Writer, Artist, Colorist & Letterer:
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price: $17.95 US/£12.99 UK/$21.50 CAN
Included In:
Boxed Set: 336 pages, FC, $59.99
ISBN: 9781787748507
Release Date: November 11, 2025
Just because she’s dead doesn’t mean Lenore can’t have fun. Nor does the embalming fluid flowing through her veins preclude her from befriending others. Yet, like all significant events in our lives, death changes us. How does Lenore seek greater connection with others? And how does she see her place in the world? Let’s leap into Lenore: Wedgies HC and see!
Story
After she revived, Lenore's family abandoned her. So, Lenore opens this volume by rewarding the people who have befriended her. Unfortunately, Mr. Gosh isn't on the guest list because he wants more from their relationship than Lenore is willing to give. But Lenore knows how to deal with party crashers.
Lenore’s brain will never develop into adulthood. Still, this means she never loses her childhood fascination with the world. Like any child, Lenore wants toys and pets. But without an adult’s supervision, she plays too roughly with them. Her short attention span also leads to avoidable accidents. Having crossed the chasm separating life from death, Lenore doesn't understand why anyone should fear the inconvenience of death.
The stories grow longer in this second collection of Lenore comics. While still including one-page slices of life, humorous musings, or reflections on society, Roman Dirge grows more comfortable as a storyteller in Lenore: Wedgies HC. One story extends twelve pages, while another lasts thirteen, as Roman fills out Lenore's world and paves the way toward devoting a complete Lenore issue to one story.
As in Noogies, Lenore doesn’t feature in every story. Roman Dirge's Things About Me also becomes a regular feature. Roman shares anecdotes from his magic shows, relationships with his friends, memorable dates, and even an incident from his marriage. Like Lenore, Roman's tales demonstrate how easily others can misunderstand us. But by sharing his journey with us, and highlighting the wacky aspects of life, he grants Lenore a place in our hearts in Lenore: Wedgies HC.
Art
Roman Dirge opens each of the four issues included in this volume with two covers. Most pages contain six to ten panels with straight or wobbly borders. Stories often boast a decorative title panel or a cover of their own. While most stories feature Lenore in her white-and-black dress, she occasionally wears hats or tries on other clothes. But Lenore is particular about what she wears and seems most comfortable in her burial dress.
As a cast of hundreds invades Lenore: Wedgies HC, Roman Dirge meticulously recolors his original black-and-white comics. Lights create glows, while people and objects cast shadows. Characters and backgrounds also show depth, imbuing a sense of realism into Lenore's fun but macabre world.
Black letters of various sizes inhabit dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Roman Dirge also writes letters into panel backgrounds. Sound effects heighten Lenore’s attempt to make friends, have fun, or cringe in horror when something frightens her. Additional stories and Dope Ass Tattoo pages round out this tastefully bound volume. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a physical copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Without parents to instruct her in the consequences of her actions, Lenore's harmless fun may have tragic results. Still, as she seeks to understand her world by channeling the power of beloved children's stories, fairytales, and songs, Lenore also tries to fix what's broken. After reviving the spirit of a vampire imprisoned in a doll, Ragamuffin repays Lenore with his friendship. The undead doll helps the embalmed girl navigate the ups and downs of her unlife in a world that disowned her in Lenore: Wedgies HC.
Rating 9.8/10
For more, see my preview of Lenore Slipcase Set.
Watch an animated version of Kitty #53 on youtube, one story in Lenore: Wedgies HC.
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