We Served The People: My Mother's Stories (Family Comic Friday)

A young cartoonist learns about her mother's life growing up in China's Cultural Revolution in the biographical graphic novel: We Served The People: My Mother's Stories.

We Served The People: My Mother's StoriesWritten and illustrated by Emei Burell
Published by Archaia/ BOOM! Studios
Pages: 160
Retail: $24.99

From 1966-1976, millions of children were uprooted from their homes and sent to work in rural populations of China. The idea was to strip away the last vestiges of Capitalism from Communist China. One way to do that was to move children from modern cities to work on farms and plantations. The idea was that this most simple was of life would make the citified children of China less Westernized. But it actually had a reverse affect on Emei Burell's mother.

We Served The People is a first person account of a Chinese young woman's time working for a rubber plantation nearly 800 miles away from her family in Beijing.  As one of the only women taught to drive and operate trucks and tractors, 'Mom' learns about engineering first hand. This opens her up to wanting to get her degree in engineering when she was finally allowed to return to the capital city to be reunited with her family.

I feel like there's a sequel to this story because there's this huge build-up towards getting Emei Burell's mother to Sweden where she will eventually continue her college education in the sciences. But before she ends up in Sweden, the story ends. Yet, I really feel that Mom Burell was just getting started.

For a book advertising the impact of the Cultural Revolution on a person, We Served The People was more passive. Red Scarf Girl is an excellent prose account of Ji-Li Jiang's mis-education at the hands of a program that experts agree was a giant step backwards for China. Jiang's memoir tells more of how she had to change whereas this graphic novel is more about the aftermath of the lost years of education at the hands of the Mao Zedong school of thought.

The stories in the book were very interesting. I just expected more accounts during the Cultural Revolution instead of afterwards. Emei's mother spent almost a decade away from her family. But not even half of this book is devoted to that time of separation. I was just left wanting more.

One thing that I was quite upset at having too much of is something I mentioned recently in another review. It's the waste of paper. In between the stories, BOOM! Studios and Archaia put 2-4 solid read pages as dividers. I'm sure that the cost of red ink isn't cheap. Plus, there's the fact that the first 10 pages of this book are blank as well. If you had omitted all of that, you would have shaved 30 pages from the book and probably could've sold it for under $20.

Comic book publishers have got some great stories, such as this one, to tell. But in order to survive this hostile economy, brought upon thanks to a pandemic and exorbitant production costs, changes to how our graphic novels are printed must occur. Please, don't go digital only! But consider trimming those blank pages in order to make graphic novels of historical importance, like We Served The People more affordable.

We Served The People: My Mother's Stories is currently available in print and digital formats.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Bear (Family Comic Friday)

There's an exciting new graphic novel coming this summer from Archaia! Check out this preview of Bear in this week's Family Comic Friday!

Bear (Hardcover)
Writer: Ben Queen
Artist: Joe Todd-Stanton
Published by Archaia
Pages: 160
Retail: $24.99

Bear is a guide dog. From a family of police dogs, all Bear has ever wanted to do is serve. Overlooked by the police academy, it seems that Bear will never achieve his dream to helps others. The puppy finally gets his chance when Bear is paired with his blind master, Patrick. Unfortunately, Bear's mission is seriously compromised when he suddenly one day loses his sight.

Afraid to not be able to be a guide dog any more, a panicked Bear runs away from home. Hearing of a miracle lying in the woods beyond his home, Bear wanders alone seeking a way to regain his sight and runs into another bear. The grizzly kind!

Now the unlikely pairing of Bear and bear run amok seeking to save the guide dog's sight while hopefully being reunited with owner Patrick. It's a comedy of errors that evolves into the self-discovery that being blind means that one can see just as well with their other senses!

Bear was one of the most beautiful books I have read. The way Joe Todd-Stanton paints these ethereal displays of how the blind pup sees the world with his hearing, touch, taste and smell was so magnificent.

For instance, there's a scene in which Bear hears a choirs in a nearby cathedral. The imagery of what Bear imagines this setting to look like filled my mind with bellows of organ pipes and voices of angelic singers. Todd-Stanton doesn't use any sound effects for this scene. But I could hear volumes thanks to his wondrous art!

Ben Queen's story is just as superb as Joe Todd-Stanton's art. I must confess however that when my editor asked me to review this book I balked. I've been burned by promising projects starring animals that end up having some tragic death of a beloved furry character. 

