Graphic Novels

Gr 4-8–Arthurian legend gets an update for young readers in this outstanding graphic novel. During his first day at Camelot Middle School, Artie King opens a locker that no one has ever been able to open; gets a pop quiz from his science teacher, Mr. Merlyn; and offends both Principal Dagger and bully Joe Roman. Joe is the leader of the Horde, a gang that happens to be the local dodgeball (a game played here with the fervor of Texas football) champions. With his future at Camelot riding on a challenge match, Arthur calls on new friends Wayne and Percy, and gets a little assistance from that mysterious locker. References to other versions of Arthurian legend are sprinkled throughout (such as mentions of Camelot alumni Terry White and Tommy Mallory), but the funny, fast-paced tale of young Arthur’s quest to defeat the bullies stands well on its own. The appealing illustrations are full of color, action, and life. Point new fans to one of the many retellings of the deeds of the Round Table while they wait for the second volume in the series.–Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood

Gr 7 Up–The final volume of the series reveals the reasons behind Miki’s crash through a window at the very beginning of the first volume, Miki Falls: Spring (HarperTeen, 2007). Readers are returned to that moment of tension, when the teen has chosen to flee–possibly causing herself great physical harm–rather than give in to the demands of the Deliverers. Hiro and Miki are hoping to start life outside the confines of the Deliverers’ Rules. But just as they are on the cusp of success, all seems lost once again. Crilley does not allow his characters to take the easy way out, and Miki’s stubbornness remains her constant virtue: she is unwilling to give up on her love, which she knows to be true, no matter what. The author makes ample use of panel styles, letting the art flow beyond panel boundaries and across pages, including one gorgeous spread. He makes excellent use of the space, sometimes allowing one panel to flow at the bottom of two pages with storytelling panels above it, often allowing bits of the art, faces in particular, to overlap from one moment to the next. Teens will find much in Miki to admire, and they will identify with a happy ending achieved only at a great price.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 8 Up-Burnout opens and closes with Danni seeing how long she can hold her finger over a flame. When her mother moved them out of their trailer and into her boyfriend’s house, the teen hoped their lives would improve. But Hank is an alcoholic who becomes increasingly abusive, so their lives become even worse. The only silver lining for Danni is Hank’s mysterious son. When she follows him after he sneaks out of their room at night, she discovers that he’s spiking trees to sabotage the logging industry. Soon they become romantically involved. Danni is in danger of losing her best friend because she spends so much time with Haskell and because Vivian comes from a logging family and disagrees with his tactics. Sometimes the message gets a little heavy-handed: what are the odds that in every classroom scene, the teacher is lecturing about some type of guerrilla warfare in history? And the multiple uses of fire are enough to support the burning theme without the girls singing along with the “Burn Me Burn Me Burn Me” on the radio. Miranda’s superb illustrations complement the story well, whether they’re showing landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, action sequences, or the eyes of a troubled girl. The strength of Burnout lies in Danni’s internal struggle with her commitment to her first love, the focus on environmental awareness, and the realistically unanswered questions at the end of the story.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 6-8–This adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel (HarperCollins, 2002) reads as though it were intended for the graphic novel format in the first place. Insatiably curious Coraline is an explorer dedicated to discovering everything she can about the area around her family’s new home. When she comes upon a door in their flat that seems to go nowhere, enters an alternate world that at first is full of interesting things and delicious foods–everything that she has longed for. However, the dangerous creature there–called the “other mother”– intends to keep her forever. After Coraline’s parents are kidnapped into the other world, she sets off on a mission to rescue them. Russell’s illustrations suit the tone of the story perfectly, from the horrific black button eyes of the people in the other world to Coraline’s very telling facial expressions. The style is realistic, which makes the moments when the other world loses its solidity even more eerie. The pacing never lags, and Coraline’s transformation into a girl who understands that having everything you want is the least interesting thing of all is natural. For readers who enjoyed the novel, Coraline is sure to complement their reading experience. Those who come to the book first as a graphic novel will be just as captivated.– Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 3-6–Hunaphu and Xbalanque are characters from a Mayan myth in the Popul Vuh. Their special powers include their skills at playing the ball game Pok-ta-Pok. The competitive rulers of the underworld are not happy and challenge the twins to a game, planning to destroy them. After crossing a river of blood and a river of pus (“This is so gross,” says Hunaphu) to meet the Lords of Death, the young men must survive nights in increasingly dangerous houses, including one filled with razors and one filled with bloodthirsty bats. Readers should delight in the creepy action, especially the final game in which Xbalanque’s head is used as the ball. The bright colors and strong lines of the cartoon-style illustrations add to the story’s irreverent tone. A narrative of a contemporary boy assigned to read the myth for school begins and ends the story. Though slightly corny, this framing device may draw in readers resistant to the historical or “educational” theme. Children may not pick this up on their own, but once they begin they’ll find much to enjoy.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 7 Up–Haruno, a star softball player in middle school, decides to put the same determination and effort she once put into athletics into finding a boyfriend in high school. In order to do this, she pesters Yoh, an attractive older boy, until he agrees to act as her “love coach.” Haruno eagerly takes in his advice but she persists in reading teen magazines in the hopes of charting a faster path to love. Yoh grows frustrated with her faith in the magic of fashion magazines and her refusal to give up her athletic clothing. Kawahara uses a pen-and-ink style similar to that in Yoko Kamio’s Boys over Flowers (VIZ Media). Lightly peppered with the message that girls shouldn’t have to change themselves in order to please a man, High School Debut is standard fare for younger manga readers. With a clean plot and only the stereotypical female temper tantrum for added drama, it’s a good purchase for schools and libraries.–Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 5-8–Abby is back for another summer at camp. Her friend, Rose, three years older and now a cabin assistant, cannot spend much time with her so she seeks out new friends. Deni, a city girl who produces a constant stream of conversation about boys, soon comes down with a case of chiggers, and no one is sorry to see her leave. Shasta, a raven-haired girl, replaces her. She was late to arrive, she says, due to being struck by lightning. As is common, the cabinmates cannot all get along, and the others turn against Abby for befriending Shasta. Throw in summer crushes and particle-board camp food, and reading Chiggers provides a ticket to summer fun. Larson delicately handles both the usual middle-school angst and the additional pressures that come with being somewhat different. The style is more Craig Thompson (Goodbye, Chunky Rice [Pantheon, 2006]) than Shojo Beat, and the content is perfect for upper elementary and middle school students.–Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 7 Up–This book draws on the Japanese folkloric figure, the baku, or nightmare eater. Hiruko, a feminine-looking man in a black cape, headquarters himself at the Silver Star Tea House. He consumes no human food, living instead on the dreams he takes from his visitors. His clients include a servant boy who has nightly visions of his dead mistress, a young woman who dreams of losing a body part and a bit of her memory, and an obsessed fan who wants to save a beloved movie star from suicide. These people, and others, come to Hiruko with the hope that he will enter their subconscious thoughts and take away these bad images. He professes an interest only in the tastiness and “nutritional” value of the dream–as with chocolate, the darker the better–he even encourages one client to commit suicide in a dream, because death has a particularly satisfying flavor. At the end of each dream, he explains its meaning to the loyal waitress at the tea house, leaving readers to wonder if the baku has some emotion after all. Mature and detailed, the graphics resemble those of both Hajime Sawada’s “Orphen” (ADV Manga) and Mark Crilley’s “Miki Falls” series (HarperTeen). The folkloric elements would fit in well with a curriculum unit, while the dreams themselves, sometimes bloody and always dark, would prove interesting to graphic novel fans.–Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 8 Up–In this rather melancholy book, the past, present, and future versions of the Justice League come together. There is a cerebral quality that is strong here, as the concepts of time, change, and personal interdependence are explored in remarkable ways. “How I love proving Clark wrong,” Batman states early on. Each chapter is drawn and lettered in a different way–from classically bold to ultra postmodern with extreme digitization (that’s hard to read). Overall, this title comes across as a history of these characters. The Flash, one of DC’s oldest, is drawn as an old man. The younger heroes–GeoForce, Dream Girl, etc.