The Unsinkable Walker Bean

The Unsinkable Walker Bean has a lot going for it: beautiful art, an intriguing plot, and extraordinary story elements. Aside from the romance of being a castaway on a ship, the glimpses into deep sea trenches, and the fantastical creatures, the story is told alternately in small, personal vignettes and grand, cinematic moments. Aaron Renier really shows off his artistic and story-telling chops with this book, intended for readers age 9 and up.

There is so much detail in this book that it is hard to describe, but I'll give it a shot: The plot centers on Walker Bean, a young boy who ventures off on a sea voyage against his father's wishes in order to save his grandfather. The eldest Bean has been struck ill by a mystical pearl skull and only by returning it to its point of origin can he be cured. Most people think such talk is foolish and baseless, but Walker sets off any way. During his journey, he encounters many strange and interesting characters, including a doctor who is constantly working against him, a friendly youth with a dog, a cat-like girl who is a master thief, and a cook who has a walking, robotic teapot helper. Not to mention the two giant mermaid sisters whose vanity and greed has transformed them into giant lobster creatures who dwell in the deepest parts of the ocean until they pursue the pearl skull.

The Unsinkable Walker Bean is Renier's second graphic novel. His first, Spiral Bound, was very well received. He received an Eisner Award for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition in 2006. This interview offers insight into his art and work in general.

Reviews for this work have been very positive. J. Caleb Mozzocco commented on how much world-building he does in this book and states that it has "every chance of being the next big thing." The reviewer at Reading Rants wrote that he "couldn’t stop pouring over the intricately detailed panels" and commented on how it brought to mind some favorite children's books as well. James Bucky Carter stated that it was the "most enjoyable, fun, and exciting graphic novel I have read this year."

A preview, excerpt, and activity guide are all available here from publisher First Second. As it is, this book is laid out to be the first of a series of adventures.

Thanks to Gina for the review copy!

Spiral Bound

Spiral Bound might be best described as a Richard Scarry Busytown book for adolescents. This graphic novel follows the lives of a few young animals, including Turnip the elephant who is becoming an artist during summer break, Ana the rabbit who is an investigative reporter looking for a story, and Stucky the dog who is building a submarine. Their different pursuits eventually lead them all to the town pond where a mysterious monster is supposed to lurk. Even though all of the characters are anthropomorphic animals, what really comes through are their distinct personalities and the emotional directness of their interactions. These are some very human critters...

This was the first book written and drawn by Aaron Renier, the Eisner Award winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition in 2006. He has illustrated for a variety of publications including a series of Knights of the Round Table books written by Gerald Morris. He has recently published another graphic novel The Unsinkable Walker Bean for First Second Books.

Spiral Bound was nominated for the 2006 Eisner Award for Best Work for a Younger Audience, and it has been generally well received. The American Library Association included it on their 2010 "Good Comics for Kids" list. Reviewer Greg McElhatton gushed that it was a "must read" and a "tour-de-force." The Onion A.V. Club sum things up well, writing that even though Renier's art looks like it's aimed at children, "his storytelling is sophisticated, his characters are winning and sympathetic, and his bizarre conceits—like the whale who teaches art classes from a giant truck-mounted fishbowl—are a constant source of surprises."

A preview is available here from the book's publisher Top Shelf.