Webtoon Spotlight

Spotlight#175: Bingo Love

Have you ever wanted to take a leap for love? If so then on this grand Single's Awareness day or (Valentine's Day for all the rubes out there) I would like to cover Bingo Love by Tee Franklin and Jenn St-Onge.

Summary

February 10th 1963 may have been a random day to most people but for Hazel Johnson it was the day her life changed forever. Because it was the day she saw Mari McCray, her true love entered the classroom. From then on the two became inseparable, sharing stories, meals and even in their first kiss. Much to the dismay of their grandmothers who split them apart before marrying them off to distant husbands.

Flash forward 50 years and Hazel is a devoted wife and grandmother to her large family, all while still thinking of what could've been. So when fate decides to fall upon her lap once again and reunite her with her lost love, Hazel jumps at her second chance, no matter what obstacles get in her way.

Characters

Hazel Johnson: Our main character, Hazel is often a nervous yet sweet girl who always put people first. Whether it be through her love for Mari or the future family she creates. However when she finally sees Mari again Hazel reawakens with a new fire underneath her.

Mari McCray: Compared to Hazel Mari's always had an idea of what she wants, cultivating a very headstrong and determined woman. Still even her resolve is limited, as her oppressive and overly religious family lets her miss out on time she wishes she can get back.

Overview

I really wanted this cluster to have something for both Black History month and Valentine's Day while at the sametime highlighting more Western comics outside of Marvel and Dc. Bingo Love not only gave me all 3 prerequisites but also gave me the chance to shout out Tee Franklin. If the name sounds unfamiliar to you then I definitely think you've seen her work.

Tee Franklin is a black, autistic, queer, disabled comic book writer and public speaker who is from New Jersey. While her work on Bingo Love put her on the map in the comic scene Tee Franklin afterwards would later go on to write Harley Quinn: Eat, Kill Bang Tour based on the Harley Quinn show and also created Charlotte Weber A.K.A. Sun Spider who has a cameo in ASTV (Do you think Spider-People often use comedy as a crutch.)

Jenn st-onge also has a pretty strong record, most famous for her work on the Jem and the Holograms Misfits miniseries. I think both manage to combine to create a really compelling short story. Bingo Love is a story that very much tackles patriarchal gender norms, repressed homophobia and religion.

Despite the book having a very approachable tone it doesn't change there is a sense of melancholy behind the beautiful art and colors of Joy San. Hazel and Mari's separation are tragic not just because of their separation but also because they were separated from ever truly exploring their feelings and who they really are. Making their sudden, but very heartwarming reunion so sweet.

Because if there is one real message behind Bingo Love, it's the idea that in our short lifespans where nothing is certain we must try to instill spaces where we can continue to explore ourselves, or fight like hell to make that space for ourselves. That doesn't mean that everything is sunshine and literal rainbows though.

Bingo Love does take it's time to show the difficult transitions that changes in identity can have, but it also shows the great rewards. Despite my praises though I do have a couple of critiques. Despite being a pretty long book I do kinda of wish we got more, elaboration. I know that Bingo Love has a couple of digital releases but because we are viewing things from Hazel's perspective the lives of other characters like her husband James and wife Mari is shown rather then told.

Could this limited view be used to keep Hazel and by extension those who relate to her in focus? Most likely but I think these different perspectives would've been very much needed. Either way having this book separated in parts or possibly having multiple "issues" I think could've allowed for more of these different perspectives to be shown. EIther way I think any nitpick which basically is me saying I want more is one that should be looked positively.

Epilogue

All in all I'm glad that I reread and recovered Bingo Love. After these years I think it still deserves the praise and awards it's gotten. I hope I can use Bingo Love as a way to further show more diverse stories on my blog. If only because I wish to be part of the change I see in the world. 2024 is going to be a new era for the spotlight. I hope you're all here to see it.