Student Government by Dave Justus, Lilah Sturges & Joe Eisma

with colors by Michael E Wiggam, and letters by Simon Bowland and Charles Pritchett.

When was the last time I sat down and enjoyed a teen comedy that wasn’t primarily another genre, be it mystery or romance or fantasy? Student Government has a bit of all of those, but is primarily just a warm-hearted coming-of-age comedy set in the (fictional) second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, Halcyon Burke University.

The four young college students who make up the interim student government while almost everyone else heads home for the Christmas break are a motley crew, who primarily have their positions because no one else wanted them. Parker Myles is the earnest interim student president. Her mother was part of the first class that allowed women into HBU, so Parker feels like she has a lot to live up to.

Roommates Harold “Hutch” Hamlin and Malakai Lux are a case of complementary opposites. Hutch, the interim vice president, is an affable animal lover who works in campus security. He joined the interim team because he figured Malakai wouldn’t join if he didn’t, despite student government clearly playing to Malakai’s strengths. Malakai, the interim secretary, is a shy, word-loving nerd who joined the interim team because he figured Hutch wouldn’t join if he didn’t, despite student government clearly playing to Hutch’s strengths. The final member of their quartet is Jean Genie, the mysterious but effortlessly cool interim treasurer.

The reason that an interim student government is even necessary is because there’s a historical occasion that needs to be presided over during the Christmas break, despite an overwhelming lack of interest from the student body. Three hundred and fifty years ago, HBU’s founders buried a time capsule that could only be opened on that exact date. Parker takes her responsibilities seriously, but not even she is prepared for what opening the time capsule reveals: the fact that HBU sits on an incredibly rich seam of gold that the founders wanted hidden for centuries.

The Board of Regents immediately orders the university bulldozed so that they can gain direct access to the gold. The interim government is, of course, dismayed by this, as they all care deeply about their college and what it represents. Furthermore, in their rush to get to the gold, the board isn’t even offering alternatives or solutions to this disruption of the student body’s scholastic aspirations.

Diligent Malakai finds an interesting loophole in the university’s charter that allows the interim student government to stay the board’s actions for thirty days while they try to save their school. The board, ofc, is not happy that a bunch of upstart kids are trying to get in the way of their greed. Hijinks hilariously ensue.

I had so much fun reading this witty, heartfelt graphic novel, with its many pop cultural allusions and its commitment to diverse and interesting characters. Even the bad guys are entertainingly humorous, and less malevolent than selfish and ill-informed. Affluenza isn’t an excuse for bad behavior, ofc, but it definitely explains a lot of their poor choices.

Joe Eisma’s expressive art perfectly suits the tone of the story, with Mr Wiggam’s colors doing some excellent work bringing his lines to life. I did think it was a little weird that the day of voting was so warm compared to the decided January cold of the day before, but the story otherwise is well-constructed, with impeccable dialog. If you want a fun, modern college story that doesn’t revolve primarily around romance, then you definitely need to pick up this delightful and entertaining graphic novel.

Student Government by Dave Justus, Lilah Sturges & Joe Eisma was published March 25 2025 by Maverick and is available from all good booksellers, including