Cover image for Step aside, pops : a Hark! A vagrant collectionStep Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection by Kate Beaton

Reviewed by: Carey Gibbons, Reference and Adult Services

Genre: Graphic Novel, Humor

Suggested Age: Adults, Teens

What is the book about?: Step Aside Pops is Kate Beaton’s second compilation of her popular webcomic, Hark! A Vagrant. Beaton is a historian, a nerd, and a literature buff and her comics address everything from the scandal of women riding velocipedes, to the emotional problems of Katharine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, to the stress of Wonder Woman’s job. My own personal favorite part of this book is Beaton’s take on the “strong female character” and the story arc that involves her uniquely named heroines as they attempt to take down the patriarchy (Maybe? They’re a little confused.). Beaton is both the author and artist of Hark! A Vagrant. While her comics don’t have the polished look of your standard superhero title, her style is endearing, and at times hilariously, purposefully crude.

My Review: I tried to save my love of Hark! A Vagrant for the review portion here, but I can’t keep it a secret how much I love Kate Beaton’s work. I’ve been a fan of Hark! for years and mostly read it online. But both of Beaton’s collections, Hark! A Vagrant, and Step Aside, Pops are so wonderful that I ended up buying them both. Beaton makes me laugh so hard I cry and I really do love her artistic style. If you’re looking for something humorous and unconventional, this book is for you.

Rating: 5/5

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About FDL Reads

FDL ReadsWelcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.  Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available.  If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently.  We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!