Reviews of Graphic Novels

Gr 3–6—These retellings are straightforward and somewhat simplified, making them fit more easily into the panel-by-panel format. The style works well for the shorter creation myth, but is less successful in Jason's tale: the number of major characters and quick synopses may leave readers wondering why the goddess Hera helped Jason, or why it is important that one of the Argonauts was drowned by what Herdling refers to as a "water fairy." The myths are accurately retold, though Daning uses the Anglicized spelling of the home of the gods (Talocan rather than the more traditional Tlalocan), and the illustrations feature landscapes, clothing styles, and other details to evoke the culture from which the tale came. Each book has a short description of the major characters and a family tree. Mythology buffs may find the tellings overly introductory, but fans of the "Graphic Biographies" series (World Almanac Library) will be thrilled to see these new topics in the graphic-novel format.—Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 5–9—In a post-9/11 world filled with security checks and the constant threat of new forms of terror, Precinct 10, an elite police corps, keeps watch in Neopolis. This volume opens with the officers enjoying a picnic with their family and friends. Their outing is cut short when a terrifying specter appears in the sky. It most resembles a semi-robotic Skeletor (of the He-Man series) and fills the citizens of Neopolis with horror. The specter convinces the mayor that the tenure of the much-respected Captain Traynor has ended and appoints Major Cindercott, a man/robot who burns sulfur for fuel. The officers of the department react badly to the replacement of their beloved captain and to the restrictions applied by his successor—no vacation or sick leave and check-ins every 15 minutes. With discontent in Precinct 10, the continued appearance of the specter, and a new robot drug that connects its users with a higher power, the city is at its most vulnerable. The illustrations are of high quality, especially considering the mixture of robots, superheroes, and humans (look for a few familiar pop-culture faces among the "extras" throughout the story). The colors are crisp and clear and give Neopolis an air of darkness and despair. With its mix of species, superpowers, and political leanings, Farthest Precinct makes a solid addition to collections that include titles in the "X-Men" series.—Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 4–8—This graphic adaptation of the classic retains the excitement of Oliver's captures, escapes, rescues, and eventual salvation. Malam has kept some of Dickens's original dialogue, suitably explained in footnotes, so that the work does preserve some of its flavor. Each page features up to nine small illustrations in a fairly dim palette with browns and grays dominating. The panels feature captions underneath that tell the story along with dialogue and thought balloons, but speaking characters do not always have open mouths. The art is curiously static for a story filled with fleeing and fighting. The book opens with a page of characters that helps readers keep track of them. The work concludes with brief information on Dickens, some early criticism of the original story, notes on stage and screen productions, and a few pages on London's poor during Oliver's day that help to put the story into context. Will Eisner's Fagin the Jew (Doubleday, 2003) retells Oliver's story within Fagin's own and is for somewhat older audiences. Though not as appealing as one might hope for a graphic adaptation, Oliver is a suitable alternative for kids who want some visuals with their texts.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 6–8—Dreamy, artistic Chloe alienates her friends Erika, Isabel, and Mackenzie when she falls for Adam, the biggest outcast in their high school. The conventional cartoon style of the black-and-white drawings is attractive and accessible, giving the story the look of a hipper "Archie" comic. The resulting tone is light and squeaky clean. Chloe and Adam's romance is sweetly awkward, and the friends ultimately support one another with heartfelt advice. There are some mature themes: Mackenzie has already lost her virginity, and Erika's boyfriend is pressuring her to have sex. Still, this entertaining yet simplistic story may appeal to tweens more than teens.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 6 Up—Chickenhare is a hare with the feet and feathers of a chicken, and he and his turtle friend, Abe, are the valuable property of Klaus, a twisted taxidermist who has killed many of the animals in the surrounding area "for home decor purposes." They manage to escape along with two other prisoners and now Buttons, Klaus's beloved, deceased pet goat, wants to help them end his former owner's tyranny. A simple layout with clean lines and conventional paneling make this book suitable for young readers new to comics, but the dark humor is not. It can be quite gruesome: Klaus's house is filled with eerie displays of his taxidermy victims and, at the end of the story, victorious animals eat their human enemies. While the characters are quirky and likable, the story is resolved without much development on their part. Chickenhare owes an influence to Jeff Smith's "Bone" series (Scholastic) but lacks its complexity of plot and character, as well as its emotional depth. A second volume is forthcoming, however, so perhaps there is still room for the story to evolve.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up—Prior to DC Comics's revamp of its superhero universe in Infinite Crisis, a series of prelude miniseries were released to set up the larger conflicts that the central title would address. Despite the fact that each of these series—including Greg Rucka's The OMAC Project and Gail Simone's Villains United (both 2006)—ended abruptly and had a promised follow-up "special" yet to be published, they were collected in trade paperback. Unable to be included in the already-released trades or compiled with the massive Infinite Crisis collection, they appear in their semi-orphaned state in this book. The title is actually apt, but it doesn't make the effect any less jagged: the stories are clearly continuations of distant events, and they have only the most tenuous of internal connections. To use popular comic-universe terminology, they are a tangled mass of "continuity," helping to draw lines between other books, events, and situations. The varied artwork is quite good, and the stories are not without drama and effective moments, but this volume would be lost on casual readers; the characters are plentiful and the situations convoluted, as the massive cast of practically the entire superhero world shows up to be counted. As a supplement to collections that contain the previously mentioned titles, it would be welcome and quite useful, but it would be a mystifying morass if read on its own.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 7 Up—In this manwha (Korean manga), Hyun-Min is trying to fit in at his new school, his father is strict and domineering, and his mother is worse. Lena is the captain of the kumdo (swordfighting) team, and she often wishes she had been born a boy. Her father is strict and domineering, and her mother is weak. It's only after Hyun-Min and Lena have shared their first kiss that they learn that they have the same father. Even after they learn that they're related, they're still attracted to one another. With the incestuous/androgynous attraction (Hyun-Min thinks she's a boy when he first meets her), the swordfighting, and a strange parallel world that Lena sees in her dreams, teens will be amazed. These intertwining plots may confuse some readers, but they'll be more likely to want to reread the book than put it down. The black-and-white artwork is striking at times, capturing not only the prerequisite pointy hair and pooling tears but also reflecting the emotional states of characters in uniquely pixilated and crosshatched details. The title probably applies to Lena, although she doesn't actually save anyone. In fact, Hyun-Min tries to save her more than once, and she is inadvertently responsible for the deaths of several people. However, at the end of the book, readers learn that in volume 2 she will reemerge as the savior of the world that she's only visited in her dreams.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 5–7—Stacey is the new girl in town. She has made three good friends in a babysitters club but her memories of her old friends still haunt her. Many of them, including her best friend, Laine, ditched her after she was diagnosed with diabetes. Her parents aren't much help; they keep dragging her from doctor to doctor looking for a miracle cure. All Stacey wants to do is manage her condition on her own terms. An impending trip back to New York and a rival babysitting club has Stacey confused and nervous. Will she be able to reconcile with Laine? Will this new group, complete with sitters who can stay up late, end the club for good? The graphic adaptation of the hugely popular series has as much heart as the original. The girls' dedication to the kids they care for and to their friendship never comes off as hokey. The black-and-white cartoons capture each character's personality; the facial expressions say a lot. Each girl has her own style. The outfits have been updated but the skirts haven't gotten shorter. A solid purchase for both school and public libraries.