NewsPrints, the debut graphic novel by Ru Xu, was an exciting journey of steampunk and mystery. Young Blue is a newsboy in the port city of Nautilene. As Blue’s homeland is in the middle of a war, it is the newies’s duty to sell papers extolling the efforts of it’s troops overseas.
But Blue is a child of mystery. Like Blue’s pet canary, mystery seems to follow the child everywhere. There's the mysterious inventor who makes Blue his apprentice. What about the homeless waif crow who has amazing control over birds. And what is the deal what that young reporter who thinks Blue's friends are somehow connected? There are secrets throughout the city of Nautilene just waiting to be uncovered.
This 2017 graphic novel was full of whimsy, adventure, and like I mentioned earlier, mystery. The enigmas of NewsPrints are not scary. However there are some mighty big words used in the book. So while this is considered an all-ages type of read, those in grades 3-6 would probably benefit the best reading it alone. But that doesn’t mean a grown-up can’t read along to this and explain those fancy words!
I really enjoyed the artwork. The style of Ru Xu (creator of the webcomic Saint for Rent) is a fanciful mix of early 20th French cartooning and modern Manga technique. For a story full of back alleys, empty warehouses, and flocks of birds, Xu’s drawings were amazingly clean. Add to it the rich color palette of Blue and sepia, there was such a nostalgic tone to this book that I really enjoyed.
I don’t think this is the end of Blue’s story. At least I hope not. NewsPrints ends in such a way that it has a definite ending. Yet, there’s also an encouraging slant that implies further volumes chronicling Blue and the war effort could happen sometime in the future.
One of the best young adult graphic novels of the year!
Worth Consuming
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
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