Graphic Novels
-- School Library Journal, 1/1/2006
Elementary & Middle School | High School
Elementary & Middle School BEATTY, Scott. Batman Begins: The Movie and Other Tales of the Dark Knight. illus. by Kilian Plunkett & Serge LaPointe. 157p. DC Comics. 2005. pap. $12.99. ISBN 1-4012-0440-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up-A graphic-novel adaptation of the recently released film. The comic-book version follows the film's plot directly and reveals the dark origins of the vigilante hero, tracing Bruce Wayne's inner turmoil and struggle with who he is and what his role is to be in the world. It also includes four earlier Batman stories: "The Man Who Falls," "Air Time," "Reasons," and "Urban Legend." Perhaps the best one is the last one, which has a twist that is hard to anticipate. The artists contributing to the work are accomplished. The movie mania will be a good draw to this title.-Joel Bangilan, Houston Public Library, TX
BINDER, Otto, et al. DC's Greatest Imaginary Stories: 11 Tales You Never Expected to See! illus. by C. C. Beck, et al. 191p. DC Comics. 2005. pap. $19.99. ISBN 1-4012-0534-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5 Up-Because each selection in this collection is an imaginary offshoot of a comic classic story line, readers need to be familiar with the original to appreciate the variations. The ideas-what if Superman married a mermaid?-are entertaining, and the covers of various uncollected imaginary issues are reproduced throughout, providing enjoyable whimsy. But the tales themselves are not grounded, leaving casual readers without a touchstone. Today's kids will likely find the expository dialogue corny and the vintage situations to be beyond their experience. The best tale opens the volume-a reprint of a Captain Marvel story in which boy reporter Billy Batson describes the destruction of an atomic war. Visually and emotionally effective, it alone is able to surpass the datedness of its presentation. Otherwise, the fine details of plot mechanics and the cultural interest in comparing the more romance-oriented reprints of Lois Lane's imaginary tales with Superman's action and science what-ifs will escape the majority of the general audience.-Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
BUSIEK, Kurt. Local Heroes. illus. by Brent Anderson. 255p. (Astro City Series). photos. Wildstorm. 2005. pap. $17.99. ISBN 1-4012-0284-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up-In Astro City, superhumans mingle among the regular people and attacks from evil villains are typical daily fare. This book is a collection of nine exceptionally well-written vignettes about the inhabitants, both from the perspective of ordinary people and superheroes. In "Pastoral," readers meet a punk teen who is forced to spend the summer with her relatives in the country. Through a series of her IMs, readers learn that the country is not as boring and simple as the girl had thought, and that even small towns have their own superheroes and intrigue. In the equally charming "Old Times," readers meet Supersonic, a retired superhero called into duty, and see the results of trying to relive the past. Local Heroes is an engagingly written book with expressive, skillful art. An accomplished collection, it's a solid purchase for superhero fans.-Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY
CLUGSTON, Chynna. Queen Bee. illus. by author. 112p. Scholastic/Graphix. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-71572-5; pap. $8.99. ISBN 0-439-70987-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6-8-Like most middle-school girls, Haley Madison is obsessed with popularity. When she transfers to a new school, she finally has a fresh start-if she can keep her pesky psychokinesis under control-no more exploding lunch trays, no more embarrassing baseball incidents. Her first day, she befriends Trini, who is nice but certainly not popular. Haley works her way up the social ladder with fake laughs and manipulation. Then, beautiful Alexa shows up. She's campaigning to be the new queen bee and she shares Haley's powers. A spectacular face-off ensues at a talent show. Although the story ends predictably, readers will relate to both girls. The panel illustrations effectively use black space to frame the characters' often-jealous emotions. Haley's maybe boyfriend sports a spiky haircut and a "London Calling" T-shirt. He's a nice change from the typical "prince" love interest. As to be expected, the characters constantly drop pop-culture references. This book will be popular with fans of the author's "Blue Monday" series (Oni Pr.).-Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
DOEDEN, Matt. Winter at Valley Forge. illus. by Ron Frenz & Charles Barnett III. (Graphic Library, Graphic History Series). ISBN 0-7368-4975-0. LC 2005010145.
LASSIEUR, Allison. The Voyage of the Mayflower. illus. by Peter McDonnell. (Graphic Library, Graphic History Series). ISBN 0-7368-4371-X. LC 2005008109.