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 8 Up—War and genocide result from a brutal death match between Superman and Wonder Woman, in one of the most riveting "Wonder Woman" story lines in recent years. Under the mind control of the sadistic Maxwell Lord, Superman is sent on a violent path of destruction, attempting to kill not only Batman, but Wonder Woman as well. As this thrilling battle ensues, she learns that the only way to quell Superman is by permanently disarming Max Lord. In a shocking move, she does the unthinkable and snaps his neck, an event that is broadcast via satellite across the globe. Her actions create a profound rift between her and the rest of the patriarch's world as they question the sincerity of her mission as ambassador of peace. Shunned and rejected, she returns to Themyscira to defend her island home against an aggressive retaliation by the OMAC troops. After much bloodshed, the Amazons and their gods retreat to another realm, leaving Wonder Woman alone to face the consequences of her crime. Solid artwork complements Rucka's engrossing, action-filled story about heroism, ethics, and responsibility. This book is a must-read for all DC fans. However, episodes tie in directly with larger events taking place simultaneously in the DC Universe. Many convoluted, ancillary plot developments are fully expounded in two related collections, Superman: Sacrifice (2006) and The OMAC Project (2005, both DC Comics). While Wonder Woman can be read independently, it is recommended that libraries purchase the related books to avoid any confusion.—Philip Charles Crawford, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT

Gr 8 Up—Irritable wunderkind with a secret past, Aoi discovers that he's the only male not susceptible to the busty, flirty charms of the goddess Pandora. In an attempt to change this, she unleashes a massive wave of power that drains her reserves and transforms her into a spindly preteen, and the only way to restore herself to her full buxom capacity is to steal a kiss from her grumpy mortal companion. Together with a dry, placid cat named Mattsun, they seek out cupidlike "charms" that take the form of beautiful women destroying men with wiles and invisible chains. Permeated with cheesecake poses, the basic story hits a number of familiar manga tropes and should be particularly familiar to readers of CLAMP's XxxHOLIC (Del Rey, 2004), although it lacks that title's elegance or mystery. Underlying the search for the charms lies the ongoing development of the relationship between Aoi and Pandora and Pandora's slow understanding of the importance of love beyond simple attraction. And while that aspect of the story has potential, the unfortunate gender assumptions and the simplicity with which the missions are resolved create a comedy with a good heart but little else. The book may appeal to fans of the genre, but won't convince anyone else of potential quality inherent to the manga medium.—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 5–7—Most children know the story of the Wizard of Oz but they might not be familiar with the land after Dorothy's first adventure. Here, Dorothy returns to the Emerald City to live with the new queen, Ozma. Oz is fully imagined in graphic form, and each page is filled with color and light. The book features five stories. Dorothy must protect an apple tree or Oz will lose its magic, she journeys to a secret island in search of a rare fish, the Ice King steals Ozma off the throne, a young nymph is banished from the Forbidden Forest and forced to marry a troll, and Dorothy sets out to break an age-old enchantment. The stories feature many of Baum's familiar characters but it is the paintings that really capture the true spirit of Oz. While some children may protest a blond Dorothy, Shanower's renderings are so magical that readers will soon forget about braids and gingham dresses. Leaves appear to rustle; Ozma's silk robes seem to shine. The oversize format shows off the rich detail. This volume belongs right beside Baum's Wizard of Oz.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 3–8—The graphic biography portions of each volume are bookended by a table of contents, a visual "Who's Who," and a few pages of background information in the front and some concluding text, a glossary, further-information sources, and an index at the end. In the section on the Vietnam War in Ali, Shone oversimplifies Communism as a system where "everything is shared," which could make it difficult for children to understand why America wanted to stop its spread. The artwork in both books is reminiscent of vibrantly colored woodcuts, with thick black lines that clearly delineate figures and objects. The art in Ali conveys the sense of motion in the ring. Both texts cover their subjects well and have up-to-date details, such as the opening of the Muhammad Ali Center and the death of Rosa Parks. Ali describes several matches, including their violence, while also recounting important events outside the ring like the boxer's refusal to be drafted. Parks makes clear that she was not simply a tired woman who didn't want to give up her seat but an active member of the NAACP who was willing to be arrested in order to fight bus segregation. Because of their visual appeal and popular subjects, these books deserve a place in most collections.