–stand around in awe of the Big Two, Superman and Batman. The latter, with his sour disposition, makes for the better read, although the story is frequently taken a bit far. A fascinating collection of meditations on where the Justice League has been and where it potentially will end up, The Lightning Saga is an intelligent and fun title.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up–Ryoko has a secret crush on the quiet, bespectacled boy one seat over. He’s so mysterious! Her idealism is shot when she discovers that Ryunosuke is a host (a boy who dates girls for money). The problem is that he has made it his mission to make her love him. Again and again, Ryoko falls for his ploys, like feeling sorry for him when he fakes a twisted ankle. Still, there’s something genuine about him. He bravely steps in when her new crush isn’t everything she thought. It’s a typical love/hate relationship, but these manga cuties actually behave like real teenagers. Ryoko is boy crazy, but silly and sweet. Her friends gossip guilt-free about their boyfriends. Ryunosuke is, refreshingly, not shy or perfect. The result is a delightful, well-rounded cast, and his job leaves the door open for more drama in the future. The art is serviceable, with the eyes usually floating in tears or stars, revealing their true intentions. The humor and reality make this title a good choice for teen collections.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 9 Up–On her way to school, Akane hears a voice and, inexplicably, lands in Japan’s Heian period. Based on a video game, this manga doesn’t make the crossover very well. Perhaps it’s because, in the game, figuring out that swallowing floating jewels advances the character, but in a story it’s just silly. Having consumed the gems, Akane adjusts to the new time period remarkably well. She is told that she’s the Priestess of the Dragon God, a position that includes perks like cute bodyguards and the ability to sneak out of her body. She’ll need the help of her friends as she faces off against the alluring oni or demon Akram. There are so many characters with long flowing hair and drab personalities that it’s hard to decipher who’s who. The story moves too quickly, introducing characters and often cutting to a subplot in the middle of another scene. The artwork is standard manga fare and not unique enough to warrant a purchase. Though Akane is in ancient Japan, there is little to reflect the setting or period. Close-ups and cherry blossoms dominate the pages. If teens ask for manga based on video games, history, or oni love, give them Shinya Kaneko’s Culdcept (Tokyopop), Taeko Watanabe’s Kaze Hikaru (Viz Media), or Mike Takeuchi’s Her Majesty’s Dog (Go! Media Entertainment) instead.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 3-5–After world-renowned scientist Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde dropped his pickle into an experimental particle confabulator, he found himself in the possession of an unlikely but most noble superhero, Weapon Kosher. Now, after 50 years of cryogenic slumber, this pickle is supercharged, ready to face the Brotherhood of Evil Produce and fight for dill justice. The magic pickle teams up with Jo Jo Wigman, a sassy girl who has the questionable fortune of living above Dr. Formaldehyde’s secret laboratory. This endearing and unlikely duo must take down the gang of evil, scientifically advanced superveggies before they reunite and do what rotten vegetables do best–reek havoc. This title’s sly wit and fun, energetic art will be a great success with graphic novel fans and with those who appreciate puns and the kookier side of things.–Lauren Anduri, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 3-6–Three kids rely on wilderness survival skills after their plane crashes en route to Devon and Nadia’s mother’s environmental assessment site. When the trio discovers that the man accompanying them, a seemingly harmless government pencil pusher dispatched to oversee the project, is in fact in cahoots with a major logging company, they suddenly find their lives in even greater danger. The once-friendly bureaucrat, full of helpful tidbits on building a cozy campsite and the essentials of a trusty first-aid kit, turns into a menacing, greedy criminal capable of murder. Although the improbability of this sudden and extreme change weakens the plot, the book distinguishes itself by interweaving interesting step-by-step instructions for surviving, such as how to tend to a broken arm, cross a strong current, and signal a plane. These tips are delivered with minimal clunkiness. The crisp art creates distinct, full-bodied characters. This title is perfect for reluctant readers and adventure aficionados.