Louca, a high school student, seemingly has nothing going for him. He's failing his classes, has no real friends, and can't gain the attention of his long-term crush Julie, who seems to have a thing for jocks instead. His only shining light - a younger brother who worships him - is also a source of guilt and shame for Louca, who feels he could never live up to his kid brother's image of him. With upcoming final exams spelling the potential finale for Louca's school career, Louca suddenly meets a handsome, athletic, intelligent, funny and good-natured jock at school named Nathan, who offers to help Louca get over his awkwardness by turning the gangly, clumsy teen into a soccer legend. The only issue? Nathan is a ghost, and neither he nor Louca know why he's there - why Louca is the only one who can see him - or what happened to Nathan in the first place (though a group photo at school seems to hint at possibilities). Volume 1 of this well-written, energetic and sweetly-drawn comic ends with Louca's first game, and while giving away no spoilers all I can say is that I wish I had known the volume ended when it did because I anxiously turned the pages waiting for more ... when there was no more to come. Bruno Dequier, in Louca, has created a lovable, can't-get-out-of-his-own-way nerd whom anyone with an awkward high school life in their background will identify with, and a plotline that ends, cliffhanger-style, with readers wanting more. A charming debut. 4/5 stars
Note: I received a free eARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
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