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Gr 3–5—Gus is a big fan of comic-books, especially of Spider-Man. He is expressive and all-out funny, and his creativity puts him in precarious situations. Just as his comic-book heroes narrowly escape the clutches of various villains, Gus, too, escapes reality in a "Calvin and Hobbes"-esque vivid and active imagination. Much of his character is graphically expressed in dramatic lines and sharp angles. Gus's stories are told on the top portion of the pages and his comic-book creations are at the bottom. In the first title, Gus goes to a family reunion, where he replaces his family with villains from the "Spider-Man" stories. In Along Came a Spidey, Gus has to face the shame of losing a race to his sister. He also meets Spider-Man's secret alias, Peter Parker, and witnesses an exciting skirmish with the Vulture and Green Goblin. This continuation is just as hilarious as the first. The visual interpretations are a hoot, such as Aunt Violet replaced by arch villain Venom. Kids will enjoy the complete silliness of these titles.—Joel Bangilan, Houston Public Library, TX

Gr 2–6—In this retelling of Stevenson's classic story, each spread is structured as a chapter and provides a short story arc within the larger tale. The elements of suspense or triumph that close each chapter compel readers to turn the page for the next piece of the story. However, the graphic storytelling leaves much to be desired, especially in the essential layout and presentation. The pages are comprised of a series of mostly wordless panels, depicting tight close-ups of the characters as their situations are described in captions paraphrasing Stevenson's prose with none of its luster. When dialogue does appear, it is placed artificially at the top of each panel despite the fact that it is almost universally meant to follow the caption it precedes, creating a dissonant reading experience. Vocabulary is defined in footnotes, and a handful of concluding pages provide some context for Stevenson's life and background on the novel. The volume may well provide young readers with a desired dose of pirates, but this attempt has not bent the format to fit the vintage tale. Try the version adapted and illustrated by Tim Hamilton, instead (Puffin, 2005).—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 4–6—These titles present basic facts about how vehicles work. Various mechanical functions are explored by focusing on what happens when many parts of a machine are not functioning. Some are obvious, such as a plane with unattached wings; others are more subtle, such as loose spokes on a motorcycle. In each case, two kids work together to identify and fix the error as they try to get the vehicle running properly. Along the way, they explain the repair process to one another. By the time the machine is fixed, the children have conveyed general information and some specific details about how the various parts function together to make the machines operate. Descriptions of more complex operations, such as the pistons of a steam train, may be hard to grasp fully, but clear language and diagrams within the panels make the basic concepts fairly easy to follow. The dialogue is stiff and the drawing unexceptional, but the characters and their repair efforts serve mainly as conduits for factual data. The inclusion of both genders in each pair of kids is a nice feature, and the comic-style panels may draw interest from readers who might be put off by more typical nonfiction presentations on these popular topics.—Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

Gr 10 Up—Studious Aya and her flighty party-girl friends, Adjoua and Bintou, live in suburban Ivory Coast in 1978. Aya hopes to continue her studies and become a doctor, while her father, a manager at a local brewery, would rather see her marry well. Unfortunately, the mate he has in mind for her, the son of his boss, is an even bigger partier than Bintou and Adjoua—as all will soon find out. Aya is actually more observer than participant—most of the action revolves around the peripheral characters—although she is often an instigator. This realistic story immerses readers in the life of an Ivorian teen of the period. Yet for those familiar with the civil unrest occurring in this part of Africa during the ensuing years, the simplicity of life depicted can't help but be extra poignant; the subplot of one teen's unplanned pregnancy has universal elements. Oubrerie's images are comic and light, somewhat reminiscent of Joann Sfar's, who edited this collection when it was first published in France. There is also some fun back matter, including a glossary, how to wrap a pagne (skirt cloth), and a few recipes. This pleasing volume will make a good addition to graphic-novel collections.—Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Gr 10 Up—Everyone on Earth, good and bad, goes to the Afterlife after they die. It is ugly, cruel, and rapidly decaying, so Thadeus and his fellow guardians must use their extra powers to preserve it. However, Thaddeus decides to abandon his work and search for a mythical gate leading to a better world. While the book's packaging and layout resemble manga, its drawing style is more detailed and realistic. Manga fans will find the protagonists much less attractive than the heroes and heroines they're used to; they are drawn with gangly, thin bodies; wrinkled skin; and homely, uneven features. Readers who get past the less-trendy drawing style, though, will find a story that is gripping and melodramatic. A guardian named Mercutio searches endlessly for his lost love, and Thaddeus's dark narration may appeal to fans of gothic and horror fiction. Language and violence make this most suitable for older teens.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up—Siobhan is the sort of college student who often finds herself in the middle of things-she is someone whom others are drawn to instinctively. She is a dreamer who often finds herself wrapped up in magical visions. One night her band is going on stage when a strange event transpires that pulls Siobhan and her closest friends, and a few innocent bystanders, off on the adventure of their lives. Half of them, including Siobhan, end up in a world run by powerful wizards and inhabited by legendary creatures. The other half, including her angry, brilliant, and recently betrayed boyfriend, are sent to an advanced technological world inhabited by bizarre cyborgs. Both worlds believe themselves threatened by the other, and the looming war pits friends against friends in a terrible battle. This book will find few teen readers. The illustrations and colors are gorgeous, but while fans of high fantasy might find it intriguing, the complex plot and characters will prove challenging to follow for all but the most dedicated readers. School librarians should also be aware of some profanity, nudity, and violence.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Gr 10 Up—On the opening page of this compilation, readers are reminded that "The events in this story take place approximately 3,964 years before the Battle of Yavin." Even though the action occurs before the traditional Star Wars saga, those familiar only with the first Star Wars characters won't feel lost: these stories are peopled with characters that represent the same worlds and situations laid down in the original framework. Zayne Carrick is one of five padawan who are about to take part in a ceremony to see which of them will be knighted, and Zayne thinks he has no chance because he is totally inept. The Mandolorian War is heating up and the Jedi council is split on whether to join or not. It is an exciting time and about to get more so. The "Knights of the Old Republic" stories explore the motives and reasoning that add a gray area to the black and white, good and bad, of Jedi versus Sith that the original stories lack. The artwork is colorful and kinetic. This book is a thrill ride not to be missed, a nonstop action story that will captivate readers.—Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CA

Gr 10 Up—The first volume of this manga series introduces Judas and his servant, Eve. Once a mortal man, Judas carries a curse that has transformed him into the spirit of Death, and he must take the lives and souls of 666 people in order to free himself. He is unable to interact with most people—they can neither see nor feel him—so he uses a boy to do the killing. In addition to being forced to murder, the boy is also required to dress as a girl and answer to the name Eve. The story is confusing, and the art is uninspired. The stock manga characters, particularly the girls, are sometimes indistinguishable from one another, further muddling the action. The initial set-up and the dramatic red, white, and black cover may attract some readers, but there is little to keep them coming back for more.—Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood

Gr 9 Up—In the year 2068, anyone from Earth is disparagingly called a "weeder" by the residents of the Earthlight Lunar Colony. The latest arrivals are the new colony director, the new teacher at the Earthlight Academy, and their son, Damon. Because of such well-known parents, being a weeder, and showing interest in Xan's girlfriend, Lise, Damon quickly becomes a target of Xan and his friends. Some of the conflicts in this book are resolved with unrealistic speed. For example, Lise is told by her teacher that she doesn't have to stand for Xan's abuse and then minutes later, in an amazing empowerment turnaround, she tells him off. Using a savvy marketing angle, this book is presented as manga and from a distance it looks like a Japanese import. But those who examine it more closely will discover that it reads left to right and is actually an American creation. The artwork features beautiful images of the colony's structures, as well as many views of the star-filled sky. The end of the book includes drawings and 3-D software images that were used as early designs for the final version. The humans are drawn realistically, although their hair is a little pointy at times (the manga influence, or just the effect of no atmosphere?). Periodic references to terrorism foreshadow the cliff-hanger ending in which a terrorist (the LAST person you'd expect) takes over a power satellite and holds the Earth hostage. Readers will clamor for volume two to see what happens next.