takes place where I live which was fun. That's where the enjoyment ended for me.
February 20, 2025
I loved the plot. The characters were great, the art style was so good I adored the colour scheme that was chosen. Really really interesting comic/gn! Excited to see if we’ll get another in this series cause I very much want more!!
Thank you Netgalley and MadCave for a copy!
Thank you Netgalley and MadCave for a copy!
April 7, 2025
3.5 stars. Unique story idea: Yoon can see strings connecting people, and one of the string types means MURDER. Follow Yoon as she suddenly sees a murder string attached to herself - is she the victim or the perpetrator? Good art, fun supporting cast. Wish there was more backstory to the strings and how Yoon started to see them. Maybe in book 2?
Read
February 12, 2025Yoon-Sook Namgung can see strings connecting people, invisible to everyone else. Blue connects people who've slept together; black links a murderer and a victim. I read this more for the writer, Paul Tobin, who's done a fair few things I liked, especially when working with other half Colleen Coover; gimmick detective stories aren't necessarily my bag, and this one seemed particularly prone to handwaving. So it proved, with the black strings especially prone to flickering in and out according to plot requirements, especially once Yoon finds one attached to herself, indicating that within a day she will either be killer or victim. So, with the aid of her new police liaison, she sets out to close her open cases, in case it's someone tied up in one of those who wants to get her out of the picture. And they all resolve a little too neatly, and often include some heavy-handed social commentary (the porn star who feeds the homeless, who in turn are only there because of the WGA strike and doing their best to get their lives back together...) � but in between the very important messages, there's a countervailing grasp on how people really speak and react, a winning sense of rapport and of the utter strangeness of the world: how many stories open with the lead catching a French bulldog being thrown out of the blast radius by a suicide bomber*? Which Olivares and Colella render on the page in all the absurd yet deadly serious roundness that life deserves. Though, less happily, the main area in which the art can falter (aside from a van described as white when it clearly isn't) is in the titular strings, absolutely crucial to the whole concept yet not always as legible to the reader as they're supposed to be.
*Fair warning: that isn't the only animal jeopardy, and it doesn't always end so well, though is never unpunished.
(Netgalley ARC)
*Fair warning: that isn't the only animal jeopardy, and it doesn't always end so well, though is never unpunished.
(Netgalley ARC)
February 18, 2025
Wow. It's hard to say what could have made me like this comic less other than if it had been objectively offensive in some bigger way.
So, you'd think that a supernatural mystery starring a pink-haired Korean-American woman and a Black nonbinary police officer would be right up my alley. Here's the thing: to me, this read like absolute tokenism. Like, what are Yoon-Sook Namgung's defining characteristics? Well, she introduces herself as Korean-American, she has pink hair, and she has a poorly explained magic power and Batman-adjacent backstory. And a cat. And... that's it. She had nothing else going for her. I was left with the uncomfortable feeling that her background was the shorthand substitute for making her an interesting person. Oh, we do get an uncomfortable line apropos of NOTHING about how she gets horny when she's anxious. This line is delivered in a context that made my skin crawl off my body and take up residence in a separate room of my house.
Same with Luke, the cop. What do we know about them? They're nonbinary. They like to, and I quote, "slap ass." They like coffee and like to make jokes about how they want to sleep with famous people. They're sort of dating a woman at work who is revealed to have slept with someone new in every scene in which she appears. That's literally all I can tell you about Luke as a person.
The "mysteries" are worse than pointless. Yoon-Sook "solves" them by walking into a room, seeing the black strings, and shouting about it. That's it. Mystery solved! And the mysteries are so stupid and pointless. We get no story. No lead-up. No denouement. There's no reason to care about anyone or anything that happens. On top of that, this story features a two large gangs of Hispanic criminals who do violent, hypersexualized things with zero motivation. The "reveal" at the end makes less than zero sense. If the whole story arc had focused on that storyline, maybe something could have made that feel less pointless, but it seemed like an afterthought, and isn't even consistent. Dude had nasty chemical burns on his face that healed in... 8 hours??? Less?????
On top of that, the art did the thing where the main character's buttcheeks would take up half a frame, or a female side character would twist so that you could see her T&A on full display for NO. REASON. other than sexualizing the female characters. Listen. You can put in cute little dialogue about how women are more than objects, but it doesn't land if you spend your entire d*** comic objectifying those characters.
To say that I was disappointed in this would be an understatement, and the fact that the book paid lip service to diversity somehow made it worse for me. At best, this was lazy characterization and storytelling. At worst, the main characters' identities was a gimmick intended to make them more interesting than making them white and cis. The fact that the blurb makes such a big deal about Yoon-Sook's racial identity gives me the ick in hindsight. I'll leave it at that and say that I have no idea who the target audience for this book is.
I received an ARC of this comic through NetGalley. My thoughts are my own, obviously. xD
--
Clarification edit: There is a character in her who is a s*x worker. Weirdly, she's the most fully-developed and emotionally engaging character in here, despite also being an excuse for even more bared 'cheeks. Just sayin', my problem isn't that the characters have desires and attraction, just that it would be nice if they had a single other meaningful character trait.
So, you'd think that a supernatural mystery starring a pink-haired Korean-American woman and a Black nonbinary police officer would be right up my alley. Here's the thing: to me, this read like absolute tokenism. Like, what are Yoon-Sook Namgung's defining characteristics? Well, she introduces herself as Korean-American, she has pink hair, and she has a poorly explained magic power and Batman-adjacent backstory. And a cat. And... that's it. She had nothing else going for her. I was left with the uncomfortable feeling that her background was the shorthand substitute for making her an interesting person. Oh, we do get an uncomfortable line apropos of NOTHING about how she gets horny when she's anxious. This line is delivered in a context that made my skin crawl off my body and take up residence in a separate room of my house.