OLSON, Kay Melchisedech. Benjamin Franklin: An American Genius. illus. by Gordon Purcell & Barbara Schulz. (Graphic Library, Graphic Biographies Series). ISBN 0-7368-4629-8. LC 2005003964.
OLSON, Nathan. Nathan Hale: Revolutionary Spy. illus. by Cynthia Martin & Brent Schoonover. (Graphic Library, Graphic Biographies Series). ISBN 0-7368-4968-8. LC 2005007894.
ea vol: 32p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone. 2005. PLB $25.26.
Gr 3-6-Experimenting with a more visual approach to history, these books contain somewhat fictionalized looks at America's past. They present general background information about the Colonial period before focusing on a particular figure or event. Angular cartoon drawings with many colors and conversation bubbles may hold special appeal for reluctant readers. However, identifying the characters can be difficult after their introduction. In Valley Forge, for example, only four names are mentioned in the text (George Washington, Lafayette, Baron von Steuben, and General Charles Lee). Deciding which drawings are historical figures and which represent commoners often depends upon recollection of a figure's shirt/hair color. By using minimal language, the texts oversimplify Revolutionary-era disputes and the complex life of Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps useful as topic introductions, these titles sacrifice depth for graphic appeal. Colonial and Revolutionary people and events are covered in many picture books that better balance facts with format.-Julie R. Ranelli, Episcopal Center for Children, Washington, DC
FISHER, Jane Smith. WHJC: Hold Tight. illus. by Joe Staton & Adam Dekraker. 95p. Wilson Place Comics. 2005. pap. $11.95. ISBN 0-9744235-1-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up-Take a cast of high school students pulled together by a common interest (in this case a school-supported radio station) and throw them into various wacky situations (appearing on a reality TV show, crashing a fashion show, going to a rock concert), keep it clean and unchallenging and you'll have WHJC. However, while the ethnic diversity of the characters is certainly welcome, the teens remain flat and underdeveloped. They are primarily defined by their interests and are generally void of inner conflict and complex motivation. That said, for readers seeking pure entertainment at the level of television sitcoms, with similarly unrealistic plots and characterization, this title is just the ticket. The design is good, with clear lettering and format, and a fun sense of color. Overall, this is a decent introduction to graphic novels.-Dawn Rutherford, Kings County Library System, Bellevue, WA
GROSS, Allan. Cryptozoo Crew. vol. 1. illus. by Jerry Carr. unpaged. NBM. 2005. pap. $9.95. ISBN 1-56163-437-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up-A zany collection of adventures starring brawny but intellectual cryptozoologist Tork Darwyn and his blond bombshell of a wife, Tara. They come up against all kinds of creatures, carnivorous plants, and the ever-elusive Yeti while searching for new and unknown species in the jungles of the world. The book features constant back and forth between Tork and Tara that points out the differences between men and women, puns galore, and eye-catching black-and-white art. The typeface is large and easy to read, the dialogue bubbles are crisp, and there is no question of who is speaking. The stories will appeal to a variety of ages and some are laugh-out-loud funny. More lighthearted than some other graphic novels out there, this one fills the goofy niche nicely.-Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library
KOGE-DONBO. Kamichama Karin. vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Nan Rymer. illus. by author. 205p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-847-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 5-9-Karin is an orphan living with a not very loving aunt. She is doing poorly in school and has no real friends. After her cat dies, she feels more alone than ever. She meets strangers who help her to become a goddess using the power of her mother's ring and her own inner strength. Together, they fight an enemy, someone trying to steal their powers. Karin is an unusual superhero, at all times very human. However, the manga-style illustrations are a bit confusing and don't always support the story. Inexperienced readers might have a little trouble following the text at times and may not appreciate the art. An additional purchase.-Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
