Filipa Estrela is an artist who makes the most out of the zine format, turning each one into an art objects as much as it is a comic. Rember Me?, done in conjunction with Shannon Spence and Alex Ahlquist, is a Risograph comic with various characters constructed and drawn in various overlapping ways to create a chaotic, colorful narrative about an angry doll whose body is transformed by way of choose-your-own-adventure flowchart that opens up after the last page of the story is turned. It's a funny, strange experiment that clearly features a lot of back-and-forth between the artists.
Fated Tears is one of the better 24-hour comics I've seen; that particular technique tends to produce comics that are more interesting in theory than in practice. Like diary comics, 24-hour comics are more for the benefit of the artist than the audience. In this case, Estrela once again turns to the Riso to depict the upsetting dreams of a young adult named Fate who is also struggling at her job. She finds herself waking up crying, thanks to the image of a creature feeling trapped and sad. Finding herself in a dream with the creature, she fights for its freedom and then feels free herself for the first time. It's a simple narrative that is expertly executed, from its use of color to the character design. I've been dying for Estrela to do something long-form, given their innovative use of unusual materials and their ability to create affecting, sincere, and exciting narratives.
Estrelaa's line is strong and expressive, and they remind the reader of this in two short minis, Lately, I've been feeling Ok and I'm ready to be somewhere new. The former is a lovely and cute affirmation of improved health and the latter is about the long journey to growth. Both are quite short but perfectly express their central ideas.
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