Same with Luke, the cop. What do we know about them? They're nonbinary. They like to, and I quote, "slap ass." They like coffee and like to make jokes about how they want to sleep with famous people. They're sort of dating a woman at work who is revealed to have slept with someone new in every scene in which she appears. That's literally all I can tell you about Luke as a person.
The "mysteries" are worse than pointless. Yoon-Sook "solves" them by walking into a room, seeing the black strings, and shouting about it. That's it. Mystery solved! And the mysteries are so stupid and pointless. We get no story. No lead-up. No denouement. There's no reason to care about anyone or anything that happens. On top of that, this story features a two large gangs of Hispanic criminals who do violent, hypersexualized things with zero motivation. The "reveal" at the end makes less than zero sense. If the whole story arc had focused on that storyline, maybe something could have made that feel less pointless, but it seemed like an afterthought, and isn't even consistent. Dude had nasty chemical burns on his face that healed in... 8 hours??? Less?????
On top of that, the art did the thing where the main character's buttcheeks would take up half a frame, or a female side character would twist so that you could see her T&A on full display for NO. REASON. other than sexualizing the female characters. Listen. You can put in cute little dialogue about how women are more than objects, but it doesn't land if you spend your entire d*** comic objectifying those characters.
To say that I was disappointed in this would be an understatement, and the fact that the book paid lip service to diversity somehow made it worse for me. At best, this was lazy characterization and storytelling. At worst, the main characters' identities was a gimmick intended to make them more interesting than making them white and cis. The fact that the blurb makes such a big deal about Yoon-Sook's racial identity gives me the ick in hindsight. I'll leave it at that and say that I have no idea who the target audience for this book is.
I received an ARC of this comic through NetGalley. My thoughts are my own, obviously. xD
--
Clarification edit: There is a character in her who is a s*x worker. Weirdly, she's the most fully-developed and emotionally engaging character in here, despite also being an excuse for even more bared 'cheeks. Just sayin', my problem isn't that the characters have desires and attraction, just that it would be nice if they had a single other meaningful character trait.
March 27, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
2.5
This book offers a compelling blend of queer representation and an intense mystery, laced with explicit sexual elements. Nothing like anything I've read before. Beyond the eye-catching cover of 'String,' the story's intriguing and original concept truly piqued my interest. Initially, I was blown away by the illustrations. The art style was exceptional, and the bold colors made the story visually unforgettable.
I thought the concept of Yoon's powers was quite intriguing. Her character, overall, was interesting and relatable. From her hairstyle, to her type of humor, to hobbies, to the cases she was working on. There was never a dull moment with her.
Which leads me to some of my issues with this story. Halfway through the story, I started to see a slightly annoying pattern. I noticed the writer likes to have calm moments before having these abrupt, action filled scenes. It was exciting the first couple of times, but after awhile, I was getting metaphorical whiplash and would rather a smoother transition into the action. Often when that approach was utilized, it wasn't enough suspense for me prior to the action. Not to mention, there was a highly unnecessary chase scene in the beginning of the story. A random, "crazy" woman on the road tried to run over Yoon because... she assumed Yoon, then Luke slept with her husband?? This scene wasn't mentioned again in the story and it only delayed the plot.
My next point, this book is very sexual, even overly sexual to the point that I'm wondering what some of these side stories and interactions have anything to do with the plot, outside of expanding Yoon's powers through sexual references. Most of them, have some relation to sex, and if I'm not mistaken, she could also spot murderers and their victims. There's a way angle your character in a nonsexual way. Way too many times, I see Yoon's bum or frontside in the panel to show she's talking or seeing something in the distance. You can easily draw her side profile or her feet/ legs or perhaps ANYTHING else on her body to show she's talking or looking at something without entirely taking up the panel. Also, in one of her side stories, if the family is having sex with the butler, why are the strings black for murder and not blue for sexual connections?? Overall, the level of sexualization was just a bit too much and unnecessary for me at times. Was the 'naughty girl' remark from Finch really necessary? It felt incredibly gross.
The ending was fairly decent. I found it to be a very powerful moment for Yoon to finally confront the main antagonist and stand in her truth!! However, I felt no ways about the antagonist their self. This person was barely mentioned in the story and though I was proud of Yoon for embracing her genuine self, I felt absolutely nothing for the other person. I know they're supposed to represent all the haters and doubters in Yoon's life, but if I had more information about said person, then I'd feel more of a emotional connection in that moment.
I appreciate the author's choice to not reduce Litty as just some promiscuous, overly sexual being just because she's a porn star. She also does plenty of charity work, she's a dog lover, dare I say a book reviewer, and seemingly a hockey enthusiast.
Regardless of my mixed feelings, String still was an exciting, intriguing, fast paced story. If you're into queer narratives and high-stakes mysteries with explicit sexual content, this is definitely for you!
2.5
This book offers a compelling blend of queer representation and an intense mystery, laced with explicit sexual elements. Nothing like anything I've read before. Beyond the eye-catching cover of 'String,' the story's intriguing and original concept truly piqued my interest. Initially, I was blown away by the illustrations. The art style was exceptional, and the bold colors made the story visually unforgettable.
I thought the concept of Yoon's powers was quite intriguing. Her character, overall, was interesting and relatable. From her hairstyle, to her type of humor, to hobbies, to the cases she was working on. There was never a dull moment with her.
Which leads me to some of my issues with this story. Halfway through the story, I started to see a slightly annoying pattern. I noticed the writer likes to have calm moments before having these abrupt, action filled scenes. It was exciting the first couple of times, but after awhile, I was getting metaphorical whiplash and would rather a smoother transition into the action. Often when that approach was utilized, it wasn't enough suspense for me prior to the action. Not to mention, there was a highly unnecessary chase scene in the beginning of the story. A random, "crazy" woman on the road tried to run over Yoon because... she assumed Yoon, then Luke slept with her husband?? This scene wasn't mentioned again in the story and it only delayed the plot.
