Poseurs

Three teens from diverse backgrounds tackle the treacherous L.A. party scene in this debut graphic novel from Los Angeles Times arts and culture writer Vankin and veteran artist Mays (Kabuki). Shy Jenna, who longs to be a photographer but can't afford a camera, lives with her gadabout mother. Desperate to pay the bills, Jenna gets a job as a "house guest for hire," where, for $20/hour, she mingles with famous people and helps pad their guest lists. At one of these swanky events, she meets Pouri Lin, a Taiwanese teen living alone in an Arcadia mansion furnished by her parents who are back home while Pouri is supposed to be going to school, but is actually partying every day. Also on hand is Eugene "Mac" MacQuarrie, who works as a busboy but whose real passion is urban youth slang. The three become unlikely friends, but Jenna and Mac worry when Pouri begins acting strangely, and they realize it's related to the scam she's pulling to stay enrolled in school without actually attending. Threats of kidnapping ensue, and the friends must decide how much they're willing to risk for each other. May's Japanese-inspired illustrations are solid but the style doesn't necessary gel with Vankin's content and the characters. (Apr.)