–Lauren Anduri, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 8 Up–Some manga books have mostly dreamlike narratives and attempt only slightly to follow conventional “who, what, and where” plot guidelines. This book is one such title. It tells the story of a gigantic Hindenburg-like airship that is hijacked by a secretive group called the Man Chicken Family. Half of the story takes place in the air, the other half after the airship crashes in what looks like the American Midwest. Dorothy and Toto enter the story, with supernatural developments quickly following. The black-and-white artwork is on the ultraspare end of the manga-style spectrum. Each panel has little background, shading, or facial features. There are also frequent “meta” asides explaining Japanese customs to American readers, or commenting on the action as it occurs. Too much is lost in translation here and while the original may be a hit overseas, this title will only be a niche interest for purists.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 3-7–A brief but compelling story set during the American Revolution. Nathaniel is just a boy in 1768 Boston when he first hears grumblings against British rule. His naive hero worship of the patriots is treason in the eyes of his fiercely loyal father and thus the stage is set for battles both in and out of the home. Over the years and as the situation in his hometown worsens, Nathaniel encounters several prominent figures, including Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, who guide him on his journey from idealistic youth to committed revolutionary. He even manages to sway his father, who is eventually killed on the battlefield. The streamlining of events greatly simplifies the complex history of the conflict, and the depictions of British soldiers and aristocrats verges on caricature, but the personal nature of the story and the loose, sketchy art will invite young readers into this fascinating time and place. Consider this for readers not yet ready for Esther Forbes’s Johnny Tremain (Houghton, 1943), with which it bears many similarities.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Gr 7 Up–These plays are well organized with clearly identified acts and well-defined visual scenes. While Shakespeare’s original language remains intact, much of the dialogue has been left on the cutting room floor. This editing causes some confusion in identifying individuals and following plotlines. It’s unfortunate that there’s no list of the characters and their relationships for novice Shakespeare readers. Tragic drama is immediately apparent in Macbeth, which has a distinctive dark feel, accentuated by bold lines with strong black-and-white contrast and terse text. Images such as the bloody bodies and Macbeth’s hallucinations grip readers. The plotting Lady Macbeth is downright frightening, and readers looking for high drama will find it here. Quotes at the beginning of each act in Romeo and Juliet nicely set the stage for the ensuing drama. For example, the title page for Act I shows Romeo saying “Is she…a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” In contrast to Macbeth, images appear pale and often with little animation. Many of the secondary characters lack personality and are sometimes drawn without faces. Friar Lawrence wears a similar expression when both picking herbs in Act II and approaching the crypt in Act V. Adaptations by Philip Page and Marilyn Pettit (Barron’s) or Lisa Appignanesi (Abrams) have more compelling artwork.–Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 7 Up–Robin is easy to like because he is fallible and immature. This volume includes a good portion of the late ’60s/early ’70s comics featuring The Boy Wonder. As a college student, he has to face the dominant issues of the day, namely civil unrest and campus radicalism. Comic art from this period is entirely black and white, with heavy lines and lots of background and shading. It can be a daunting visual and takes some time to get used to. While some cultural issues may fly over readers’ heads, for the most part the book has plenty of action, strong characters, and the ever-present sarcastic asides that make comics such fun to read.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–While Pet Shop of Horrors is certainly a catchy title, it could be misleading for American audiences who might expect a more traditional type of horror. Some of the people who come to Count D’s pet shop are given children instead of pets, or pets who transform into children overnight. These customers manage to suspend their disbelief and their qualms when they learn that the children have magical qualities. They transform their owners’ lives into something both astonishing and bittersweet. A mother is killed by her ex-husband, but miraculously saves her child’s life in the process. A man and a magical dog save the life of a woman he loves, and in doing so they both die and are reborn. In an extra flashback story, Count D’s grandfather provides a special pet for Hitler’s lover Eva Braun in the form of a child with blond hair and blue eyes. The black-and-white artwork is eye-catching and dramatic, propelling the story forward. However, some of the text is printed directly over the graphics, rather than in thought or word balloons, and is difficult to read and easy to miss. This is an unusual manga that will leave its readers both satisfied and perturbed.