MCGREGOR, Don. Zorro: Scars! vol. 1. illus. by Sidney Lima. unpaged. Papercutz. 2005. Tr $12.95. ISBN 1-59707-017-3; pap. $7.95. ISBN 1-59707-016-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up-In this series of adventures designed to tie in to the recent movie, Zorro is paired with beautiful, rebellious, and dramatically purple-haired Eulalia Bandini. The book opens with the two of them riding through the hot springs of Yellowstone, on the run from Capitan Monasterio. The artwork occasionally verges toward an anime look, especially when female characters are angry or surprised. The writing is fine for conveying the basic plot, but there are several awkward expositional moments when backstory is apparently needed in a hurry. This leads to characters saying odd things like, "Doesn't matter how heavy you are when you're a curator in a museum in St. Louis." Then again, readers don't pick up a Zorro graphic novel because they're looking for a great work of literature. They pick it up because they're looking for fight scenes, and plenty of them. This book definitely delivers, with swords and guns galore. The backdrop also adds to the dramatic tension, with cliffs, waterfalls, and geysers at every turn. Then there are scenes of James Bondian improbability, such as the chase that takes place on skis while zooming down a mountain. The ensuing swordfight is made even more dramatic when the good guys have to outrun their pursuers and the avalanche that is threatening to overtake them. Readers looking for edge-of-your-seat adventures will certainly find them here.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
MATHENY, Bill. The Batman Strikes!: Crime Time. vol. 1. illus. by Terry Beatty & Christopher Jones. unpaged. DC Comics. 2005. pap. $6.99. ISBN 1-4012-0509-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 4 Up-Based on the WB television cartoon series, this is a fresh take on the same old bat story. Batman appears younger than he has looked in years. Familiar villains have also received facelifts, with a different one appearing in each of the five short episodes contained in this collection. A new character is introduced: Detective Yin of the Gotham Police, who provides a fresh female counterpart to this Batman. Dark Knight aficionados may be irritated by the heavy use of "hip" slang and the much more cartoonish transformations villains go through (The Joker in one section appears to have adapted the character fluidity of Beetlejuice), but the intended audience will find this book entertaining. Also noteworthy is the excellent coloration, which matches the dynamic nature of the art.-Dawn Rutherford, Kings County Library System, Bellevue, WA
MINORU, Toyoda. Love Roma. vol. 1. tr. from Japanese and adapt. by David Walsh & Eriko Walsh. illus. by author. 201p. Del Rey. 2005. pap. $10.95. ISBN 0-345-48262-X. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7-9-Two young people experience the trials and tribulations of first love: the first kiss, everyone knowing and interfering, someone else vying for affection, meeting the family. However, there are no real subplots and after a while readers are sure to realize that nothing is happening. The characters are one-dimensional and not very interesting. The book is done in back to front, right-to-left format with manga-style black-and-white illustrations that complement the story.-Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
MURAKAMI, Maki. Kanpai! vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Christine Schilling. illus. by author. 209p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-317-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 8 Up-At the Taino Municipal Middle School, Yamada Shintaro is training to become a licensed monster guardian. While battling exorcists and others who wish to exterminate monsters, he meets Nao and is instantly infatuated with his stunning, yet arrogant classmate. Unfortunately, his advisor informs him that in order to complete his training he must retire any personal desires. Yamada is conflicted and must choose between the haughty, yet beautiful Nao and his destiny. Murakami's story is an intricate mix of comedy, action, horror, and romance that's sure to please both male and female readers. Underneath the fight scenes and middle school melodrama is an enjoyable story about human nature and fearing change and differences. Murakami's illustrations are clearly defined and expressive. Kanpai is riddled with contemporary American pop-culture references and offers its readers well-drawn characters with authentic voices. Fans of the author's "Gamerz Heaven" series (ADV Manga) will delight in the similar artistic style and obsessive personalities of the characters.-Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY
POMPLUN, Tom, ed. Adventure Classics: Graphics Classics. vol. 12. 144p. Eureka. 2005. pap. $11.95. ISBN 0-9746648-4-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up-Taking stories from Alexander Dumas, O. Henry, Arthur Conan Doyle, and others and turning them into comics provides some very entertaining pieces. Colonial explorers, treasure-mad eccentrics, and mysterious figures in seedy taverns populate each tale, with the language mostly updated but still referring to natives as "brutes." Each tale is drawn differently, from caricature to stark, matching the tenor of the plot. Settings such as a desert, a jungle, and the American West plus plenty of strange characters bring the adventures alive. This is a thoroughly satisfying affirmation of the magic of reading, taking readers anywhere they want to go.-John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
