How could I resist this title?! Plus, I’m a sucker for big event books that incorporate teams, and this story certainly used all of its Justice LeagueHow could I resist this title?! Plus, I’m a sucker for big event books that incorporate teams, and this story certainly used all of its Justice League members. As this is a DC and MonsterVerse collaboration, there is a lack of continuity and timelines with other comics- so just sit back and enjoy this mashup of franchises!
Under the guidance of Lex Luthor, the Legion of Doom villains have infiltrated Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and they accidentally get sent to another dimension in which King Kong and Godzilla reside. Toyman swipes the Dreamstone and wishes the two universes together. The emergence of Godzilla interrupts Superman proposing to Lois Lane and the adventure is on!
The Justice League soon discovers these mega creatures aren’t easily defeated, plus additional monsters such as Mechagodzilla, Tiamat, and Scylla have also appeared, throwing off the balance of power. Godzilla not understanding what has happened takes out Superman for awhile, while the heroes regroup and try to divide and conquer. We get some interesting groupings of heroes- the Bat Family (with Tim Drake still as Robin), five members of the Green Lantern Corps, Shazam, Aquaman & Mera (together as they should be) and other minor heroes who show up to help. There is banter galore as the teams work together, with some strong character development despite some heroes just having a few moments on the pages.
A final plan is formulated, and a hero dies but that enables Kong to obtain more powers when he briefly has access to a Green Lantern ring. The explanation of where Toyman and the Dreamstone are is resolved in a surprising moment (really?!) and the titans are sent back to their own universe. Now all is well in the DC universe, and Clark and Lois begin to plan their wedding.
Written by Brian Buccellato, he crafted a strong story of how these two universes collided and gave many of the heroes poignant moments. The art is excellent, with a majority of it done by Christian Duce with additional work by Tom Derenick. The monsters are drawn to perfection, and the fighting scenes are kinetic and composed well. Dan Mora contributed the collected cover art and the back cover gallery included wonderful art by other artists.
This was yet another DC book that I have enjoyed this year, with a top-notch creative team. While I have always considered myself more of a Marvel fan than DC, this year is proving me wrong.
Harms has crafted a captivating graphic novel about the plight of bees and what their decline means worldwide. While the book is certainly conveying aHarms has crafted a captivating graphic novel about the plight of bees and what their decline means worldwide. While the book is certainly conveying a message, it is told in a straightforward way with only a touch of whimsy and incorporates a realistic tone that does not sugarcoat the issue. However, the work still gives readers a nugget of hope at the conclusion. The art has a beautiful simplicity to it, with clean lines and a limited color palette. Yellow predominates, of course, but is used with precision to elevate the point of the narrative. The graphic novel is bookended by comments from authorities who study bees, giving the story additional weight.
Verdict: A must-buy for graphic novel collections that feature nonfiction, as it includes an important directive about our connection to our ecosystem that could spur readers to action.
The first volume of My Favorite Thing Is Monsters was an extraordinary and ambitious graphic novel. It was equal parts memoir, murder mystery and comiThe first volume of My Favorite Thing Is Monsters was an extraordinary and ambitious graphic novel. It was equal parts memoir, murder mystery and coming-of-age drama, with a singular art style. This second volume was delayed several times but was finally released this year.
Author Emil Ferris set the story in Chicago in the late 1960s, with the story framed as a graphic diary written in a notebook by Karen Reyes, a preteen girl living with her single mom and older brother. Told in a non-linear fashion, the graphics tell as much of the story as the text does. What sets this story apart is the art and the author’s choice to represent Karen as a werewolf, with the device being that Karen perceives herself as a monster. Ferris’s unique cross-hatching style and impeccable detail to cityscapes and backgrounds will astonish you. She captures the essence of people, although most of them are drawn in an exaggerated caricature manner. Others are drawn with a monster motif, matching how Karen draws herself. Many of the pages are in black and white with no panels, but she selectively uses subdued colors to help with telling the evocative narrative.
The story picks up after Karen’s mother has died of cancer, and her brother Deeze is raising her. The murder of her upstairs neighbor Anka, who is a Holocaust survivor, is solved, but we have an additional family mystery concerning a possible dead brother and her deadbeat father. All of this also braids into Karen’s growing queer identity and her awareness of a real-life monster in her midst. The city of Chicago is practically a character, for Ferris has written a love letter to the city she was raised in, with special attention shown to the paintings in The Art Institute that she and Deeze visit regularly. This love of art and a new friendship buoy Karen during difficult days, but no happy ending is truly in sight for these siblings.
As I said in my review of volume one, this book is not perfect. The length of the book is quite daunting and the narrative is much too much. While I was sucked into the art, I kept on putting the book down because it could get overwhelming at times. The dense characterization and jumbled chronology confused and irked me quite a bit. However, I am glad the author gave Karen a send-off befitting this unique saga, and I expect that I will pick it up again so I can further try to understand all the layers that Ferris created. (Actual review 3.5/5)
Once the world hits the eight billion mark in population, all at once from newborns to the elderly, everyone is granted a genie and one wish. In the mOnce the world hits the eight billion mark in population, all at once from newborns to the elderly, everyone is granted a genie and one wish. In the midst of chaos, eight people who found themselves in a dive bar in Michigan when G-Day hit, cope with a new world.
The bar owner immediately uses his wish to protect those within the bar, wisely saving them from the mayhem outside. Also saved are three bandmates, a father and son duo, and a couple expecting a baby. While the woman bandmate quickly wastes her wish, the others hold off for awhile, and later make informed decisions that will help them in the days to come. Not surprisingly, some wishes of the public outside are frivolous or cruel in nature, changing the world for the worse.
The chapters move forward chronologically- the first eight seconds, eight hours, eight days, eight years then finally eight centuries. A secret is revealed about the bar owner, but the other survivors can’t hole up forever, so they start to venture outside as the population plummets worldwide as many wishes result in mass destruction. We see the best of humanity and the worst, as this “cosmic safety valve” periodically occurs and the genies winnow down people’s dreams to more manageable levels. And finally, it is love that saves the day.
I loved the genies, who were all given a purple and blue cosmic star body, but each had little differentiating details. They all seemed to mean well, it was the humans that made the bad decisions they had to abide by. The opening splash pages for each chapter showed how Earth was faring, with a decrease in the human and genie populations noted. Fun was had in illustrating the various ways the wishes were granted, showcasing the motley group of humans left and often the stupidity of their desires. The variants at the end of the book along with storytelling notes was a treat, and I spent some time looking back at the first chapter for details and Easter eggs I had missed on my first read-through.
I found the premise of the story fascinating and want to give a hand to creators Charles Soule and Ryan Browne. I am glad I purchased it for my library’s collection, as it came suggested to me by the comic gurus at my favorite local comic book store. They never steer me wrong!
Inspired by bad '80s teen movies, this graphic novel is set in 1989, when four high school misfits come together to form a band for one night. ThroughInspired by bad '80s teen movies, this graphic novel is set in 1989, when four high school misfits come together to form a band for one night. Through a family connection, they are given a chance to be an opening act for a hometown hero who is now a washed-up musician, and hijinks commence. But to up the ante, a nearby research facility has their mutated pigs escape, thus this group not only has to dodge bullies but fight for their lives as the pigs rampage through town on the night of the big concert.
The story is an odd combination of poignant backstories with a realistic epilogue, but then an over-the-top story of the band fighting off monster pigs. The art was solid, as Mike Norton is a favorite artist of mine, but he draws with a more cartoony style than usual, with singer Doug's glasses exaggerated and quite distracting. The book size was smaller than usual, making some panels harder to read and enjoy. The author bios at the end, point in the direction of the four men being friends IRL, so it seems as if they decided to create this for fun, even if frankly, it wasn't as coherent and well-done as their work typically is. (Actual review 3.5)...more
Tom King has an interesting voice, and I have picked up several of his stories such as The Human Target, Heroes in Crisis and The Vision. He can take Tom King has an interesting voice, and I have picked up several of his stories such as The Human Target, Heroes in Crisis and The Vision. He can take small moments and lesser-known characters and build a deep story, but in this case, he takes on one of DC's Trinity, Wonder Woman herself.
Straight off the setting seems to be in the indeterminate future, as Jonathon Kent and Damien Wayne, the sons of Superman and Batman await the young Lizzie Prince, supposedly the daughter of Diana (a later reveal throws this into question). Her full name is Elizabeth Marston Prince, a nod to Wonder Woman's creator, and she is full of sass to her friends who she convinces to help her on a quest.
A disposed behind-the-scenes ruler tells the story of his fall from grace to Lizzy, and it is from his pompous and biased perspective that we get about how Wonder Woman and her fellow Amazonians became outlaws in America. When a rogue Amazonian goes on a killing spree, the public turns on all Amazonians and goes to any lengths to expel them from our country. That they so quickly turned on a hero who had been helping keep the world safe for decades, is a direct parallel that King was making about cancel culture. As the story progresses, Diana is pitted against the military operative Sgt. Steele, and she tries to undercover what truly made her fellow Amazonian sister snap. Through all this, we also saw the correlations that the author made about immigration, gender bias, media manipulation and letting hate get the best of you.
The art was superb, as Daniel Sampere illustrated her with grace, beauty and authenticity. The layouts were varied and easy to follow, with some great full-page splash pages. The fight scenes between her and the army, or with other foes were kinetic yet realistic. Plus, the colors by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles are top-notch, making them an excellent team.
While Wonder Woman is certainly iconic, I don't read much DC or titles specifically about her so I had to play some catch-up on understanding who was who in the story. Lizzy was a brand new character, written for this story, but there were other Amazonians and minor villains that I had to look up. While background knowledge was written into the narrative, still this large cast took some time for me to sort through. This story is not a stand-alone or a duology that King favors, so I am definitely interested in where this new series is headed and trust King to tell a story deserving of Wonder Woman! (Actual review 4.5/5)
Middle-aged Mediterranea and widowed Ulysses meet and fall in love in a sweet story about second chances. The title refers to an extremely improbable Middle-aged Mediterranea and widowed Ulysses meet and fall in love in a sweet story about second chances. The title refers to an extremely improbable situation the two have to deal with, which ruined the flow of the narrative for me. But the art by Aimee de Jongh was evocative and lovely. (Actual review 3.5/5)...more
Ty is a middle school athlete, who has been sidelined from swimming by a broken arm. He begins to doubt himself as his weight gain and time away from Ty is a middle school athlete, who has been sidelined from swimming by a broken arm. He begins to doubt himself as his weight gain and time away from the pool will alter his role on the team, and his anxiety begins to affect his friendship with his fellow swimmer and best friend Max. Attending summer camp together tests their friendship as Ty struggles with his mental health and deals with the consequences of pushing Max away. The need to acknowledge that one needs help is addressed; however, a late-story romance takes the focus away from an otherwise strong story about friendship. Ty and his family are cued as Hispanic and the story showcases a welcome diversity among his classmates. This is the second graphic novel that author Lee Durfey-Lavoie and artist Veronica Agarwal have created together and is set in the Just Roll With It universe. This duo takes mental health very seriously and crafted a poignant coming-of-age story, with visual clues about drowning in your emotions. The anime and chibi-style animation will appeal to a young audience.
Verdict: This story can stand alone, but will appeal to youth who enjoyed Just Roll With It and Raina Telgemeier's Guts. This graphic novel about anxiety, body image and queerness is a recommended purchase for middle school library shelves.
After listening to this short story by Luis Alberto Urrea on the LeVar Burton Reads podcast, I discovered it had been adapted into a graphic novel andAfter listening to this short story by Luis Alberto Urrea on the LeVar Burton Reads podcast, I discovered it had been adapted into a graphic novel and checked it out. A grown man remembers his youth in a Mexican village, as he and his best friend discover the appeal of girls. The tale then takes a magical realism turn as a local painter paints steps to heaven and disappears upward into the sky. The artwork by Christopher Cardinale is evocative, bringing to life the village and its eccentric inhabitants with its wood-cut style illustrations. I have to admit, I didn't connect with the story, as the magic undercut the coming-of-age story for me. (Actual review 3.5/5)...more
This last volume of the horror trilogy was actually the best of the three. Go figure.
The Diner by James Tynion IV
A man at a failing diner leaves a deThis last volume of the horror trilogy was actually the best of the three. Go figure.
The Diner by James Tynion IV
A man at a failing diner leaves a deadly tip for an aging waitress. When she makes a wish for hungry customers, she gets more than she bargained for. A solid story.
‘Til Dawn by Stephanie Phillips
During the early winter of 1945 during WWII, an American squadron gets into a squirmish with some German soldiers. When a dying German soldier gives the silver coin to a young American, his luck takes a turn for the worse and the Americans all die by his hand.
Threshold by Johnie Christmas
A young pregnant woman is thrown over by her cheating boyfriend, and she finds the coin at a payphone while calling him. When she goes into early labor, the tale gets surreal and it’s hard to know what really happened with her and her newborn son. A flashforward shows the evil that her son wrought in the years ahead.
The Bad Year by Pornsak Pichetshote
A jumbled timeline set during the pandemic showcases a struggling screenwriter and his actress girlfriend. Jealousy and insecurity get the better of the screenwriter. Not sure how he obtained the coin.
Into the Fire by Michael Walsh
The man who left the tip in the diner is shown again, and this story also connects to the V1 story Death Rattle and the V2 story The Dancer. However, the words “It’s over” in the last panel aren’t really true as in V1 the story 2467 shows the coin in the far future.
Walsh’s subdued but solid artwork gave this anthology consistency, but I was frustrated at the lack of connections between the varied stories. I wish the stories had moved forward chronologically, and I wanted more answers than I got. However, I’m a sucker for short stories in the horror genre, so a few winners among the three volumes made it worth my while. (Actual review 3.5/5)
This is the second of a horror anthology of short stories that center around a cursed silver coin. Despite not being a fan of the first collection of This is the second of a horror anthology of short stories that center around a cursed silver coin. Despite not being a fan of the first collection of short stories, nevertheless, I picked up this volume, and knowing that I am a completist, I'm sure I will read the next volume too. Each story is written by a different author, although almost all the art was drawn by Michael Walsh and he also penned the last story.
High Score by Joshua Williamson
Set in a 1980s video arcade, a boy finds the coin and becomes the winner of a violent game. The winner takes all!
Tzompanco by Ram V.
Set in Vegas, a coin turns a loser into a high roller. But the owner of the Aztek-themed casino puts a permanent end to the gambler's winning streak.
Rising and Falling... by Matthew Rosenberg
In 1968 NYC, a janitor is envious of the rich people whose offices he cleans. He is mesmerized by a coin collection by one of the executives and will do anything to obtain it. Things get out of hand, and several people try to grab the coin as it falls out of the window, with deadly results.
The Dancer by Vita Ayala
Set soon afterward in the Bronx, we finally see a connection between who picked up the coin in the previous story, and who is the next to let it corrupt them. A crooked policeman goes on an arson spree to cover gambling debts but gets a comeuppance from the locals. The story closes with an interesting historical note. My favorite of the stories.
Covenant: Abomination by Michael Walsh
Four teens participate in a pagan ritual and draw forth the evil spirits from the coin. This story didn't make a lot of sense, but we do see some ghostly apparitions of characters from previous stories.
Unrighteous Instruments by Aditya Bidikar
A text-only story about a detective being interviewed after a sting goes wrong. Now the coin has a cult following on the dark web.
Shiny Thing by Chris Hampton and illustrated by Gavin Fullerton (the only story not drawn by Walsh)
A shorter story of campers out on a hike who spot the coin in a raven nest. Thankfully the bird scares them away, and these little campers live to see another day!
Walsh's subdued but solid artwork gave this anthology consistency, but I would like to start seeing more connections between the varied stories.
The countdown to Christopher Chance’s final day continues as we meet a few more members of the Justice League International. Chance interviews Fire, IThe countdown to Christopher Chance’s final day continues as we meet a few more members of the Justice League International. Chance interviews Fire, Ice’s best friend, the slacker Green Lantern G’Nort and Rocket Red. There is a sly chapter about Batman, who never shows up, and that fact leads Chance to make his final deduction as to who the killer is. Exactly who I thought was the killer, indeed was the killer, but Chance was surprisingly sanguine about it. There was no last-minute reprieve for Chance (although I don’t for a minute believe he is dead for good) and the conclusion of the story deals with the killer coming to terms with what they did. The last page shows them fooling Lex Luthor to achieve what they originally had been trying for.
