Still fresh off of its Eisner sweep, BOOM Studios' Lumberjanes is facing an exhilarating but bittersweet new era. While co-creators Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson and Brooke A. Allen have their Eisner accolades and an in-the-works Lumberjanes live-action movie to celebrate, the latest issue in the series is Stevenson's last. She's departing the Lumberjanes team to work on other projects (most notably a YA graphic novel titled 4 Wizards, a collaboration with writer Todd Casey).
Which brings us to Lumberjanes #17, Stevenson's swan song — as deviously entertaining and gripping as it is emotionally powerful. While these qualifiers could more or less be applied to any of the Lumberjanes issues, almost as expected, with a creative new female hero-inspired catchphrase (spoiler alert: #17's is "What the Tippi Hedren?"), they're especially honest and raw in this case: we finally get a genuine and compelling audience reveal that confirms Jo's identity as a trans girl.
But first, a quick recap: when we last saw our Lumberjanes, the mysterious Abigail turned out to be a monomaniacal Ahab, while the Grootslang – a half-elephant, half-snake mythical ancient beast – ended up as her Great White Whale.
We also got some more backstory on her relationship with camp director Rosie (also continued in this issue), and learned that Jen, the cabin counselor of Mal, Jo, Ripley, Molly and April, has no idea how to drive — just as they find themselves in the middle of a Grootslang-induced avalanche.
And to make it worse, Jo's jealously over her best friend April's full-throttle crush (either of the "friend" or "more than a friend" variety) on Barney – a genial Scouting Lad, whose primary desire is to help out the Lumberjanes (which, as we find out later, is a found sense of true belonging with the group) – is starting to tear April and Jo apart.
Lumberjanes #17 opens with the girls from Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types (plus Barney), fully intact and unharmed from the Grootslang-valanche, despite Jen's lack of driving creds or snow tires. With a determination to save Rosie, Abigail and the camp no matter the cost (or a random antlered rabbit or two), the team quickly figures out the Grootslang's weakness, thanks to Ripley's penchant for being a human metal detector.
