Dugout: The Zombie Steals Home (Family Comic Friday)

Gina and Stacy are twin sisters. They both love to play baseball. They're rivals in everything they do. Gina and Stacy might also be witches. Their grandma certainly is.

When sibling rivalry involves the sisters going through Meemaw's trove of enchanted ingredients and casting spells on each other, Gina and Stacy unearth a zombie in their hometown... literally.  

Dugout: The Zombie Steals Home was published in 2019 by Graphix. I thought with baseball being a summer pastime, that this book might be a fun late July read. And I was right! Written and illustrated by Scott Morse, this was one of the freshest, funniest, and freakiest books I have ever read. I did not want the adventures to end!

The dialogue is really what won me over. Stacy's baseball team, The Oakvale Rooks, was composed of 9 hilarious little leaguers. I felt like I was reading a book set in perhaps the funniest of all all-ages baseball universes: The Sandlot! The quick wit. The banter. The spoonerisms and malapropisms. It was brilliantly written.

The artwork took a little while to win me over. Once the characters went from static to frantic, the pace of the artwork zoomed into the stratosphere. Morse's work on this book reminded me a little of a cross between the master artists of EC Comics and the all-ages work of Eric Powell. 

As for age appropriateness. I would say readers 9 to 12 will really enjoy this book. There is some witchcraft, which I didn't expect as I neglected to read the back cover intro. (Yes- I only judged a book by it's cover and it's a good thing I did!) However, it was on the level of Bewitched instead of something like The Conjuring. The zombie main character does look a little bit like he came from a George Romero zombie flick and there is a poltergeist giving Gina fits throughout the second act of the book. So there is a bit of an element of fright.

I really felt like this was a flawless read. Perfect for the dog days of summer or for just when the major league regular season is dying down and the playoffs are starting to heat up. Really, the only issue I had with this book was the publication date!

I mentioned earlier that Dugout was published in 2019. That's 5 years for those of you keeping score. It also means, that this book, which was clearly intended to be the kickoff to a new series, didn't get the attention it so deserves! I really feel like if Netflix turned this book into a streaming movie (animated, of course), it would do so freakin' well. I consider this opener to be The Sandlot of this generation. It's that good.

A spooky, smart fun read with a lot of laughs, this is a book parents and guardians of young readers should jump on board with, as long as the subject matter is deemed appropriate in your household. Hopefully, if this book catches fire, it might encourage Graphix and Scott Morse to continue the misadventures of Gina, Stacy and the Rooks of Oakvale!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Owly: Tiny Tales (Family Comic Friday)

Owly and his adorable forest friends are back in this all-new collection of short stories!

It's game night at Owly's house. Only tonight, the gang decide to explore their host's photo album. Each picture sends the group of friends on a trip down memory lane in a series of 9 shorts. There's adventure, drama, comedy and above all, love in these tales that prove that Owly really is the world's best friend!

I've sung the praises of Owly before. Series creator Andy Runton developed this magical world filled with creatures that I am just in love with. My favorite character is Possey, an encouraging opossum who can wrangle Owly's friends behind any cause. In Tiny Tales, I was introduced to Scampy, the ever hungry chipmunk who will steal your heart.

I had worried for a brief while that there weren't to be any new Owly stories as Runton had gone an a bit of a long hiatus. Thankfully, that break seems to be over with this return of Owly and friends. Though I have got to wonder, why hasn't Owly received the animated series treatment?! Andy Runton's comics would make a great pre-school series that easily could be at home on Netflix or Nick Jr.

I feel like Owly has grown up a bit with this revival title. Maybe I'm wrong. But I seem to remember all of the characters speaking in pictograms with just the occasional word to help along the narrative. Here, Owly still speaks in pictures but his friends now all seem to speak a kind of pigeon dialect of pics and words. Plus, there's an unseen narrator who helps the stories to progress. If this is a new direction for the series, then I am all in.