The art was a continued strength for this duology, with a James Bond vibe throughout in both the narrative and the stylish illustrations. As Chance emulated Bond, he was always confident and debonair, but his indifference to the killer’s deception was a bit much. But since noirs are known for their cynicism and fatalism, there was not going to be any moral outrage. But considering the tone of the story and this is a DC Black Label story, I was surprised that all the swearwords were shown as symbols. It was an odd choice, that used sparingly would have been fine, but became glaring as the story progressed.
Tom King is an excellent storyteller and when paired with the amazing artist Greg Smallwood, this graphic novel was cool as ice.
Tom King does it again- he brings a minor hero character to the forefront by giving them a complex and layered portrayal. Christopher Chance is a privTom King does it again- he brings a minor hero character to the forefront by giving them a complex and layered portrayal. Christopher Chance is a private detective and bodyguard in the DC Universe who is hired to impersonate people in danger by drawing out the killer. Hired by Lex Luthor, the case goes sideways when he accidentally ingests poison met for Luthor and only has twelve days to live. Suspects include members of the Justice League International, a B-tier group of superheroes, who have varying reasons as to why they would have wanted to kill Luthor. This group includes femme-fatale Ice whom Chance falls in love with, her ex the petulant Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Gold Booster, Blue Beetle, Dr. Mid-Nite and Martian Manhunter. This volume includes the first six days, the next concluding volume will cover his last six days with a new suspect in each chapter.
The artwork by Greg Smallwood is divine. He recreates a 60s-Mad Men vibe with excellent pencils and moody coloring. Each chapter break has a clever splash page and he brings these lesser-known characters to life. The DC Black Label means this is a non-continuity story, thus if anyone acts out of character or dies, it won't affect other storylines. This stylish noir thriller has me eager for volume two!
Molly is an incoming freshman who is thrilled to be attending PICA, a prestigious art university in her hometown when she discovers her scholarship haMolly is an incoming freshman who is thrilled to be attending PICA, a prestigious art university in her hometown when she discovers her scholarship has fallen through. Afraid to tell her two moms, she researches other options and finds a loophole that enables her to earn an athletic scholarship if she can field a softball team and win at least one game. There is the expected comedy of errors as she assembles a motley group of artists and wrangles her art school drop-out best friend to coach them. Molly is depicted as Black, and her group of teammates is a diverse mix of different cultures, sexualities and sizes.
Author Ngozi Ukazu, known for her popular Check, Please graphic novel duology, has once again created an appealing coming-of-age college narrative. Illustrator Mad Rupert has a fun and cartoony art style, bringing the college campus and ragtag team to life. However, a lot is stuffed into the story, as it touches on gentrification, school loans and whether paying for school is worth it, but then the entire story receives a feel-good but unrealistic conclusion.
Verdict: This breezy graphic novel tries a bit too hard to check all the boxes, but nevertheless is a charming story that will have readers rooting for Molly to persevere against the odds.
I read and reviewed this book for the School Library Journal magazine. ...more
Now that I'm past the expectations I had in volume ten and accepting that Marko is dead (TBH I will carry the flame of hope that he is alive until theNow that I'm past the expectations I had in volume ten and accepting that Marko is dead (TBH I will carry the flame of hope that he is alive until the very last book years from now), this volume was an easier read for me. Alana is eking out a living for her, Hazel and Squire working in an Amazon-type fulfillment warehouse. They live in a tent city, and the two kids beg for money while Hazel wears a magic necklace that prevents people from noticing she is a hybrid of the two warring factions. The Will, Gwendolyn and Sophie get attacked by Petrichor with a devastating result, while on the other hand, Alana obtains a new job that affords their little family some safety. The concluding pages re-introduce us to some past characters, and they speak of peace, which I believe is eventually going to lead us toward the concluding volumes, although there will be much death and destruction before then....more
I loved this version of a mature Selina Kyle as Catwoman in this DCEU standalone book written and illustrated by Cliff Chiang!