My next point, this book is very sexual, even overly sexual to the point that I'm wondering what some of these side stories and interactions have anything to do with the plot, outside of expanding Yoon's powers through sexual references. Most of them, have some relation to sex, and if I'm not mistaken, she could also spot murderers and their victims. There's a way angle your character in a nonsexual way. Way too many times, I see Yoon's bum or frontside in the panel to show she's talking or seeing something in the distance. You can easily draw her side profile or her feet/ legs or perhaps ANYTHING else on her body to show she's talking or looking at something without entirely taking up the panel. Also, in one of her side stories, if the family is having sex with the butler, why are the strings black for murder and not blue for sexual connections?? Overall, the level of sexualization was just a bit too much and unnecessary for me at times. Was the 'naughty girl' remark from Finch really necessary? It felt incredibly gross.
The ending was fairly decent. I found it to be a very powerful moment for Yoon to finally confront the main antagonist and stand in her truth!! However, I felt no ways about the antagonist their self. This person was barely mentioned in the story and though I was proud of Yoon for embracing her genuine self, I felt absolutely nothing for the other person. I know they're supposed to represent all the haters and doubters in Yoon's life, but if I had more information about said person, then I'd feel more of a emotional connection in that moment.
I appreciate the author's choice to not reduce Litty as just some promiscuous, overly sexual being just because she's a porn star. She also does plenty of charity work, she's a dog lover, dare I say a book reviewer, and seemingly a hockey enthusiast.
Regardless of my mixed feelings, String still was an exciting, intriguing, fast paced story. If you're into queer narratives and high-stakes mysteries with explicit sexual content, this is definitely for you!
February 18, 2025
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my opinions.
‘String� presents an intriguing premise, offering a unique blend of science fiction and social commentary. However, while the core concept has potential, the execution struggles under the weight of heavy-handed messaging, which at times overshadows both the plot and character development.
Plot: ★★☆☆�
At its core, the plot of ‘String� has a compelling foundation, but it often takes a backseat to the book’s political and social themes. While messages about gender identity, toxic masculinity, and women's rights are important and relevant, their frequency and intensity can make it difficult to stay engaged with the actual narrative. Rather than seamlessly integrating these themes into the story, they at times feel like interruptions, pulling readers out of any potential immersive experience.
Character: ★★☆☆�
The characters have potential, but like the plot, they feel somewhat overshadowed by their defining traits. While representation is valuable and welcome, the way it’s handled in ‘String� makes the characters feel more like vessels for messages rather than fully realised individuals. Their identities, occupations, and personal struggles are undoubtedly interesting, but they don’t always coalesce into well-rounded, engaging characters.
Setting: ★★★☆�
The world of ‘String� is intriguing, though it lacks the depth and development needed to make it truly immersive. There are glimpses of a fascinating setting, but they often feel underexplored, leaving the reader wanting more. The potential is certainly there, but the book prioritizes themes and character traits over truly fleshing out its world.
Illustrations: ★★☆☆�
The artwork in ‘String� is well-executed, but the style may not appeal to everyone. While the illustrations are technically solid and complement the story, they don’t necessarily enhance the reading experience in a significant way. Personal preference plays a big role here - some readers may love the aesthetic, while others, like myself, may find it less engaging.
Engagement: ★☆☆☆�
Due to the overwhelming focus on social and political themes, it can be difficult to stay fully engaged with the story. Readers who are looking for a plot-driven experience may find themselves struggling to stay invested as the narrative frequently shifts its focus. While some may appreciate the book’s dedication to addressing important topics, others may find it disrupts the overall storytelling flow.
Readability: ★★★☆�
Despite its other shortcomings, ‘String� is well-written in terms of prose. Paul Tobin’s style is clear and easy to follow, making for a smooth reading experience. However, the density of the themes and messages may still make it feel heavier than its actual page count.
Enjoyment: ★☆☆☆�
Enjoyment of ‘String� will largely depend on what a reader is looking for. If you are seeking a story that focuses on its plot and characters first, this book may feel frustrating. However, if you enjoy books that engage deeply with social commentary and themes of identity, there may be more for you to appreciate. Ultimately, the book’s balance - or lack thereof - between story and message will determine how much each reader enjoys it.
‘String� is a book with an important voice but struggles with its execution. While its themes are relevant and its writing is solid, the overwhelming focus on social commentary drowns out its core story and characters. Readers who enjoy narrative-driven storytelling may find themselves disappointed, while those who prioritise strong thematic discussions may find it more compelling.
‘String� presents an intriguing premise, offering a unique blend of science fiction and social commentary. However, while the core concept has potential, the execution struggles under the weight of heavy-handed messaging, which at times overshadows both the plot and character development.
Plot: ★★☆☆�
At its core, the plot of ‘String� has a compelling foundation, but it often takes a backseat to the book’s political and social themes. While messages about gender identity, toxic masculinity, and women's rights are important and relevant, their frequency and intensity can make it difficult to stay engaged with the actual narrative. Rather than seamlessly integrating these themes into the story, they at times feel like interruptions, pulling readers out of any potential immersive experience.
Character: ★★☆☆�
The characters have potential, but like the plot, they feel somewhat overshadowed by their defining traits. While representation is valuable and welcome, the way it’s handled in ‘String� makes the characters feel more like vessels for messages rather than fully realised individuals. Their identities, occupations, and personal struggles are undoubtedly interesting, but they don’t always coalesce into well-rounded, engaging characters.
Setting: ★★★☆�
The world of ‘String� is intriguing, though it lacks the depth and development needed to make it truly immersive. There are glimpses of a fascinating setting, but they often feel underexplored, leaving the reader wanting more. The potential is certainly there, but the book prioritizes themes and character traits over truly fleshing out its world.
