Science Comics: Cats: Nature and Nurture

 

Three cats live in my house, and I learned so much about them and their distant cousins by reading this volume of Science Comics, Cats. It was written and drawn by Andy Hirsch, who has also created a bunch of other entries in the Science Comics series, including  Dogs, Rocks and Minerals, and Trees as well as The American Bison, which he made for History Comics. He also just published Good Boy, a fictional graphic novel about a boy who adopts a rescue dog.

But back to the subject of Cats, it's one got all of the hallmarks of graphic novels I've seen from Hirsch: a fun narrator, lots of facts that are not overwhelming, and very attractive and engaging artwork. The story begins with an interview with an internet-famous calico cat named Bean, who explains their journey from stray to pet that spins into a wide-ranging exploration of cats, including those from the distant past. 

This platform launches into a grand survey that is jam-packed with information about a wide range of felines, from house cats to tigers to ocelots to kodkods. I learned about why cats pace, hunt, and pounce; how they see in the dark; why they eat what they eat, and how the various specialized parts of their bodies work. It's even got a short section about reproduction and DNA and how they propagate specific traits. What's best about this book is that is a great read for anyone who is interested in cats, from younger readers to adults. It's presented in a very readable, engaging way that spans a wide range of audiences.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been glowing. Lori Henderson called it "another great entry in the Science Comics series" and added, "If you think you know everything about cats, this book will make you think again." Johanna Draper Carlson wrote, "Hirsch’s art style is well-suited to animals, giving them plenty of personality in a cartoony way." Sam Wildman added that Hirsch "does a fantastic job of mixing hard science with a fun story (and adorable narrator) to keep readers invested."

Cats: Nature and Nurture was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and much more here.

Huda F Are You?

I have been meaning to read this book for a while now, ever since I learned about it during a presentation at the Literacy Research Association this past December. Huda F Are You? is a fictionalized memoir about a young, Egyptian-American girl trying to figure things out. First, and foremost, is the titular question she is trying to answer, as she is struggling with a great many issues: keeping up her grades, being a hijab-wearing Muslim, making friends, and meeting her parents' expectations. The first one is easy for her, and being a top student is a key part of her identity. The second is tougher, as it makes her pretty visible and a target for discrimination from random white people and even teachers. The third is complicated because she feels like she does not really feel she is Muslim enough, because she is not as strong in Arabic as many of the other students in her school in Dearborn, Michigan. So she feels inferior to what she sees as "more perfect" Muslim kids, but she also feels alien to most other kids at her school.

Dealing with these three concerns cause Huda to spin off her axis, and her grades start to slip. So she makes some somewhat bold choices that lead her into more awkward situations. All of these behaviors lead to a confrontation with her mother that frames the narrative.

Not everything in this book resolves neatly, but she does find some peace and connections in her social and academic worlds. What impressed me most about this narrative was how relatable and  funny it is. It features lots of observational humor and also running jokes, like the multiple ways that people mispronounce her name, which I can relate to. This book has a lot of heart, and it shows it through its expressive artwork, intricate characters, and the delicate, deliberate pacing. I very much enjoyed this book, and now I need to read its two sequels.

This book's creator Huda Fahmy has written a number of comics for both adults and younger readers. Huda F Cares? and Huda F Wants to Know? are the two sequels to this book. Yes, I Am Hot in This and That Can Be Arranged are graphic novels that began as webcomics, and they are more geared toward adults. Fahmy speaks about her life and work in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read of this book sing its praises. Kirkus Reviews called it "hilarious, charming, and much needed." Richetta wrote, "This book is perfect for discussing identity on multiple levels." Amani Salahudeen opined, "I loved how Huda weaved in humor, touched on important topics within the Islamic community, and was unapologetically Muslim. This book is a must-read!"

Huda F Are You? was published by Dial Books, and they offer a preview and more information about it here. I recommend it for middle and high school readers.

7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga

In the last few years, I have been interacting with Native American cultures through a variety of different media. I have watched shows like Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds, read books like We Had A Little Real Estate Problem, and read comics from companies like ATCG. Today, I am talking about a  graphic novel, 7 Generations, which spans centuries in its look at a Canadian indigenous family and how generational trauma affects them. The framing sequence is set in 2010, and it's about a 16-year-old boy named Edwin. He is struggling with school and life, and he feels cut adrift. One reason for his feelings is because he is estranged from his father, James, and feels abandoned by him. He decides to take matters and his life in his own hands, namely to end both. Luckily, he was not successful.

It turns out that these feelings are predicated on what has gone on in the past, and this book chronicles four episodes about this family. The first chapter focuses on a couple of Plains Cree brothers in the late 19th century and what transpires after one of them dies in a Blackfoot raid and the other, named Stone, seeks revenge. The second chapter focuses on White Cloud and his experiences during the smallpox pandemic of 1870-1871. The third chapter leaps more toward the present, portraying James's experiences being taken from his family and re-housed in Christian residential schools with his brother. The fourth comes full circle and deals with how James and Edwin might reconcile and lead better lives.

There is a lot going on in this book, and each chapter contains scenes of horror and violence of different sorts. The drawings portray much of the proceedings in visceral, emotional, and dramatic fashion, and in many ways this is a tough book to read, appropriately so, in my opinion. It does not flinch from showing past terrors and crimes, and it also resolves not completely but hopefully. I found this a very moving and informative book, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about indigenous cultures or comics.

This book was created by author David A. Robertson and artist Scott B. Henderson. Robertson has written many books from adults and young people, and has won many accolades, including the Governor General's Literary Award and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. 7 Generations was Henderson's first graphic novel, and since then he has drawn 20 more, mainly collaborating with indigenous authors. Robertson speaks about his collaboration with Henderson on this book in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read of this book sing its praises. Suzanne Manizza Roszak concluded, "An equally fitting choice for adolescent and adult readers, 7 Generations deserves to be much more widely read." Joanne Peters wrote that the chapters are "emotionally powerful works, and Scott Henderson's ...visuals add to the impact of Robertson's narratives, particularly in the depiction of the residential school experience."

7 Generations was published by HighWater Press, and they offer more information about the upcoming 15th anniversary edition here. Because of the subject matter, including self-harm and emotional violence, I suggest this book for high school and above.

 Thank you and shout-out to Dani, who chose this book for our graphic novel class!!!

Asgardians Book 2: Thor

Many people, myself included, know a lot about the Thor from Marvel. He's big, strong, blond, wields a big hammer, and can control lightning. The mythological Thor is some of these things, including the muscles, power, hammer, and lightning, but he is also somewhat different.

This second volume sheds more light on that Thor, telling a good number of tales that show him to be a sort of dunderhead despite all of his strength and abilities. He's loud and impetuous, and he often gets taken advantage because of that, particularly by his clever half-brother Loki, though he does strive to do his best.

I really love this book, and I also love that it has a very different sort of flavor than the Olympians series by the same author. Norse legends are a bit more gritty and earthy, and the artwork and storytelling here reflects that. This Thor has to get his hands dirty when he fights, he slaughters and eats goats, and he drinks a lot of ale. He is also sort of goofy in the way he has to get himself out of sticky situations. Still, he is heroic in his own way, and this book does an excellent job of conveying the original legends in an intriguing and engaging way. The third book in this series, Loki, is slated to come out in October and I am really looking forward to it.

George O'Connor has a slew of excellent graphic novels under his belt. In addition to the aforementioned Olympians series, he adapted the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country and also illustrated the dystopian future book Ball Peen Hammer, written by Adam Rapp. He has also drawn the political graphic novel Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy with author Daniel G. Newman.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been positive. In a starred entry, Kirkus Reviews called it a "close and spirited take on original sources." Carol Youssif summed it up, "A well-rounded title that will appeal to fans of the titular god and Norse mythology, and readers looking for an action-packed story." Ian Keogh concluded his review, "These are a bunch of great stories by any reckoning, and O’Connor really brings them to life, and not just for the intended young adult audience."

Thor was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and more information about it here. 

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey

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Two of my favorite things are comics and hockey, and this book combines both! I cannot think of many books that do both, save for Robert Ullman's Old-Timey Hockey Tales mini-comics, which are great by the way. Check, Please! began as a webcomic, and the first two of the four seasons are collected here. The premise is that we are following the life of Eric "Bitty" Bittle, an incoming freshman to the fictional Samwell University that is located in the real-life state of Massachusetts and plays in the real-life ECAC conference. Bitty is a former figure skater turned hockey player who comes from Georgia, loves to bake and vlogs about his life. He is also gay, and wonders when and how he should come out to his teammates. Over the course of the book, he shares about his struggles to adapt to college life, his quirky teammates, his culinary creations, and his adapting to the rules and rigors of college hockey.

For instance, dealing with contact is new to Bitty...

Over the two seasons in this book, we get glimpses into Bitty's freshman and sophomore years. He transitions from being a newbie to moving into the team house. There is some light hazing, intense feedback from the team captain, heavy partying, and typical college shenanigans. A slight spoiler: It is refreshing to see a bunch of macho athletes appreciate Bitty's baking and sexual orientation with not just tolerance but acceptance and joy. This book is fun to read for its sports intrigue, personal drama, charm, clever banter, and humor. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book that runs to Eric's junior and senior years.

Check, Please! was created by Ngozi Ukazu. She began making webcomics but has transitioned into making graphic novels, including Bunt!, which is about a college baseball player, Barda, which is a YA graphic novel from DC Comics featuring Jack Kirby's Fourth World characters, and the forthcoming Flip. Ukazu speaks more about Check, Please! in this interview.

This series has won a Reuben Award, a Harvey Award, and an Ignatz Award, and it's been very well reviewed. The starred entry from Kirkus Reviews concluded, "A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens." Thoroughly Modern Reviewer called it " a well-written, immensely enjoyable rom-com," and added that "it’s also a delightful exploration of male friendship, a really funny coming of age story, and an exciting look into the softer side of hockey culture." Nick Goodsell summed up, "It’s funny, its heartfelt, its deep, and it’s another great coming of age story for anyone to enjoy!"

Check, Please! Book 1 was published by First Second, and they offer a preview and more information about it here. This book features profanity and some adult situations, so it is recommended for readers mature enough to handle those things, probably more mature teens.

Crowded, Volume 1

Crowd-sourcing is ubiquitous nowadays, but "10 minutes" in the future it will be even more pervasive. Crowded depicts this world in satirical, troubling, and exciting (because it's not happening to me) fashion. The narrative here follows Charlie Ellison, a gig-worker who wakes up one day to find that she is the target of a $1 million Reapr campaign. Reapr is an app where a person can legally order an assassination that has to happen within 30 days. For some reason, which she may or not be aware of, Charlie finds herself being attacked by all of the would-be assassins who come out of the woodwork to bump her off and cash in. 

Luckily for Charlie, there is also Dfend, an app for bodyguards. She is not super solvent, so she hires the lowest rated bodyguard, Vita. He is grouchy but surprisingly effective. He might actually be able to keep her safe for the 30-day term of the Reapr contract, but Charlie is kind of a wildcard who wants to make her own rules and complicates both their lives. The plot here is excellent, as the clash of personalities makes for great drama in and of itself, but there are also so many different plot twists that come from unshared secrets, wily would-be assassins, and disasters that make this book a real page-turner. The artwork equals the plotting, and it melds realism with a exaggerated, cartoonish style that conveys the action and emotion well. It also captures the flavor of a near-future world in a vibrant way. I loved this book, and it's a great hook for the rest of the series.

Crowded was written by Christopher Sebela and drawn by Ro Stein and Ted Brandt. Sebela has been nominated for four Eisner Awards, and Stein and Brandt have drawn a variety of comics for both DC and Marvel. All three creators speak about their work on Crowded in this interview.

The reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Nicole Drum called it "the comic book equivalent of a viral video," adding, "It sucks you in and leaves you wondering what’s next all the while asking what that says about us." Brandon Lawrence described it, "Well written, well drawn, sets up a world, sates your appetite for action, and leaves you wanting more." You can read more reviews of the series at Comic Book Roundup.

Crowded was published by Image Comics. They have more info about this book and the next volumes in the series here. You can read the first issue, which is the first chapter of this trade paperback, here. This book features violence and profanity, so it is recommended for readers mature enough to handle them.

The Toxic Avenger

When I was growing up, there was a theater right next door to my dad's pizzeria, and I saw many a movie there. One of my formative experiences was watching the original Toxic Avenger movie, which warped my prepubescent brain with all its gore, violence, and "special effects." It led me to other films from Troma, and probably deranged me (in what I feel are mostly positive ways). I was not as big a fan of the 1990s cartoon revival of the franchise, though I was glad for the popularity and profits for the upstart parent company. A re-imagined version of the monster hero starring Peter Dinklage will debut in theaters this year, but before it arrived there was this five-issue comic book series collected here. 

This version of the Toxic Avenger operates independently of any of the movies, and new readers really do not need to know anything about them. Here, Tromaville, NJ is beset by a huge environmental disaster, and aliens and/or a shady corporation may or not be involved (I'm not going to spoil it). The entire area is quarantined, and a good number of the populace are exposed to something that radically transforms them into monstrous beings. Furthermore, there is a huge amount of misinformation coming from the government over both traditional and social media that obscures what is really happening. 

As you can see from this excerpt, this book follows the exploits of Melvin, once a scrawny weakling but now a strapping, grotesque hulk. Over the course of the narrative, he has to deal with physical battles from his former bullies who are also now monstrous, as well as the ethical dilemma of possibly becoming the public face of the huge cover-up fabricated to lie to the public about what happened in Tromaville. Among all of this action, horror, and intrigue, there is also a good dose of ridicule aimed at public and business institutions as well as some good old fashioned physical humor. I found this book highly entertaining, and luckily for those reading this trade paperback, they don't have to wait a month to see what happens in each subsequent chapter.

This book is the product of writer Matt Bors and artists Fred Harper and Lee Loughridge. Bors is a long time political cartoonist who also founded and edited The Nib. He has won multiple Eisner Awards and also writes the Justice Warriors series. Harper has a huge list of past clients, both comics and corporate. Loughridge is one of the most in-demand colorists in contemporary comic books. You can read more about these Toxic Avenger comics in this interview.

The reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Steven W. Alloway called it " weird, funny, sarcastic, satirical, sometimes violent, often gross, extremely campy, but ultimately good-hearted." Chris Coplan, who is a long-time Toxie fan like me, wrote that it "isn’t just a damn good comic, but it very much exceeds my kooky, totally awkward expectations."

The Toxic Avenger was published by Ahoy Comics, and they provide more information about it here. This book features body horror, gore, violence, and profanity, so I suggest it for readers mature enough to deal with those things.

And for those are enjoy this book, good news: there is more on the way.