Odessa

I have read tons of dystopian future stories from the YA graphic novel market, and Odessa is one of the best ones, because it is well realized and complex. It begins when Ginny, the main character, gets a package for her 18th birthday. This package, it turns out, came from her mother Odessa, who has not been home in years and was presumed dead. This gift sets off an entire series of events that put Ginny on a quest across the environmental disaster the western United States has become to either find her mother or some sort of resolution to this situation. Along the way she runs into a good number of interesting folks (both friends and adversaries), including two stowaways that really up the stakes for her (and their) safety.

I am being vague because I do not want to spoil too much, but suffice it to say that I feel that the plot of this book is excellent, with lots of moments of suspense and cliffhangers (both emotional and physical), superb character designs, grand vistas of devastation, and palpable character moments. The way the book ends very much begs for a sequel, and I really hope we eventually get one.

One big reason why we have not gotten a sequel yet is that this book's creator, Jonathan Hill has been working on another graphic novel series, Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy and its soon-to-be-published sequel Lizard Boy 2: The Most Perfect Summer Ever. He speaks about his work on Odessa in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have sung its praises. In a starred entry, Kirkus Reviews summed it up as "a gritty, raw page-turner."  Sara Smith wrote, "There are parts of this story that are hauntingly beautiful." Becky Proie opined, "Odessa is a seemingly simple and effortless graphic novel that manages to take the well-used dystopian setting and somehow bring a welcoming feel to it that makes readers not want to put it down."

Odessa was published by Oni Press, and they offer more info about it here. 

The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling

I was a huge wrestling fan when I was younger, in the heyday of "Rock 'n Wrestling" and the rise of the WWF (now WWE), and I was also intrigued by wrestling magazines that showed rankings for other wrestling promotions in other parts of the USA. The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling helped me make sense of the convoluted history of "the one true sport" and learn about its origins as a sort of carnival attraction and its evolution into the media juggernaut it is today. Along the way, it touches on the unique history of wrestling and its provincial qualities and how they all eventually have been melded into a more national entity for the most part. What is more, this book does not just detail the US scene, but also elucidates about wrestling in Mexico, Japan, Europe, and Canada. 

The artwork is appropriately colorful and dynamic, taking its cues from cartoon superheroes, which I feel captures the bombast and energy of many wrestling personalities. There are a few times when specific images were repeated, which I found a bit distracting and "cookie cutter," but those instances were few. I felt that the art and story worked very well together so this book was incredibly entertaining and informative. Also, the book does not shy away from the more troubling aspects of wrestling, including steroid abuse, accidental deaths, murder/suicides, and the physical toll it takes on people's bodies and brains. I feel it would be great for a budding wrestling fan to learn the background of the profession as well as for non-fans that just want to know what all the hubbub is about.

The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling was a collaboration between writer Aubrey Sitterson and artist Chris Moreno. Sitterson has written other comic book series, including No One Left to Fight and the upcoming Free Planet, and  Moreno has drawn comics for a variety of publishers. Both creators speak about their work in this interview.

The reviews I have read about this book have been mainly positive, with some reservations. Kyle Cassello wrote that "the recapturing of history will have fans smiling." Ben Abelson summed up, "Overall, readers should find CBSPW a valuable addition to their libraries — a handy quick reference for major formative events and persistent themes in wrestling history that is both illuminating and enjoyable." Greg Hunter found some positive parts of the book but found problems in its overall execution and glossing over some of the more seedy aspects of the business and particular popular wrestlers, opining that "the result is neither a key account of wrestling nor a notable use of comics."

The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling was published by Ten Speed Graphic, and there is a preview and more information about it here.

Casual Fling

Corporate lawyer Jennifer Ryan leads an enviable life. She has a high-paying job, dutiful husband, and a happy family. Tensions between her home and work lives get a little stressed though, and one night she gets caught up in the attentions of a work acquaintance. 

She has the titular casual fling, but instead of being a one-off tryst it turns into a path of betrayal and blackmail. She gets threatened with exposure, and for fear of losing the life she has built she does some sleuthing of her own to learn about her mystery man and his path of villainy.