Illustrations: ★★☆☆�
The artwork in ‘String� is well-executed, but the style may not appeal to everyone. While the illustrations are technically solid and complement the story, they don’t necessarily enhance the reading experience in a significant way. Personal preference plays a big role here - some readers may love the aesthetic, while others, like myself, may find it less engaging.
Engagement: ★☆☆☆�
Due to the overwhelming focus on social and political themes, it can be difficult to stay fully engaged with the story. Readers who are looking for a plot-driven experience may find themselves struggling to stay invested as the narrative frequently shifts its focus. While some may appreciate the book’s dedication to addressing important topics, others may find it disrupts the overall storytelling flow.
Readability: ★★★☆�
Despite its other shortcomings, ‘String� is well-written in terms of prose. Paul Tobin’s style is clear and easy to follow, making for a smooth reading experience. However, the density of the themes and messages may still make it feel heavier than its actual page count.
Enjoyment: ★☆☆☆�
Enjoyment of ‘String� will largely depend on what a reader is looking for. If you are seeking a story that focuses on its plot and characters first, this book may feel frustrating. However, if you enjoy books that engage deeply with social commentary and themes of identity, there may be more for you to appreciate. Ultimately, the book’s balance - or lack thereof - between story and message will determine how much each reader enjoys it.
‘String� is a book with an important voice but struggles with its execution. While its themes are relevant and its writing is solid, the overwhelming focus on social commentary drowns out its core story and characters. Readers who enjoy narrative-driven storytelling may find themselves disappointed, while those who prioritise strong thematic discussions may find it more compelling.
March 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGally and Mad Cave Studios for giving me the opportunity to read this. I originally requested this book for a few reasons. The cover art was gorgeous. I loved the different colors used, and the art style was appealing. The characters looked realistic without creeping into uncanny valley territory. Secondly, the description caught my eye and intrigued me. I wanted to know more about Yoon, why she can see strings, and why there was a black one connected to her. I was rewarded with a compelling story full of entertaining characters and mystery.
I was immediately endeared to Yoon. Some of her first interactions on the page are of being outcast among people around her. When Detective Luke Mayfield chooses to team-up with Yoon, I loved that they just rolled with her ability, and didn’t do a whole lot of skeptical questioning. The character designs for Yoon and Mayfield were perfect. Yoon, unlike a majority of characters in the story, stands out with her pink hair and brightly colored outfits. Mayfield dresses like a cliché police detective complete with the bomber jacket and clean haircut. I loved their dynamic � both so comfortable with each other from the beginning.
The story was not without its action. There were moments when the story slowed down to discuss deeper topics, but never long enough to get boring, and all of it harkened back to the overarching plot. The story never dragged, and I found the slow, character-focused moments to be just as enjoyable as the fast-paced action scenes.
Despite getting a minor amount of screentime, Litty Mondo was easily my favorite character. She was entertaining every time she was part of the story, and I love that her character was your stereotypical porn star. She had depth and character outside of her sex work. When she was first introduced, I was worried that would be her only character trait, and I’m glad it wasn’t. She was a lot of fun, and should this series continue, I hope she sticks around.
I undeniably enjoyed this graphic novel. I ate up the story so fast, and wished I could have read it without interruptions. The characters are memorable and complex, and the story is full of touching moments and action scenes that compliment each other. I eagerly hope that Tobin will continue to explore and build these characters. 4.5 stars!
I was immediately endeared to Yoon. Some of her first interactions on the page are of being outcast among people around her. When Detective Luke Mayfield chooses to team-up with Yoon, I loved that they just rolled with her ability, and didn’t do a whole lot of skeptical questioning. The character designs for Yoon and Mayfield were perfect. Yoon, unlike a majority of characters in the story, stands out with her pink hair and brightly colored outfits. Mayfield dresses like a cliché police detective complete with the bomber jacket and clean haircut. I loved their dynamic � both so comfortable with each other from the beginning.
The story was not without its action. There were moments when the story slowed down to discuss deeper topics, but never long enough to get boring, and all of it harkened back to the overarching plot. The story never dragged, and I found the slow, character-focused moments to be just as enjoyable as the fast-paced action scenes.
Despite getting a minor amount of screentime, Litty Mondo was easily my favorite character. She was entertaining every time she was part of the story, and I love that her character was your stereotypical porn star. She had depth and character outside of her sex work. When she was first introduced, I was worried that would be her only character trait, and I’m glad it wasn’t. She was a lot of fun, and should this series continue, I hope she sticks around.
I undeniably enjoyed this graphic novel. I ate up the story so fast, and wished I could have read it without interruptions. The characters are memorable and complex, and the story is full of touching moments and action scenes that compliment each other. I eagerly hope that Tobin will continue to explore and build these characters. 4.5 stars!
March 25, 2025
String, written by Paul Tobin, is a graphic novel that delves into an intriguing concept: Yoon-Sook Namgung, a young woman with the ability to see two types of "strings"—the blue ones that connect lovers and the black ones that link murderers to their victims. This original twist initially caught my attention, offering a unique premise that, although fascinating, fails to maintain the pacing and depth one might expect from a story with such potential.
Visually, String is a treat. The illustrations are stunning and vibrant, with bold use of color that brings the story to life in an impactful way. Yoon-Sook, as the protagonist, is beautifully designed, capturing the essence of her character, and the overall artwork is one of the strongest aspects of the graphic novel. The illustrations, without a doubt, stand out as a highlight.
However, the storytelling presents certain issues. The plot feels rushed, with quick jumps between different settings, making it difficult to fully immerse in each scene. The speed at which the story moves from one place to another leaves little room for emotional connection to key moments.
On the other hand, the relationship between the main characters, Yoon-Sook and Luke, never deepens significantly, making it hard to invest emotionally in their connection.
While String presents an intriguing narrative and boasts stunning visuals, it is a unique work that might appeal to those who enjoy graphic novels with a different twist.
