Eliot Quigley has a great idea for a new superhero called the Mighty Onion. Thanks to an encounter with nuclear powered onion rings, anytime the fledgling new hero eats onions, he becomes a superhero. With his new creation, Eliot can write the script. It's the artwork that doesn't quite match his skill set.
In need of an artist, Eliot sets his laser-like focus on Pamela Jones. Pamela is the best artist in his class. Her style is the perfect match. Only she doesn't want to become Eliot's partner. Let's be honest here. Eliot's a little weird... and a bit annoying.
When Eliot and Pamela's literature teacher offers them extra credit to work together on the project, the Mighty Onion finally makes their way into print. However, cracks in the foundation of the two comic book creators relationship will begin to show when the fan reaction to the new hero is all on Pamela. True, she made some changes to Eliot's script without consulting him. Yet, they were all clever ideas that made the Mighty Onion so popular with Eliot's classmates. Now the Mighty Onion faces his greatest foe, cancellation, as Elliot and Pamela have decided to end their partnership!
The Mighty Onion is a mix of different media. The main plot unfolds in the pages of Eliot's journal, complete with Eliot's artwork scribbles. The comic book is presented in a sequential art style. Dialogue between Eliot and Pamela is presented as notes passed back and forth in class. There are also rough drafts, fan letters and other elements seen as scrap paper that present as parts of the prose story.
I really enjoyed this 2024 hybrid graphic novel. Mark Crilley uses a variety of art styles as we see the Mighty Onion's adventures illustrated by a number of artists who work on the book. The dialogue is perfect for what you'd expect to hear from kids. Thankfully, without all the slang that even Gen Z kids don't really understand what they're talking about.
The book ends with a 'To Be Continued.' I'm hoping we will see more of the Mighty Onion's escapades. Parents and guardians will love this book as it's extremely wholesome. The book teaches some important lessons about teamwork, friendship and self-worth. Except for some super-heroics in the comic sections of the book, there shouldn't be anything that parents and guardians object to and even those elements are exaggerated for comedic effect!
If the young reader in your life has ever expressed interest in the comic book industry or just to make one for fun at home, you need to get them this book. It will reveal some of the perils and challenges of working alone or with a group. It also reveals both some of the hurtful and helpful self talk that writers and artists struggle with while creating their works of art. While not a technical guide about making your own comics, this book uncovers a lot of the psychology and collaborative challenges that books like How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way just doesn't spend any time talking about!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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