Set in the near future, I loved this version of a mature Selina Kyle as Catwoman in this DCEU standalone book written and illustrated by Cliff Chiang!
Set in the near future, Selina who is now in her 50s has just been released from jail after a ten-year stint for her role in the Fool’s Night catastrophe that led to the death of Batman, Nightwing, the Joker, and Tim Drake’s Robin. Commissioner Gordon and Alfred are also dead, but Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl is still alive but in a wheelchair (which is a nod to her fate in the DCU and The Killing Joke.) The town of Gotham is now run by Harvey Dent aka Two-Face who as mayor has brought peace to the city but as a militarized zone. Barbara is running against him as mayor, but he wishes to remain in power at any cost.
Selina has to adjust to a changed Gotham and soon starts to put out feelers to other villains. The Penguin won’t lend her money to tide her over, but she soon meets the Killer Croc who partners with her on a job financed by a mystery benefactor. She also works with an appealing crime family, Winston Tsai and OGBeast, who help her obtain supplies and with computer surveillance. She also remeets the widowed Riddler and his young adult daughter, who also pair up with her. Soon enough Poison Ivy and Jason Blood/ Etrigan the Demon are part of the plan to find Batman’s Bat Cave and the mysterious Orpheus that Batman hinted to Selina when he died ten years prior.
There was a lot going on in this narrative, with many references and Easter eggs to the DC universe that at times could become confusing. There was an unneeded plot with the Green Lantern’s ring, Klarion the Witch Boy was briefly introduced, and Zatanna was mentioned for no reason. But I did find the romance that developed between Selina and Eddie (The Riddler) absolutely delightful! I never would have paired the two romantically, but the mature love that developed between the two was perfect.
There was great art throughout, it was kinetic and realistic. Selina and the other characters were aged appropriately, and I enjoyed the flashbacks to multiple eras of costumes and her previous relationship with Batman. The color scheme is subdued, with lots of purples and blues for Selina. It is an oversized book, with many panels per page that flowed together well and I always knew what direction to read it in. Chiang did a remarkable job with all the aspects of this story, and I applaud him.
I am part of the I Read Comic Books group through Goodreads, and this book was this month’s book selection. I was unaware of this graphic novel, as I typically am not a DC fan, so I am glad that I picked it up, as this story can’t be beaten!
This thin graphic novel only covered Colin Kaepernick's senior year of high school and didn't adequately cover why he later became an activist. The reThis thin graphic novel only covered Colin Kaepernick's senior year of high school and didn't adequately cover why he later became an activist. The reader is unable to see the larger picture, so when his parents are portrayed as racists we don't know if this was an ongoing issue. I would have been interested in a longer narrative, so this should have been a chapter in a book, not the entire story. Plus, the art is lackluster. ...more
The six-volume Locke & Key series is truly magnificent, so I have been eager to read other stories about the Locke family. This prequel includes five The six-volume Locke & Key series is truly magnificent, so I have been eager to read other stories about the Locke family. This prequel includes five stories that span about a dozen years and include a crossover story with The Sandman universe.
Small World
The Locke family has lived on the Keyhouse estate for over 250 years, and this particular story takes place in the early 1900’s. Chamberlin Locke and his wife Fiona give a gift of an ornate doll house which is a replica of their own, to their daughters Mary and Jean. The magic Small World key creates the family in miniature and the girls can watch their family in the doll house. But in this supernatural thriller, things take a sinister turn quickly. Soon the miniature girls and their brothers Ian and John are fighting for their lives when a spider takes up residence in the doll house. The artwork is again superb, with Locke family traits being readily evident, plus the keys we are familiar with are utilized to great effect in the story.
Open the Moon
This bittersweet story centers on the Locke’s sickly son Ian, who is prone to convulsions and can’t be cured by the magical mending cabinet in their home. Ian, his father and family friend Harland board a special hot air balloon to take them to the other side of the moon. This beautiful but melancholy story reunites loved ones, and Ian’s parents make a heart-rending sacrifice for Ian.
Face the Music
In the shortest of all the stories, Chamberlin’s idea of using one of the keys to make music come alive for his children goes spectacularly amiss when the family cat gets involved. How saucy Fiona ever married the uptight Chamberlain, I’ll never know.
…In Pale Battalions Go…
John (aka Jack) questions why his father won’t use the family’s magical keys in WWI to save lives worldwide, so he utilizes a time key to age himself up so he can join the war. He uses yet another key to transport himself to the warfront where he utilizes the evil shadows to defeat the Germans. But his plans end in ruins when some German soldiers slip through the portal and follow John home to deadly results. The family is racked with grief, and John feels so guilty that he does something radical and ends up in Hell. This family of six is now down to three.
Hell & Gone
This is the heralded story that is The Sandman crossover, and it braids together perfectly with the Locke & Key universe. While this is a standalone story, that you can follow no matter if you are a Locke & Key or a Sandman fan, it does help if you know both. Ten years have passed, and Chamberlin is so consumed in grief that he has aged decades. A grownup Mary decides to take matters into her own hands and save her twin Jack from Hell before their father dies. She embarks on a journey that first takes her overseas, then to magical realms, and finally to Hell. Characters from the Sandman universe are utilized, and I noticed a few Easter eggs drawn into some of the scenes, that I knew would hold significance for Neil Gaiman’s fans, but didn’t land for me as I only have read V1 of that series. Not surprisingly, Mary is successful and the reunion scenes with several family members made me tear up.
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez did it again with the prequel to the original Locke & Key. The art was excellent as always, with beautiful coloring by Jay Fotos. Their collaboration with Gaiman paid off, as the story fit both franchises, and fans were eager to see how the universes would combine. I certainly hope this creative team keeps on sharing more stories about the Locke family!
Set in 1937, John Clark is a talented young photographer who is employed by the Farm Security Administration to document life in Oklahoma and the horrSet in 1937, John Clark is a talented young photographer who is employed by the Farm Security Administration to document life in Oklahoma and the horrible Dust Bowl that is destroying the region. He is given a script of what to look for, so he travels to the barren state and diligently begins photographing what the FSA wants. But he doesn’t take into account the dignity of the people, and he realizes he is insulting many people and the pictures don’t tell the exact truth of the matter. He then meets Betty, a pregnant widow living with her extended family, and he instantly falls in love with the resilient young woman with eyes like oceans. Temporarily staying in a motel, he endures the dust storms and gets to know the locals. The story ends heartbreakingly, as John endures himself the anguish that many people faced.
Surprisingly, the author and illustrator Aimée de Jongh is from the Netherlands, as she captured an iconic time in America’s history so well. Still, she did her research with a trip to Oklahoma and visits to the Library of Congress and other history organizations. Thus her illustrations really captured the environmental devastation that was affecting Oklahoma and some surrounding states. Colored in sepia tones, with a mix of panel placements, readers will really get a sense of the era and people. There were some lovely full-page illustrations. I appreciated that reprints of real photographs taken during the Dust Bowl by FSA photographers Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, and Arthur Rothstein are included throughout the book.
I actually read this book last year when I was part of the 2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Committee through the American Library Association. It made our Top 10 list, so I was determined to make sure I reviewed it before this year ended. This historical fiction gives a nuanced view of a devastating time for many American families, and its evocative illustrations bring the late 1930s to life.
This graphic novel grew on me! Author and illustrator Laura Gao was born in Wuhan, China, but immigrated with her parents to Texas when she was young,This graphic novel grew on me! Author and illustrator Laura Gao was born in Wuhan, China, but immigrated with her parents to Texas when she was young, thus she was pulled between her homeland and wanting to fit in at her new community. She struggles with her identity, not only as an immigrant but later with her sexuality. Only once she is in college does she start to embrace being Chinese and comes out to her family and friends. Gao's struggles with her parents, extended family, friends, hometown, orientation and cultural identity might parallel problems that teens are having in their lives today, making this narrative relatable to many. The art is appealing, with manga-inspired panels. I believe this book will also have adult crossover appeal. ...more
