Résumé : Dani and Zoé are two young Canadian students who have been friends since high school, who meet in New York to visit the metropolis. This trip is a dream for Dani, who plans many activities, wants to visit the city’s emblematic monuments, and photographs everything that passes, including the interior of the subway. Dani invited a friend from her art school with a strong character, Fiona, whose confidence contrasts with the two other young women. This friendly triangle is gradually put under tension by the budding romance between Fiona and Zoe. The latter then finds herself torn between the excitement of this relationship and her friendship with Dani, whose travel plans are thwarted.
Critique :After the critical success of That Summer (Rue de Sèvres, 2014), cousins Jillian (drawing) and Mariko (screenplay) Tamaki deliver with New York New York a new “slice of life” story which bears witness to a passage from adolescence to adulthood. The first trip with friends constitutes for young people – when they can afford it – a form of ritual of emancipation and an exciting moment of discovery. It is this moment that the two authors capture with finesse, through the story of the vacation week of their three characters, for which the reader nurtures a certain affection over the 400 pages of the album.
Jillian and Mariko Tamaki / © Rue de Sèvres 2024 for the French translation
Staying in a youth hostel, the three young women carry out tourist activities in New York: visiting the MoMa and the History Museum, shopping, walking in Central Park… They happily fall into the various tourist traps, and are surprised to everything, and fantasize about life in the metropolis. Based on precise sequencing and well-constructed dialogues, the story focuses on the gap that gradually widens between Dani and Zoé. In question, the presence of Fiona, who makes fun of Fiona’s enthusiasm and begins a love affair with Zoé. With her coquetry, her strong opinions on art, New York life and social relationships, Fiona annoys Dani, who also feels betrayed by Zoé.
Jillian and Mariko Tamaki / © Rue de Sèvres 2024 for the French translation
New York New York takes its time to establish its characters, probe the characters and explore the misunderstandings. Here, no shattering revelation or brutal outcome, simply a look at the bonds of friendship among young adults. This story is well served by a very flexible line drawing, punctuated by three colors, which focuses more on its characters than on the places, even if the New York atmosphere is fairly well recreated. Many of the shots chosen turn out to be very cinematic, so much so that one would hardly be surprised if the album arouses the interest of a director.
A well-written and tender “slice of life” story with its characters, New York New York reminds us of the importance and fragility of friendship through the journey of three young adults who still have the world to discover.
2024-02-10 11:29:42
#York #York #Jillian #Mariko #Tamaki #comic #book #chronicle
