🎨 Book Review: Elle(s) #1 by Kid Toussaint (Kindle & comiXology Edition)
A vibrant, mystery-laced YA graphic novel that blends high school drama with a unique twist on identity—Kid Toussaint and artist Aveline Stokart deliver a visually stunning opener that hooks you with both style and intrigue.
🧠 Overview
First published in English on November 15, 2022 (originally in French in 2021), Elle(s) #1: The New Girl introduces us to Elle, a seemingly bubbly, confident teenager starting fresh at a new school. She quickly makes friends—Linotte, Maëlys, Otis, and Farid—and even stands up to the resident mean girls.
But beneath her sunny exterior lies a secret: Elle isn’t just one person. She carries multiple distinct personalities, each with its own hair color, temperament, and way of interacting with the world. These shifts happen suddenly, often triggered by stress, and leave her friends confused and concerned.
As Elle and Maëlys begin to dig into her past, they uncover hints that her mood swings and memory gaps may be tied to something deeper in her childhood. The volume ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the mystery for future installments.
🎨 Art & Style
- Pixar-esque visuals – Aveline Stokart’s art is polished, colorful, and expressive, with large, emotive faces and soft outlines.
- Color-coded personalities – Each “Elle” has a distinct hair color (blonde, brown, green, purple, aquamarine), making the shifts instantly visible.
- Atmospheric palettes – Subtle changes in background tones reflect Elle’s emotional state, adding to the storytelling.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Identity & self-discovery – A metaphorical (and literal) exploration of the different “selves” we present to the world.
- 🏫 Friendship dynamics – Support, banter, and occasional tension among Elle’s new circle.
- 🕵️ Mystery element – The unanswered questions about Elle’s past drive the plot forward.
- 🌈 Diverse cast – Includes characters of varied ethnic backgrounds and personalities.
“Strong visuals bolster an intriguing mystery” — Kirkus Reviews
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: ~4.1/5 from over 6,000 ratings
- 📖 Praised for its gorgeous art, engaging premise, and emotional beats.
- 🧾 Some readers felt the first volume was too short to fully develop the plot, but most agree it’s a promising start that leaves you eager for Volume 2.
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Introductory volume – Primarily sets up characters and mystery; don’t expect full resolution here.
- 📚 Series commitment – Works best if you plan to continue with the next books.
- 🧠 Visual cues – The hair color changes make personality shifts obvious, which some feel reduces the surprise factor.
🏁 Final Verdict
Elle(s) #1 is a stylish, emotionally resonant series opener that combines the relatability of high school life with a compelling psychological mystery. The art alone is worth the read, but it’s the unanswered questions about Elle’s fractured identity that will keep you turning pages into the next volume.
