Dogs on Dates

Dogs on Dates began a few years ago as a series of strips on Luke Healy's Instagram account, and I have been looking forward to this book. It follows the lives of Brad and Bernie, a couple of gay dogs whose "meet cute" involves a broken plate glass window and a shared ambulance ride. 

What follows is a series of dates, some quotidian and others quite outlandish, and the duo gets to know each other. Much of the book is composed of single page strips that depict a single date, though there are some extended sequences where some of their more complicated adventures occur. These sequences are suspenseful and well-plotted, making them real page-turners. Also, the character designs, gestures, expressions, and interactions make these cartoon dogs palpable and relatable.

Overall, I loved getting to know these characters and seeing how their relationship develops and unfolds. There is lots of drama and emotional baggage, from meeting parents to dealing with employment issues to learning about past relationships, but this book presents them in frank, refreshing, and utterly charming ways. It made me laugh and worry and my heart melt. It is a feel-good read, in a wonderful and substantial way, a reaffirming tale that shows the realities and absurdities of love.

The book's author Luke Healy is a cartoonist, comedian, and screenwriter. He has made all sorts of comics from short-form to graphic novels like Self-Esteem and the End of the World and The Con Artists. I feel the need to read more of his work soon.

All of the reviews I have read of it have been positive. Lindsay Pereira wrote, "There is a lot of sensitivity on display here, especially when one considers that these feelings are being filtered through the lives of two anthropomorphic canines." Jeff Provine highlighted "the genuine humanness of two guys just trying to be a couple in a world packed with awkwardness and responsibilities as well as amazing snacks and belly laughs." Killian Fox called it "an endearingly scrappy piece of work whose charms make up for its occasional misfires."

Dogs on Dates was published by Drawn & Quarterly, and they offer an excerpt and more here.

 

My Life in 24 Frames Per Second

Anime seem omnipresent in contemporary times, and I feel I did not know much about it before I read this book. Rintaro is a veteran anime director who has an impressive body of work to his credit. My Life in 24 Frames Per Second is a different sort of artistic endeavor for him, a manga memoir of his life and work in the cartoon industry. This book melds his personal and professional lives, beginning with him as a child and his family dealing with the fallout of World War II.

He and his father end up having a tenuous relationship, though they do share a love of cinema. Rintaro begins working in animation at the tender age of 17, and the rest of the narrative traces his circuitous rise to being one of the most storied and influential people in his field. Along the way, he worked at multple studios and collaborated with such titans of the industry as Osamu Tezuka, the god of manga, and Masao Maruyama, another founder of Madhouse Studio. He worked on seminal TV series like Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion as well as directing the groundbreaking film Galaxy Express 999. Seeing the behind-the-scenes goings-on of these projects lends a lot of insight into how much work, uncertainty, and ingenuity went into these classic works.

I love how this book humanizes the people who may seem like otherworldly figures because of their accomplishments. Rintaro comes across as a driven but ordinary person, trying his best to realize his dreams. Also, it is clear that many of these anime/manga artists really overworked themselves with their projects, some to the detriment of their personal lives and health. This is a very engaging and eye-opening book that educated me tremendously about anime. 

My Life in 24 Frames Per Second has been nominated for an Eisner Award, and all the reviews I have read of it have been positive. Publishers Weekly concluded their starred review, "This meticulous portrait of a life in animation glows with love of the art form." Orrin Scott called it "a powerfully personal story written like a screenplay."

My Life in 24 Frames Per Second was published by Kana, and they have more information about it here.

I borrowed this book from my local library. Libraries RULE! 

Wrestle Heist

Any new series by Kyle Starks is a reason for me to celebrate, especially when he draws it as well. I love his pacing, dialogue, and way of weaving familiar pop culture tropes into new and interesting tales. Wrestle Heist features Sterling Steele, a former professional wrestler who has been done wrong by a crooked promoter. In order to get some revenge and also give him a proper nest-egg, he sets out to rob the box office haul from the biggest event of the year. 

In order to pull off a job of this scope, he needs a crew, and a lot of the fun in this book comes from the powerful personalities of that crew, including luminaries like Gravedigger and Bearwolf. Their interactions and relations are nuanced, peppered with snappy patter and well-developed backstories. If it was not clear enough that this book is a love letter to 1970s/80s professional wrestling, the book also features plenty of back matter that hilariously parodies the pro wrestling magazines of the era. I cackled out loud at them more than once. This book has it all: thrills, action, and laughs, plenty enough to suit fans of pro wrestling and/or crime caper tales. I daresay its my favorite Starks book yet.