SPOILER- I can attest that no animals were seriously harmed in the making of this book.
Bear is an original graphic novel that the whole family will fall in love with. It's got humor, drama, and above all else- heart! The message of perseverance and overcoming personal challenges is a story that will resonate with any and all!  There's even a little bit of romance between a couple of characters. Nothing mushy. But it does help make for the perfect ending.

It's a real shame that this book isn't available in a format for the visually impaired. This would be such an inspiring story for a child dealing with blindness. However, if a young reader with sight has a family member or friend that is experiencing the effects of vision loss, Bear is the perfect introduction into that person's day-to-day life with the disability. I feel you really get a chance to experience life as a person with blindness thanks to the artwork especially.

This is one of those rare stories that you want to know more with a sequel. But I think if you added more to Bear and Patrick's story, you'd ruin how perfect it is. I think we definitely have another nominee for all ages graphic novel of the year!

Bear will debut in August, 2020. It's currently available for pre-order now! Help a struggling comic shop recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and order a copy today!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Take a chilling trek to the Old Country in the pages of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1Written and Illustrated by Mark Laszlo
Published by Archaia
Retail: $3.99

Jim Henson studios, the company that brought you Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Big Bird, embraces it’s dark side in this premier issue based on the British children’s series The Storyteller.

‘Ghosts’ is the seventh themed series in Archaia’s line of anthology comics based on global myths and legends. Over the course of 4 issues, fans of the Jim Henson property will be enticed by spooky stories of ghosts and phantoms from the 4 corners of the globe.

Issue #1 is based on a Scandanvian phantom called a myling. These are the vengeful spirits of infants. Mylings seek some sort of justice in order for their souls to finally be at peace. In this issue, an innocent man goes his entire life haunted by a myling. What is the sinister purpose behind this unwarranted harassment?

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1 was extremely eerie. The art of the baby spirit with the huge noggin’ was truly unnerving. There’s some gruesome images of the remains of a couple of characters. And the origin story of the myling was very sad.

So why in the world would I review this for a weekly column called Family Comic Friday? Because kids like to be scared! And I would much rather a young reader dive into something a tiny bit more targeted for young adults and teens than for them to get their hands on a copy of something truly upsetting like Harrow County or the deceptive chills of an Archie Horror title.

This debut issue reminded quite a bit of Alvin Schwartz’ Scary Stories. The illustrations are creepy and the tale itself is dark. But it’s a safer dark than what’s going on in our Covid-19 restricted world. If the young reader in your life is needing a fright, turn to this short story rather than turning on the evening news!

If your family is a fan of Jim Henson’s other maturely macabre properties such as The Dark Crystal or Labyrinth.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1 is currently available in print and digital formats such as Comixology.

Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Where Is It? (Family Comic Friday)

For this week's Family Comic Friday, we trek into an underground wonderland. Join Boober, Mokey, and friends in the all-new young readers graphic novel: Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Where Is It?

Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Where Is It?
Written and Illustrated by art Baltazar
Published by Archaia
Pages: 32
Retail: $9.99

Gobo is missing something very special. With the help of his best friend Wembley, hopefully he'll find it. But as more Fraggles join the search for Gobo's missing item, will they all come to the realization that pink-haired moppet forgot to tell his pals just what it is he's looking for?

Fraggle Rock: Where Is It? was written and illustrated by one of my favorite all-ages talent, Art Baltazar. The co-creator of such fun titles as Tiny Titans and Aw Yeah! Comics, Baltazar's work is engaging for all readers. He's got a cartoony style that makes iconic characters approachable for both the youngest and most veteran of fans. But what makes me a huge fan of Art Baltazar is his classic Easter eggs! They are added for those keen-eyed fanatics who are looking to share their beloved childhood franchises with the next generation of fans. Plus, unlike Disney Easter eggs, the one's Baltazar hides in his artwork aren't naughty!

I do feel that with a title such as 'Where Is It?', a great opportunity was missed. Instead of a funny story about Gobo and his missing item, the creators at Archaia could have made this graphic novel into an introduction to the world of the Fraggles. There's some many wondrous realms and characters in this book aching for a proper introduction to readers new and established. And just where are the Doozers at in this book?! It's not Fraggle Rock without those mint green miners!

Devoted fans know that Fraggle Rock lies on the other side of a series of holes in Doc's workshop and house. When a Fraggle says that they are going to venture into outer space, they wind up somewhere on Doc's property. Often the Fraggles run afoul of Doc's dog, Sprocket , as one does in this book. But that encounter isn't very well explained and could be confusing to new readers. 

