Digital Lizards of Doom: Dizzy Doom, Vol. 1

Gr 8 Up–Dizzy Doom once believed he had the world—one where science and magic run rampant—all figured out. However, when an evil robot threatens to throw it all into disarray, Dizzy has to form alliances to prevent evil from triumphing. This volume pushes the envelope in what defines a graphic novel. While being innovative and inventive, in this case it possibly comes at the expense of the content. Most of the book follows a mixed-media format: one full-page illustration followed by a text-heavy page scripted like a group chat. While action and adventure are absolutely at the story’s core, it’s difficult to get to know the various characters. Readers do not see enough of them, their surroundings, or their efforts unfolding; the group text does not convey these elements fully, and readers will have to use their imagination to put it all together, making the book less accessible than expected from the generally approachable graphic novel medium.