Every review I have read about this series has been positive. Mike Eakins called it "a masterclass in storytelling." Chris Coplan wrote, "The character work is not only interesting, but it bucks expectations." Fred Morlan opined, "Stark has a singular genius for writing bizarre idiots."

Wrestle Heist was published by Image Comics, and they offer a preview and more information about it here. 

Calamity Before Jane

I recently borrowed this book from my local library. Libraries RULE! Calamity Before Jane is a biography/history book for younger readers, and I feel it is very successful in deflating romantic myths about the American West. When this book opens, Jane (born Martha Jane Canary) is a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, telling her tales to an audience in upstate New York. She happens upon a couple of young runaway orphans and tells them about her own tough childhood. She is run-down, barely able to tell her own tall tales, and adding insult to injury, they rob her after she passes out.

What we know to be true: Jane's dad moved the family around a lot, trying to get rich by mining gold, gambling and later farming. Her mom died when she was young, and she had to take up the housework before she decided to strike out on her own. She had to fend for herself in places of ill-repute, learning to ride a horse and shoot along the way. She drove cattle and was a US Army scout. The rest may or may not have happened.

All in all, the brown and grey coloring of this book matches the dour town of the story, which is enlightening in how it dispels the typical "cowboys and Indians" tenor of many Western tales. This book does not sugarcoat the treatment or depictions of Native Americans, describing how it avoids the stereotypes used to portray them as wild people. It also touches on their genocide, the pointed decimation of the American buffalo, and later small inclusions in traveling shows like Buffalo Bill's. 

Bolstering the story are informative essays by Dr. Susana Geliga that add more context to Jane's life and times. There are also copious period photos in the inside covers and endpapers that show readers more about the reality of her life, and they also reveal how much reference work went into the drawings. I feel like this is an excellent source for learning about American history for readers of any age.

Cartoonist Noah Van Sciver wrote and drew this book. He is one of my favorite comics creators, the Ignatz Award-winning author of the graphic novels Beat It, Rufus, One Dirty Tree, The Hypo: The Melancholic Young Lincoln, Saint Cole, and Fante Bukowski.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Kirkus Reviews called it "engaging and eye-opening." Publishers Weekly wrote, "Gritty illustrations and ample 19th-century vernacular render a thought-provoking portrait of the rapidly changing era." Melanie Jackson described it as "fun, lively."

Calamity Before Jane was published by Toon Books, and they offer more information about it here.

Flocks

I have been meaning to read this book for a long while now, because I had bought a mini-comic that was a draft of one of the chapters years ago but never followed up because of life and who-knows-what-else going on. Happily, I found it in a library. Libraries rule!

Flocks is an incredible book, a candid look at a person who was assigned female at birth and raised in a conservative, Christian family in Louisiana. What I think makes this book exceptional is its combination of imagery, plotting, and exploration of religious belief. It is drawn in a mostly realistic style, though the main character is almost always depicted as a button-eyed rag doll. It is almost viscerally painful to read about how isolated that L. felt during childhood, being constantly faced with contradictory feelings to what was being preached at church. Being so completely othered and trying to reconcile thoughts with religion is one tremendous struggle, and I found it very powerful that they did not shy away from sharing just how profound their religious faith was to them.

I do not think it is too much in giving away the plot that L. eventually transitioned to being a man, but what makes this book special is just how much detail and nuance is given to that journey from childhood, through finding solace and kindred spirits through academics, and to adulthood and building a family. He also does not necessarily vilify his family, as they are depicted as supportive in some ways even if they do not always understand or approve of what they see happening. Ultimately, this book is about communities and relationships and how they can damage and/or validate you. Flocks is an insightful and moving account of one person's figuring out who he is and all of the fallout and victories that accompany the process.

L. Nichols wrote and drew this book, and they are artist and illustrator who publishes work with the Grindstone Comics imprint. They have also published a follow-up book I Am Only A Foreigner Because You Do Not Understand that continues looking at their continuing transition to a more nonbinary identity. They speak about their work on Flocks as a mini-comic as well as their other comics work in this interview from 2013 (pre-transition) and also this one from 2018 (post-transition).

I was not able to locate many reviews of this book, which is a shame. Publishers Weekly named it one of their Big Indie Books of 2018. Meepelous wrote, "L.’s irresistibly charming drawings demonstrate what makes Flocks so special: L.’s boundless empathy.”  Blackraven called it "an odd little gem."