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up–At the end of the “Shannara” trilogy (Random, 1987), Brin and Jair Ohmsford used their “wishsong” power to destroy the Ildatch, the ultimate in dark magic books, and save the world from evil. It was a battle in which they lost many friends, including Jair’s most trusted companion, Weapons Master Garet Jax, who had appeared invincible. It seemed as though the siblings had fulfilled their Ohmsford heritage and vanquished the foe–the operative word being “seemed.” Now the story continues in graphic-novel form. The characters and action are true to the Shannara legacy. Here Jair is called to destroy the last fragment of the Ildatch. Using magic, he is able to call forth and become Weapons Master Garet Jax, although this power puts his own soul in jeopardy. This exciting story sets the stage for a sequel. The black-and-white art is expressive and uses creepy shadow to convey the black arts at work. Although the art is classic comic book style and it is printed in standard left-to-right form, the novel should have great appeal to those who like fantasy-adventure manga because of its tone and subject matter. This quick, exciting adventure won’t disappoint Brooks’s fans, and it is a terrific way to hook reluctant readers, who will want to pick up one of the many “Shannara” novels to find out more about these characters.–Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CA

Gr 10 Up–Surfer girl Brody is attacked by a shark and wakes up in the hospital to find most of one leg missing and her life changed. Brody, who is bisexual, has always been self-reliant, and while she remains tough to outsiders, her friends see her moments of weakness and despair. After she learns to walk with her artificial leg, she asks her friend Louisa (who has bisexual potential) to help drive her deadbeat, live-in ex-boyfriend Jake (who is girl-crazy) back home. Meanwhile, Brody continues to have nightmares about sharks: about her friends being attacked by one, or about becoming one herself. Brody and Louisa are black while Jake and several of his lovers are white. The artwork is well conceived, mostly realistic but blurring into the fantastic when Brody has one of her (mostly wordless) nightmares. The cover is phenomenal; the profile of the top half of Brody’s body is striking enough to make most teens stare at it for a few moments longer, maybe even picking it up to see if her lower half continues on the back cover. It does, and when they see her one real leg and one artificial one, curious readers and those who love survivor stories will want to find out what happens to this unusual girl.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up–Team Wetworks is a group of assassins who fight supernatural powers. A vampire has attacked a military base, draining away soldiers’ blood and stealing the “blood box,” a prototype weapon that could possibly destroy the human race. It contains the souls of 13,000 executed vampires, and Vascar has been chosen to deliver their vengeance. Will vampires take over the world? X-Men writer Carey created the story, and the motley Wetworks crew, which includes a werewolf, a cyborg, and a pill-popping vampire, may appeal to X-Men fans. Dark, shadowy tones and deep, dark reds reflect the intense, frightening plot. The drawings are detailed and skillful, and should impress fans of superhero comics. At the same time, it can be hard to tell apart each hulking, muscled body and terse face. The violence is frequent and graphic. Characters’ heads are smashed into bloody bits multiple times and, in one scene, 43 people lie dead, their body parts scattered around the room in pools of blood. Public libraries should find that the book circulates, particularly among fans of “X-Men.”–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–While many comics have recurring characters and long-ranging plotlines, sometimes the most satisfying reads are the stand-alone editions comprising one adventure. So it is with this one, a title with heavy violence and strong language. Featuring a healthy amount of alien attacks and other-dimension beings, it follows two (anti)heroes as they investigate intrusions into contemporary society. The best part of this title is the flippant, cool tone that the lead characters maintain. Nothing perturbs them, even giant reptilian space beasts choking them. A quip is always at the ready, and thus as difficult as the duo’s lives become, readers still envy them. The artwork is high-grade and technically masterful, the usual pen and ink with computer enhancements.