Graphic Novels

Gr 5 Up–While some shows, like The Simpsons, live up to fans’ expectations when put in comic-book format, others do not, and Ghostbusters is part of the latter category. It’s not even remotely clever; the creators don’t seem to realize that some things that are funny in live action just don’t work in print. Kids who have enjoyed the show will surely pick up this book, but will be left uninspired and bored. The illustrations do not help the story along; little attention is paid to detail, the characters are lifeless, and the colors are washed out and don’t add any action or mood to the scenes. The cartoon show is silly and witty; this book has neither quality.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 6 Up–When an Indian prince falls in love with a flower peddler, he must learn what makes her unique before his mother will allow them to marry. Once they wed, the young woman becomes a tree, and her husband must rediscover love to find her again. While the story is at times charming, it is considerably lacking in many ways; the prince’s love for the woman is shallow and based merely on physical beauty. The book also does not fairly represent the culture of India and fails to mention the caste system. Also, the characters seem far too Western. The layout and artwork are better than the text; the use of color perfectly complements the mood of the story and stays true to the Indian style of art that the artist obviously modeled it after.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 6 Up–This graphic novel recounts the coming-of-age of Batman’s sidekick Dick Grayson as he makes the transition from child to adult and from Robin to Nightwing. When he is fired for neglecting his duties, he first seeks guidance from Superman and then solace in his former life as a circus performer. Meanwhile, Batman is training a new Robin to take his place. Eventually an exercise gone wrong brings the two Robins together, and they must put aside their rivalry in order to rescue Alfred after he is mistakenly identified as Two Face. This story is mainly about the struggle of a young man trying to establish his own identity, and his attempt to define himself as his own superhero will appeal to teens. It is clearly set in today’s world; Nightwing wears a hoodie, Batman must rescue a child kidnapped in a custody dispute, and a villain is caught because he decided to purchase an economy car rather than a gas-guzzling SUV. The artwork is clear and propels the story dynamically across the pages. The book’s engaging quality gives it appeal even to those who are not comic-book aficionados.–Heather M. Lisowski, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 2-6–Readable and inviting, these beginning biographies serve as good basic introductions to these individuals. A yellow background is used to set apart text that is a direct quotation from a primary source, allowing readers to distinguish it from the fictional dialogue and the narration. The “Internet Sites” section leads readers to facthound.com where they can enter a book code to get a list of relevant sites. While not outstanding, the art is engaging and bright, and the format will appeal to graphic-novel fans as well as reluctant readers searching for a simple biography.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT

Gr 2-4–The story is typical Batman, about conflict with Poison Ivy that begins during a party at the Gotham City Botanical Gardens. The style is that of a beginning chapter book, but the action and characters make it a cut above average, and it is well written. The full-color cartoons will appeal to comic-book fans. Young Batman fans looking for chapter books will really enjoy it.–Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 5-8–The most impressive thing about this book is the author, who started his cartoon career at age 12 and is now 17. The comic follows the zany adventures of two young teens and a penguin as they race to save exploding cheese from chicken ninjas. Two bickering narrators tell this whimsical tale. The story tries to come off like a witty imitation of Jeff Smith’s “Bone,” but ultimately feels more like an extended version of Dav Pilkey’s “Captain Underpants” (both Scholastic). The illustrations lack detail, but they match the text’s wackiness well; they come across as cheesy and retro. While the story falls short, it is a worthy effort from a young writer who obviously has a bright future.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 6 Up–Fallen Star begins slowly and never really takes off. Much like the cartoon, this digest-sized comic includes themes seen frequently in sci-fi comics, such as deception and good vs. evil. The problem with the story is that the characters just don’t have the mystery and depth of comic-book heroes, and the story doesn’t have anything unique to say as a result of it. The black-and-white illustrations lack energy; they make the scenes look as dull as the story. It’s been 20 years since Transformers were first introduced, and this book proves they’ve aged poorly over time.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 7 Up–This is an ambitious beginning to a new series with a plot that is both timely and plausible. The story takes place in the future–a time when wars are fought not for territory, power, or greed, but for mere entertainment. In an era when reality TV seems to be the rage, this theme seems strikingly relevant. Mark Leit, a young commando, is one of the heroes of the televised war; he is a stereotypical gung-ho soldier at the start of the book, but he takes on real dimension when a reminder from his past makes him begin to question why he’s fighting. The art is lively, reminiscent of old GI Joe comics, and captures emotion well; the story is full of battle scenes, and the illustrations portray the action well. However, little time is spent addressing how and why the war is started, and how the soldiers are convinced to continue fighting. These questions leave plenty of fodder for the forthcoming books.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA

Gr 2-5–Several things are clear about Babymouse, as evidenced from the cover art–she’s adorable and she loves pink. Luckily, as further pages reveal, she is also smart, spunky, and a tad sarcastic. In Our Hero, Babymouse must face her greatest fear–dodgeball. Felicia Furrypaws has the quickest throw in school and targets a certain mouse. Babymouse must also tackle her second fear, math. In Queen, she tries everything she can think of to get an invitation to Felicia Furrypaws’s slumber party. Meanwhile, she avoids her mouse-eating locker, dreams of being a queen (whose idea of luxury is a plateful of books), and solves a mystery. Finally, handing over her homework results in the coveted invitation, but the party doesn’t turn out as she had hoped. In both books, the hilarious black-and-white illustrations are splashed with pink. Babymouse has a distinct voice and is a real charmer.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 5 Up–In this volume, Ponta, the dog-turned-girl after kissing a bone, is dating Mirai, the boy who lives next door. She meets his mother, who finds her odd at first, but is finally won over by her unwavering loyalty and love. Ponta has also started to attend school where someone else is interested in Mirai–his old girlfriend–and she is determined to get him back, no matter what it takes. The protagonist is a likable character, silly and cute. Her puppy nature shines through in her enthusiasm for life, and the art does a great job of supporting it. Fans will want this one.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up–Both of these volumes are strong adaptations of the originals, with black-and-white illustrations, appendixes featuring sketches, adapter and illustrator notes, and biographical information about the original authors. These extra elements are outstanding as they enlighten readers about the books’ creative process and offer background material that’s sure to pique interest in the original texts. Kleid’s adaptation is strong and compelling but is at odds with Nino’s line drawings. The thin outlines and use of white space seem to contrast with the strength of the plot. In Dracula, the text and illustrations commingle flawlessly into a wonderful gothic tale with manga-inspired illustrations and a frightful Nosferatu-esque Dracula. While Reed’s version is slightly stronger, both books would be worthy additions to any collection.–Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY

Gr 7 Up–Jeff Smax and his partner, Toybox, characters from Moore’s police series “Top 10,” spin off and journey to Jeff’s home world. It’s here that many of the questions that readers have had about Jeff are finally answered. Science and technology don’t exist and myth and magic rule, however bureaucratically. There are dragons to slay and quotas to fill, and who better than Jaafs the dragonslayer? Jeff is not that happy about the possibility of getting sucked back into a world that he has happily left behind but the results are fun and enjoyable. Those who have not read “Top 10” should be able to pick up this title with little problem. It’s perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” series (HarperCollins). The cartoon art fits the story well and will appeal to a wide audience.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up–Enthusiastic but uninformed Mai continues to assist arrogant 16-year-old entrepreneur Naru with his paranormal investigation service. Most of the volume is taken up with a story called “Doll House,” in which the extended members of Shibuya Psychic Research visit a house to investigate poltergeist phenomena associated with a doll belonging to an eight-year-old girl. Effectively creepy in places, the predictable story is elevated by the visuals. However, any success is undercut by the solution that allows Naru to finally dispel the malevolent spirit. As with the first volume, readers are given no advance information about his secret weapon. So while the story is visually effective, it lacks drama. Furthermore, this particular bag of tricks begins to make the supporting characters seem less valuable and, in retrospect, makes their earlier efforts at exorcism seem like a waste of readers’ time. The last chapter, a “side story,” maneuvers the characters closer to the standard manga love triangle farce that will undoubtedly feature heavily in future volumes.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH

Gr 4 Up–The first in a series of decade-themed volumes of “Superman” collections, The Forties provides a selection of vintage material. Along with reproductions of key cover art and essays about Superman’s enemies, his contributions to the war effort, etc., readers are given access to a sampling of historical documents as the character, the format, and the popularity evolved with time. The collection begins with the earliest appearances from 1938, and then hops about, occasionally pausing over some entertaining curiosities and rarities: an early prose story has been reprinted here, along with some of the daily newspaper comics from 1942, and a tale featuring the first of a number of varied Supergirls that would appear. The color is often garish, and–along with the line work–seems to have lost some of the subtlety evidenced in photographic reproductions of the same material. It is bold and bright, but frequently lacks finesse, and comes across as flat or simplistic. The greatest loss is in the faces, which need to capture readers’ emotions and imaginations. The stories have a good variety of the fun and the drama of the era, before the character moved into the realm of science-fiction silliness.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH

Gr 4 Up–The strange-looking Bone cousins visit Barrelhaven with their friends Thorn and Gran’ma Ben. Phoney Bone, who usually causes trouble, does so again in these six chapters. He tries to swindle the villagers by fixing the annual Great Cow Race. While the race is underway, Fone Bone, who has wandered off to the woods, is chased by two giant rat creatures that have been after the Bones since their arrival in the valley, but they don’t know why. Gran’ma Ben knows something, though, and makes ominous references to a past war with the rat creatures and a treaty that is being tested. In addition to the comic elements, there are the usual fantasy elements of the fight between good and evil. Exciting and fun, the full-color art moves the story along at a rapid pace. The vocabulary is not difficult and the illustrations are clear. On one level, the book will appeal to fourth or fifth graders. However, it has a darker side that will appeal to teens. The writing flows gracefully, especially for a graphic novel. This book will be well received in both public and school libraries.–Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up–This fine vampire story is reminiscent of Anne Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles.” Ein DeLaLune has got it all–good looks, talent, a rock-star lifestyle, and immortality. Ein’s fame has brought him to the attention of some old acquaintances, including his manipulative brother, Leroux. Ein wants nothing to do with the old vampire arguments; he has a new girlfriend and his career is really taking off. The perfect world of humans and the undead living together in harmony is a dream that Ein gave up long ago, but apparently Leroux has not and he wants his brother’s help. Ein has the perfect “Goth God” persona. The story moves along rapidly, steadily picking up momentum for the climax. The black-and-white art has a stylized look, combining classic with free-flowing lines, creating an interesting visual story.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 6 Up–This is a collection of the first six issues of the latest incarnation of the “Legion of Super-heroes” (the series and many of the characters, in some form or other, have been around since 1958). The backstory involves a future where human-to-human contact is at a minimum and where technology and the Science Police keep the status quo for the United Planets. A group of teenagers with superpowers has adopted the names and ethical codes of the superheroes of the past and formed a team that is one part political party, one part clubhouse. This team occupies a place outside of government control, but still works with the United Planets to help protect the universe. When an unknown enemy begins the initial stages for an intergalactic war, it’s up to the Legion of Super-heroes to stop him. But how can they fight an enemy they can’t see? Fans of the “X-Men” (Marvel) and “Teen Titan” series (DC Comics) will be familiar with the type of melodrama and witty banter found here. Nicely illustrated with fun characters and just a hint of darkness, Revolution is a good change of pace from the more earthbound superhero stories.–Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WI

Gr 7 Up–After the deaths of his father and his girlfriend, Robin leaves Gotham for Blüdhaven, where his sister is attending a grief clinic. Batgirl soon follows him there, and together they begin to break up the town’s gangs and crime rings, eventually unearthing an old enemy, the Penguin. Robin and Batgirl are hip and attractive heroes, sporting spiky haircuts and sleek dark clothing when they are not in their superhero suits. The layouts are often striking, with full-page fight scenes and dynamic, manga-style paneling. Fast-paced with minimal text and no graphic violence, this is an accessible read with broad appeal.–Lisa Oldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 9 Up–This story is populated entirely by humanoid robots that use cameras, eat food, take cabs, have pets, take drugs, have hair, and display physiologies with sexual characteristics. With the exception of one minor and unfulfilled subplot involving a household droid, the fact that they are robots seems largely irrelevant, and therefore merely a hook upon which to hang the illustrations. The artwork is not without interest or flair, but is hardly remarkable, and there is no parallel, thoughtful application of setting and world-building. The color work lacks definition, oftentimes rendering scenes in monochrome and preventing key action from achieving clarity. The stories are pleasantly urban and have a compelling voice to propel the action, with a hustling, bleak outlook that is occasionally undercut by pat circumstance. Intriguing, but muddled and in dire need of a more clearly defined purpose or perspective.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH

Gr 11 Up–Set in a Seattle suburb during the mid-1970s, this dark, atmospheric story is a gripping (and often unsettling) journey into the psyche of suburban teens on the brink of adulthood. “The bug” is a sexually transmitted disease that causes strange and irreversible mutations: one boy grows a miniature second mouth above his collarbone, a girl’s skin begins to molt, and another grows a preternatural tail. Some are able to conceal their mutations and live a “normal life,” while others are shunned and forced to seek refuge in a supportive, but tenuous community deep in the woods among the homeless and the homicidal. The impact of the plague on the community is seen through the eyes of two teens, Keith and Chris, both of whom become infected and develop mutations. Burns skillfully explores the inner drama of high school alienation with tenderness, precision, and grace. His masterful black-and-white illustrations evoke an eerie surreal tone that beautifully complements the underlying horror of the textual narrative. This accomplished graphic novel is a serious work of artistic and literary merit and is essential for any collection that includes adult graphic novels such as Dan Clowes’s David Boring (Knopf, 2000), Craig Thompson’s Blankets (Top Shelf, 2005), and Gilbert Hernandez’s Palomar (Fantagraphics, 1989).–Philip Charles Crawford, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT

Gr 10 Up–The plot of any Constantine book is secondary to the man himself; readers will just enjoy the protagonist’s fearless, feckless attitude toward time travel, slime-spewing aliens, and the native women. Like “Batman” and “X-Men” comics, “Constantine” is now at the level that any copy will be heavily used, and imitations can try but will never supersede the original. A dark, complex, brainy book, Black Flowers is set in a wonderfully gritty London and then jumps to a haunted country mansion. When Constantine begins protecting Angie, a local woman, she blossoms into his equal in daring and together they embark on a desert vision quest. Best of all, every page has more John Constantine. Strong language makes this best suited for public libraries.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 11 Up–The continuing story of a creature who has given up his powers over the elemental nature of the Earth. He is now simply a guardian of the Green, shutting himself off from the world to mourn the life and loves that he once had. Unfortunately, readers will be lost if they’re unfamiliar with the previous volumes; it does not stand alone. The story is for mature readers as it includes strong language, sexual explicitness, and extreme violence.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up–In this 10-volume collection, Wally West is once more “the fastest man alive.” After his wife was attacked, he was granted a secret identity. No one, including West, remembered who the Flash was. Now his memory has returned, and he must learn to accept his very public role as a superhero, as well as the past actions of the previous Flash, his mentor Barry Allen. Illustrated with lively, bright colors and dramatic, splashy pages, this entertaining blend of tortured soul-searching and flippant superhero banter should please the many fans of the Justice League. Readers new to the Flash’s recent adventures may catch up with an extensive “Character Bios” section as well as a brief blurb covering “What Has Gone Before.”–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–Mugi Tadano is a frustrated Japanese teen who has just gone through a painful breakup with his girlfriend. Seeking to distract him from his misery, his friend Kazuki finds him a summer job at a resort island near his hometown. The hard work isn’t enough to keep them out of trouble, and right off the bat the boys are caught spying on a showering girl. Mugi’s luck seems to be changing when he is set up on a blind date with Yuu, another girl staying at the resort. He learns, however, that she is his father’s orphaned ward, and that he is also responsible for her care. Torn between lust and concern, Mugi embodies the extremes of teen angst. Readers will enjoy the sexual and emotional tension of the romance, while adults may be concerned with the great attention to detail the artist puts into accurately portraying the female form in various states of undress, from incredibly tight bikinis to partial nudes. The artwork is good, in the typical manga style, but highly suggestive.–Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 10 Up–After the tragic death of Sue Debny, the wife of the Elongated Man, the members of the Justice League of America and most of the DC superheroes are brought together to investigate. Sue’s murder is unsettling for a couple of reasons: she was a friend, and whoever committed the crime knew enough personal information to be able to sneak past security. Even more troubling are the letters that the family members of other heroes receive, indicating that they are the next targets. The superheroes split into teams to follow the leads that they are most suited to solve. The novel asks: how far do you go to protect your loved ones? What if everything you stand for goes against your need to protect your family? The story moves quickly and the full-color artwork is splendid. Morales captures human emotion in such a way that he breathes life and authenticity into the characters. The coloring job is superb: the dark, somber tones perfectly set the mood. Some of the action occurs offscreen, such as the flashback to Sue’s rape, making what happens even more dramatic and powerful. Featuring a good mystery, great fight scenes, and good writing, Identity Crisis is an exciting read for fans of the DC universe.–Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Gr 10 Up–A group of “rejects” recruited as superheroes, the Doom Patrol includes a man trapped in a robot’s body, an ape girl, and a radioactive hermaphrodite. The story lines, which include the adventures of a transvestite street named Danny and a conceptual showdown in the “zone of words that kill,” may be too abstract to hold teens’ interest. While the layouts and drawings are impressively intricate and include nudity, the washed-out coloring dates these 15-year-old comics. Purchase this one for teen collections in which the sophisticated comics of Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman circulate. Otherwise, it would be more appropriate for adults.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–O is one the most acclaimed practitioners of Korean manhwa, and this collection contains 13 of his powerful short stories. “The Snake Catcher Brothers’ Dream” is a fable with a simple message; “The Secret of the Old Leather Pouch” mines deep feelings of honor, tradition, and family history. “Observe” takes a comical look at a vain man on his commute to work, told without the assistance of dialogue or narration. At the heart of every piece lies O’s discerning eye for character and dialogue. The stories also work as unique portraits of Korea’s present-day culture, giving a broad sense of the history and issues important to its people. O displays equal levels of skill and range in his artwork; all black and white, the styles range from realistic watercolors to cartoon charcoal drawings. With each piece so different, readers gain an impression of the depth and variety possible within the medium.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale

Gr 9 Up–Ever since the release of the movie American Splendor, Pekar has become widely known and regarded as a writer of autobiographical graphic novels. What keeps his writing interesting is that he not only continues to take new approaches in examining his own life, but he also collaborates with different artists. Here, he focuses on his childhood and young adult years. Teens will find much to empathize with, from his sense of alienation as a young Jewish boy in an increasingly African-American neighborhood to his struggle to find his place in the world. Pekar is his own worst enemy, finding discouragement in anything less than stunning success, berating himself, and quitting when things don’t go exactly as he plans. That he eventually does make a name for himself, though it is an uneasy success, is a realistic message of encouragement that teens may find comforting. The Quitter is suggested “for mature audiences,” but there is very little to offend. The book itself is well designed, with a bold, eye-catching jacket and excellent black-and-white illustrations.–Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 9 Up–In this OEL manga, readers meet sweet and stunning Maeve, a succubus-in-training. (A succubus is a demon who seduces men and then kills them.) Hailing from the Demon World, she is sent to the human world to fine-tune her skills. She enters high school and meets Aiden, a handsome young slacker with a demanding father and a shrew for a girlfriend. The two become friends, and there is an underlying attraction between them. Their awkward romance builds to a crescendo until Maeve completes her training and is instructed to kill her first human, which happens to be Aiden. Though the sexual innuendo is kept to a minimum, and the relationship ventures no further than flirting, there is some fairly strong language. The characters are well crafted and likable. The plot is fresh and will appeal to most teens with its elements of high school drama combined with fantasy. These facets of the writing blended with Flores’s gothic manga-inspired art will make this book fly off the shelves.–Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY

Gr 9 Up–A slinky gray cat lives with a rabbi and his beautiful young daughter. One day, the feline eats their parrot, only to find that he has gained the bird’s ability to talk. Witty and highly intelligent, the cat immediately decides that he wants to learn more about Judaism, from the Kabbalah to the Torah. Thus begins this funny, sad, spiritual, and utterly delightful trio of tales. The stories tell much about Jewish life in the 1930s, both in the initial setting of Algeria and in Paris. They also impart Jewish teachings and philosophies in a highly entertaining way, bringing to mind Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy (Berkley, 1996). Sfar is predominantly known in this country for his “Little Vampire” children’s series (S & S), and the drawings have the colorful, cartoon quality of those works while still fitting the sophistication of these. His palette is a gorgeous mix of earth tones that perfectly captures the North African setting. There is plenty for teens to like–humor, romance, and theological questioning combined with a folkloric quality to bring to life a multifaceted work. Sfar is highly praised in France; here’s hoping more of his creations are translated.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Gr 9 Up–In this adaptation, the Weird Sisters are cloaked robots that speak in barcode, the soldiers’ horses are winged dragonlike creatures, and the letters to Lady Macbeth arrive via computer. Despite the intriguing potential of this format and the updated setting, the book is disappointing. As the story opens, the black-and-white artwork is intricate and appealing. However, readers unfamiliar with the plot will have difficulty following the action and the characters. Also, the quality of the illustrations tends to deteriorate at random intervals. For example, in some scenes Lady Macbeth is harshly outlined with thick black lines that look like the work of an amateur manga artist, while in the same panel her husband appears masterfully drawn. Similarly, halfway through the murder of Lady Macduff, the style shifts abruptly, disrupting the flow of the panels. This science-fiction version of the play might be fun to use in a classroom to illustrate the timelessness of the Bard’s plays, but it is unlikely to find a wide audience.–Heather M. Lisowski, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 10 Up–The Amazing Joy Buzzards, a world-traveling, mystery-solving band, have a lair in Mt. Rushmore, and they work for Creative International Artists–although one would think that the CIA would come up with a less obvious name for their cover organization. The band consists of Stevo, on bass, who speaks in pictographs; Gabe, on drums, who is the brains of the operation; and Biff, on guitar, the lead singer and girl-magnet of the group. They are occasionally joined by El Campeon, a mythical Mexican wrestler genie who lives in an amulet and works for doughnuts. Readers are informed that the band is bigger than Elvis, are given some hints about previous adventures, and are then tossed straight into the first crisis, in which poor Stevo is transformed into a Godzilla-like monster and the others face down an evil pink robot. They sell their story to Hollywood, and, once there, find themselves facing the second villain, a man determined to destroy the AJB because its music broke his hypnotic hold on his 15-year-old bride. For real. There is one story not connected to this arc, and it sets up events for the next volume of the series. This is more sophisticated and hip than the setup might lead readers to believe. The art is black and white, with only a few splashes of pink for the robot. It has a propulsive energy that keeps the stories humming along. Great fun.–Susan Salpini, TASIS–The American School in England

Gr 9 Up–While the leader of the Outsiders, Nightwing, has deliberately maintained his emotional distance, the others have continued to develop friendships. But are they all who they seem to be? Arsenal has been receiving advice from Batman, but why would he be helping the Outsiders? How was the security base breached? Is one of the superheroes working against the group? Not only must they worry about one another, but the Outsiders also encounter an unexpected evil that does not come from someone with superpowers. Since this is outside of their realm of expertise, they must enlist the help of humankind–specifically John Walsh of America’s Most Wanted. Although this is an entertaining and exciting graphic novel, it’s an optional purchase. The background information required to follow the story is almost overwhelming, and readers who are not aficionados of the DC comic world could go crazy attempting to sort it all out. However, fans of the previous titles will not be disappointed as the characters continue to develop in engaging ways. Despite some typical graphic novel fare (heroines with large breasts and short skirts, for example), there is hardly any spandex to be seen, and the compelling artwork propels the story forward. Be aware, however, that there is some interspecies sex that might give some adults pause, and a story line involving a child prostitution ring is disturbing.–Heather M. Lisowski, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO