Graphic Novels

Gr 7 Up–Shakespeare’s classic play is retold with a significant effort by the publisher to preserve the language and tone of the original. And it’s a successful effort; the dialogue remains mostly intact and Brown’s clever layouts do a good job of both staging the action and providing a well-paced breakdown of the Shakespearean English, so that new or young readers will be better able to comprehend the sometimes-arcane language. However, Brown has a curious tendency to have the flow of word balloons drift from right to left. With this OEL adaptation paging from left to right, this occasionally makes the pages mildly confusing to read. An additional distraction is the decision to have the play set in an alternate world where people dress in Roman robes over mod-style shirts and trousers, and where futuristic telecoms exist alongside antique swords. And while the figure work may not be everyone’s cup of tea–the boys are cute in a yaoi sort of way, while the girls have a wide-eyed awkwardness, and noses disappear and reappear continually–the storytelling and layouts show a high level of craft and succeed in portraying much of the humor of the play.–Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 7 Up–The enduring strength of The Tempest lies in Shakespeare’s poetic language, and this abridgment offers richly illustrated “sound bites” of some of its most famous lines. The theatrical qualities of manga are well suited to the romantic drama and fairy-tale elements of the play, moving the story forward while enhancing the meaning of the poetry. This art form lends itself well to the images of Ariel’s invisibility to all but Prospero, Antonio and Sebastian plotting the deaths of Alonso and Gonzolo as they circle the sleeping bodies, Miranda’s large eyes weeping as Ferdinand declares his love, and Prospero’s finger drying her tears while saying, “Fair encounter of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace on that which breeds between them.” This adaptation follows the series format: the book is read from left to right and the cast of characters appears up front. Both the introduction and a map showing the location of major events help readers follow the plot. One obstacle is the abrupt change of scenes with no visual clue that the story has shifted to another scene. Back matter includes a plot summary and brief biography of Shakespeare. This adaptation would be useful both as an introduction to the play and as a companion piece for classroom study of it, using images to illuminate the Bard’s eloquent poetry.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 1-3–Two veteran cartoonists collaborate to create a comic-strip-style book for beginning readers. Otto, an orange cat, receives a mysterious lamp from his aunt. While dusting it off, he releases the genie that resides within and is offered a wish as a reward. Otto declares that he would like everything in the world to be orange, his favorite color; however, after his wish is granted, the results–including a bad-tasting orange lamb chop and an orange-only traffic light that causes car accidents–soon cause him to have second thoughts. With the help of Aunt Sally Lee, Otto outsmarts the genie and sets things right. Each page features one to four panels, and the bulk of the story is told through dialogue balloons. The cartoons are lively and colorful. Clear chapter divisions, a clean graphic design, and large-size print make this title more appropriate for early readers than most comic-book offerings. Still, true beginners may have trouble with some of the vocabulary and struggle to follow the narrative flow. Offer this to book readers with a bit of experience under their belts and an interest in comics and cartoons.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up–In the first two books, readers learn that Miki is a high school senior trying to find her place in the world, but Hiro, though a teenager, is also a “Deliverer,” a member of a secret organization that captures love from dying relationships and gives it to new couples. Deliverers are forbidden to fall in love with humans. Supernatural abilities aside, “Miki Falls” remains a series about two star-crossed lovers. After Hiro’s fellow Defender, Reika, confronts them, Miki proposes that they run away, and Hiro suggests the home of Toshiko Yamada, an octogenarian who left the fold of the Deliverers decades earlier. There, they believe they will be safe for a time. Drawn in black-and-white pencil, the characters look ready to step off the page into a television series. While they are recognizable as Japanese, Crilley clearly has an American influence, and his fashions look to be straight out of a neighborhood Target store. Miki, blissfully, has none of the typical histrionics exhibited by other female manga characters, and Hiro has the same confusion over loyalty and love that many boys would have. The passion is mild and the story line vaguely familiar (as are most stories with star-crossed lovers), making this series a good pick for middle school students. Libraries looking to purchase Autumn should make sure to also purchase Spring, Summer (both 2007), and Winter (2008, all HarperCollins).–Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 3-5–In this collection of a three-issue series, a group of preadolescents, including Robert (an African American), Raymond (a Hispanic) and Jinn (an Asian American who uses a wheelchair) solve mysteries in their small town. In “Case of the Missing Roses,” a night prowler destroys the rose garden of the Khatibs, an Indian-American family new to the neighborhood. In “Patriot Dreams,” a white supremacist founds a club called the League of Real Patriots and sets fire to the new community center to avoid an influx of “immigrants.” Finally, “A Friend in Need” focuses on Ben, a cranky football player whose behavior appears to be getting worse after a prejudiced and strict man becomes his stepfather. Each story includes a heavy-handed message about tolerance, acceptance, and diversity. Drawn in a traditional comic-book format with characters resembling a more modern Archie, The Scrapyard Detectives may make a useful teaching tool but it will not appeal to kids for general recreational reading.–Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 4-8–Four classic tales of horror and one original monster story are presented in this series. Styles of art and lettering are matched to the period and tone of each volume. Ho’s illustrations for Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde are sepia-toned and accompanied by text in an ornate font, while Zornow’s Sleepy Hollow scenes range from the bright colors of a sunlit farm to the dark, moody road late at night, all accompanied by classic comic-book lettering. Zornow’s original werewolf tale pits the beast against an array of monsters commanded by a vampire in an action-packed adventure well suited to its length. Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde, and Mummy (based on an unspecified Bram Stoker work, but drawing heavily on The Jewel of Seven Stars), unfortunately, all suffer from being so condensed. Still, young horror fans will enjoy these graphic (not gory) renditions.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood

Gr 4-6–In this craft book in graphic-novel format, siblings Celine and Tucker show, through dialogue balloons, how a little ingenuity can turn everyday household items and discarded material into fun, cutting-edge projects. The activities range from simple (making ice cream, safety goggles from plastic liter bottles, and a flute from a turkey baster) to complex endeavors that require extra patience for trial and error as well as some heavy-duty hardware. The introduction for the marshmallow shooter, for example, features different kinds of handsaws as Celine demonstrates the proper cutting technique. While the creators recommend adult supervision, especially for constructing a tree swing, Tucker and Celine are mostly shown on their own. Still, the comic-book art normally associated with action heroes captures the siblings’ exuberant, innovative spirits and the format allows for more detailed instructions for project construction. Recommended for creative but mindful budding inventors/designers/engineers.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 7 Up–In this noted illustrator’s graphic-novel debut, humanity suddenly finds itself at the bottom of the food chain. With a flash of mysterious blue light, each person on Earth is miniaturized to no more than six inches tall. Everyday objects and former household pets become obstacles and predators in this new life. From the chaos, a teenage boy and his sister emerge as leaders. As they try to reunite and establish a safe haven, there are some violent images. Lush artwork, action, and suspense draw readers past the sometimes-clunky narration and dialogue, and a cliff-hanger ending suggests a possible sequel. Recommend this one to graphic novel fans looking for something different from classic superheroes and manga.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood

Gr 7-9–The Danger Girls are three “super-sexy super-spies” whose latest mission is to track down the Master Key that controls nuclear missiles around the world. But does the Master Key actually exist? This is a typical superhero comic, filled with action, snappy banter, and big guns. The illustrations are drawn with fluid, confident lines, and inventive paneling gives a dynamic, cinematic look to the action scenes. In one of the best, a Danger Girl flings herself and a hostage through an office window and parachutes her way down. She, like her fellow spies, executes all of her heroic deeds in skimpy clothing, with vampy, sultry poses. This fast-paced story should circulate, though its intended audience is more likely adolescent boys than future Danger Girls.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

PreS-Gr 2–Hayes successfully combines a comic-book format with effective easy-reader elements to introduce two delightful mouse siblings. Penny, clothed in pale-blue princess regalia, persistently seeks out her older brother’s company, though Benny, who is busy playing pirate, brushes her off repeatedly. Finally fed up, Benny calls her “a dumb, bad little sister!” and she dissolves into tears. After an offstage intercession from Mom, Benny suggests a game of hide-and-seek, hurries Penny into an outdoor storage bin, and tells her to stay put. Time passes without Penny making an appearance. Benny begins to miss her and is relieved when she finally turns up, explaining, “I had to go pee-pee!” After Penny proves her courage by shooing away a frightening dragonfly, Benny apologizes for his harsh words; the sibs share a “huggy” and then play pirates together. The simple language, brief sentences, and clean layout–with large text, easy-to-follow sequencing, and an uncluttered design–are appropriate for newly independent readers. The warm-hued panel pictures contain enough detail to provide visual clues and create a sense of place while briskly propelling the action forward. The characters have expressive features that reflect changing emotions, and the sibling relationship is sweetly and realistically portrayed. A fresh and fun choice for beginning readers–especially those discouraged by text-heavy pages–and for sharing aloud.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal

Gr 8-10-The Wizard of Oz has been reinvented as a science-fiction manga: the Cowardly Lion is a mutant lab escapee, the Tin Woodman is a cyborg, and the Scarecrow is a human clone. Dorothy is Mara Shin, a ninth grader who leaves her conventional teenage life to follow a yellow brick road that only she can see. Oz is a frightening place, full of corrupt wizards and renegade armies. A Korean manwha, this should appeal to fans of Japanese manga. The paneling is more conventionally horizontal than in most Japanese comics. However, the intricate drawings, especially the dramatically angled fight scenes, are just as effective in conveying the story’s drama. Though this sci-fi update is edgy and original, its intricate plot is confusing, which may frustrate and bore some readers. Not an essential purchase.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up–Shakespeare’s original play has been modernized and recast in a graphic format with characters drawn from posed models, creating a realistic feel. The cover depiction of a casket, embossed with images of the courtroom scene, sets the stage for the multiple layers of meaning embedded within this drama, and beautiful endpapers with the “fish” map of Venice foreshadow the opening scene. The careful use of color to signal scene changes and page headings helps readers follow the action and refer to the original play. As the author’s note explains, the decision to modernize the story creates visual and textual anachronisms. The men are attired in dress shirts and business suits. Portia wears an evening gown, even while traveling. Shylock sports a neatly trimmed beard and a slightly off-center bow tie, making it hard to envision him brandishing a knife in the courtroom. Even more jarring is the shift between modernized speech and the original Shakespearean language. For example, in Act I, Nerissa tells Portia, “Your father was a pretty sharp guy.” In contrast, Nerissa announces in Act II, “My lord and lady, we that have stood by and seen our wishes prosper wish you joy.” Despite the inconsistency, readers looking for an accessible introduction to the plot, major characters, and themes of The Merchant of Venice will enjoy this visually appealing book.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 4-8–There is a simple pleasure in reading a choose-your-own-adventure book. The option to reconsider every plot twist is perhaps one reason, and another may be the power of happenstance. These titles add to this engaging genre. Both feature fairly involved stories, with a page of text usually alternating with a full-color comic panel that illustrates the action. The artwork is in a good comic style, not mangalike and not trying to replicate a superhero style, either. In Time Travel Trap, a group of kids are hurtled through various time periods, and the imagined futures and known historical pasts are carefully imagined and chosen. In Zombie Island, a group of children are trying to escape from pirates and zombies after a shipwreck. Both of these titles have a comic sensibility, and even when readers choose a plot twist that leads to doom, the writing is still humorous and sarcastic. Young readers will devour every page and follow the chain of events leading to each scene of happy or horrible ending. Don’t miss out on these excellent titles–they’re great for getting children who “hate reading” to change their mind.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 5 Up–Erin Hunter’s “Warriors” series (HarperCollins) gets a manga-style treatment in this addition to the series. What makes it different from other prose-to-comics adaptations is that it isn’t a straight translation but rather an entirely new story line that expands on the prose novels rather than merely supplementing them. Tough and wise Graystripe has befriended the now-liberated Millie and the two are searching for Graystripe’s old allies, the ThunderClan. After braving a highway and escaping some monstrous farm machinery, the felines take refuge in a barn, only to find other cats already living there. The current residents are wary of them, as the situation is tense. The owners have no love for cats and their dogs make the barn dwellers virtual prisoners. Predictably, Graystripe and Millie win over both the humans and cats, but the resolution is actually the book’s high point: through Millie’s bravery, readers discover that the dogs aren’t cruel–they just like to chase cats. The artwork is merely competent and the story (which was not written by Hunter) is slight, but fans of the novels and cat stories in general will be drawn to it. While the majority of the lettering is done in the standard comics all-caps style, whenever humans are speaking the font becomes scratchy and aggressive. While this appears to be a deliberate choice to accentuate the humans’ villain role, it is retained even after they befriend the cats, and is especially odd when a toddler is speaking.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 4-8–In this companion book to the “Flight” series for older readers, the editor succeeds in putting together a remarkable collection that will appeal to a younger audience. Kean Soo’s “Jellaby,” for example, shows the humorous and contemplative moments between a girl and a friendly monster as they experience their first snowfall together. More comedic is Kibuishi’s story about crossing a ravine of mushrooms and Johane Matte’s Egyptian cat whose haughtiness dissolves into grossly indulgent self-pity. Perhaps most rousing is Jake Parker’s “Missile Mouse,” an action-packed space drama complete with a prophecy, explosions, and lessons about responsibility and trust. While there is no underlying theme to the anthology, every story has a layout that promotes an acute sense of pacing and showcases the crisp, defined, full-color art indicative of some of the creators’ animation backgrounds. Flight Explorer is an excellent introduction to graphic novels as it shows that you’re never too young to laugh, think, and take part in some visual feasting.–Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Gr 7 Up–Lucy is a wizard who’s looking to join the Fairy Tail Guild, which is famous for its members’ out-of-control antics. When she meets Natsu, she never imagines that he’s really Salamander of Fairy Tail. He spends much of his time as an ordinary guy who suffers from severe motion sickness in trains, boats, and even horse-drawn carriages. But when he taps into his magical abilities, he turns into an awesome fighter who uses fire to vanquish his enemies. By the end of the first volume, Lucy has joined the guild as well as Natsu and his flying cat as a team member. In the second volume, the team steals a magical book from the evil Duke Everlue and joins forces with Erza Scarlet to fight a guild that plans to use death-curse magic. Lucy and Natsu are the central figures in a large cast of characters, many of whom have unique abilities. Readers never see Erza’s special skills in action, but it’s clear that they involve lots of blood. The beings summoned by Lucy from the celestial spirit world are often temperamental and sometimes politically incorrect. The humor is often jaw-droppingly funny, meaning that the characters’ jaws drop so low and so often that they look like something out of a Tex Avery cartoon. The illustrations are lively and keep the stories moving briskly. Each volume is filled with magic and humor and ends with a suspenseful cliff-hanger that will draw readers into the rest of the series.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

PreS-Gr 1–Minimal text and simple cartoons follow Silly Lilly through the course of a year. Each seasonal adventure is a complete story in which the child delights in the smallest discoveries. She wonders about a tiny snail, the taste of fall apples, and snow. The quiet humor will not bring on belly laughs, but will be appreciated by young audiences. The simplified comic-book format has one to two panels per page. Each panel has one dialogue balloon; each balloon has a single sentence. The short sentences and large print make this a good choice for beginning readers. The descriptive illustrations assist with the storytelling and make this book adaptable for preliteracy conversations. This small-sized book is best read alone or shared one to one.–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Gr 6-9–Alex continues to shift between his normal life on Earth and his adventures in Dreamland, where he combats the machinations of a dragon king with the help of an elf princess, a fairy, and a rock monster he grew up with during his childhood dreams. They are joined by a cat woman of suspicious intent, fight a kraken while trying to decode an ancient message, and discover that Alex’s young cousin can visit Dreamland as well. The book launches, with no recap or introduction for new readers, with a reprint of four action-packed chapters from the ongoing six-book Web comic. Rendered in 3-D computer graphics, the images have a sheen and polish that one might not associate with a free online comic. The characters have a lively sense of “acting,” with convincing facial expressions and body language, and the settings are composed with a significant eye for detail; the lighting and atmosphere differences between Dreamland, the real world, and the underwater scenes show a level of craft and creative effort that are quite impressive. It’s unfortunate, therefore, that some of the characters–particularly Nicodemus, the dragon–look more like plastic toys than CGI characters, and that the dialogue veers between functional and hokey, and is marred by a series of elementary typographical errors. Readers initially taken in by the glossy visuals will quickly lose interest as the wooden exposition combines with the limits of the staid, mechanical layouts.–Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Gr 4-6–The popular French comic lands in the U.S. Kaput and Zösky are power-hungry, bloodthirsty aliens determined to rule as many worlds as they can. Not that the planets have anything to fear. These are the most incompetent would-be dictators in the universe. Zösky is the clear-headed one, managing to come up with some kind of a master plan. Kaput just runs in, guns blazing. Even when they do manage to overthrow a planet, they can’t hold onto it very long. On one planet, the little natives simply grant them sovereignty and this ticks Kaput off–where’s the fun in that? Since the natives obey every word, the duo soon learns that running a planet of willing subjects isn’t that easy, but it is hilarious for readers. The short sequences are broken up by a wordless strip featuring a hapless cosmonaut. Taken in small doses, it’s perfect. As a whole book, however, the antics grow tiresome. Kaput and Zösky are sure to liven up children’s collections that are big on superheroes but light on humor.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 8 Up–Way back when, there was a comic-book series called “The Brave and the Bold” wherein superheroes would team up to battle villainy. Comics star Waid relaunches the series with The Lords of Luck, taking readers on a planet-hopping romp through the DC universe. The story begins when Green Lantern and Batman join forces to investigate a murder. The plot quickly becomes interstellar when Adam Strange, Blue Beetle, Supergirl, and others are enlisted for help. The convoluted plot (aliens attempting to control fate itself) is secondary to the real point of the story, which is an opportunity to play with the heroes and history of DC comics. Longtime readers will likely get the most from this book, which is so packed with references to the DC archives that it even comes with an appendix describing the many references to past stories. Epic in scale, but lighthearted in spirit, this is a book for lovers of heroic adventure comics. Legendary artist Pérez has a distinct, straightforward style and does a commendable job of depicting the scores of characters who populate the pages.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 7 Up–A visually engaging format includes clearly delineated acts and scenes as well as skilled use of dark and light to highlight mood and recurring themes. Many of the images are striking, particularly the white-on-black night scenes describing Queen Mab’s dream appearance and Juliet’s decision to drink poison. Well-drawn characters such as the brash young men, the Nurse, and Friar Lawrence come to life in these panels. This is especially true for Juliet, whose early images of youthful innocence contrast sharply with her distraught face as the story progresses. With the exception of Capulet and Montague, who look more like grandfathers than fathers to such young teens, visual characterizations are accurate. Text for this version comes from an abridgment of the modern English translation found in No Fear Shakespeare (Spark, 2007). Readers will not encounter any of Shakespeare’s language or poetry in this adaptation. Even familiar speeches such as “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” are modernized to “Oh Romeo, Romeo, why must you be Romeo?” A limited number of footnotes explain references to unfamiliar phrases, particularly bawdy humor. Readers interested in graphic-novel versions with excerpts from Shakespeare’s original play should try Romeo and Juliet (Barron’s, 2005), edited by Philip Page and Marilyn Petit, or Richard Appignanesi’s adaptation (Abrams, 2007).–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 10 Up–As a boy in England, Dawson saw the rock group Queen on television; his older brother offered him a cassette of the group’s Frankie Goes to Hollywood album and an obsession was born. In his first full-length book, he gives readers a gently nuanced autobiography in which Queen’s lead singer, Freddy Mercury; Mike’s little sister, Sarah; their grandmother; and of course Mike himself undergo many of life’s stunning changes: emotional independence, self-expression, illness, and loss. When the family leaves England to live in New Jersey, Dawson imports his devotion and spreads his enthusiasm for Queen among his new schoolmates. As an adult, he re-creates these early- and middle-adolescent years with candor, sweetness, and emotional insight. His black-and-white images depict highly individualized characters–including the wide-nosed, orthodontics-wearing author–and panels are constructed to great effect. For teens who have found one particular song or singer to provide the theme music for their lives, as well as for budding artists, Dawson’s story is, indeed, rhapsodic.–Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 10 Up–Echoing Delisle’s female-centered Aline and the Others (Drawn & Quarterly, 2006), Albert examines the testosterone side of gender. With simple images in muted color, the author has created a compact, wordless story of a character for each letter of the alphabet. Usually absurd, sometimes perverse, and always interesting, these men are a delight to encounter. Take for example Jean-Luc, who is literally divided into two selves following a jealous-girl fight. Each girl then happily carries away, marries, and forms a life with her half of him. Years later, after each pint-size Jean-Luc has lost his respective love, the two meet and forge a drunken reunion in a seedy bar. It is amazing to see what Delisle is able to do in each of these limited-frame stories. This collection, though minimalist, presents some big ideas about culture and the nature of human behavior and relationships. It will be a sure hit for mature teen purveyors of black humor and the thoughtfully macabre.–Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA

Gr 10 Up–The facts of Reagan’s life and times are entertainingly presented. Illustrated in a breezy, Mad Magazine style, this slyly witty book can be enjoyed both by detractors, who could read it as a tongue-in-cheek work, and by staunch admirers of the late ex-president. Sharing some of the clever-but-realistic illustrations (Fawn Hall, Oliver North’s secretary, has a hairdo that fills each panel she’s in to bursting) or reading parts aloud is irresistible enough that there’s potential here for viral handselling.–Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CA

Gr 10 Up–This simply drawn graphic satire is largely message-driven, but the message is still entertaining and thought-provoking. As the lighthearted lead character shares what governments, corporations, and activists tell individual Americans to do to save the Earth, her cynical counterpart exposes the futility of these simple solutions. The truth is, even if each and every one of us switched to compact fluorescent bulbs and became vegetarians it would only be a drop in the bucket compared to the damage corporate and government policies are doing to the world environment. The “story” that binds these notions together is an upcoming alien invasion and a renegade bunny trying to end animal experimentation. The characters are crudely drawn with bare sets, but this style works in a tale in which the words are carrying so much weight. (The politicians have sharper teeth than the bears.) This book doesn’t offer up any real answers to what is clearly portrayed as a frightening state of affairs–it includes an animal uprising. However, it will inflame teens’ passion about the environment and possibly open more eyes.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Gr 10 Up–The many highlights of this book could read like movie credits: original camera placement and lighting; brisk direction and pacing. There is never a dull drawing, and each one carries the excitement and story forward. Shanower captures Helen’s beauty in black-and-white images that are rich in design and fine in line. Helen’s character, however, is not so lovingly drawn. Her vanity is matched only by the self-absorption of her second husband, Paris, son of Priam and architect of Troy’s downfall. Shanower has a talent for drawing facial expressions, and the smug look on Paris’s face has readers rooting for Troy’s enemies as expressed by Odysseus’s spit-spewing venom. The author skillfully weaves together many characters and story lines. Troilus and Cressida make an appearance in the midst of the oncoming war and are featured in an erotic dream tryst with naked breasts (male and female) and bottoms (male). Betrayal also offers a respectable balance of men loving men to go with the more traditional plotlines of men loving women and men killing men. Given the multitude of plots and characters, it is recommended to have the whole series, which is ongoing, available.–Will Marston, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 10 Up–British cartoonist and theology student Siku, perhaps best known for his work on Judge Dredd, offers a concise, well-staged, and fulsome take on the Bible. Because of the character-driven nature of his art, the accounts tend toward the best story pieces, with lots of Genesis included (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham and Sarah, and more), as well as stories from other Old Testament books such as Joshua and Ruth, through which readers can become acquainted with the individuals. The New Testament collapses many books into a couple of sections but includes several of Jesus’s parables and ends with a surprise twist on the Book of Revelation. While costuming tends toward a kind of storied “old Middle East” (and women’s forms are visible but always clothed), an occasional story line will have some updated visual metaphor attached to it: a mid-20th-century “crime boss” or a nuclear warhead, for instance. Each story includes a marginal tab directing readers to the book, chapter, and verse where a more traditional account can be found in the Bible. Accessible, respectful, and creative, this is an excellent resource both for manga-loving teens who are familiar with The Book and for teens who have no familiarity with the traditional text and are looking for an engaging overview.