Comics Squad: Recess!

For most students, recess is the most fun part of the day, and I have to say that this compilation is totally fun for younger readers. It features some fantastical stories, like the one that stars an anthropomorphic cupcake named Jimmy Sprinkles and another featuring a talking squirrel ("The Magic Acorn"). There are also more realistic stories about kids dealing with indoor recess on a stormy day ("The Rainy Day Monitor") or the time crunch for getting a book report written ("300 Words"). Because of the consistent humor and quality of the various stories, I feel this book would be great to hook new comics readers or to entertain more experienced comics fans who are into some of the characters/creators contained within.

The creators here are all on top of their game, and I really dug most of the tales.My two favorites were  by current National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Gene Yang ("The Super-Secret Ninja Club") and Dav (Captain Underpants) Pilkey ("Book 'em, Dogman"). The former is about a group of kooky young boys who wear black t-shirts on their heads and the latter a police-dog contending against a cat who tries to steal the world's books. But there are also some familiar favorites, like an entry from the Babymouse and Lunch Lady series. Like those two series, this book's artwork is black, white, and one other color (orange). You can see what that looks like with this page by Raina Telgemeier and Dave Roman:

All of the reviews I have read for this book sing its praises. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and called it "a very funny collection." Kirkus Reviews also gave it a starred review, stating that it was "lively, upbeat and all-around-awesome." Andy Wolverton wrote that it was "the perfect book to give to young readers who already enjoy comics/graphic novels as well as to those who might be a bit hesitant to read them."

Comics Squad: Recess! was published by Random House Kids, and they have links, a video preview, and more information here.

Astronaut Academy: Re-Entry

I called the first volume in this series "terrifically fun," and I am happy to report that the good times keep rolling in this second volume. From the outset, it is apparent something is off at the Academy at the beginning of the school year:

The problem is that there is a monster lurking in the school that can appear to a student to be the person they have a crush on, and when they give their hearts to it, it devours them. This is not figurative but literal because, like video game characters, the students at Astronaut Academy have and can earn multiple hearts. They need at least two to participate in team sports, so the loss of hearts threatens their participation in the annual Fireball tournament, but the loss of hearts also can bring more dire circumstances:

 

Luckily, the students are resilient and have methods for dealing with adversity:

Words of wisdom from a little boy in a spacesuit

Unfortunately, the administration takes a hardline stance to the situation, banning love at the school. Simple flirting results in detention, and the watchbears are vigilant about making sure the students do not become too chummy with each other. I cannot help but notice a sort of meta-commentary here with clueless adults over-reacting to situations and analogues to real-life issues such as a perceived need to protect students with armed guards. So there is also some veiled social commentary folded in with all the fun, frivolity, and fantastic elements of the school.

In all, these elements combine to make a very compelling and fulfilling reading experience. I thought the characters are all given their own moments, and their personalities are well-defined. Their interactions are hilariously familiar, with the ways that they speak to each other being both realistic and witty. If I were a kid again, I would totally want to attend this school.

Dave Roman created this second great romp, which was originally begun online as Astronaut Elementary. He has created a number of other webcomics, including the Harvey Award nominated Quicken Forbidden and Agnes Quill. He won the 2005 Web Cartoonists' Choice Award for Best New Character Design for his work on AE. Reportedly, he is also well on his way to planning a third book in this series.

There are many fun elements in this book, like I have said, and the reviews I have read comment positively about them, though some hedge that perhaps there is too much going on. Kirkus Reviews called the book "definitely goofy," and commented on how deceptively complex it is. Charlotte also commented that the book is potentially convoluted and may not be so accessible to those who have not read volume 1, but she also added that it would be difficult to dismiss the "combination of words that read themselves out loud in your head and pictures that make you smile like crazy."

There are previews, extras, and much, much more at the book's official site. This version was published by First Second.

Gina is an awesome person, and I must thank her for this review copy!

Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity

This is one terrifically fun graphic novel. Each chapter introduces or follows a character, so it is full of mini-narratives that add up to one big story. At Astronaut Academy you can take classes such as Advanced Heart Studies, Anti-Gravity Gymnastics, Wearing Cute Hats, Fire Throwing, Run-On Sentences, and Locker. And the classes are taught by an Elf, a bunny, and a Panda (who may be a double agent). This may just be the best school ever.

The students (full cast here) are a varied and motley bunch, and they are all effected when a cute, brooding new student enrolls. Hakata Soy is a former space hero who is being stalked by some old enemies. Aside from that, two rivals, Miyumi San and Maribelle Melonbelly, also are striving against each other for his attention.

Dave Roman created this great romp, which was originally published online as Astronaut Elementary. He has created a number of other webcomics, including the Harvey Award nominated Quicken Forbidden and Agnes Quill. He won the 2005 Web Cartoonists' Choice Award for Best New Character Design for his work on AE. Roman talks about working on this trade release in this interview with The Stumptown Press. This interview with the School Library Journal is also quite informative.

This book is silly in the best sense of the word, with multiple jokes on every page. Former teen librarian Snow Wildsmith wrote that "Astronaut Academy won’t appeal to everyone, but for the right reader it will speak volumes about the struggles with identity and place which middle school and early high school aged kids feel so keenly." Publishers Weekly called the book "zany and cute." Xaviar Xerexes found this a "wonderfully produced book" that mixes slapstick and sarcasm.

An excerpt, video preview, discussion guide, and more are available here from the book's publisher First Second. Much of this book is also available here as a webcomic.

A sequel, Astronaut Academy: Re-Entry is slated to appear, as detailed in this interview with John Hogan.

A big Thank You to Gina for the review copy!