Flocks was published by Secret Acres, and they offer more info about it here. Trigger warning: this book features a lot of emotional trauma, some sexual situations, and depictions of self-harm.

A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities

A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities is just what it says in the title, an accessible primer on LGBTQIA+ matters for those who would like to know more. It is divided into pointed chapters that answer specific questions, namely defining the terms queer, gender identity, gender expression, dysphoria, and asexuality. It also explores the concept of coming out as well as provides some elementary information about healthy relationships. 

The book presents serious material in a breezy and whimsical way. Its narrators are a group of snails who are observing a queer educator campout, providing an outsider/insider viewpoint. As you can see from the excerpt below, the artwork is playful and expressive. 

I really like the pastel color scheme, as well as the blue/green/yellow strips that follow each chapter that feature Sproutlings, a bunch of fantastic woodland creatures that enact the ideas contained in each chapter. All in all, I appreciated just how much information this book communicates in a fast and friendly way. It also contains a few activity pages in the back, as well as a list of great online resources. It's a great introduction for anyone wanting to learn more about the basics of LGBTQIA+ identities.

Cartoonists and illustrators Mady G and Jules Zuckerberg collaborated on this book. Mady G has made lots of shorter comics and has worked for a number of high-profile illustration clients. Zuckerberg has also illustrated the Printz Honor book Queer Ducks (And Other Animals). They both speak about their work on this quick & easy guide in this interview.

Most of the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Alec Chunn wrote, "Though the book is slim, it effectively covers a broad swath of identities and topics." Becca called it "witty, engaging, and down-to-earth." Johanna Draper Carlson was less taken with it and opined, "the book often reads as a decorated lecture."

A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities was published by Limerence/Oni Press, and they offer a preview and more information about it here.

The Well

I recently got to know about Jon Allen's Ohio Is For Sale series and read the first collection of those strips. They feature a cast of 20-something characters, depicted as animals but who have real human problems and relationships interspersed with some fantastical elements.  The Well is the latest book set in that universe, and it was available from my local library. Libraries RULE!

The star of The Well is Veronika, a reserved 24-year old who lives with her parents, has a jerk boyfriend in a band, and who has not had a job in about a year.

This situation changes when the band goes on tour, she gets to crash at her boyfriend's gross apartment, and she gets a job coding for a local energy drink/wellness company. She settles in smoothly at first, makes a couple of work friends, Persephone and Dave, and gets into a new pattern. Dave is a go-getter who obviously has a crush on her while Persephone is an open lesbian who has learned not to get involved with straight women (maybe), but they all get along and occasionally go out for drinks. Their dynamics are fun to see, but something is not right with the company's owners.

Her bosses Susan and Jake are distant and weird, and eventually it's revealed that they are running illegal experiments involving the toxic morass that lies below the building as well as the huge creature that lives there. Veronika figures out that something hinky is going on, but she and her co-workers still get roped into the situation. What follows opens her eyes to how she views the world and her role in it.

The artwork in this book is very clean and simple, with bold characters rendered in black, white, and grayscale. This style belies a complexity of character and plotting, and this book is incredibly compelling. I read the whole thing, more than 700 pages (!), in one sitting. It is a master class in graphic storytelling, and I cannot recommend it enough. There are two other books, Julian in Purgatory and The Lonesome Era, available from this series, and I need to get my hands on them ASAP.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. François Vigneault wrote, "Over the many pages of this book Veronika clearly emerges as Allen’s most well-rounded and engaging protagonist yet." Phantastic Reads opined, "I love Allen’s deceptively simple art, and he’s got some really fun backgrounds in this one. The creeping suspense is a great counterpoint to Veronika’s very real personal problems, and it all comes to a head and wraps up beautifully."

The Well was published by Top Shelf Productions, and they offer a preview and more here. For those interested, Allen speaks about his work on this book in this interview. And if it is not clear by now, this book is not for kids.

This Place Kills Me

I recently borrowed this book from my local library. Libraries RULE!

This Place Kills Me is a murder mystery set at an all-girl private school in the 1980s. The main character is Abby, the new girl there who does not really fit it. She carries the baggage of being expelled from her last school for shady, possibly drug-related reasons. Also, she is a lesbian and catches a lot of flak from other students, which also affects her roommate Claire.

When a student commits suicide after a production of Romeo and Juliet, the two roommates begrudgingly join forces to investigate a few irregularities and find out a strange pattern that may explain what actually happened. The mystery is truly gripping, and part of the fun is figuring out whodunit.

