Lola: A Ghost Story is not a graphic novel I’d normally read.  Thankfully Oni Press has honored me by sending me advance copies of comics and graphic novels to read and review.  And, out of all the companies out here, they’re the ones I’m happy about the most when it comes to this.  Oni Press knows quality and, much like the graphic novels and comics sent to me before Lola: A Ghost Story stands out for quality of writing and it’s beautiful art.

Written by J. Torres and art by Elbert Or the graphic novel is a tale of a family coming together to bury a loved one, mixed with a bit of the Sixth Sense.  From Oni Press:

Jesse sees dead people, monsters, demons, and lots of other things that go bump in the night that no one else can see. No one except his ailing grandmother — a woman who used her visions to help those living in her small town. The same rural community in all the scary stories Jesse’s heard as a child. Man-eating ogres in trees. Farmhouses haunted by wraiths. Even pigs possessed by the devil. Upon his grandmother’s passing, Jesse has no choice but to face his demons and whatever else might be awaiting him at grandma’s house.

Plot: The story by J. Torres has a touching mix of heartfelt loss and supernatural.  Jesse must not only deal with the loss of a loved one but also his visions of the supernatural knowing he no longer has anyone he can relate to with the same ability.  The story can be taken for what it is a story of loss, a family in grieving that must come together the loss of a loved one.  But, also the supernatural aspect broadens the loss to include what must be done to let a loved one go after their passing.  For anyone who’s lost a loved one, this is a touching tale.  Rating: 9

Art: Elbert Or’s art is fantastic and beautiful.  It’s unique with a cartoon meets anime vibe.  It’s uniqueness enhances the story telling with numerous scenes relying solely on the art to tell the tale.  The entire graphic novel was a pleasure to just look at, with the art evoking the moods as needed.  You can check out more of the artist’s work here.  Rating: 9.5

Overall: This is a graphic novel I’m glad someone put in my hand.  A beautiful, touching tale that evokes the sorrow of losing someone close.  The story and art celebrates the love of a family coming together in a time of loss and a little boy dealing with being the only one who sees the world in a unique way.  Overall Rating: 9.25

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 112    Price: $14.95     Release: Wednesday 1/13/2010

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.