SAKAKI, Ichiro. Scrapped Princess. vol. 1. tr. from Japanese by Alethea Nibley. illus. by Go Yabuki. 178p. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-981-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up-Fifteen years ago, the king and queen of Linevan had twins-a boy and a girl. A prophecy foretold that their daughter would, at the age of 16, be "the poison that destroys the world." In order to avoid this catastrophe, they sent her out to die, but their orders were not followed, and Princess Pacifica has survived in another kingdom. When her parents learn that she is still alive, they send guards after her. Pacifica travels with her adopted brother, Shannon, who is a brave warrior, and sister, Raquel, who has a way with magic. Bounty hunters, assassins, and thieves beset the three continually. The sibling relationship is troubled but ultimately normal; the kids tease one another in the midst of life-or-death situations, and that ordinariness is comforting and refreshing. The trio's tight bond is the strength of the story. A funny, brief moment of Barbie-like nudity may make some readers giggle. This is an action-packed story with a great premise, but it's also difficult to follow. Mediocre art and minimal characterization make it tough to tell who is speaking or, occasionally, what's going on. Often, baddies are introduced via flashback, with little to no warning. Fans of anime may have the easiest time keeping track of characters and events.-Sarah Couri, New York Public Library
SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN. vol. 1. 560p. DC Comics. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-4012-0758-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 3 Up-Twenty-nine Superman comics published between 1959 and 1963 are reprinted in this black-and-white omnibus edition. A perfect example of the tone of the collection is the opening tale, a jolly mystery that culminates in Batman throwing his old chum Superman a birthday party. For all of the hokey word balloons that spell out Superman's choked-back sobs of anguish at whatever bizarre circumstance he finds himself in, and despite Lois Lane's constant bold proclamations of her intent to marry the Man of Steel, the pages contain a massive catalogue of invention. Many of the stories consist of Superman's clever ways of convincing Lois that he's not Clark Kent, or persuading some criminal that he's now immune to kryptonite. The text is fraught with barefaced exposition, but the tricks, traps, puzzles, and quandaries that Superman constantly outsmarts are charming and should give readers a clear indication of what comics were like in an earlier age and how they captured the imaginations of young readers so well and so completely. The stories also provide a happy sampling of the first appearances of a number of Superman's notable supporting characters and beloved minutiae.-Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
SUDDUTH, Brent. Penny Star. vol. 4. illus. by Stu Harrison. ISBN 1-58476-321-3.
----. The Smart Boys. vol. 3. illus. by Geo Parkin. ISBN 1-58476-320-5.
ea vol: unpaged. (Phonics Comics Series). Innovative. 2005. pap. $4.99. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-3-Penny Star is a young fashion designer who solves mysteries, and children will enjoy solving them with her. In Smart Boys, two brothers constantly try to outwit their parents (and usually succeed). Their wild projects and inventions will appeal to young readers, even though the situations are pretty far-fetched. Each book consists of three short stories that, according to the inside cover, "encourage the practice of phonemic awareness, phonics skills, fluent reading, vocabulary building, and text comprehension." There are sight words and story words at the end for reading comprehension and vocabulary building. The colorful cartoons are humorous and do much to reinforce the text, and the comic-book format is clear and not too busy. Public and elementary school libraries should consider these titles for general purchase.-Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
"THE USUAL GANG OF IDIOTS." MAD about the Sixties: The Best of the Decade. unpaged. illus. reprods. MAD Books. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-4012-0754-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up-MAD magazine works in much the same way as a Bugs Bunny cartoon-the humor operates on several levels. Unfortunately, today's teens won't be able to get some of the jokes. For example, Ringo Starr's BLECCH shampoo ad makes more sense if you actually remember the Breck Girl ads. The book also features people who may be unfamiliar to YAs, including Adlai Stevenson and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Still, the volume is bound to find an appreciative audience, and MAD fans will be delighted to see the first-ever "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions," as well as the first MAD fold-in (featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton). Readers will also enjoy early versions of the magazine's staples like "Spy vs. Spy" and "The Lighter Side." This volume features parodies of popular television programs like ("Holy Kinsey Report!") Batman, Mod Squad, The Fugitive, and Star Trek. Teens won't know that "Uptight Is a Dry Sugar Cube" is a spoof on "Happiness Is a Warm Puppy," but they won't need to in order to laugh about their parents' and grandparents' generations.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
YANAGAWA, Sozo. Helen Adams Keller. tr. from Japanese by Sachiko Sato. illus. by Rie Yagi. 159p. (Edu-Manga Series). chron. DMP. 2005. pap. $9.95. ISBN 1-56970-976-9. LC 2005933730.