3 Reasons to Read String
Unique and Intriguing Premise: The concept of the "strings" that connect people in different contexts is innovative and provides a fresh perspective on themes of love and crime.
Stunning Artwork: The illustration in String is vibrant and detailed, capturing the essence of the story in a visually appealing and emotionally intense way.
Fast-Paced and Exciting Adventures: If you enjoy narratives with rapid pacing, unexpected twists, and a tense atmosphere, String offers a dynamic and unique experience.
Visually, String is a treat. The illustrations are stunning and vibrant, with bold use of color that brings the story to life in an impactful way. Yoon-Sook, as the protagonist, is beautifully designed, capturing the essence of her character, and the overall artwork is one of the strongest aspects of the graphic novel. The illustrations, without a doubt, stand out as a highlight.
However, the storytelling presents certain issues. The plot feels rushed, with quick jumps between different settings, making it difficult to fully immerse in each scene. The speed at which the story moves from one place to another leaves little room for emotional connection to key moments.
On the other hand, the relationship between the main characters, Yoon-Sook and Luke, never deepens significantly, making it hard to invest emotionally in their connection.
While String presents an intriguing narrative and boasts stunning visuals, it is a unique work that might appeal to those who enjoy graphic novels with a different twist.
3 Reasons to Read String
Unique and Intriguing Premise: The concept of the "strings" that connect people in different contexts is innovative and provides a fresh perspective on themes of love and crime.
Stunning Artwork: The illustration in String is vibrant and detailed, capturing the essence of the story in a visually appealing and emotionally intense way.
Fast-Paced and Exciting Adventures: If you enjoy narratives with rapid pacing, unexpected twists, and a tense atmosphere, String offers a dynamic and unique experience.
February 17, 2025
First and foremost, a big thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the ARC! As always, all thoughts are my own.
The premise? Absolutely killer (no pun intended). A woman who can see the invisible strings connecting people who’ve hooked up and, more disturbingly, the dark strings between killers and their victims? Yeah, I was all in from the start. Add a gorgeous cover and some fantastic interior art with lush, atmospheric coloring, and I was ready to be blown away.
But then� the story happened. Or rather, it sort of rushed past me before I even had time to care. The pacing is fast, but not in a gripping, edge-of-your-seat way—more like someone hitting the fast-forward button just a little too hard. The mystery? Let’s just say, if you glanced at the right panel, you could probably point out the killer early on. And the characters? No development, no meaningful bonds, not even between the two supposed partners working the case. It all felt disappointingly hollow.
Now, let’s talk representation. I’m all for diverse, well-written characters and authentic representation in media. However, in String, it felt like representation itself became a character - one that overshadowed the actual plot. The comic spends an excessive amount of time on sex, cheating, and characters constantly thinking about, well� more sex. Meanwhile, the core premise - the murder strings - got left in the dust. If the story had focused more on its central mystery rather than who’s sleeping with whom and sexual fantasies and comments, it might have worked better.
To be fair, this is just the first arc and the first book in the series. But honestly? It wraps up as a mostly complete story, so you won’t be left hanging if you decide to stop here.
Final thoughts? Not impressed. Stunning visuals, great potential, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
The premise? Absolutely killer (no pun intended). A woman who can see the invisible strings connecting people who’ve hooked up and, more disturbingly, the dark strings between killers and their victims? Yeah, I was all in from the start. Add a gorgeous cover and some fantastic interior art with lush, atmospheric coloring, and I was ready to be blown away.
But then� the story happened. Or rather, it sort of rushed past me before I even had time to care. The pacing is fast, but not in a gripping, edge-of-your-seat way—more like someone hitting the fast-forward button just a little too hard. The mystery? Let’s just say, if you glanced at the right panel, you could probably point out the killer early on. And the characters? No development, no meaningful bonds, not even between the two supposed partners working the case. It all felt disappointingly hollow.
Now, let’s talk representation. I’m all for diverse, well-written characters and authentic representation in media. However, in String, it felt like representation itself became a character - one that overshadowed the actual plot. The comic spends an excessive amount of time on sex, cheating, and characters constantly thinking about, well� more sex. Meanwhile, the core premise - the murder strings - got left in the dust. If the story had focused more on its central mystery rather than who’s sleeping with whom and sexual fantasies and comments, it might have worked better.
To be fair, this is just the first arc and the first book in the series. But honestly? It wraps up as a mostly complete story, so you won’t be left hanging if you decide to stop here.
Final thoughts? Not impressed. Stunning visuals, great potential, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
March 21, 2025
*I was given an Advance Reader Copy of this comic / graphic novel by the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
String is such an interesting and unique concept brought to the page by Paul Tobin. Yoon-Sook can see two types of strings connecting people to each other, one which shows who has been sexually intimate, and one which shows who has (or will be) murdered and who is their murderer. This was such a cool idea I was intrigued right away.
The art is great as well. Super bright and clear and the scenes were easy to follow. The artist, Carlos Javier Olivares and Colorist, Sara Colella, did a great job working together to keep things flowing without becoming muddy which is a complaint I sometimes have with comics and graphic novels that are action-focused. I also really enjoyed the subdued neon tones.
The main character Yoon-Sook was really funny and likeable and fully fleshed-out, which is great given the short form quality of graphic novels. I also really appreciated there was a dog and cat, Grapefruit and Turtle. The cast of characters was also diverse.
This comic / graphic novel would appeal to anyone who is into detective-focused or action-based comics with fierce female main characters, and a diverse cast of characters. The characters are also sex worker positive, inclusive, and Queer-friendly. Aside from there being police presence in the comic, it could be a good addition to LGBTQIA+ reading lists potentially.
This was a solid start to a series, and I’m certainly invested in reading on to find out more about Yoon-Sook’s ability to see strings, and find out what happens with the characters introduced so far, particularly, Yoon-Sook and Detective Mayfield. I’m also impressed with the layout and design production of Mad Cave Studios, a new-to-me publisher, and will be seeking more from them.