One thing else that I noticed with Owly's return: the art. I've long since been a fan of it. But gosh darn it, it appears that Andy Runton's work has just gotten even more polished and oh that much more adorable. Runton's smaller characters such as Possey and Scampy look like what you'd imagine Charles Shulz's Peanuts characters would appear as if they were all woodland creatures. When Runton illustrates those characters with their tiny paws pressed together and their faces are glowing with joy, it just melts my heart and I wholeheartedly believe that it will melt the hearts of the young reader in your lives too 

Ultimate fun for readers ages 5-9. The pictograms can make the stories fun for younger readers. However, the story 'Breakin the Ice' where Owly accidentally falls through a frozen pond may be a little too intense for them. Thankfully, it is an episode that ends with a happy ending.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

After the death of her father from cancer, a young girl named Grace and her family move to Hong Kong for a new start. Her stepfather is a researcher studying ways to lengthen one's lifespan and was the head of the clinical trial that Grace's father partook. Hong Kong also happens to be her dad's birthplace. Enrolled at a prestigious international academy of students, Grace learns about the cultural history of her father's homeland, in particular the mythos of dragons.

Hong Kong has a rich history and unique reverence for dragons. For example, many of the modern skyscrapers have holes designed in them so that dragons can safely fly through them. However, it's the landscape of Hong Kong where the real legends rest. The mountains that make up the landscape of the Chinese Special Administrative Region are known as the 9 dragons. Although Hong Kong actually only has 8 mountains. The 9th is actually an Emperor who was told to be a decedent of mixed bloodline of humans and dragons.

That's where Grace comes in. In her first real exploration of the cityscape, Grace meets a mysterious blue eyed elder who gifts her with an egg. Grace thinks that the egg is just a trinket. That is until the next morning when she finds the egg broken and a tiny blue dragon living in her toilet.

With a trio of new friends, Grace will uncover the secret of not just her dragon, Nate, but of her true Hunxue (mixed blood) heritage. Her journey will put her in considerable danger, introduce her to an inebriated shop captain who can predict the weather and take her on a journey to find the missing gem stones of the Dragon Kings. Perhaps the most shocking revelation of them all; Grace will learn that her father's death was not from cancer but from medical testing conducted by her new stepdad!

2021's City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm is the first book in a series that promises to span the globe in search of answers behind Grace's father's death as well as dragons from other cultures. Written by Jaimal Yogis, the next chapter of City of Dragons takes place in Paris. A regular contributor to ESPN Magazine and The Washington Post, this is Yogis' first graphic novel. The artwork of 'The Awakening Storm' was by London based cartoonist Vivian Truong. A frequent artist for Riot Games, Troung is also the illustrator of Cooking With Monsters, a graphic novel series about culinary students who learn the art of cooking from the dangerous and delicious creatures that they battle in the wild.

Book 2 of the City of Dragons series, 'Rise of the Shadowfire' debuted in print in October, 2023.

Completing this review completes Task #43 (A Fantasy with Dragons) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust (Family Comic Friday)

Disclaimer: I won a free preview copy of this book through a giveaway on Goodreads. Other than the complimentary volume, I have not received any monetary payment for this review.

There's a famous early Superman story called 'How Superman Would End the War.' It's a great fantasy of how things could have ended much quicker and less bloodier if super heroes really did exist during World War II. A Siegel and Shuster classic, the spirit of it is captured in this forthcoming graphic novel by the Scholastic imprint, Graphix.

Writer Neal Shusterman pens several tales about the Holocaust in which elements of the supernatural and Jewish folklore is used to protect the European relatives of God's chosen people. The more supernatural themed tales are about a window which provides a portal for freedom to a trio of Jewish girls being hidden in a secret room from the Gestapo and a crystal heirloom provides a young girl with a look at what might have been if the Holocaust never happened. These were both good stories, though I hated the ambiguous ending of the magic window tale. But it was the stories that integrated Jewish folklore that I loved the best!

In those adventures, a golem enacts revenge on the guards of a concentration camp and a pair of siblings are rescued by freedom fighters, only to be able to provide some unexpected allies to their defense from German forces. There was also a fifth story that integrated fantastical happenings with the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt. All of these stories got my blood pumping. But the story of the children rescued by freedom fighters got me wanting the adventure to never end. It was a team up of several mythical characters of Eastern European folklore with characters like the Baba Yaga and the Fools of Chelm, I don't think there's ever been a story told just like this one and I am a nut for team-ups and crossovers!

Every story had a touch of truth to them and each section ends with a 2-page spread explaining the historical contexts and the legends involved in each story. Unfortunately, the fanciful cannot erase the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust. There are atrocities galore in this book. Jews and Germans alike die in some very intense ways. Artist Andres Vera Martinez portrays the horrors with realism without being overly graphic. Amazon, which is currently doing pre-orders, rates this a book for readers aged 12 and up. I think that's a completely fair assessment.

