Long-time readers of this blog should know that
Jaime Hernandez is one of my favorite comics creators. He has won multiple
Harvey and
Eisner Awards for the long-running
Love and Rockets series he co-created with his brothers, and I loved seeing his work in various anthologies over the years.
The Dragon Slayer, notably, is his first foray into comics for younger readers. It is a thin book, but it is packed with beauty, energy, and fun.
After an introduction by
F. Isabel Campoy that gives context to Latinx folktales, there are three 10-page stories. The first, titular story is about a young daughter who gets kicked out her house but is gifted a magic wand that helps her find her way in the world and (yes) eventually kill a horrible dragon.
The second tale "Martina Martinez and Pérez the Mouse" is about a beautiful woman who marries a mouse but has to deal with the fact that he has drowned while fishing a delicious onion out of some soup. The third is "Tup and the Ants," about a youngest son who is shunned by his parents but finds his way to success via befriending a colony of ants.
Not surprisingly, I was not familiar with any of these stories, and I found them full of magic, wonder, and surprises. They are fun, impressive tales that have a good sense of whimsy. Also, the artwork is clean and simple in appearance, but it packs much emotion and action. I loved this book, and I cannot wait to share it with my own children.
All of the reviews I have read about this book have been glowing.
J. Caleb Mozzocco opined, "It’s a perfect work for adults who grew up on
Love and Rockets
to share with their children, and it’s an equally perfect introduction
to the rich folklore immediately to the south of the U.S."
Rob Clough wrote, "The fact that Hernandez chose stories that aren't strictly morally
instructive, but instead convey other kinds of information, simply make
people laugh, or act as shaggy dog stories makes this volume especially
enjoyable." In a starred review,
Kirkus Reviews summed up, "Rousing tales, spirited artwork, and rich back matter ensure
that this slim graphic novel for kids becomes a rich resource for all
caregivers, not just those of Latinx children."
The Dragon Slayer was published by
Toon Books, and they offer a preview and much more
here. This book's stated audience is grades 3 and up.
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