This book has multiple strengths, chief among them the splendid and atmospheric artwork as well as strong characterizations. Abby's feelings of isolation really come through in the visuals, as well as the ornate decor of the school and many of its fancy students. I loved how the characters interact and how they did not end up making nice over the course of the narrative even as they collaborated. In many ways, this book seems like the "beginning of a beautiful friendship," with a pair of unlikely partners solving crime. And I would love to see more adventures featuring these characters.

This Place Kills Me was written by Mariko Tamaki and drawn by Nicole Goux. Tamaki is a prolific writer who has won a ton of awards, including multiple Eisners, being a finalist for the Printz Award (twice!), and a Caldecott Honor. She is known for the graphic novels This One Summer, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, and a few prior entries in DC Comics' YA graphic novel line, including I Am Not Starfire. Goux has several graphic novels to her credit, including Punk'n Heads, Pet Peeves, and Forest Hills Bootleg Society. Tamaki speaks about This Place Kills Me in this interview.

Nominated for an Eisner Award, this book has received much praise. In their starred entry, Kirkus Reviews concluded it was "truly exceptional; a standout." Sean Dillon called it "a thrilling story highly worth recommending." In an another starred review in the School Library Journal, Angie Jameson wrote, "Stunning illustrations coupled with a thrilling plot make this a standout title that belongs in all YA graphic novel sections."

This Place Kills Me was published by Abrams Fanfare, and they offer more information about it here. 

Night Chef

I borrowed this book from my local library, and you know what? Libraries RULE!

 Of late, I have been reading through some of this year's Eisner Award nominees, and Night Chef is up for Best Publication for Kids. The titular character is a raccoon who lives in the walls of a restaurant. When night falls, this nocturnal critter sets to work making her culinary magic. 

All of this comes to a halt one day when she happens upon a baby crow, and they set off on a journey into the woods to get that chick home. They meet all sorts of interesting creatures along the way, including a mole who runs his own restaurant, dumpster-dwelling raccoons, and a murderous owl. I love the way that all of these animals and their personalities seamlessly combine into a fun and organic story that has whimsical touches as well as some high-stakes suspense. This book just left me feeling flat-out happy when I finished it. It is an utter delight, with its evocative watercolors and genuinely lovable characters.

This literary confection was concocted by Mika Song. She has illustrated numerous picture books as well as a series of graphic novels for younger readers beginning with the Eisner Award-nominated Donut Feed the Squirrels. She has also been posting a webcomic called Dee Dee. She talks about her work on Night Chef  in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have sung its praises. In their starred entry, Kirkus Reviews summed up, "A deeply satisfying adventure for readers young and old." Susan Harari wrote, "Song’s delicate and beautiful watercolor illustrations, with added black lines for emphasis, and her elegant, hand drawn lettering make this book a standout." April Spisak called it a "warm, endearing graphic novel."

Night Chef was published by Random House Graphic, and they offer more information about it here. 

Hello Sunshine

Hello Sunshine has been sitting in my to-read pile for much too long. When I finally began reading it, I had a difficult time putting it down. This book is about Alex, a teen boy who has had a mental break and disappeared after a violent episode. Searching for him are Noah, a football player who is secretly his boyfriend, his angry brother Jamie, their dog Cass, their friend and neighbor Sky, and Alex's best friend and Jamie's girlfriend Izzy. Each chapter is told from each of their viewpoints, contributing to the suspenseful series of revelations about their family and what Alex is going through. It is also a gateway into each character's thoughts and feelings. 

Aside from learning about this ersatz Scooby gang, which takes a tremendous amount of character work, we also gain insight into Alex's plight, which involves a frightening combination of the mental health issues and the supernatural. The plot navigates a delicate balance between educating about his mental state as well as delving into a Stygian horror, replete with demons and false faces. Along the way, the characters all reveal something about themselves and their mettle.

The artwork in this book also manages a difficult balance, with affecting emotional moments and interactions as well as depictions of truly horrific creatures and realms. Alex's mental space is not for the meek, and it is a testament to his friends and family that they even attempt to approach it. I feel that this book is a success on pretty much every level, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Author Keezy Young has made the award-winning supernatural romance graphic novel Taproot as well as several impressive mini-comics, including the autobiographical Sunflowers and horror stories like It's Bitter, Baby, and It's Very Sweet. She speaks extensively about her work on Hello Sunshine in this interview.