Gr 3-7-Japanese icon Astro Boy visits the Tokyo Helen Keller Association; through his experiences, readers are presented with a biography of the renowned activist. The book begins before and continues long after Henry Gibson's famous play, The Miracle Worker, giving an interesting amount of detail beyond the traditional "obstacles overcome" story. However, not all of the details are faithful; accounts of Annie Sullivan's spunky attitude toward Keller's parents and the frequent inclusion of Helen's stepbrother James do not seem to mesh with Keller's autobiography or the documents in Richard Harrity's The Three Lives of Helen Keller (Doubleday, 1962; o.p.). Additionally, the visual depiction of Keller doesn't remotely resemble her many photographs, which seems odd for a biography in a visual medium. And since the volume was originally written for a Japanese audience, the script still retains a heavy slant toward the subject's visits to Japan and the founding of the Tokyo Association. While an informative read, with an interesting side message about plagiarism, the liberties taken with the dramatic re-enactment of events prevents this from being a trustworthy resource that can ensure the "Edu-" portion of the series title.-Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
AZZARELLO, Brian. 100 Bullets: The Hard Way. illus. by Eduardo Risso. 224p. Vertigo. 2005. pap. $14.99. ISBN 1-4012-0490-2. LC number unavailable.Gr 10 Up–Set in sultry New Orleans, this is the story of a young man who tries to find and dispose of the killer of his beloved girlfriend after being given 100 untraceable bullets and a gun. Throughout Wylie's quest through the seedy underbelly of the city, he encounters gritty characters and violent situations. He eventually joins forces with Isabella "Dizzy" Cordova (both of them are agents for the mysterious Minutemen syndicate) and they learn the shocking truth about who murdered Rose and the identity and origin of the Minutemen. Bullets holds nothing back. The coarse language and brutal scenes help reinforce the mood and setting; and though at times they seem over-the-top, they are integral to the plot. The colorist, Patricia Mulvihill, expertly juxtaposes steamy reds and cool blues to help create the perfect feel for the blues in a seamy bar in southern Louisiana. This volume collects issues 50-58 of Azzarello's series, and while providing an entertaining read, does not serve well as an independent volume. It would best suit libraries with an interest in neo-noir comics series or that own the previous volumes.–Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY
BRUBAKER, Ed. The Authority: Revolution. vol. 1. illus. by Dustin Nguyen, et al. unpaged. Wildstorm. 2005. pap. $14.99. ISBN 1-4012-0623-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–The Authority, a powerful coalition of "post-humans," has overthrown the United States government and taken over the country. A rival group of "patriotic heroes" called Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty responds by sparking destructive riots against the Authority's regime. This sober examination of the limits of superhero goodwill and judgment is most appropriate for older teens, not only because of its abundance of curse words and blood-spattered bodies, but also because of its sophistication and subtlety. Dark, shadowy tones give a brooding, noirish feel to the story and set this ambiguous, complex tale apart from the color-saturated pages and clear-cut morals of conventional superhero comics.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
BRUBAKER, Ed, et al. War Games: Tides. vol. 2. illus. by Ramon Bachs, et al. unpaged. (Batman Series). DC Comics. 2005. pap. $14.99. ISBN 1-4012-0429-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–This frantically plotted installment in the series supposedly introduces monumental changes in the Batman saga. For someone who isn't a regular reader of the comics, though, it is more likely to set the stage for a series migraine. The basic premise is that one of Batman's gang of antiheroes has unleashed a Dark Knight's own "war game" scenario on Gotham City. The result is utter chaos, with rival gangs fighting for control and the police hopelessly outgunned. In the ensuing jumble of fistfights, arson, and shoot-outs, a mysterious assassin is methodically hunting down, torturing, and killing both mob bosses and members of Batman's team. This is a huge story line, stretching across several issues of the comics that reflect different visual and written interpretations of the various heroes and villains. While it is interesting to see the different interpretations, the change in drawing and coloring styles can be confusing. The characterizations, too, could be a problem for casual Batman fans, as familiar figures such as Batman, Robin, and Batgirl are very different from their recently successful graphic-novel counterparts. Although the overarching story is complex, the graphic compositions and plot points are often sophomoric in their attempts to show flesh without sex and violence with no seeming repercussions. Appealing to a specific demographic, this is like an R-rated movie edited to receive a PG-13 rating. There are many other great stand-alone Batman graphic novels that are more self-contained and have clearer, better story devices.–Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI
ENNIS, Garth. Bloody Mary. illus. by Carlos Ezquerra. 190p. Vertigo. 2005. pap. $19.99. ISBN 1-4012-0725-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 11 Up–In 1999, war breaks out between a newly fascist Europe and the Allies of Britain and America. Thirteen years later, a stalemate seems permanent. Two mercenaries, alcoholic Bloody Mary and Britannic-cliché-spouting Major, emerge from the prewar days and join forces with the Allies. They encounter a fighter for the "Euros," who seems to die in every battle yet always returns intact. Moreover, he keeps killing even when his head is blown off. Mary and the very amusing Major rendezvous with the man, crossing paths with a wine-obsessed fellow mercenary. Whoever wins will tip the balance of the war, and the battle goes into the stronghold of Rochelle, the fascist French dictator. Bloody Mary has strong plotting and powerful imagery with many elements of great graphic novels: the war backdrop, the lone traveler hero, the sarcastic sidekick. Although the final half switches to a religious cult in America, the personalities never change and there is continuity among them. Also, there is character development, some of it both funny and touching. Strong, graphic language and sexual content are included.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
GIFFEN, Keith. I Luv Halloween. vol. 1. illus. by Ben Roman. unpaged. Tokyopop. 2005. pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-59532-831-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Four boys–cool Finch, girl-obsessed Mr. Kitty, slovenly Pig Pig, and enigmatic Devil Lad–set out in search of candy one All Hallow's Eve. Along the way, mishaps and misadventures ensue involving revenge on an elderly woman who doles out apples as treats and a bloody pursuit that revolves around a piece of stolen lingerie. What follows is a feeble plot overshadowed by off-color sexual humor and gratuitous violence. At first glance, this book appears to have a "Nightmare before Christmas" meets "South Park" feel, though it is clearly not meant for those with a weak stomach. Placing itself in the comedy-horror genre, it offers more gore than laughs and even fewer scares. A stronger buy in this category would be Ted Naifeh's "Courtney Crumrin" series (Oni Pr.) or Matsuri Akino's Pet Shop of Horrors (Tokyopop). Instead of delivering trick-or-treat fun, I Luv Halloween presents little more than a meager blood-spattered romp.–Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY
GILSON, Ché. Avigon: Gods and Demons. illus. by Jimmie Robinson. 192p. Image Comics. 2005. pap. $19.95. ISBN 1-58240-503-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–A beautiful clockwork given sentience by her creator, Avigon has begun questioning who she is and whether she is human. Everything around her is mechanical; robots–clockworks–are designed to act as bodyguards, servants, and mechanics, and there are more than a few "pleasure" clockworks roaming the streets. Each day Avigon winds herself with a specially programmed key, and each day she feels as if her soul is dying. With neither challenge nor future in being a clockwork, she realizes that there is only one thing she can do–run away. But can she hide in a surreal world of machines where she herself is one? Along her journey, Avigon falls in love, but she also learns that there is truth to her creator's statement that a clockwork can never be human. A previously published graphic novel called Avigon (Image Comics, 2002) told the story of a robot girl who runs away from her master to the outside world and the painful lesson she learns there. This updated version gives Avigon's background and tells what happens when she returns home. Gilson's style of writing may be minimalist, but it is not bare of emotion. Robinson's use of black and white and gray scale adds to the somber tone. The drawings are simple yet dramatic, similar in style to Tim Burton's work.–Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
KNEECE, Mark. Trailers. illus. by Julie Collins-Rousseau. unpaged. CIP. NBM. 2005. Tr $17.95. ISBN 1-56163-441-7. LC 2005050524.