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 10 Up–Kimberly Keiko Cameron–aka “Skim”–is a mixed-race high school student struggling with identity, friendships, and romantic yearning. After her parents’ divorce, she turns to tarot cards and Wicca to make sense of life but finds herself disappointed with the lack of answers they provide. She finds herself increasingly intrigued by Ms. Archer, her free-spirited English teacher. Her interest becomes obsessive and it begins to drive a wedge between her and her best friend, Lisa. Although Skim originally makes light of the half-hearted suicide attempts of popular Katie, whose ex-boyfriend committed suicide, the two of them begin to open up to one another. Skim soon realizes that “perfect” Katie is far funnier, more genuine, and more traumatized than she originally thought–particularly when it comes to light that John shot himself due to his homosexuality. Drawn in an expressive, fluid style and with realistic dialogue, this work accurately depicts the confusion of teenage years, with its rejection of previous identity and past relationships and search for a newer and truer identity; additionally, insider/outsider status is a reoccurring theme. Skim’s internal monologue is diarylike, with an interesting use of “scratched-out” words. This is a good but somewhat standard work.–Dave Inabnitt, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–Although presented in a pocket-size, minibook format, the paintings, drawings, and sculpture within explode with dizzying color and movement. Readers are bound to get the sense that they have fallen through Alice’s rabbit hole into a breathless world that is intricate, surreal, and chaotic. This is a vision where wax paper boxes sprout legs, teacups become tigers, train engines are set against bubble-gum polka dots, doughnuts sport Popeye-style muscle tone, and shoehorns are feathered, toothy, and psychedelic. Von Szombathy has adeptly drawn on influences of vintage comics, advertising, and underground screen printing. The overwhelming Pop aesthetic is perhaps too complete, however. Like a bag of Skittles that satiates the senses but leaves a growling stomach unappeased, Fire Away seems to stop short of moving beyond vibrancy and skillful design. On the other hand, creative teens looking for a quick sugar high to ignite their imaginations will be fired up with this offering. Not an essential purchase, but an attractive choice for collections in which alternative art is popular.-Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA

Gr 10 Up–Something is wrong in Yozakura: a random shooter and a demonized dog have recently terrorized its residents. It’s up to the Yozakura Quartet, the town’s teenaged protectors, to find out what’s wrong. Akina is the only male, human member of the Quartet, and he’s hired three female demons with special powers to help him. One can deflect any weapon, another is able to materialize objects, and the third communicates with animals. The details of the plot are a little hazy: how did four 16-year-olds take charge of this town? Why? However, there are enough action scenes and wacky humor to keep readers interested. The inventive, cinematic paneling and the drawings’ fluid lines also smooth out the awkward story line. The girls are depicted in gratuitously skimpy clothing, which is typical in even the mildest manga. Not an essential purchase.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–A study of empire-building by established politicians and big businesses from the 1890 Massacre at Wounded Knee through the current Iraq war. As nonfiction sequential art narrative, this stellar volume is compelling both as historical interpretation and you-are-there observation during many eras and in many climes. Konopacki melds realistic and energetic cartoons–Zinn lecturing in the present day, American and Vietnamese soldiers in the jungle, the Shah of Iran’s White Revolution–with archival photos and document scraps to create a highly textured visual presentation. Each episode has its own period-specific narrator: Woody Guthrie sings about the Ludlow Massacre, a zoot suiter recounts the convergence of racial politics with popular music, and Zinn remembers his class-conscious boyhood through World War II soldiering and activism undertaken as a Civil Rights-era college professor. Politically charged, this book can’t stand alone as a history text, but it is an essential component for contemporary American government education, as well as an easy work to suggest to both narrative nonfiction and sophisticated comics readers.–Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia