Endgames (Family Comic Friday)

The story of orphan newspaper seller Lavender Blue continues in this week's Family Comic Friday. But the focus of Endgames, the sequel to 2017’s Newsprints is more about the war between Goswing and Grimmaea. This makes for some rough questions to be answered; such as who really wins in war. But this new book from Scholastic also dives into the tricky Waters of gender identity. Prepare for one of the most confusing but important reviews in FCF history...

Endgames
Written and illustrated by Ru Xu
Published by the Scholastic imprint Graphic
Pages: 205
Retail: $24.99

I waited specifically until this weekend to review the newest graphic novel by Ru Xu. Avengers: Endgame debuts in theaters this week. Naturally, I couldn't resist possibly tricking a few readers into thinking I was writing about the most anticipated movie of 2019.
When I read and reviewed Newsprints, the opening chapter about the first girl newsie of the Kingdom of Goswing, I was convinced that the story wasn't over. I kept the faith and was justly rewarded for my patience with this book.

Endgames begins with Blue heading to the capital of Goswing in hopes of finding her mechanical friend Crow. The automaton was secreted away by military scientists intent in turning Crow in a war machine. Blue's search becomes ever more difficult when she is kidnapped by a pair of Grimmaean spies; a pair of twins who are the children of a top diplomat set to negotiate peace with Goswing.

There's two main themes to Endgames: the ethics of war and the question of gender identity and social status. Both are tricky topics to navigate, not just for kids but adults. I think most people can agree that World War II was a just war for America to fight in. But our country was far from perfect in its attempt to save the day. The internment of Japanese Americans was more about race than national security. Especially since the government didn't do the same thing with those of German descent.

Endgames explored such issues as those of Goswing heritage have jet black hair and piercing blue eyes as those from Grimmaea have blonde hair and born as normally as twins. Blue is the product of a Grimmaean father and Goswing mother. Her appearance is an amalgam and it causes many to question where her loyalty lies. Blue is also a female. But since only boys were permitted to be newsies, Blue had to pose as a male. She is not the only character who has a sort of ‘identity crisis’.

One of the Grimmaean spies is named Rose Red. Born a girl, Red identifies as male. Yet, in order to maintain the ruse of being from Goswing, Red and his sister had to dye their hair black. It's at this point in the book that things really get complicated.

Just as Red's blonde tips give away his true heritage, there's so many characters posing as something that they are not. An abundance of spies, a pair of nation's that starts with the same letter and non-sequitur chapter breaks make for a head scratching read. It also doesn't help having random flashbacks peppered in throughout the book. If ever a book could have used a narrator to frame the action, Endgames was the one most in need.

The concept of mistaken identity isn't new in children's literature. The Prince and the Pauper, The Parent Trap and The Princess Diaries all have characters who pose as someone that they are not. But generally, the switching of gender isn't a factor in these type of stories. However in our ever growing genderfluid society, you will see more of it popping up in kids lit.

For the most part, Endgames is very subtle in how it deals with gender. There is one scene that has Blue and Red discussing their reasons on living as the opposite sex of that which they were born. Sexuality is also hinted at as this book explores the friendship of a Goswing reporter and a Grimmaean soldier. Though it's never named specifically, the relationship appears to be that of more than friends.

As with all of my Family Comic Friday reviews, I judge books on it's artistic merits and editorial direction. Age appropriate topics are discussed only to help guide a parent or guardian be more informed on what their children are reading. With Endgames, I think young readers are going to have more questions about the reasons for going to war than about gender identity. However, I think that in trying to navigate some puzzling topics, Ru Xu gets a little lost and confused with the multiple plot-lines.

While nobody dies in the book, there's a lot of fighting. The level of debate on war is about equal to 10 episodes of MASH. Endgames is listed as being for readers aged 8 and up. But such philosophy can be too complex for some. I think someone around the age of 10 or 11 would best enjoy Blue's story and grasp the concept of whether or not to go to war.

Endgames is supposed to be the end of Blue and Crow's story. I rather hope that's not the case. However, if there is to be a third book, I do hope Ru Xu can avoid some of those more confusing elements. There's nothing wrong with informing the reader of a pending flashback.

Blue has seen enough of war. Let her solve a mystery in a far off land. Being in the news industry, Blue has a chance to see her world much like Herge's Tintin. Xu mentions several new lands to be explored. I for one would like to see the Newsprints universe more fleshed out. Everything just seems ripe for Blue's plucking should Run Xu continue the narrative.
Adventure awaits...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com.