Gr 11 Up–Josh is a bright, sensitive teen trapped in a nightmare of a home life that just seems continuously to get worse. He lives in a trailer park with his drug-addicted mother and three younger siblings, and unreasonable responsibilities keep falling on his shoulders. In the horrific event that sets off this book, Josh is expected to dispose of the body of his mother's dealer after she kills him in a fight over money. He does his best to make the corpse disappear in the woods behind their trailer, but soon half the neighborhood is in the know. In addition to Josh's worry that his mother will be arrested for murder at any moment, with him as an accessory, he is devastated to find out that she has begun working as a prostitute. Josh finds hope for a more normal life when a popular girl from school takes an interest in him, and together they work to find a way out of this terrible mess. Characters are precariously close to stereotypes, but the emotional range and care of the main character keeps the story believable and compelling. The book has a slightly gory cover that hints at the disturbing plot within. The black-and-white illustrations are clear and well framed, yet have a roughness to them that captures the harshness of the characters' lives.–Dawn Rutherford, Kings County Library System, Bellevue, WA
MOORE, Alan. V for Vendetta. illus. by David Lloyd. 288p. Vertigo. 2005. Tr $29.99. ISBN 1-4012-0792-8. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–The date is November 5th, 1997. War has ravaged England, entire races have been eradicated, the entire British populace is under constant surveillance, and the absolute power is absolutely corrupt. On this historic day, a man with a strong resemblance to Guy Fawkes (in action and dress) blows up Parliament. The bomber, a masked character named V, saves a girl named Eve from a violent crime and takes her under his wing. Moore's dystopian, fascist version of England, ruled by one central leader and his sects (named after parts of the body, such as Finger, Nose, and Voice), is systematically dismantled by the enigmatic V. Readers must ultimately decide if V is a mad anarchist/terrorist or a freedom-fighting avenger for good. Originally published in 1989, V has been reissued as a hardcover book with never-seen-before sketches and two new vignettes. This story is slated to be released as a major motion picture in 2006, and demand should intensify as the movie trailers come out. Combining alternate history with moral questions about freedom and identity, this book would work well in a school setting; and while there is some slight nudity and violence, they fit well within the framework of the story.–Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY
PARKS, Ande. Capote in Kansas. illus. by Chris Samnee. 136p. Oni Pr. 2005. pap. $11.95. ISBN 1-932664-29-7. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Cleverly reprising the genre blur that Truman Capote created when he wrote In Cold Blood as a "nonfiction novel," Parks and Samnee present and represent the author's fact-gathering trip to the Midwest in the early 1960s, traveling with his soon-to-become-famous friend Harper Lee. There he dealt with locals who found his New York City flair and personal foppishness either silly or offensive, interviewed the Clutter family's murderers, and struggled with memories of his own awkward childhood. Samnee's black-and-white art captures both the internal and external lights and shadows of small-town America–its diner, prison cells, neighborhhoods--and Capote's own psychology–his admiration and jealousy of Lee, his memories of boyhood, his loneliness far from his adult home. In keeping with the more-than-fact angle of this graphic novel, a sweet girl ghost floats through these pages as well, a reminder of the humanity behind the story that increased its author's stature in the world of letters.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
SFAR, Joann & Lewis Trondheim. The Early Years: The Night Shirt. vol. 1. illus. by Christophe Blain. unpaged. (Dungeon Series). NBM. 2005. pap. $14.95. ISBN 1-56163-439-5. LC number unavailable.
Gr 9 Up–In this Robin Hood-type adventure, a masked bird finds himself in a corrupt place and seeks to fight for justice and rid the city of corruption. The dialogue is fresh, witty, and well paced; the art is dark and helps set the tone of the story. However, the design is poor. The print is too small and uses a font that is hard to read; in several places there are too many cells on the page, which detracts from the story. Also, many of the illustrations are too similar. If not for the layout, this book would be comparable to other satirical comics such as Jeff Smith's "Bone" series (Scholastic).–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA
WOLFMAN, Marv. The New Teen Titans: Who Is Donna Troy? illus. by George Pérez & Phil Jimenez, et al. 221p. DC Comics. 2005. pap. $19.99. ISBN 1-4012-0724-3. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up–Compiled to provide background for a new series that brings the title character back from the dead, these stories inadvertently show readers more about the artificial business of keeping a serial exciting than making a connection with the eponymous heroine. The first chapter chronicles the meticulous detective work of Batman's former protégé, Robin, as he tries to uncover the missing pieces of the early life of Donna Troy, his teammate in the Teen Titans under the alias of Wonder Girl. The story, while dense, is captivating, with complex, elegant page layouts. As it continues with Wonder Girl's marriage to the ordinary Terry Long, the high caliber of art and the subtle, adult relationships are maintained. It is therefore a great pity that the quality established at the beginning is discarded for a bizarre revamp that mixes loosely adapted Greek mythology and science fiction. Though still fashioned by the same authors, this revision has none of the grounded pathos of the original. The conclusion, an elegy to Donna as friends and family, superhuman and mundane, gather for her wake, recaptures the humanity of the character by showing the ordinary mourning of the people left behind.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