Another aspect that isn't properly established for newcomers are the roles of the Gorgs. They pop up in this story scaring Wembley. But other than Wembley's state of fright, if you were new to this franchise, you would not really understand the why behind the alarm.

This hardcover graphic novel is great for readers aged 5-8. But even an original watcher of Fraggle Rock from the days of airing on HBO will enjoy this book. It's not set up just right for newcomers to the Fraggles. But longtime fans and the young readers they introduce the Fraggles to will have a perfect trip to the land of Fraggle Rock!

Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Where Is It? Debuted in print and digital formats on August 14th, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Sirens #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Today’s Family Comic Friday selection is one that kids of the 80s are going to want to share with their kids and grandkids! Jim Henson’s The Storyteller is back in comic book form in a new miniseries devoted to mermaids and other sirens of the sea!

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Sirens #1
Story by Bartosz Sztybor
Art by Jakub Rebelka
Published by the Boom Studios imprint Archaia
Retail Price: $3.99

If you were a kid growing up in the 80s and had HBO, then you have got to be familiar with Jim Henson’s The Storyteller. Though the show only lasted one very short season, episodes were shown as reruns well through the mid-90s. The award winning series starred Doctor Who’s John Hurt as The Storyteller. Sitting in front of a roaring fire, the narrator regaled his faithful pooch with thrilling, yet obscure, European folk tales.

A 4-episode revival series based on Greek myths debuted in 1990 with Michael Gambon (the Harry Potter series’ Dumbledore) starring as the fabulist. Now some 30 years later, Jim Henson’s beloved creation has returned in an all-new 4-issue miniseries. This time the focus in on stories of mermaids and other sirens of the sea.

Issue #1 focuses on the lesser known tale of ‘The Mermaid and the Fisherman’. This Polish folktale is not to be confused with the story of the Warsaw Mermaid, of which the maiden of the sea is a national icon. However, I wouldn’t doubt that the tale was somewhat inspired by the Warsaw Mermaid as there are some similarities between the two legends.

In this debut issue, a fisherman has his heart set on raising enough money to buy a stunning fishing vessel. No matter how well the angler does on his daily catch, the money his receives is never enough to make him happy. That is until one day when the sailor hears the song of a Mermaid. Having imprisoned the creature, the fisherman soothes his savage spirit to her enchanting song. But at what cost?

Archaia makes the wise move of using native talent for this opening tale. Warsaw’s own Bartosz Szytbor pens this epically sad tale of the sea. But to me, what really blew me away was the amazing artwork of Jakub Rebelka.

Namesake’s Rebelka paints the entire story. His strokes and moody dark tones are quite reminiscent of a lot of Polish folk art that I have seen. I know quite a bit as my wife is a third generation Polish immigrant and I’ve spent a lot of time learning of her family’s Eastern European heritage. That aside, the passion and angst of every character in this issue is masterfully done by the Polish master artist.

This new miniseries based on Jim Henson’s The Storyteller is both entertaining and education. Children of all ages can experience a small slice of Polish life without the indigestion of consuming too much kielbasa and sauerkraut. I only wish that Archaia had gone just a tiny bit further and included a 1-2 page section on something factual  and educational about Poland. I would love to have seen a closing segment on other Polish artists or maybe a fact sheet about the importance of the mermaid in Polish culture. Maybe this is something that could be worked up for the trade collection???

A great opening chapter in a legendary series. It will delight both kids and the adults who grew up watching the show!

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Sirens #1 debuted in print and digital formats on Wednesday April 3rd, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Fraggle Rock #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Fraggle Rock #1

Written and Illustrated by Jared Cullum
Published by Archaia

Welcome to another edition of Family Comic Friday. Today we travel deep underground to visit with those distant cousins of the Muppet family- the Fraggles!

The first of a 4-issue mini series, Fraggle Rock #1 features all of your favorite characters- Boober, Red, The Doozers and many more. But the focus of the first story is Mokey. The resident artist of Fraggle Rock has lost her muse and she’s very afraid that she’s lost it forever. Mokey’s friends seek to help the artist rediscover her passion for art. However, it  soon becomes clear that only Mokey can regain that love for art that she’s lost.

This was an extremely quick read. Large portraits of the caves of Fraggle Rock take over most of the pages. I thought Jared Cullum’s watercolors were just gorgeous. Though I could not remember all of Fraggles name, I recognized every single one of them in this story. I am quite impressed with Cullum’s talents.

