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We Are Become Pals!

Intern Grace

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Intern Grace's Team Pick:

"They used the library computers to start a website where people could report UFO sightings in their city. They never got one email."

"We Are Become Pals!" is about Helen and Jane, two friends with cute haircuts who like science and talking about serial killers. They play chess, give class presentations on UFOs and learn how to pick locks together. The writing is blunt and clever, and the illustrations are adorable. Everything about this is so good. You will probably like it.

Written by the charming but twisted Joey Comeau of A Softer World and illustrated endearingly by Jess Fink, "We Are Become Pals!" is a story about two teenaged girls who have a healthy, intense friendship with each other. It's not The Baby-Sitters Club; it's a story about two people who aren't afraid to be eccentric and creative together.

That's what friendship is really about, I think: finding someone who you can trust and confide in but also relentlessly make fun of and do stupid things with. Helen and Jane remind me a lot of some of my friends, which I think should concern me, but it actually makes me really happy.

This series is beautiful because it's simple. The girls are complete weirdos, and it's great. They don't worry about boys, they don't worry about fitting in, and they don't worry about what other people say about them. They just do what makes them happy, and if that means taking an impromptu hot air balloon ride at 5 a.m., then that's what they do, damn it.

It's hard to argue with the grandeur of lines like, "Please treat my friend the way you would treat someone with a regular-sized head." Also, chapter 5 might be in my top five things I've ever read. Possibly even my top three.

Read all of "We Are Become Pals!" here.

"This is how Jane and Helen met. It was the Halloween dance. They were both dressed as male FBI agents. "

29 responses to “We Are Become Pals!”

  1. dagensfisk

    Awesome. I just read the first chapter, and they had me at “The truth is out there”. The X Files was the first show I got hooked on as a kid (probably explains a lot about me…) and that made me totally nostalgic!

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  2. karmalaluna

    I just read the first few paragraphs and I’m hooked!

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  3. halcyon

    Thank you for linking this! I finished it and immediately had to go back and read it all again.

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  4. Sarah

    Love this. Just discovered it this past weekend.

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  5. Mae22

    Um, I LOVE this.

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  6. Meer

    “The moon landing was faked,” Caitlin said. “Everybody knows that.”

    “Fuck you! You were faked!”

    WIN.

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  7. Jacob McConnell

    Wow this is great! Never would have found it if not for this article. Thank you!

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  8. Sawyer

    I am so reading this when I get a spare day.

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  9. idotry

    :D can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the link.

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  10. Caitlin

    Lovin’ this. I watched Richard Feynman’s lecture series (he’s mentioned several times in the comic) when I was struggling with physics- http://research.microsoft.com/apps/tools/tuva/index.html#data=2%7C6b89dded-3eb8-4fa4-bbcd-7c69fe78ed0c%7C%7C
    I hate physics, but maybe you don’t.

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  11. Jasmine

    I love this so much. Thanks :)

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  12. scattered

    Joey Comeau is my favoriiiiiiite I own like every single one of his books and want to be like him when I grow up

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    1. Rachel

      HI ME TOO

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  13. Lizz

    Best.

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  14. eldie

    just read this in its entirety and i loved it! thanks for pointing me in the direction of such a cool thing! I would not have found it if left to my own lackluster devices.

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  15. Allison

    My friend and I have been sharing comics all weekend. This one looks awesome. Intern Grace, you should also read this one: http://rosalarian.com/yume/ Because it is also ridiculous and awesome. :)

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    1. tick

      I keep meaning to read yu+me, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I am, however, mildly obsessed with her Lesbian Pirates From Outer Space comic. Everyone’s life is immediately improved by lesbian space pirates, it’s a scientific fact.

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      1. Brodie

        I Was Kidnapped by Lesbian Pirates From Outer Space is so good! It is all camp-y 50s awesomeness. I have also read the first half of yu+me and it’s very different from Lesbian Pirates but also really good. I must get around to reading the second half.

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  16. Nico

    I haven’t even read this yet and I’m excited because it sounds so cool. Thanks Grace!

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  17. Arianna

    I love Joey Comeau so, so much. Thank you for reccing this – everyone ever should read his stuff.

    (Also Jess Fink is amazing, I feel I should mention. I just don’t have a weird pseudocrush on her like I do on Joey. XD)

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  18. sarah elizabeth

    This is a fantastic storyline and I am glad that it’s getting some much needed attention and love. The more quirky characters that are relatable to young girls outside of the “baby sitter’s club” box the better! Plus, Joey Comeau is wonderful. :)

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  19. Krissy

    THIS. SOUNDS. AWESOME.

    fuck.

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  20. Bren

    “Yeah,” Helen said. “Why can’t I kill people because it’s exciting and new? This is bullshit.”

    I LOVE this!

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  21. ms_anne_thropy

    THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS INTO MY LIFE

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  22. Nadia

    Oh how I love discovering things like this. :D :D :D

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