Nominated for the Best Publication for Teens Eisner Award, this book has received many positive reviews. Cassy Lee called it "an artfully compelling and haunting read." Kirkus Reviews described it as being "beautiful, spooky, and emotional." Andy Oliver wrote, "It’s an astonishing piece of comics, one of the finest examples of graphic fiction of this decade, and a book that is deserving of all the acclaim it has received."

Hello Sunshine was published by Hachette Books, and they offer a video preview and more here. This book is meant for YA readers, and it contains profanity as well as references to self-harm and suicide.

Trumpets of Death

I have not read a graphic novel quite like Trumpets of Death, and it's a very memorable and haunting book. Its protagonist is Antoine, a young boy whose parents are struggling and seemingly heading for divorce. So his father brings him to the country to live with his parents, Antoine's grandmother and grandfather. The grandmother dotes on him, making him his favorite foods and catering to his wants. His grandfather is the total opposite, alternating between ignoring him and treating him with disdain. 

Yikes!

One day while out foraging for mushrooms, unbeknownst to anyone, Antoine is transformed into a majestic, white stag. He escapes and frolics in the woods, staying out there for weeks, avoiding humans altogether, as deer do. Things get tense and intense when his grandfather sets up a deer stand for hunting.

I am not quite sure what young people would make of this story, but it is a wild one, ripe for interpretation and analysis. I found the book gripping because of the narrative, intense character work, and also because of the dreamlike artwork, which uses color to some very interesting effects. There is so much to take in and make sense of here: it's part fable, part examination of family dynamics, part coming-of-age tale. This book has stuck with me.

Trumpets of Death is the debut graphic novel by Simon Bournel-Bosson, a graphic designer from France, where this book was originally published. He speaks about his work on it in this interview. The translation was done by Edward Gauvin.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Kirkus Reviews called it "an unsettling, thought-provoking coming of age." Gene Ambaum wrote, "I’m not sure what most young people will make of the book, but it’s a quick, enjoyable read that’s more literary than most graphic novels marketed to them." Amber Love called it " pure magic."

Trumpets of Death was published in the USA by Graphic Universe, and they offer more info and preview images here. 

I borrowed this book from my local library. Libraries rule! 

Chickenpox

As a person with a lot of siblings, I found a bunch to relate to in this book. Chickenpox is a story set in 1994 about Abby and her family. 

She is a fifth grader, the oldest of five siblings, and like many children she gets annoyed with them for various reasons. They take her toys and comic books. They make her seem uncool to her friends, but in actuality they are having friction for their own reasons. All of this drama comes to a head when Abby ends up stuck at home sick with chickenpox with the whole family for more than a week.

Familiarity builds contempt, as they say, but sick and tired kids make for some different circumstances. Abby starts to see some good things about them while she tries to smooth things over with her classmates over the telephone. I won't spoil how things resolve, but I will say that I found this book to be charming and absorbing. It portrays family relationships and friendships in realistic, nuanced ways. The artwork is simple yet expressive, and I can see why it has been nominated for both Harvey and Eisner Awards.

Although it is not a memoir, Remy Lai based Chickenpox on her experiences growing up. She has authored several graphic novels, including Ghost Book and Pie in the Sky. She speaks about her work and inspirations in this interview.

This book has received many accolades and has been very well reviewed. In a starred entry, Kirkus Reviews called it "honest, atmospheric, and full of heart." Kate Quealy-Gainer wrote, "Touches of manga bring silly humor and high drama to an otherwise conventional cartoon style." Annamarie Carlson called it "heartwarming and fun."

Chickenpox was published by Henry Holt and Company, and they offer a preview and more here.

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James is a fantastic graphic novel that delves into many contemporary issues that kids and parents are dealing with. Geordie is obsessed with Dominion, a Minecraft-ish MMORPG where he spends hours building up an elaborate amusement park with even more elaborate defenses to drive away marauders who would steal his (digital) stuff. His dad does not really see what he gets from the game, but he does not like it, especially when Geordie starts to fail science class. He grounds Geordie, making him spend time outside. Geordie finds a secret hideout, which somehow has working wifi he can use when he sneaks his tablet. He also becomes somewhat obsessed with a pig that has somehow escaped into the wild in their neighborhood.

Geordie is not the only one failing science though, and he and some classmates get put into an after-school group to work on a project to boost their grades. It turns out that Geordie is not great at working in groups, and some of his classmates are tough to get along with. They sometimes bicker and struggle to come up with a common topic, and seeing how they interact reminded me of how many kids today relate to one another, when they have to manage both face-to-face and digital interactions.

I am not going to get more into the plot and how the various relationships work out, but I will say that I found a lot of nuance and suspense throughout this book, and I found it really difficult to put down. It's not only riveting, it's also very moving and relatable. The interplay between reality and virtual worlds was palpable, and I cannot wait to share this book with my kids.

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James was made by Mike Dawson, who is one of my favorite comics artists. I belong to his Patreon, where he publishes "almost monthly" zines. He has also written and drawna number of graphic novels over the years, including the Fifth Quarter books, Freddie & Me, Angie Bongiolatti, and Troop 142. He also has done a lot of  graphic nonfiction and essay work, including the collection Rules for Dating My Daughter and plenty of comics for The Nib and other venues.

All three of the reviews I have read of this book have starred ones. The entry from Kirkus Reviews concluded, "A beautifully resonant work for the plugged-in set."  Barbara Ward wrote in Booklist, "With threads exploring philosophical and moral questions and a nuanced look at the impact of time online for kids, this bright, expressive graphic novel has lots of emotional grounding while still being an engaging story of an often-overlooked kid finding acceptance and understanding." The School Library Journal  wrote that it "could readily serve as a mentor text and is an excellent book club choice for middle school students.”

The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James was published by Union Square Kids, and they offer a preview and more information here.

Assorted Crisis Events, Volume 1

Assorted Crisis Events is an anthology series where each issue is done by the same creative team. This volume collects the first five issues of the series, five tales that follow different characters in different circumstances. The only thing these stories have in common is that they deal with time travel and one grand temporal disturbance. There is a mysterious figure in each story, a bearded man with a jet pack, but he's never around long, and what his role is, if he even has one, in this series is not revealed.

The first tale is about a woman who lives in a run-down building frequently used to fill disaster movies; the second about a man unstuck in time catching various glimpses of his life, Billy Pilgrim-style: from his family immigrating to the US, to working in a slaughterhouse, to episodes of family drama, to dinosaurs materializing and attacking. The third tale is about two cities from parallel universes coming together; the fourth about a man who speeds through his own life, seemingly never making decisions and just hurtling forward toward death. The fifth story is about a woman who is stuck in a time loop where she continually re-experiences a trauma event.

These stories are all morality plays of a sort, in the mold of very specific Twilight Zone episodes. They work because they tend to be instantly compelling, the twists are well executed, plus the artwork is simply incredible. The amount of detail, strategic coloring, and page layouts make for some innovative comics reading. I appreciate just how much work goes into visual displays that take advantage of how the passage of time can be throttled, warped, and communicated via comics. I prefer some of the stories to others, but I feel that they are all strong. And I am interested to see if any sense of continuity develops as the series goes on.

Assorted Crisis Events was written by Deniz Camp, drawn by Eric Zawadzki, and colored by Jordie Bellaire. Camp is one of the hottest writers in comics right now, having worked on the acclaimed series Ultimates for Marvel and Absolute Martian Manhunter for DC. Zawadzki has worked on a number of comics series, including the House of El trilogy for DC and Heart Attack for Skybound. Bellaire is an Eisner Award-winning colorist and writer who has worked on many series for multiple publishers. There are multiple interviews with the makers of this series listed here.

All of the reviews I have read about this book celebrate its merits. Matt Reads Comics called it "a must-read series." Evan gushed in his spoiler-filled review, "Overall, this might be one of the best comics I’ve ever read." Brian Nicholson was lukewarm on the series for reasons related to contemporary comics publishing, but he also noted, "The abundance of craft and intellect on display makes me hope it could open up and move beyond the closed-off system of thought that defines it currently."

Assorted Crisis Events, Volume 1 was published by Image Comics and they offer more info about it here. This series is intended for mature readers, and it is ongoing, currently up to issue 8.

A Cat Story

We have five cats at home, so I am partial to these insane, occasionally lovable critters. A Cat Story portrays felines in apt ways, from the arching and squiggly way their bodies are drawn to the way they alternate being affectionate and combative in their relating to each other. The narrative focuses on a couple of young cats, Cilla and Betto, who live in the Mediterranean seaside city of Valletta. They like their way of life well enough, sleeping under boats, dodging the elements, and living on stolen fish or scraps left to them by tourists. Cilla also sometimes happens upon an unsuspecting child who sneaks them into their house.

Cilla turns on the charm to score some chicken from a sweet kid.

However, they learn of a legendary "Quiet Garden," where all cats are welcome and well-fed, and it entices them to embark on a quest to find it. Their journey is risky and long, and they meet a number of interesting, sometimes helpful, sometimes frightening creatures.

Aside from being a compelling and well told odyssey, this book is also beautified by its visual references to multiple art works and narrative flourishes that extend from those classical images. Consequently, this book is a sumptuous reading experience that is rewarding in numerous ways. It also invites re-reading to drink in all of the various details and references. 

A Cat Story is the debut graphic novel by Ursula Murray Husted. She has since made a second, Botticelli's Apprentice, which is a historical fiction.

The reviews I have read of this book have all been positive. Kirkus Reviews concluded that it "works equally well as simple animal tale, metaphysical journey, or reimagining of classic artworks." Betsy Bird called it "gorgeously wrought and tenderly rendered" and added that it "feels like a labor of love that will snuggle itself deep into the hearts and minds of kids everywhere."

A Cat Story was published by Quill Tree Books, and they offer a preview and more information here. 

Young Shadow & The Watchdogs

It's been a minute since I've read a book set in the Double+ universe, and it was high time for me to remedy that. This is the second book to feature the hero Young Shadow, and it is a great one to read right about now, with springtime and baseball season upon us. Also, you do not necessarily have to read the first one to catch what is going on here. The premise here is that Young Shadow and the Watchdogs, a crew of young people, are cleaning up a chemical spill when one of the 'dogs, Elmore, happens upon a baseball glove.

Surprise! the glove is haunted, and soon the nine kids find themselves involved in an otherworldly baseball game. And the stakes are high - if they lose, they lose their eternal freedom(!).

There are many things to love about this book. The sports sequences are exciting and well paced, the overall artwork captures the spirit of a strange and wondrous place, and there is a good dose of humor and heart. I have loved all the books I've read set in Bolt City, and this one is no exception. It's recommended for anyone that like baseball, ghostly adventures, cool character designs, and/or fun.  

Ben Sears is the writer/artist/complete package responsible for this book and all the other Double+ adventures. He is a cartoonist, musician, and animator, and in my humble opinion he should be better known and his books more read. 

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been glowing. Colin Moon called it "a wholly unique, wholly singular book, ready to hook a reader and start a lifelong fandom." Zack Quaintance wrote that although it was not what he expected, he "found the book to be an utter delight." 

Young Shadow & The Watchdogs was published by Fantagraphics, and they offer more info about it here. 

Squire

Squire is a book I have had on my to-read shelf for too long, and I am so glad I finally got to it. It is about Aiza, a young woman who belongs to the Ornu people, who have been recently conquered and absorbed by the Bayt-Sajji Empire. Her people are looked at not even as citizens, and she resents their treatment as thieves and scoundrels. After persisting against her parents, she enlists in the squire training program in the Bayt-Sajji army. If she successfully completes the training to become a squire she will become a citizen and be on the pathway to become a knight, a storied and prominent position.

Looks glamorous, yeah?

As a recruit, she has to contend with harsh living conditions, highly competitive peers, and the difficult tasks set for them by military leadership. Aiza hides her identity as a Ornu from everyone, and over time she begins to learn more about the history of the conflict, the intentions of the military, and what being a citizen and a knight actually entails. These are some harsh realities, but she finds hope and encouragement from some unlikely allies, as well as a lot of prejudice and fear from her compatriots when they learn where she's from. 

This book is set in a fantasy version of Jordan and Turkey, and it touches upon many themes and issues that persist in the Middle East both past and present in terms of conflicts between different social groups and the mythologies perpetuated to enforce unity. The artwork is gorgeous and colorful, and the characters are vivid both in terms of their relationships, the plotting, and how they are drawn. I got very swept up by this book, and I found it nearly impossible to put down after I was about a quarter way through reading it. I feel it is exceptional and works on so many levels, as a fantasy tale, a modern parable, and a suspenseful action story. 

I should also add I really appreciated the final section of the book, which is full of story ideas, initial designs, and lots of information about the amount of research and design that went into this book. Making comics, let alone a graphic novel, is a lot of work. It's good to see more about the process so that younger readers can appreciate what it takes to be comics artists themselves. 

The two who put so much time and effort into making this book are writer Nadia Shammas and artist Sara Alfageeh. Shammas has written a number of graphic novels including the Ignyte Award-winning Where Black Stars Rise and Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin. Alfageeh also has illustrated the picture book Not Yet: The Story of an Unstoppable Skater. Both collaborators speak extensively on their work on this book in this interview. 