–John Leighton, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 11 Up–On January 18th, in an unnamed Balkan country, war breaks out. Caught up in adolescence, Giuliano and his friends invent new measures of manhood. Can’t walk calmly under threat of sniper fire? Points off. While trying to sell stolen goods, the budding criminals meet up with Felix. The epitome of “man,” he is served well by the war. He exposes the teens to the lure of money, guns, and violence. Raised in a middle-class family, Giuliano struggles to fit in with his friends. Yet, he can’t escape the nagging thought that it’s not his war–neither the physical fighting nor the one that his friends are launching against their lower-class lives. As Little Killer and Christian race toward their fate, the protagonist must decide who he is. Like Stassen’s powerful Deogratias, a Tale of Rwanda (Roaring Brook, 2006), Gipi reveals the susceptible nature of teenagers during wartime. The oil drawings are tinged in gray, giving a sense of hopelessness as, years later, Giuliano doubts his decision. The all-male cast has sharp teeth and squinty eyes that reflect their rabid world. Teens won’t rush toward this title but they should. It’s both a warning and an inevitable story about a boy becoming a man under the most extreme conditions. Once they see themselves in Giuliano, they won’t likely forget his memories.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 10 Up–Mathieu, working in a Victorian array of sepias, creates a tale that takes readers into all those areas of a grand museum that are generally off-limits to visitors: the mechanical rooms, of course, but also the storage areas for statue molds, framing workshops, copyists’ studios, guard-training facilities, and so on. But he has also provided a delightful and clever plot: readers are accompanying an “expert” who is investigating the subterranean levels of a building whose name has been forgotten. (It is called by various anagrams for Louvre.) Its depths are mythic–there is even a ferrywoman to help cross a flooded floor–and the time is, well, all the years that remain in the expert’s life. Teens interested in art history will delight in the visual puns as well as the real insight the story offers on art-preservation efforts. Endnotes include references to works cited (usually visually) within the story and a brief history of the Louvre’s passage from medieval castle to prestigious museum.–Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Gr 11 Up–Living an extremely sheltered life, Clarissa and Mizeria have no idea that they alone have the power to open and close the four doors of chaos. The twins learn of their birthright on their 16th birthday. Their tutor, Rikhter, abducts Clarissa, uses her to open a door, and leaves Mizeria to die as the monsters rush out. She is saved by a cute but irritating guardian and agrees to join the quest to shut the doors, if only to get her sister back. The plot is convoluted and paper thin but no one reads Goth literature for the plots. It’s all about the dresses, the romance, and the monsters, which this volume delivers in spades. The artwork, while beautiful (especially the pages in between the chapters), is inconsistent. Mizeria sometimes looks like a typical shojo heroine, sometimes a china doll, and at other times a much older woman. However, the series has a lot of artistic potential. The book has some nudity and sexual situations. It’s a good addition wherever dark works like Kaori Yuki’s “Godchild” series (Viz Media) is in demand.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Gr 10 Up–This manhwa is about teenagers who are troubled for different reasons, and who will, in future volumes, be connected through an alternative school called Fever. Hyung-In attacks another girl for making fun of her friend Bo-Ram, a former student. Kang-Dae ends up spending time with Hyung-In after his dog throws up on her. Ji-Jun is an orphan with anger-management issues, but who gets along with his friend Ah-In (who loves Ji-Jun in ways that are not yet defined). On the positive side, this book is visually beautiful. The artwork has such a dreamlike quality that it will make readers pause before turning the pages. On the negative side, it’s hard to get close to these characters; it’s difficult to empathize with them if readers can’t understand why they’re laughing or crying in the first place. Another major issue is the Bo-Ram story line. The book begins with Hyung-In missing her friend, but readers only know that Bo-Ram had been bullied; the fact that she committed suicide is not revealed until three-quarters of the way through the story. There are fascinating subplots in Fever, but a true understanding of these characters might take several readings.–Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up–On assignment in the Middle East, dispassionate photojournalist Keiren Marshall finds himself embroiled in a terrorist plot to detonate a series of suicide bombs in Jerusalem. After escaping a kidnapping attempt by the terrorist leader, he is left wounded and disfigured–and in a chance encounter, finds the abandoned weaponry and equipment of the storied crime fighter Sandman. Despite being tortured by hellish dreams (a product of both his consciousness and the sleeping gas), he must rely on the inherited gas-gun, his own fighting skills, and the help of two brave orphans to reverse the dastardly plot–and to deal with situations and people that he used to merely photograph. With a plot drawn from today’s headlines, both the author and artist succeed in creating a taut, thrilling reinvention of DC’s classic series that harks back to its “hard-boiled” origins while remaining accessible and modern. A unique element of this title is how the art changes as the plot progresses; starting off in a clean, precise pen-and-ink style, the art slowly becomes misty watercolors. It’s an interesting parallel to the protagonist’s psychological journey from cynical journalist to idealistic crime fighter, as well as indicative of his growing mental imbalance. A first choice for teens with an interest in action and current events.–Dave Inabnitt, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Gr 10 Up–Joseph lives in a world of existential angst filled with dark, shadowy, Jungian-like demons. His attempts at finding purpose, meaning, or self-identity fail as he is demoralized by his parents, other adults, and even his school-yard peers. The child’s attempts at self-realization seem futile as he stumbles along in a dark, cold, and dreary world with no one to turn to except perhaps a hideous centipede that he befriends and brings home, where it is stepped on by his ever-oppressive parents. Joseph also has huge awkward hands that are forever spilling ink bottles on floors and wreaking uncontrollable havoc. He attempts to cut them off or squeeze them into small gloves to no remedy. Although the author intends Joseph to appear misunderstood by a callous adult world, he never allows his character to acquire cunning, insight, or tenacity. The boy’s gullibility may not resonate with mature, self-realized teens, but those less self-assured will be happy to find someone even more ungainly than themselves. Joseph’s final humiliation, getting run over by a car in the last panel (leaving tire tracks across his back and giant hands), may come across as darkly comic to younger adolescents who are themselves unready for a serious representation of childhood loneliness and despair. Robel’s simply scrawled drawings and heavy, crayon-textured shadows are contrasted against an innocence-evoking third color–aqua–lending a childlike quality to the book’s design.–Jodi Mitchell, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 10 Up–Closing in on 200 pages, this volume seems much longer. In the first of seven chapters, Viu Banes is an angry nine-year-old determined to hold his own against the bad guys of the Wild West and become a gunslinger. Living with his sister Cissy, the schoolteacher, he meets a wandering gunslinger, a scruffy character who goes by the name Marcus Homer. Despite his huge crush on Cissy, Marcus decides to prepare Viu to travel to a mythical place known as Gun Blaze West. For the 10 days that consume most of the story, they train and are put to the test when a band of outlaws from “the State of Arkansas in the West” arrive in tiny Winston Town, IL, and start making trouble, starting with stealing Viu’s gun belt. Five years after the climactic fight, Viu finally heads west in search of Gun Blaze West. Graphic violence and some strong language make this a better fit for high school readers. Drawn in a traditional manga format, reminiscent of Akira Toriyama’s DragonBall Z (Viz Media), Gun Blaze West suffers from a slow pace and an awkward translation, but is a suitable addition for libraries that regularly purchase new manga series titles.–Sarah Krygier, Solano County Library, Fairfield, CA

Gr 9 Up–Ian Hasumi can see fairies, including his constant shadow, a green-haired, red-eyed doppelgänger called Tokage. Others rarely see the fairy world, but Rin, a former friend who has recently returned to town, has always believed Ian’s stories. Interrupting the boys’ plans to escape from Ian’s father and Rin’s abusive family, Tokage provokes Ian’s father into a jealous rage, and Mr. Hasumi kills his son. Tokage takes over Ian’s body, his life, and his romantic relationship with Rin, leading others to believe that the stabbing was merely a flesh wound. With the help of a mysterious shop owner and his fairy friend, Ian’s disembodied spirit takes over the well-preserved body of a deceased elementary school boy and seeks to regain his rightful body while dealing with other fairy doppelgängers and the “Fairy Murders” they have been instigating. Yuki’s striking illustrations are replete with pretty boys, emotion-filled faces, and intricately drawn fairies. With judicious use of descriptive adjectives alongside her intricate art, she makes readers long for full-color spreads. Her fans will not be disappointed, and even while containing murder, abuse, and revenge, this first of three volumes is more accessible than Yuki’s previous works, all darker and with more convoluted plotlines.–Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, New York Public Library