A good start with potential for this new LGBTQ graphic novel focused on a newly contrived basketball team. Charlie has transferred into the school and she is 'set upon' by the enthusiastic recruiting of Liv, who is described in the blurb as 'charming' but I just thought she was too full on. The temperature of this graphic novel is a little bit funny and a little bit serious.

I really liked some of the characters that I've met so far, Charlie, Nicole and Jay. As a team working together, I am hoping to see more of what that brings. I must say, that I felt a general disconnection with the story line that seemed to go in strange directions at times with elements that didn't make sense but might, I guess, when the next volume comes out. Seeing as Liv will be a main character, I am going to need some winning over to like her and connect with her. The burgeoning romance seemed to come out of nowhere and again, I will need some more convincing. I have to say the visuals were very appealing and that cover really does draw me in.


I voluntarily read an early copy of this book, thank you BOOM! Studios.

THIS WAS SO GOOD! It's super adorable, super queer, super diverse, and super sweet! There's a character that uses they/them pronouns, most of the cast are POC, and there's a f/f romance brewing. Add this to your TBR immediately!

First, I loved the premise of the book. It sounded pretty interesting and something I would enjoy. I thought it had a lot of potential. I did enjoy the illustrations throughout the book . However, the storyline fell flat for me. I felt like the characters acted pretty immaturely for being in college. I just didn't connect to them in a way I like to.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book to review.

this is SO CUTE!! effortlessly inclusive, beautifully illustrated, queer, and unique. Boom! studios really is doing the most out here in the best way.

The dynamic go-getter Olivia is determined to create a basketball team at her all-female drama school “The Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics”. If new transfer student Charlie joins, that will give her enough players to get started. But Charlie’s got some kind of past with the sport — she doesn’t like the team aspect any more — and Liv has a crush on her.

The conflicts are small and predictable in outcome. Of course Charlie is going to wind up joining the team. The appeal is the emotions, such as understanding the feelings of Charlie having trouble finding where she fits in, and the diverse group of characters, particularly the humor of over-enthusiastic Liv. The team also includes Liv’s ex-girlfriend Nicole, who is extremely direct, the wannabe witch Tiffany, and the quiet Jay, who uses “they” pronouns. Usdin’s voices are well-captured, and Hayes does a great job with the various attitudes, body types, action, and personalities, creating a smooth read with a focus on character.

There’s a lot of appeal and a lot to appreciate in seeing such welcoming personalities working to “be a team and have fun!” instead of worrying about competition. I feel for all the team members, and I’m curious to learn more about them. Boom! has been trying a number of misfit sport teen team comics, including Fence and Dodge City. It’s a rich subject matter area, with plenty of opportunity for drama and emotion. The Avant-Guards fits in well.

It was a cute and fun read. This was a light graphic novel that had a diverse cast of characters and a good message about opening up yourself to new people and opportunities. I thought the art style was good and that if you enjoyed Check Please or Fence then you will enjoy this one as well.

A fast paced story, but I was invested. I wish there was more character development spend on the rest of the team, but I am excited to see where this story goes next!

I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book.
It was such an amazingly cute read I honestly couldn’t get enough.
I love the style and the way the colours flowed together so well to complement the story.
The only thing that threw me was im not a big comic fan but other than that I loved the story.
I look forward to the next instalment
3 stars.

*heart-eyes emoji*

After losing her basketball scholarship at state, Charlie Bravo (yes, she’s heard that one before) is a new transfer at the Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics (“where everything is open to interpretation!”). Even though she’s vowed to steer clear of team sports, her stubbornness is no match for Olivia, an adorably plucky overachiever who managed to build a women’s basketball league, herself, from scratch. The only thing standing in Liv’s way is Charlie, by which I mean that the Avant-Guards are short just one player, and Liv has decided that Charlie is that woman.

It doesn’t hurt that Charlie is H-O-T and Liv would like nothing more than to mash their faces together in a very non-platonic way.

Sports are not normally my thing, but I do love a) intrepid heroines; b) storylines that celebrate female friendship and elevate it over rivalry; c) worlds populated by diverse peoples, especially when some of them are queer women of color; d) f/f romances; and e) black girl magic. THE AVANT-GUARDS has all of the above, in spades, as well as hoop-shooting, curvaceous witches; an on-campus coven; a pretty sexy nonbinary character named Jay; and bucket of rainbow confetti.

This is the sweetest, most adorable and wholesome book I’ve read in quite some time, and I mean that in the best way possible. THE AVANT-GUARDS is literally brimming with heart emojis. And the art is just perfect, cute and so very complementary to the story and characters. (You might say it’s an, erm, slam dunk.) Every. Single. Panel. saw me ooh-ing, ahh-ing, and sqee-ing in delight. (And, save for the doggos, I am not the squee-ing type.)

And this was all before the impromptu dog adoption event at half-time in the inaugural game! If I wasn’t already I goner by then.

This arc was provided for an honest review by netgalley.

The avant gardes volume 1 is such a cute, quick and diverse sports graphic novel full of so many diverse characters and Female Same sex sexuality’s which is amazing to see lots more of as we progress further and hopefully to just accept people as they are and not make them feel horrible about themselves.