I picked this book up because I have seen some good things from AWA (Artists, Writers, Artisans) Publishing and I have really enjoyed a number of novels by this series author Jason Starr. I was not disappointed at all, and Casual Fling has all the hallmarks of an entertaining noir narrative: a tight plot, a compelling mystery, sexual tension, and complicated characters. This books really works because Jennifer is a flawed person but also one who owns up to her faults and won't simply be taken advantage of. 

Not just successful because of its plot and characterizations, this book also features strong artwork by Dalibor Talajić and colors by Marco Lesko that portrays steamy moments, tense interactions, action, and human moments in fine fashion. Consequently, it is a book full of moody, grim atmosphere that suits the plot. Casual Fling is a taut thriller told economically, great for noir or mystery fans.

The reviews of this book I have read have been positive. Kobi Bordoley called it "a sleek, well written story." Logan Dalton wrote that it was "a decent erotic thriller and still had plenty of time for tough, nuanced conversations."

Casual Fling was published by AWA Upshot, and they offer a preview and much more about the series here. There is also a sneak peek of the series available on Webtoons. Because of the themes, relationship issues, and adult situations in this book, I recommend it for mature readers.

I Was Their American Dream

I am the child of two immigrants, a German and a Greek, which makes me a Gerk ("jerk") is my hilarious joke. I have my own sense of figuring out my identity in relation to my relatives and also my native land, the USA, and I was very glad to read a very different tale of a person melding nationalities,  I Was Their American Dream. This book is a memoir by Malaka Gharib, whose parents are Filipino and Egyptian, making for a unique blend of cultures and religions. 

Much of this book centers on Malaka relating her formative experiences, remembering, celebrating, and regretting her cultural roots while also detailing how she made sense and peace with two religious traditions, Islam and Christianity. Also, it is about how she incorporated different aspects of those cultures into her life while also trying her best to be an American. It is a bumpy journey, and I really loved how she shares her various insights along the way. 

The artwork is mostly comics, though there are some passages that are more like an illustrated book. The drawings are cartoonish and convey broad emotions and actions very well. Still, there are some more quiet moments that still pack a sentimental punch. This book made me giggle, grow wistful, cringe, and relate. It is the best sort of memoir, one that is a window into a different world that affects how the reader sees life. I really loved this book.

This book was created by Malaka Gharib, who is a journalist and artist who works for NPR. She has also published another graphic memoir, It Won't Always Be Like This, about her summers abroad in Egypt. She speaks about the background and making of this book in this interview.

I Was Their American Dream won the 2020 Arab American Book Award, and has been well praised. In their starred entry, Kirkus Reviews summed it up as "a heartwarming tribute to immigrant families and their descendants trying to live the American dream." In another starred entry, from School Library Journal, Elise Martinez wrote, "This engaging memoir is an uplifting ode to Gharib’s bicultural background, her immigrant parents, and her road to self-acceptance."

I Was Their American Dream was published by Clarkson Potter, and they offer a preview and more information about it here.

Sunburn

The main character of Sunburn is Rachel, a 16-year-old British teen whose summer plans involve working at a butcher shop where she'll be elbow-deep in pig guts as well as the typical week-long family trip to a rainy cabin. Those plans get exploded when a mysterious invitation appears from the Warners, family friends who own an island house in Greece. They invite her to a summer of fun and sun, and she happily accepts.

Once there, she lives a comfortable life, with wonderful food, free new clothes, and scenic views. She also gets daily visits to the beach, afternoon naps, and dinner parties at different people's houses. The cherry on top of this sundae is that she also gets to spend time with Benjamin, a slightly older British boy, and the two flirt and get involved. 

Of course, nothing this awesome comes for free, and over the course of the book Rachel uncovers the details about why she is there. I very much enjoyed this book, as it made me nostalgic for my own vacations in Greece when I was younger, but it is also a compelling combination of a mystery and character study. Aside from the interesting plot, the artwork is also gorgeous, with a limited color pallette and plenty of landscape imagery that sets the atmosphere.

Sunburn was a collaboration between writer Andi Watson and artist Simon Gane. Watson is a cartoonist, writer, and illustrator who has created a number of books and graphic novels and who has been nominated for four Eisner Awards, two Harvey Awards, and an official selection of the Angoulême International Festival. Gane has drawn a number of comics series and books, including They're Not Like Us and Ghost Tree. Watson talks about making this book as well as some of his other projects in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been positive. Darryll Robson wrote, "You will not find immediacy here, but the narrative is better for its slow, dreamy walk through the lives of its characters." Kirkus Reviews called it "a contemplative study of a girl battered and disillusioned by her first glimpses of adult complexities." Ramon Piña opined, "The art in the book is nothing short of spectacular."