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up—Morrison is one of the more innovative writers in superhero comics, mixing layers of character and complex concepts with the straight-ahead action for which the genre is known. He assumed the writing for Patrol in the early 1990s, keeping classic characters like Robotman, but quickly making the title his own by adding bizarre figures. Among the latter are a sentient city street and a woman with 64 distinct personalities, each with a unique set of superpowers. Musclebound spans issues 42–50 of the original serial and starts when Flex Mentallo, a superstrong hero inspired by Charles Atlas, seeks out the help of the Doom Patrol to battle a dark cabal, known as the Men from N.O.W.H.E.R.E., hiding under the Pentagon. Later stories include a being that threatens to destroy a small town by bringing its inhabitants' sexual fantasies to life and a team of supervillains called the New New New Brotherhood of Dada, a nonsensical group that fights to rid the world of every piece of logic and rationality. Despite a different artist for each issue, the illustrations have a consistently realistic but sketchy style that gets cartoony when the plot calls for it. Doom Patrol is for older YAs looking for something a little bit different. Part satire and part reinvention of comics, this collection delivers tales that, despite being over a decade old, are still fresh and daring.—Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA

Gr 9 Up—Luca tries to live a normal life with friends and boyfriends but nothing ever seems to turn out right. She is consumed with protecting her sister from a life in a mental institution, a fate that befell their mother. She is haunted by dreams of her father, a scientist who experimented with animals, and the creatures that were his subjects. This Swedish artist was obviously influenced by the manga style. Her art is haunting and vivid, with saturated colors and intricate details, but the plot is disjointed and seems unfinished.—Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up—Rall's style of humor ranges from abrasive to just plain silly. Often the barbs are designed to make readers confront uncomfortable subjects. This collection of cartoons is accompanied by a long essay in which the author elaborates on the inspiration and aftermath surrounding some of his most controversial cartoons. Brief annotations add depth to readers' understanding of his work or put his words and drawings in a new light. His commentary on 9/11 and the Iraq war earned him death threats as well as ridicule, and pressure from conservatives has coincided with decisions by some media outlets to withdraw his syndication. He shares some of the hateful e-mails he has received, and their hyperbole is oddly reminiscent of Rall's own satire. The author describes his fervent addiction to cable news, and his knowledge of world politics is evident in his nuanced references to current events. By contrast, his caricature of George W. Bush lacks any notion of subtlety—Bush sports pointy fangs and a dictatorial military getup. The blockish bodies and high-contrast black-and-white faces add an almost deadpan delivery to the artist's humor. In addition to political cartoons that have been featured in national newspapers such as the New York Times, this volume includes comics that appeared in the magazine Men's Health. With these panels, Rall turns his scathing wit on relationships and the human condition. Politically aware teens will find his work provocative.—Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CA

Gr 10 Up—Mitch Hundred, aka the Great Machine, saved the second tower from falling on 9/11 by communicating directly with the airplane heading toward it. His heroics convinced the citizens of New York to elect him mayor, and March to War opens with Mayor Hundred dealing with unrest in the city. Political cartoons display him as a caped superhero unable to handle the daily needs of the city, and a protest against the war in Iraq has it divided. Advisors warn him not to approve the protest, and staff member Journal Moore resigns because her boyfriend is a veteran and she wants to support him by attending it. As predicted, chaos ensues, sarin gas is thrown into the crowd, four die immediately, and dozens more are rushed to the hospital, including Journal Moore. In an effort to regain his political clout and to find out who hurt her, Hundred initiates mandatory searches at every subway station. Even this may not prove enough to stop the terrorists and the mayor may revive his alter ego in order to save New York once again. The graphics seem a mix of World War II-era propaganda posters and edgy graphic novels like Sin City. With the exception of a few characters with superpowers, this is one of the most realistic comics available. With advanced political content and some raunchy language, it's most appropriate for older teens.—Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA