Ugly Princess #3

The cover of this 2016 Éditions Akata volume says it all: our wide-eyed heroine stands front and center in her Snow White costume, clutching a glossy red apple with an expression of pure astonishment, while a framed portrait behind her reveals a glamorous, idealized version of herself gazing back. Natsumi Aida's art plays beautifully with that contrast between the girl she is and the princess she imagines — warmth, humor, and a little fairy-tale magic all wrapped up in one charming image. Volume 3 looks to be a delightful continuation of a series with a lot of heart.