cbr14bingo Scandal Level 3 (the scandalous behavior)
This first volume of “the Wild” series, is set in the late 1970s and is a coming of age on the roller derby track. Do not worry about winning, just try to stay alive, as you hallucinate, dreams and the rival teams after you. The ketchup, mustard and hamburger colors show in minimalist format, the gruesome ugliness of it all (and the spaghetti eating contest wall of shame).
Cristian Castelo has a warp self of self. They made Wild: Or So I Was Born To Be into a psychedelic ride to Hell. I am assuming you do not take things too realistically. The rival teams have some interesting outfits, and somehow, I do not think they would allow a BDSM mask with bull horns on the track. Even if they do allow a gal to gut punch, smack, hit, and more not nice things. And even though the adults have no control over anything or anyone, somehow, I think those horns and matador suits are not part of the dress code. And do not get me started on the person in the Kinky Furry Dog Suit with a zipper mouth!
Overall, this is Wild’s (a freshman in high school, who has just had her parents divorced and her beloved, musician father is absent from her life) journey to becoming who she is meant to be, but it has the theme of roller derby as the foil. There is a lot of things not appropriate for young readers, so this is at least fourteen and up, but more likely sixteen and up. Or really, for adults and no teens should even think about it. There is drinking, smoking, language, and at least one (alluded to) sexual assault. Not to mention the black eyes, split lips, and a head exploding.
Overall, this is one ugly book, but somehow, like a car wreck, you cannot turn away. I have to say while I enjoyed this graphic novel, and the experience of finding it, I do not think there is one really redeeming quality. And yet, that is probably what makes it great.