String is such an interesting and unique concept brought to the page by Paul Tobin. Yoon-Sook can see two types of strings connecting people to each other, one which shows who has been sexually intimate, and one which shows who has (or will be) murdered and who is their murderer. This was such a cool idea I was intrigued right away.
The art is great as well. Super bright and clear and the scenes were easy to follow. The artist, Carlos Javier Olivares and Colorist, Sara Colella, did a great job working together to keep things flowing without becoming muddy which is a complaint I sometimes have with comics and graphic novels that are action-focused. I also really enjoyed the subdued neon tones.
The main character Yoon-Sook was really funny and likeable and fully fleshed-out, which is great given the short form quality of graphic novels. I also really appreciated there was a dog and cat, Grapefruit and Turtle. The cast of characters was also diverse.
This comic / graphic novel would appeal to anyone who is into detective-focused or action-based comics with fierce female main characters, and a diverse cast of characters. The characters are also sex worker positive, inclusive, and Queer-friendly. Aside from there being police presence in the comic, it could be a good addition to LGBTQIA+ reading lists potentially.
This was a solid start to a series, and I’m certainly invested in reading on to find out more about Yoon-Sook’s ability to see strings, and find out what happens with the characters introduced so far, particularly, Yoon-Sook and Detective Mayfield. I’m also impressed with the layout and design production of Mad Cave Studios, a new-to-me publisher, and will be seeking more from them.
February 21, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an ARC and giving me the opportunity to share my honest review.
“I should be driving, Luke, I'm the one who can see the strings.�
“Not a chance, Yoon. Consultants aren't allowed to drive and it's my car and I would cry like a child.�
This vibrantly illustrated graphic novel follows Yoon-Sook Namgung, a 25-year-old Korean-American woman with the unique ability to see two types of “strings� connecting various people: one blue, stretching between intimate partners, the other —dark black� connecting murderers and their victims. She puts her abilities to good use by aiding the police in solving homicide cases, and earns a living by using the blue strings to help people expose their cheating partners. All is good, until one day she discovers a black string connected to herself, and she's set in a race against time to uncover her would be murderer.
The story is fast-paced and engaging throughout, and we see Yoon in her element, solving her open cases in an attempt to prevent her murder. I enjoyed seeing her interact with her clients and the suspects in their cases - none of them felt one-dimensional or cartoonish, and it made for a truly compelling story. The easy-going banter between Yoon and Luke, the police officer she were consulting, in particular, was a highlight.
Another strength of "String" is the artwork - the entire graphic novel is illustrated in full, vivid color, that only enhances the story - excellent work by Carlos Javier Olivares and Sara Colella!
That being said, the graphic novel does include quite a bit of violence and one particular graphic sex panel, so it might not be suitable for a younger audience.
“I should be driving, Luke, I'm the one who can see the strings.�
“Not a chance, Yoon. Consultants aren't allowed to drive and it's my car and I would cry like a child.�
This vibrantly illustrated graphic novel follows Yoon-Sook Namgung, a 25-year-old Korean-American woman with the unique ability to see two types of “strings� connecting various people: one blue, stretching between intimate partners, the other —dark black� connecting murderers and their victims. She puts her abilities to good use by aiding the police in solving homicide cases, and earns a living by using the blue strings to help people expose their cheating partners. All is good, until one day she discovers a black string connected to herself, and she's set in a race against time to uncover her would be murderer.
The story is fast-paced and engaging throughout, and we see Yoon in her element, solving her open cases in an attempt to prevent her murder. I enjoyed seeing her interact with her clients and the suspects in their cases - none of them felt one-dimensional or cartoonish, and it made for a truly compelling story. The easy-going banter between Yoon and Luke, the police officer she were consulting, in particular, was a highlight.
Another strength of "String" is the artwork - the entire graphic novel is illustrated in full, vivid color, that only enhances the story - excellent work by Carlos Javier Olivares and Sara Colella!
That being said, the graphic novel does include quite a bit of violence and one particular graphic sex panel, so it might not be suitable for a younger audience.
March 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Mad Cave Studios, and Paul Tobin for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!
25-year-old Korean-American Yoon-Sook Namgung has a secret ability - she can she 'strings' of fate between people - blue strings for s*xual encounters, and black strings between murderers and their victims. If you've got a problem in these areas, Yoon can solve it for you - a reputation which comes with no small amount of suspicion and derision. Despite the drama, TMI, and random targeting this ability causes, things are generally going well for Yoon in her Seattle slice-of-life until she wakes up entangled in her own black string. Time is of the essence to figure out - with the help of her new police partner - if she is predator or prey in this game of cat-and-mouse!
I loved the concept of this story and the payoff did not disappoint! This was a fun take on a whodunnit-type cop story a la Psych, with lots of drama and wacky happenings (Yoon gets a dog thrown at her and there's a Kardashian-type family side plot, for example) rife for exploring in future editions. I love the inclusivity of the characters here (Yoon's partner goes by they/them, there's an OnlyFans model who's a real and fleshed out character, Yoon herself has relationships with men and women, and s*x work is normalized in this modern-Seattle universe), and there's plenty of drama without being overly gory or s*xual just for the sake of being s*xual. That being said, there is adult content in this series so I would not say it's suitable for young readers, but I had a great time with it and cant wait to untangle the mysteries behind Yoon-Sook's powers in subsequent volumes!
25-year-old Korean-American Yoon-Sook Namgung has a secret ability - she can she 'strings' of fate between people - blue strings for s*xual encounters, and black strings between murderers and their victims. If you've got a problem in these areas, Yoon can solve it for you - a reputation which comes with no small amount of suspicion and derision. Despite the drama, TMI, and random targeting this ability causes, things are generally going well for Yoon in her Seattle slice-of-life until she wakes up entangled in her own black string. Time is of the essence to figure out - with the help of her new police partner - if she is predator or prey in this game of cat-and-mouse!
