Waukegan Public Library - graphic novel

Have You Heard About... Amy Unbounded

Fran J — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 06:42:46 +0000

… life on a farm in the great country of Goredd? Rachel Hartman’s graphic novel, Amy Unbounded: Belondweg Blossoming, follows the title character through the summer she turns ten, a time filled with celebrations and troubles. Amy reads (most of) the story of Queen Belondweg, who united Goredd long ago. She also learns more about the role of women in modern Goredd. Her mother is a barbarian who settled in Goredd and learned to make clocks. Amy’s best friend’s sister raised him and most of his brothers after their mother died, but she has no rights and will become a servant in her own home when her oldest brother marries. Amy’s mother’s best friend is a wealthy textile merchant, but she will lose her business if she does not marry by the queen’s deadline; despite this, she runs her kitchen as an open salon where women of all classes can gather and talk freely.

Ms Hartman gives us an intriguing look at rural life in an alternate Middle Ages. Amy is free spirited and energetic — teasing family and friends, playing pranks, and making up silly songs. However, she is also starting to grow up and realize some of the serious aspects of life — arranged marriages, having her best friend sent off to be fostered in another village. She learns a bit about love, too, from her own first crush to a friend who falls for a dragon in human form. Not everything ends well, but a number of crises are averted (or at least made less awful), and plenty of good can be found at the end.

The story is fun and thought provoking. The black and white artwork is elegantly spare, giving every detail needed without being busy or overwhelming. Amy Unbounded has a similar feel to Amelia Rules — fresh, energetic characters who deal with serious problems without losing their sense of fun and adventure. Try it!

This graphic novel is set in the same world as Rachel Hartman’s novel, Seraphina.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Giants Beware!

Fran J — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:32:19 +0000

… the smallest giant hunter of Mont Petit Pierre? Giants Beware! in this wonderful graphic novel by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre. Young Claudette is ready to take on any monsters she can find, a difficult prospect since she is not permitted outside the walls of her home town. However, she manages to get out with the help of her younger brother, Gaston, her best friend, Marie, and her dog, Valiant. Together, they overcome many obstacles to find the dreaded Baby-Feet-Eating Giant.

This is a wonderful story about bravery, loyalty, and being willing to admit when you’re wrong. The artwork is cartoonish, but surprisingly detailed, particularly in facial expressions. The characters are well-defined and mature over the course of their adventure. They also are not constrained by stereotypes — Claudette is a rather bloodthirsty girl, eager to hunt monsters like her parents, while Marie wants to become a princess; Gaston wants to be a blacksmith and a chef. The story shows the values of different skills and the need to work together to achieve goals. However, it never gets preachy, staying interesting and fun throughout the story.

If you enjoy medieval fantasies with strong girl characters, give this great graphic novel a try!

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... A Bride's Story

Fran J — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:55:31 +0000

… the manga based in nineteenth-century Asia? Kaoru Mori’s A Bride’s Story transports readers to the Silk Road, where a young woman from a nomadic tribe (Amir Halgal) has been married to a twelve-year-old boy in a small village (Karluk Eihon). The two slowly get to know one another, and Amir adjusts to her new life. The differences between the two cultures make for a few interesting situations. However, both Amir and her new family work hard to be understanding and try new things for one another. When some men from Amir’s tribe come to get her, wanting her to take part in a more advantageous marriage for them, she is caught between her old and new lives.

The story in this book is very sweet, with differences between nomads’ and villagers’ lives giving the author good opportunities to share information with the readers. The characters have distinct personalities, from the newly-married couple to Karluk’s young cousins. Complementing the story is Ms Mori’s richly-detailed art. Fabrics are filled with intricate patterns, and landscapes show a wealth of plants and animals. A family tree at the end helps to keep relationships clear. Take your time to savor this beautiful book while you wait for the release of volume two.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Manga Man

Fran J — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:53:21 +0000

…the funny-looking high school student? Barry Lyga and Colleen Doran’s Manga Man is a teenager from a manga world who falls through a rip into an American comic. Ryoko Kiyama still has all of his manga characteristics – big eyes, action lines, sweat drops, a tendency to change shape when he’s overcome with cuteness, and more – in a world that doesn’t support them. Everything is different here, from cultural norms to physics. The school custodian complains about having to clean up Ryoko’s action lines, and another student is badly hurt because Ryoko doesn’t understand how permanent injuries can be.

This graphic novel is an excellent look at being an outsider. Most teens feel like aliens in a world that doesn’t understand them, and Barry Lyga vividly portrays this with Ryoko and the American students in the high school. The tension increases when a beautiful girl falls in love with the bizarre stranger. Behind the scenes, monsters from the rip are trying to break through, too. Colleen Doran does a beautiful job with the art of both American comics and manga, showing the dichotomy between the two styles and making good use of manga’s distinctive characteristics.

Teen angst, science-fiction adventure, and romance – Manga Man has it all.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Delirium’s Party

Fran J — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:46:59 +0000

… the “Little Endless” – childlike versions of the characters from Sandman? In Delirium’s Party* by Jill Thompson, Delirium wants to cheer up her sister Despair. She decides to throw a big party and invite all of their siblings.

Delirium thinks of everything – cake, presents, party hats, and more! Nobody can make a party wilder than the personification of delirium. Unfortunately, Despair is just not made for cheerfulness. A twist at the end makes everyone content, if not truly happy.

Jill Thompson’s quirky, colorful artwork works wonderfully with this story. When Delirium put on her thinking cap and “Thinked, Thunked, and Thoughtededed,” the picture of her wearing a hat with feathers, flowers, buttons, organ pipes, pencils, and light bulbs is perfect. The story is light-hearted, but keeps the essential feel of Neil Gaiman’s characters.

* The previous book about these characters is The Little Endless Storybook.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Black Butler

Fran J — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:39:27 +0000

… the amazing butler with a dark side? Yana Toboso’s manga series Black Butler centers on the Earl of Phantomhive and his butler Sebastian. The story is set in a version of Victorian England touched by the supernatural, and the action ranges from elegant manors to seedy slums.

The Earl, Ciel, is a twelve-year-old boy who manages a great corporation as well as taking care of little … problems for Queen Victoria. Ciel’s parents died before the story begins, and he would be lost without his loyal butler. Sebastian has a knack for everything from cooking and cleaning to fighting and juggling. Sebastian’s exact nature and his connection to his master are slowly explained and expanded on over the course of the series.

The art in this series is beautiful, filled with intricate details and graceful movement. The stories cover some very dark topics, including drug abuse, murder, and human trafficking by both humans and otherworldly beings. This is lightened with humor ranging from slapstick antics to clever wordplay. All of the elements mesh to make a very enjoyable series.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Trickster: Native American Tales

Fran J — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:42:31 +0000

… coyote, raven, rabbit, and the other Native American tricksters? Trickster: Native American Tales collects a wide variety of stories in graphic novel format. Edited by Matt Dembicki, this book brings together over twenty stories from a variety of Native American traditions.

These tricksters come in a variety of forms, both animal and human. They may be benevolent, just out for laughs, or actively cruel. Sometimes, their actions help others; other times, they only help themselves; and sometimes, their tricks backfire against them. The stories come from the plains, mountains, swamps, and ice fields. They feature a wide variety of storytelling styles and artwork, from very sparse to highly detailed. Not all of these tales will appeal to all readers, but there is something here for everyone, and the overall collection is excellent.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... The Stuff of Legend

Fran J — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:08:52 +0000

… the Boogeyman who steals children? The Stuff of Legend. Book 1: The Dark is a graphic novel about a group of toys who try to rescue their Boy after he is stolen by the Boogeyman. When the toys go into the Dark, they become larger and more lifelike – the stuffed bear becomes a full-sized bear (although he keeps the bow around his neck), the metal soldier looks like a human soldier and can use the items stored in his pack, and so on. However, they quickly learn that their new forms can be hurt, even killed, and their Boy is no longer directing the action to ensure that they always win. The Dark is filled with other enlivened toys, some independent and some who owe loyalty to the Bogeyman.

The story is set in 1944, and the style of the toys reflects that. The artwork is realistic and highly detailed, although limited to sepia tones in color, which adds to the historic flavor. Some dark themes and violence aim this book at adults, or at least older children. The excellent writing, developing characters, and attention to detail make this book hard to put down, and I am eager for the next in the series.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Scary Godmother

Fran J — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:44:32 +0000

…who can keep you safe from the things that go bump in the night? Jill Thompson’s Scary Godmother* loves things that are dark, creepy, or unusual. She’s friends with skeletons, witches, vampires, and monsters. Your scary godmother is with you when it’s scary, especially on Halloween! This graphic novel shows how Hannah meets her Scary Godmother after her cousin tries to play a trick on Halloween. Hannah gets to know her Scary Godmother, Skully Pettibone (a skeleton), Bug-a-Boo (a monster under the bed), Orson (a young vampire), and many others.

This is a wonderful book for introducing young children to spooky things in a non-threatening way. Adults and kids alike will love the quirky humor and bright illustrations. The stories emphasize facing your fears and accomplishing tasks through perseverance and helpful friends. The mix of art and text blends picture book and graphic novel styles. A sketchbook section at the end shows the changes some characters went through from the initial sketches to the first book, as well as character studies used for the animated specials.

*This book reprints Scary Godmother, Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy, Scary Godmother: The Mystery Date, Scary Godmother: The Boo Flu, and the short story “Tea for Orson.”

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Beasts of Burden

Fran J — Tue, 03 May 2011 06:13:25 +0000

… the dogs (and cat) who protect the town of Burden Hill? In the graphic novel Beasts of Burden. [Vol. 1], Animal Rites, we learn about this lovely town, and its dark side. The humans who live in Burden are largely unaware of the evils around and within it, but the animals are another matter. Several dogs and a cat become protectors for the town, doing what no one else can. Together they take on demonic frogs, evil rats, zombies, a werewolf, and the vengeful spirits of tortured and drowned animals. Sometimes they have help from others in town, or from “wise dogs” with more experience and magic. Other times, they have to do what they can and hope for the best. Not every story has a happy ending.

This book contains the “Beasts of Burden” stories originally published in several Dark Horse anthologies and in the four-issue mini-series. The artwork and writing are superb and work well together. Each animal has his or her own personality, although they are definitely animals, and those personalities grow as they learn more and experience more. The stories range from heart-wrenching to horrific, but also contain touches of humor and beauty. Beasts of Burden is worth reading again and again to catch details you missed the first time, although the story of Hazel and her puppies will always make me cry.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)