As one of my last reads for 2021, I picked up this attractive-looking comic called Crema by Johnnie Christmas and Dante Luiz. I don't remember why I had this on my TBR, but it probably had something to do with the cover. I like the choice of watercolors they used for the artwork, and I think that's what drew me in. That, and the synopsis, mentioned something about ghosts and unrequited love. It sounded interesting.
"Esme, a barista, feels invisible, like a ghost.... Also, when Esme drinks too much coffee she actually sees ghosts.
Yara, the elegant heir to a coffee plantation, is always seen, but only has eyes for Esme.
Their world is turned upside down when the strange ghost of an old-world nobleman begs Esme to take his letter from NYC to a haunted coffee farm in Brazil, to reunite him with his lost love of a century ago. Bringing sinister tidings of unrequited love."
Unfortunately, this graphic wasn't hitting. What bothered me the most about it was the transitions throughout the story. It's not the average beginning-middle-end story, but the readers need to use their imagination to fill in the blanks. A few scenarios presented didn't have a build-up to how we got there, i.e., when we were introduced to the first ghost. I had many questions regarding Esme's character and her ability to see ghosts when she drinks too much coffee. It was never explained clearly, and I guess she never went to find out. I wanted to know why a particular ghost stayed with her throughout her life and her significance to Esme. I also wanted to learn more about Josie's character. I don't know if she was written to be mysterious or aloof, but she was frustrating. I felt like I didn't learn anything about her character.
I did like the story of Josie's ancestors. Two lovebirds are separated for a time, unable to find their way back to each other, even in death, becoming my new favorite trope. And the slight (I mean, anybody should have seen it coming) twist that didn't oversaturate the story made it worth finishing for me.
Overall I rated this 3-stars. It was a good idea, and honestly, if it was made into a book, I could get all the answers I'm looking for. But as a comic, I'll pass on it if any future volumes are coming out. I was hoping for something exotic with a supernatural twist, but, alas. At least I can knock this off my TBR pile. I will randomly say that ComiXology Originals and Kindle U have a great partnership because the way I experienced reading this comic was a game-changer. I need the rest of my comics and graphic novels to move through the screen the way Crema did for me.
