This Graphic Novel Book Club we gathered to discuss Moms by Yeong-Shin Ma!

Initial impressions were unanimous in the feeling of unease before the relief and wincing of dark humor. 

All were struck by the transactionary nature of relationships; the power and importance of money as well as how opportunistic and typically shallow these feelings seemed, though simultaneously naïve and still hopeful. Indeed there is an aspect of "earning the relationship" and "sunk cost" in each of these affairs.

Romance and employment run parallel storylines with similar circumstances and outcomes. The frustrations expressed by the protagonists as they went through the same troubles and made the same mistakes over and over again, was deeply felt by the readers.
This unique take on the pragmatism of relationships struck a chord, addressing love and lust in a very direct and honest way.

“The attempt to unionize was so unexpected! I really enjoyed that part of it.” 

The use of technology by an older generation - less represented in media - makes the characters feel younger and is an important aspect of their daily lives as well as an outlet for their longing. This works to give the story an air of modernity and provide a foil for tradition as our protagonists struggle with gender roles and the quest for a man.