Squire won the 2022 Harvey Award for Best Young Adult Book, and it has received many positive reviews. In their starred review, Publishers Weekly noted, "Alfageeh’s arresting visuals conjure a richly detailed, sun-drenched world in which impressive architecture fills open landscapes populated by visually diverse and complex characters." Kirkus Reviews called it "an engaging graphic novel that examines the nature of prejudice and the cost of imperial expansion." Helena Ramasroop wrote, " It was charming and unexpectedly humorous while also tackling important topics like prejudice, colonialism, justice, and the purpose of history."

Squire was published by Quill Tree Books, and they offer a preview and more here.

Akane-banashi, Volume 1

Akane-banashi is an engrossing manga series that  focuses on a niche area, but I took a lot away from it. The main character is teenager Akane Osaki who aspires to excel at rakugo, which is a tradition of comedic storytelling. Part of what drew her to this field was seeing her father rehearse his routines when she was younger, and she loved seeing his skill at portraying characters and scenarios. However, he was shamed and expelled from his rakugo school, and part of why she strives to succeed is to avenge his harsh treatment. 

At first, she trains in secret with his former teacher and in this first book she begins to meet other young storytellers as she joins a school. Some of them are supportive while others are more competitive, which makes for some drama.

Aside from all of the interpersonal intrigue, there is also a healthy amount of historical background about rakugo, which offers insights into the intricacies involved in being a performer as well as how it ties into Japanese culture as a whole. So, in combination with it being a gripping story, it is a sort of sociology as well. I might be making this book sound ponderous, but it was full of colorful characters and a breeze to read.

This manga is written by Yuki Suenaga and drawn by Takamasa Moue. It is the first serialized manga by Suenaga. Moue wrote and drew a prior series Ole Golazo, published in Shonen Jump.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been positive.  In a starred review from School Library Journal Joe Pascullo concluded, "With its lovable protagonist, strong artwork, and unique exploits at its heart, Akane-banashi is not only a must for any budding manga collection, but for any reader simply looking for a magnificent reading experience." Sara Smith wrote, "This is a great read for its characters but also for anyone interested in learning more about this Japanese art form." Sakura Eries "if you’re open to learning (a lot) about Japanese traditional culture, Akane-banashi might be a fun way to do it."

Akane-banashi, Volume 1 was published by VIZ Media, and they offer a preview and more here. So far, the series has been collected in 15 volumes in the USA (and 22 in Japan), so there's plenty more for fans. It has also recently begun to be adapted into an anime series.

Crazy for You

I recently took advantage of Fantagraphics' annual Fantabucks sale, and Crazy for You is the first book I've received and read from them. It contains two short stories written by novelist Paul Theroux and adapted by Steve Lafler, who has been making comics for decades. His most notable creation is Dog Boy and I have also really enjoyed a number of his smaller works as well. Theroux and Lafler speak of their collaboration here in this interview.

The first tale in this book is "Minor Watt," about a wealthy man who decides that he is going to deal with a divorce and economic recession by destroying precious artworks that he owns and buys. It was a roller-coaster ride of events that left me guessing how things would resolve. It lampoons contemporary art dealers and culture while also following a man's descent into madness.

The second story in the book is "Siamese Nights," about an aging businessman named Boyd who is sent by his company to Bangkok. He is an amateur artist who tours the town, sketching buildings and sites to bring home to his wife in Maine. He's also near retirement, and at first, he avoids socializing and going to bars with his younger colleagues. Eventually he joins them and meets a katoey named Song. He begins an affair with her and becomes obsessed, which complicates his marriage as well as his work situation. 

I found both stories compelling, even if the second trucks in exoticism. The artwork brings a strong sense of character, action, and passion to the events of each tale. These stories are also weirdly almost anthropological looks at later-life crises and male mania, including how emotional and social constraints can become warped, troubling, and destructive. These stories might be pitched at a specific mature audience, but I feel that they are well-rendered and thought-provoking.

The reviews I have read about this book have been conflicted. Steve Baxi called it a "mixed bag" and concluded, "I think 'Minor Watt' is worth the price of admission, but after that there’s plenty of other comics by Lafler and short stories by Theroux worth reading." William Schwartz pondered who the audience for graphic versions of these stories is and wrote that "the combination comes out like a well-aged Roy Lichtenstein, petty drama blown up to such an extent it’s hard to tell who’s laughing at who."

Crazy for You was published by Fantagraphics, and they offer a preview and more information here. This book contains profanity, nudity, and sexual situations and is recommended for readers mature enough to deal with them.