Taproot

If you’re a fan of webcomics, then Keezy Young’s name and art might be famillar to you. I’m familiar with her Yellow Hearts webcomic running on Sparker Monthly. Once upon a time Taproot was a webcomic, and it has evolved to its final form, Young’s first graphic novel — an LGBT character driven drama that you should pick up. Having read the earlier version of this work and reading this newer, updated version I can assure you this version is even better than the original: remastered and ready for new fans to read and love.While describing Taproot, I’d hate to pidegonhole it…this comic is many things: it’s a queer love story, it’s a story of growth, of the transitions in life (AND after) and maturity. Before I forget — it’s also a ghost story! Blue is in love with his best friend Hamal, who is good with his hands and works with all manner of plants and things that grow out of the earth. It is Hamal’s calling. His gift. Blue is very much dead and Hamal can see ghosts. Yup, that’s Hamal’s other gift.There’s a strange and very dark phenomenon happening that’s unsettling the inbetween-ers like Blue and starting to seep into the physical realm where Humans reside, and it is something connected to Hamal. Good natured, sweet Hamal who is as generous with his time with folks who are flesh and blood as he is with the many ghosts that haunt the area. Blue isn’t one hundred percent sure of who or what it is, this void, this dark place that is overgrowing but when he learns Hamal may be affected by it he steps out to attempt to do something about it.Young’s art is fluid. Blue, Hamal, and the world they inhabit is gorgeously illustrated but not overpowering or seeking to overwhelm you. You can easily pick up visual clues to who is who and who belongs to what club: supernatural or human. Panels that are less detailed that may include a comedic moment or where someone is being cheeky don’t ease into the background. The use of color can’t be underestimated here: the majority of this book is more or less brightly colored and when it’s not it’s a visual clue that something isn’t right, something is out of sync and it leads the reader to new dilemmas and fears.I think back on the story: I think about how loving someone can make you fearless, make you selfless. What is it about love that makes you want to protect the one you adore even at the expense of yourself? Even when you have no clear guarantee of what will happen to you afterwards? These are just a few important questions woven into the comic that should resonate with readers.Perhaps you could draw parallels with Blue being stuck in one place for so long with being complacent, being comfortable but choosing to give all that up for someone. Someone he loves. Being courageous in the face of the unknown. Perhaps Hamal’s life is one you could see more of yourself in: choosing to make lemonade with the lot he’s been given in life and finding out he’s been granted something, no someone far more precious than he’d ever thought he’d be allowed.The emotional weight is surely heavy here: how will love change you? How will love center you to accept the things you have no control over? How will loving someone mature you to take the steps to stand and become the person you need to be for the one who love most?Originally, Taproot wasn’t long–the first version clocked in under 100 pages. I never minded because Young wrapped it up so well with an ending that I didn’t see coming. Here with pages redrawn and with an super fun epilogue that wasn’t in the original–it shines with a remastered look and feel. I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book.I’m a sucker for romance, characters that have dealings with the supernatural and circumstances that aren’t black and white — when things are clearly so far out of our hands. Taproot is a beautiful tale of how love can power us in all the best ways, make us selfless, even seek to right the wrongs and heal what’s been wrecked.

A beautiful story with a very unique and sweet feeling to it. I adore the art style, loose and colorful. The use of bright but still soft colors really create an environment that feels both familiar but different enough from our own world to feel distinctive. It is easy to get lost and wish you lived in a town like this. Hamal and Blue, as well as the side characters, are all very likable. An adult who enjoys comics and a kid looking for a short, fun story can both find things to appreciate here.

This is such a touching and beautiful graphic novel. The color use in it is just gorgeous. I feel like the color choices really fit the story being told especially in regards to Blue and Hamal. I love that it went places unexpected and evoked a lot of emotions without turning into a darker story or losing the simplicity. I feel like the simplicity really adds to the sweetness of this story. While sweet, it also evokes a lot of emotion in regards to the ghosts and things learned. I’d definitely recommend checking out content warnings especially if you struggle with topics relating to loss and/or grief. I hope the author writes more in this setting cause I’d love to see more of the other ghosts as well.

This was recommended to me from TikTok and I can say I am not disappointed. Super cute story and I really recommend it to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community or just people looking for an unconventional love story. For age wise I’d put it anywhere from 12+ years.

I loved the plot of this book. Things went a little too fast for me and the book ended before I knew it. I wish it could have been dragged out more and it was difficult for me to connect with the characters with how fast things went. Other than that, I loved this book. I loved the diverse characters and the supernatural aspects of this story. I definitely recommend reading this story.

The story is wholesome and cute, and very gay and a little creepy???? I love it. It's a great read, and i am so happy i've got this book on my shelf. I was so excited to get it, and i was extremely impressed by the quality of artwork and the heart put into the story. I love it.

Perfect

This GN was, in one word, cute. The art is playful and the colors bright and give a soothing sense. The queer love story is sweet as well. But there just wasn’t enough world-building for me. A lot of background is left out or quickly rationed out and you never see the rest. There just isn’t enough explanation as to what the rules of this world and it’s dimensions are. Additionally, there’s hints that Hamal, our gardening protagonist is bi-sexual (or otherwise towards the center of the spectrum, perhaps) but it’s not actually touched on. It was an adorable piece of work, but I felt that it still needed so much work. Cute but a little rushed and a little disappointing.

I love how the author brought the concept of nature, life and death in the story. Beautiful work. Blue became flesh when he received the soil and the roof. He became the tree but somehow he came to Hamal as a flesh human. I tried to understand what it meant. Interesting.

OMG the art in itself is a masterpiece and it together with the narrative ❤️❤️❤️❤️ no words.This comic book have everything that I love, cuteness, romance, ghosts, plants.

Yes. Beautiful art and vibes that are immaculate.

I really enjoyed this - it's a sweet and simple story about Hamal and Blue (the subtitular gardener and ghost), who have feelings for each other that are somewhat complicated by the fact that one of them is dead and strange things are happening in town. I don't want to spoil too much about the story, but I'll say that I quickly grew to like both of them, especially Hamal; the story really does a good job at condensing the ups and downs two people can experience together, and features a more satisfying conclusion than you generally get in fiction.The art is beautiful, too - Keezy is a great illustrator, the characters are all very expressive, and the plants in particular are drawn lushly and lovingly. Also, funniest grim reaper I've encountered in fiction ("I texted you a grimoire" - that really got to me!). All in all, this is a cute and affirming story with great art, and I definitely recommend you check it out!

L’histoire est incroyable. Je ne comprends pas beaucoup l’anglais mais avec les illustrations et un niveau minime en anglais l’histoire est très facile a comprendre.