I loved the concept of this story and the payoff did not disappoint! This was a fun take on a whodunnit-type cop story a la Psych, with lots of drama and wacky happenings (Yoon gets a dog thrown at her and there's a Kardashian-type family side plot, for example) rife for exploring in future editions. I love the inclusivity of the characters here (Yoon's partner goes by they/them, there's an OnlyFans model who's a real and fleshed out character, Yoon herself has relationships with men and women, and s*x work is normalized in this modern-Seattle universe), and there's plenty of drama without being overly gory or s*xual just for the sake of being s*xual. That being said, there is adult content in this series so I would not say it's suitable for young readers, but I had a great time with it and cant wait to untangle the mysteries behind Yoon-Sook's powers in subsequent volumes!
March 27, 2025
Yoon-Sook Namgung has a weird but useful talent: she can see the connections between people. Blue strings link sexual partners, while black strings connect murderers to their victims. Naturally, this makes her pretty good at solving crimes (and confirming cheating scandals—yikes). Life’s messy, but it’s manageable.
Until one day, she notices something horrifying—a black string tied to herself. Meaning she’s either about to kill someone or get murdered. Fantastic. Now she’s on a mission to figure out who’s at the other end before it’s too late.
She’s not in this alone, though. The detective she works with is skeptical, exasperated, and somehow still putting up with her. Their dynamic adds a fun push-and-pull to the mystery, balancing Yoon’s chaos with some much-needed structure.
String is one of those stories with a killer premise (pun intended) and the execution to back it up. Yoon is sharp, funny, and just the right amount of a disaster, making her an easy protagonist to root for. The murder mystery angle keeps things tense, while the whole “string-seeing� ability adds a fun supernatural twist. Plus, the art does a great job of visualizing all these invisible connections without overwhelming the page.
It also looks like this is just the beginning of Yoon’s story. A lot of questions are still left unanswered, and I’d love to see what the future has in store for her. If this really is the first in a series, count me in for whatever comes next.
If you like mysteries with a supernatural edge, a lead who reacts to impending doom with sarcasm and determination, and a detective just trying to survive her nonsense, String is absolutely worth checking out.
Until one day, she notices something horrifying—a black string tied to herself. Meaning she’s either about to kill someone or get murdered. Fantastic. Now she’s on a mission to figure out who’s at the other end before it’s too late.
She’s not in this alone, though. The detective she works with is skeptical, exasperated, and somehow still putting up with her. Their dynamic adds a fun push-and-pull to the mystery, balancing Yoon’s chaos with some much-needed structure.
String is one of those stories with a killer premise (pun intended) and the execution to back it up. Yoon is sharp, funny, and just the right amount of a disaster, making her an easy protagonist to root for. The murder mystery angle keeps things tense, while the whole “string-seeing� ability adds a fun supernatural twist. Plus, the art does a great job of visualizing all these invisible connections without overwhelming the page.
It also looks like this is just the beginning of Yoon’s story. A lot of questions are still left unanswered, and I’d love to see what the future has in store for her. If this really is the first in a series, count me in for whatever comes next.
If you like mysteries with a supernatural edge, a lead who reacts to impending doom with sarcasm and determination, and a detective just trying to survive her nonsense, String is absolutely worth checking out.
April 8, 2025
Hmmm� a graphic novel where the concept is stronger than the execution. The heroine can see strings between people that could get unravelled to reveal � if blue � who tupped who, and � if black � a connection via murder. Very rarely they can be predictive strings. The first of these five issues has her meet a new cop partner (cue pronoun mangling as an opening salvo, yawn) and solve a cold case, but the second starts with something very different, as our MC sees a new string emanating from herself. And it's not a promise of nookie...
The execution, then� Well, a lot of this is done with a determined zing to the dialogue, all snap and snazz, as if this is an old black and white oddball couple comedy. It's not � it's an uneven spread of serious crime, stupid crime, and more. The serious crime is there because of the strings concept and the inherent threat that our gal will kill or be killed, the zany crime is from � well, I'll leave it to you to discover, and the 'more' includes implausibly woke porn actresses, expressive French bulldogs, and, well, more. Oh, and when we get violence through the uneven soup of ingredients, it's often punctuated by pointless F-bombs and nothing else, as if the author's teenaged self is being channelled.
All in all it's still very readable � it's not something to take too much of your time, and it has the brio it needed to dip in and out of this world in mini-series form. But it's missing a golden chance to be a whole lot classier than it is, leaving this three and a half stars and me doubting if I could ever be tied down to return for more puerile wackiness.
The execution, then� Well, a lot of this is done with a determined zing to the dialogue, all snap and snazz, as if this is an old black and white oddball couple comedy. It's not � it's an uneven spread of serious crime, stupid crime, and more. The serious crime is there because of the strings concept and the inherent threat that our gal will kill or be killed, the zany crime is from � well, I'll leave it to you to discover, and the 'more' includes implausibly woke porn actresses, expressive French bulldogs, and, well, more. Oh, and when we get violence through the uneven soup of ingredients, it's often punctuated by pointless F-bombs and nothing else, as if the author's teenaged self is being channelled.
All in all it's still very readable � it's not something to take too much of your time, and it has the brio it needed to dip in and out of this world in mini-series form. But it's missing a golden chance to be a whole lot classier than it is, leaving this three and a half stars and me doubting if I could ever be tied down to return for more puerile wackiness.
March 17, 2025
That was pretty cool.
I had imagined the string thing to be more secretive, that Yoon is a private detective in the shadows or something, and was surprised that it’s a public ability. Although most people think she’s a witch. Still, there were some ‘private detective� moments, like her going to a gang bar.
Overall cool idea, and a nice twist on the red string of fate � blue string for sexual partners, and black string for murder-victim.