Sunburn was published by Image Comics, and they offer more info about it here. 

Asgardians Book 1: Odin

How do you follow up the Olympians, a 12-volume series of graphic novels that took more than a decade to come out? With another series of graphic novels, ones that focus on Norse mythology, naturally. George O'Connor is back with more mythological adventures, and I am glad to say that this new series is just as excellent (so far), even though it tackles a much different sort of culture and ethos. The Norse gods and legends have a much more earthy feel, with a lot of literal spit and blood (among other bodily fluids) involved in the proceedings. The artwork is also subtly different, and O'Connor is mindful to change his art style and coloring to suit different subject matter.

 

This volume follows Odin, the king of the gods and warrior, searcher, and man of many faces and names. Among the adventures here, he loses an eye, gains great wisdom, battles giants, and travels the nine realms. Additionally, much of this book introduces the narrative world of Norse mythology, conveying an excellently detailed account of this strange, new universe. It features many weird creatures, like six-armed maws, beardless dwarfs, and an eagle full of mead. I learned so much from it, including just how much I did not know about these stories, because I have read tons of Marvel Comics about them and the actual source material is waaaaaay different, even if  the names are the same. If you like reading about myths and having your mind blown, this book is for you.

In addition to all of his graphic novels adapting mythology, O'Connor has adapted the American history journal account Journey into Mohawk Country and illustrated the dystopian future book Ball Peen Hammer, written by Adam Rapp. He also drew the political graphic novel Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy with author Daniel G. Newman. He speaks about his work on Odin in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read about it have been celebratory. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred entry that summed up, "A rainbow bridge to a fresh set of mythological places and faces." Chris Cole concluded his review, "Overall, this book was a great start to the series. I’m excited to follow it to Ragnarok." Benjamin Russell called it "an excellent authority in distilling the complexities of Norse mythology and making it accessible to younger readers interested in folklore."

Odin was published by First Second, and they provide more information and a preview here. Because of violence, bodily fluids, and booze, I recommend this book for middle school and above readers.

Light It, Shoot It

 

I love a good noir story, especially one that features excellent artwork like Light It, Shoot It. It follows the travails of Billy Bonney, a young man who has just gotten out of prison for arson. He has troubles getting along with his peers as well as just fitting in to society. Luckily, his older brother is in the film business (on a low rung, but still), and he helps him get a gig being a actor's assistant. Mainly that involves him making sure the older alcoholic leading man is in working shape and on time to the set, not very glamorous work.  

As you can see from the excerpt above, the artwork is very expressive and lovingly portrays the gritty realities of 1970s Hollywood. The excerpt also features a lot of characters and moving parts, which are a hallmark of this book. There is a lot going on and lots of people with their own motives. Billy is trying to fit in; his brother is trying to get laid; one of the producers has a plan to recoup shooting costs through insurance fraud; some people are trying to make a movie; some people are trying to get famous, and still others just want to bask in the glow of showbiz. I am not going to say that the plot is the most original I've ever read, but I think that this book hits its story beats hard: a quintessential exploitation tale in graphic novel form. It's clearly a labor of love, and I got very much caught up in the enthusiastic way this story was told both through its narrative and art.

Light It, Shoot It was written and drawn by Graham Chaffee, who mainly works as a tattoo artist. He has published a couple of other graphic novels, including To Have & To Hold and Good Dog. He speaks about his work on this book in this interview.

All of the reviews of this book I have read highlight its strengths. Publishers Weekly wrote, "Chaffee’s pastel washes, clear affection for the period, and well-stocked gallery of colorful hoodlums and reluctant heroes make up for the lack of suspense." Jason Green called it "an excellent example of noir storytelling at its finest, soaked in a uniquely 1970s mood." Paul Dunne opined, "Drawn in bold brushstrokes, and hand-painted in subtle washes, Chaffee brings vintage LA to the page in a propulsive adventure."

Light It, Shoot It was published by Fantagraphics, and they provide a preview and more info about it here. This book is suggested from mature readers.