Fraggle Rock has long been considered a gateway between the preschool fun of Sesame Street and the more grown up humor and parody of the Muppet Show. Readers ages 6-10 should really enjoy this new miniseries from the Boom! Studios imprint, Archaia. The words are not too big for readers in grades 1-4. One thing I did find troublesome is that the print is kinda small.

The format of this book is not the traditional rectangled shape of a comic book. Instead, it’s square like a Little Golden Book. So that could make for a little bit of reading difficulty, especially for the grown-ups who might be reading this with the young reader in their lives. Also, these squared comics do not fit in either a standard protective sleeve nor a standard comic book storage unit.

One cool thing about this Fraggle Rock miniseries is that there isn’t a cliffhanger. The story ‘Mokey Loses Her Muse’ is done by the end of this issue. While events of this tale might spill over to the other 3 issues, I don’t think you will feel lost if you miss an issue. But why would you want to do that?

I know as a youngster that if a comic had a ‘To Be Continued’ at the end, I would either feel cheated out or afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get the next issue to continue the story. Cliffhangers often would result in my passing them up as I didn’t want to chance missing out on the rest of the story. Major kudos to Archaia for deciding to make their miniseries comprised of one-and-done stories!

This was a nostalgic read that will appeal to older readers. It was also a magical and whimsical reader that shall delight fans of all ages. More storybook than comic book in terms of design, it’s still a work of sequential art. All four issues when published should make for some great reads during summer vacation or just an afternoon by the pool.

Fraggle Rock #1 was published in print and digital media on May 9, 2018.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was published concurrently on Outrightgeekery.com.

Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation #1 (Family Comic Friday)

For this week's Family Comic Friday, I feel like I'm 10 years old again.. I have selected the first issue of Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Cornation. Published by Archaia, this book seeks to explore the origins of the Goblin King, Jareth!

Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation #1
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Daniel Bayliss
Colors: Dan Jackson

For those of you not familiar with the film Labyrinth, it's a dark fantasy musical produced by Jim Henson studios. You know, the folks who gave us The Muppets. The 1986 film starred Jennifer Connelly as a spoiled teen named Sarah who resents her baby step brother Toby. Angered by all the attention Toby is getting from her father she wishes that the villain of a fairy tale she loved as a child would kidnap the baby.

The Goblin King grants her wish and steals Toby away. Regretting her actions, Jareth grants Toby's return should the Sarah solve the Labyrinth of the Goblin King within a set amount of time.

It during this time that our story takes place. Sarah has just been forced to redo the whole maze run. It's her dogged determination that we inspires Jareth to recall the story of another young woman who lost someone special to the Goblin King.

The first issue is pretty vague as to whether the child in the flashback story is Jareth or not. The lad is never named. Though it's heavily implied that the child is a infant Jareth because of the allusions to his eyebrows. But this could be a deception by the writer and artist team of Simon Spurrier (Six-Gun Gorilla)and Daniel Bayliss, as the Goblin King in the past’s face is never shown.

Thankfully, there's 11 more issues of backstory and mystery to be uncovered in this amazing story.

When I first saw Labyrinth, I wanted Sarah to fail. I still do because I am Team Jareth all the way. Plus Sarah was such a brat! One can argue that Jareth is really a good guy, helping Sarah learn to love her brother. But I like to think that the Goblin King was a wicked baddie! Like with the Empire Strikes Back, it’s the bad guys that make me love this film!

Jareth opened my ears to a new sound back in the 80s. The Goblin King was played masterfully by the late rock icon David Bowie. The King of the British glam rockers, Bowie sings several songs in Labyrinth. Though they weren’t the best songs (30 years later and they sound pretty cheesy), I became a fan of Starman watching Labyrinth for the the first time.

And it’s his music that is sorely missing from this book. Simon Spurrier does a dynamite job crafting a story as mysterious as the man telling it. Artist Daniel Bayliss (Kennel Block Blues) along with colors by Dan Jackson are perfect for capturing the events of the film along with a story set in Napoleonic Venice. It’s just that I miss Bowie’s charisma and charm along with that haunting voice of his.

I think that the world as a whole misses the beacon of light that Bowie was. At least for a few short pages over the next year the Starman will live on again.

Labyrinth: Coronation #1 debuted in stores and digital platforms on February 28, 2018.

Though the comic is not rated, the film in which if was based is rated PG. Some scenes may be intense for young readers.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

This review published concurrently on Outrightgeekery.com.