I loved the ‘reality� parts of it. Like, actual police work: watching surveillance cameras all day, instead of chasing cars on the streets all the time (although that is part of the job as well). Or porn star characters, who are human beings, where the porn acting isn’t a 24/7 job, and that they aren’t perverted or horny all the time. (Litty was quite a deep character actually!)
It being queernormative also was very nice.
The only contra I have is that the art was a bit ... odd at times. Overall really great drawings, typical American comics style, and lots of details. Also distinct character designs. But sometimes too intense, especially during the action scenes, tho even during the slice of life scenes, the expressions were always very ... how to put it? Realistic, but too realistic perhaps?
Not an argument to not check it out, though.
I’m not sure whether it’s a series, the epilogue teased a bit, but I’m definitely looking forward to a sequel, if there is gonna be one.
~
Thank you to Mad Cave Studios for an e-ARC.
-16.03.25
I had imagined the string thing to be more secretive, that Yoon is a private detective in the shadows or something, and was surprised that it’s a public ability. Although most people think she’s a witch. Still, there were some ‘private detective� moments, like her going to a gang bar.
Overall cool idea, and a nice twist on the red string of fate � blue string for sexual partners, and black string for murder-victim.
I loved the ‘reality� parts of it. Like, actual police work: watching surveillance cameras all day, instead of chasing cars on the streets all the time (although that is part of the job as well). Or porn star characters, who are human beings, where the porn acting isn’t a 24/7 job, and that they aren’t perverted or horny all the time. (Litty was quite a deep character actually!)
It being queernormative also was very nice.
The only contra I have is that the art was a bit ... odd at times. Overall really great drawings, typical American comics style, and lots of details. Also distinct character designs. But sometimes too intense, especially during the action scenes, tho even during the slice of life scenes, the expressions were always very ... how to put it? Realistic, but too realistic perhaps?
Not an argument to not check it out, though.
I’m not sure whether it’s a series, the epilogue teased a bit, but I’m definitely looking forward to a sequel, if there is gonna be one.
~
Thank you to Mad Cave Studios for an e-ARC.
-16.03.25
February 7, 2025
3.25 stars
String revolves around Yoon-Sook Namgung who can perceive strings between people. Blue for sexual partners, black for murderer and victim.
"The beauty of it is, nobody really knows what I can do, not even me, so it's easy to fool people. Of course, some people are just easily fooled because they're, you know, fools."
This comic has such a unique premise, I had to pick it up. Though overall I ended up having mixed feelings about the execution. I think the story is very interesting and features a lot of players and elements without feeling overcrowded. Overall it is a well woven story.
However the good gets bogged down by the clunky. The first arc in this comic is extremely slow and mostly features clumsy exposition. Everything feels like it just doesn't flow well. Besides this the art style and anatomy feel too inconsistent at times.
On the other hand the vibrant colours fit the vibe of the story perfectly. And while the character diversity feels a bit shoehorned in at the start, I am always thankful to see a variety of ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender expressions in a story.
I would recommend String to people looking for a crime story with a unique premise and a diverse cast. While the beginning is a bit clunky, it's quite enjoyable once it gets going.
Thank you Paul Tobin and Mad Cave Studios for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
String revolves around Yoon-Sook Namgung who can perceive strings between people. Blue for sexual partners, black for murderer and victim.
"The beauty of it is, nobody really knows what I can do, not even me, so it's easy to fool people. Of course, some people are just easily fooled because they're, you know, fools."
This comic has such a unique premise, I had to pick it up. Though overall I ended up having mixed feelings about the execution. I think the story is very interesting and features a lot of players and elements without feeling overcrowded. Overall it is a well woven story.
However the good gets bogged down by the clunky. The first arc in this comic is extremely slow and mostly features clumsy exposition. Everything feels like it just doesn't flow well. Besides this the art style and anatomy feel too inconsistent at times.
On the other hand the vibrant colours fit the vibe of the story perfectly. And while the character diversity feels a bit shoehorned in at the start, I am always thankful to see a variety of ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender expressions in a story.
I would recommend String to people looking for a crime story with a unique premise and a diverse cast. While the beginning is a bit clunky, it's quite enjoyable once it gets going.
Thank you Paul Tobin and Mad Cave Studios for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 22, 2025
String by Paul Tobin introduces an intriguing supernatural mystery with a unique premise—Yoon-Sook Namgung, a 25-year-old Korean-American woman, has the ability to see two types of invisible strings: bright blue ones connecting sexual partners and dark black ones tying murderers to their victims. But when Yoon spots a black string connected to herself, she’s faced with a terrifying question: is she about to be murdered, or is she about to kill someone?
This was a fast-paced graphic novel that I finished in just two short sittings. The concept of Yoon’s ability is fascinating and leaves endless possibilities for future storytelling. The art style complemented the story well, and I enjoyed the friendship between the two main characters, as well as the diversity they brought to the narrative. However, I did wish for a bit more depth in their individual backstories to further flesh out their personalities.
If there are future volumes, I’d absolutely pick them up—I’d love to see more development for these characters and a deeper dive into Yoon’s mysterious ability. String is an engaging, quick read with a strong concept that has the potential to grow into a compelling multi-volume series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I post about diverse & queer novels on Instagram
This was a fast-paced graphic novel that I finished in just two short sittings. The concept of Yoon’s ability is fascinating and leaves endless possibilities for future storytelling. The art style complemented the story well, and I enjoyed the friendship between the two main characters, as well as the diversity they brought to the narrative. However, I did wish for a bit more depth in their individual backstories to further flesh out their personalities.
If there are future volumes, I’d absolutely pick them up—I’d love to see more development for these characters and a deeper dive into Yoon’s mysterious ability. String is an engaging, quick read with a strong concept that has the potential to grow into a compelling multi-volume series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I post about diverse & queer novels on Instagram
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