This story is about 5 friends who need one more recruit to make a all woman basketball team that has never happened before at their college and to try and compete in the tournament. Charlie the main character bumps into this group of friends and from there we see them try and recruit Charlie into the team so they can compete and break boundaries on the sport.

I loved all the drawings and how bright and colourful it was and the writing for the story was really good aswell very modern and fresh.

Overall would definitely recommend to everyone and if your in a reading slump or don’t know what to read pick this up and it’s perfect for this month as it’s pride month

Charlie transfers to Georgia O'Keefe College of Arts and subtle Dramatics, where she is approached by a ragtag group of girls to join their new basketball team.

This was so much fun to read! I've been playing basketball for my entire life so I loved the focus on the team. The characters are amazing and I can't wait to learn more about them in future installments! I like that we actually got to know about each character and their unique personalities in their own panels! Charlie was a great main character, she was extremely moody and sarcastic and I loved every second of it. Liv, the team captain was adorably dorky. Ashley, the head coach was a lot of fun and I'm excited to see more of her joking personality in the future. Tiffany is a proud witch and I loved her so much. Nicole is the resident "bitch" of the team, but you know she is fiercely loyal to those she cares about. ALSO I LOVE THAT ONE IS NAMED JAY AND THEY LOVE PUPPIES BECAUSE HI THAT IS LITERALLY ME! The diversity in this was incredible. Each character had a different race, gender, body-type and style. There were different sexualities displayed and there was even inclusion of a non-binary character which I greatly appreciated! And puppies... there were puppies, so really... you can't go wrong.

I loved the art style and colours they chose for this and the panel layouts were also strategically and artistically done. At one point, the panels created a basketball and I really appreciated the effort that was obviously put into this.

I am beyond excited to see more from these characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy!

This was well-written comic with great illustrations. I enjoyed the concept and characters. The only downside is that I felt like it way too short and I did not get to connect with the characters.

I was provided this graphic novel (as an advanced reader copy) by NetGalley. All views expressed in this review are my own.

I absolutely adored this graphic novel! It was not only cute and adorable, but also incredibly progressive and accepting. This story revolves around the inaugural year of an all-girls basketball team (and league) at an art school. Many of the characters are women of color and/or members of the LGBT community, and it is effortless in its diversity. I love the art style and colors, as well as the story itself. I requested this on a whim, having read and loved sports novels/graphic novels such as The Foxhole Court and Check, Please!: #Hockey, Vol. 1, and I am so incredibly glad that I did. I definitely want to pick this up in physical form when it comes out and also continue on with the story.

If you enjoyed Fence, Volume 1, this has many similar themes and you should definitely add it to your TBR!

The storyline of the graphic novel is intriguing and captivating from the first page. Combined with the crisp illustration style it's a book you won't want to put down.

I was able to snag the first chapter of The Avant Guards during free comic book day, and I was SO excited to have the chance to read the full first volume thanks to NetGalley! The Avant-Guards follows Charlie, who has recently transferred to the College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics, where she ends up joining the school's brand new (and struggling) basketball team. The artwork is so cute, the characters are all unique in both personality and illustration, and the story is fun and easy to follow. I highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Avant-Guards is a refreshing graphic novel that delve into the beauty of friendship and moving on. I requested this graphic novel as I was interested with the gist and honestly, this book did not disappoint. I would love to play some hoops with Bravo, Liv, Jay, Tiffany, and Ash.

The illustrations are on point as well and the color dynamics are visually enticing. I hope this graphic book reached a wide audience it deserves.

this graphic novel is the first that I have gotten from netgalley and it did not disappoint! this was so cute and I cant wait for the next one

An epic and beautiful start to what I believe will be a classic comic. The Avant-Guards was just what I needed: a wonderful story of a new basketball team with hilarious and romantic moments in between. The colors are just gorgeous and the art made me cry so hard because it's so amazing! I would highly recommend this to everyone to be honest, and I will for the rest of my life. Cannot wait to read more of it! I'm a fan now.

Charlie Bravo has just transferred to the Georgia O’Keeffe College of Arts and Subtle Dramatics and is struggling to adapt to her new environment. She's as surprised as anyone when she is invited (repeatedly) to play for the school's brand new Division 4 women's basketball team. Despite her apprehensions (she's still recovering from an embarrassing flame out on the State school team) she quickly finds her place among her team of misfits. The characters are highly diverse and the plot is both both fun and engaging. I'm personally very much looking forward to future volumes of this series.

This was such an adorable graphic novel! It was full of friendship, though out characters, AMAZING ART, and cute sapphic love!

I loved the progression of the story and how it went into each characters unique personality. The art just captured the atmosphere of this team of misfits. The style was very realistic. I almost cried seeing a girl have love handles. The cool sports scenes were also done so well, AND THE COLORS. I loved the diversity of the characters. Body types, race, styles. There was even a Non-Binary character! But, back to the story it was a nice jump into this world and I really needed more, like right now.

Just some information, the main character is a Scorpio Sun Cap Moon, so take that how you will.

When this graphic novel comes out in print, I WILL have a copy and you should, too!