A powerful book that was fun and intense at the same time. I loved how fantasy and tall tale were brought together to make a story that ponders 'What If...' while dealing with traumas and discrimination both past and present. Each story reminded me of the classic version of The Twilight Zone, entertaining and thought-provoking and very mystical.

If the subject matter is something that parents and guardians balk at, read this book along with the young reader in your life. Use the background features at the end of each story to discuss these complicated and uneasy subjects. 

A near perfect read. If only that first story had a more definitive ending or tied-in with another tale...

Courage to Dream goes on sale on October 31, 2023.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Captain America: The Ghost Army (Family Comic Friday)

Last Summer after finishing Shuri and T'Challa: Into the Heartlands, I was treated to a preview of Captain America: The Ghost Army. Needless to say, I was excited. I just didn't know it would take almost an entire year to get to read it!

In Central Europe, Captain America and Bucky are assisting a British Unit getting swamped by Nazis. Things look dire as the nearest squadron that could help is miles and miles away. Then all of a sudden, sounds of tanks, fighter planes and a whole lot of soldiers are heard in the nearby woods. The Nazis flee and Capt. and company appear to be saved- by theatrics!

Meet the Ghost Army of the United States government. Led by Private Jim Morita, posing as a 4-star general, the Ghost Army is actually composed of inflatables, cardboard cutouts and large speakers playing the top hits of the Allied Forces. Based on a real battalion during World War II, this isn't the only Ghost Army in the book. That's because a villainous sorcerer is working on creating his own army of the undead for the Nazis!

Amazon rates this book as appropriate for readers in grades 3-7. Honestly, I am okay with that rating. But I really think that it's going to be the adults who really get a kick out of this book. There are so many classic characters that appear in the book. Ones like Dum Dum Dugan, a beloved member of the Howling Commandos, who'll later become a beloved agent of SHIELD. The average 10 year old just isn't going to appreciate Dum Dum's addition to this book. Nor will they get the numerous inside jokes and references to both mainstream and deep dive characters and story arcs like the adults will!

That all being said, writer Alan Gratz did one heck of a job on this book. But he couldn't have done it without the artwork of Brett Schoonover. Gratz might have made countless references to nearly 80 years of Marvel Comics history, but it was Schoonover who made those references come alive. The pair did such an amazing job that I am willing to overlook and forgive the anachronistic use of many of the legendary members of Marvel Horror used in a pivotal scene just because it was such a fun scene. Being a continuity purist, I consider it to be a guilty pleasure!

The Ghost Army was supposed to come out in January. Delays stretched it out to May. I had to wait until July to find a copy. But it was all worth it as that was one of the most thrilling, fun, and a little bit scary reads that I have enjoyed without complaint in a very long time. Perfect for the 4th of July or Halloween!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Miles Morales: Stranger Tides (Family Comic Friday)

I read this middle school graphic novel over the course of 2 days. Day 1 of reading this book, I felt like I was in another world. I didn't understand the slang. The plot seemed to carry over from a previous story I wasn't aware of. Everything felt like it was a big mess. 

I don't normally do this, but on Day 2, I found myself dreading having to read more of this book. New characters popped up that Miles Morales knew. But I found myself scratching my head over just who these new folks were. And then we get to the last chapter of the book- and the art was completely different!

For the past 40 years or so in comic book history, if the main artist needs someone to help fill in, the editors will say that such and such artists assisted on pages 5-9 or something like that. There's no such warning in this 2022 Marvel work from Graphix and Scholastic. To have the main villain look completely different in the final act is just jarring. Though I must say, that whomever was behind that last chapter's art did one heck of a job at stylizing the Miles Morales Spider-Man. Only, this one looks like a Miles Morales from another universe!

I choose to read this book because Into the Spider-Verse 2 is coming out soon and I wanted to get into the mood to seeing the film. (The fact that it's Black History Month is just a happy coincidence.) The artwork of main artist Pablo Leon ( captures the visual tone of the first Spider-Verse film amazingly well. Why couldn't the relief artist(s)  keep with the vibe that was happening in the other 4 chapters?

It's not until you read the 'About The Author' page at the end of this book that you learn that this is the second volume written by Justin A. Reynolds. I'm thinking that the writer probably continues things from the first book into this volume with unwavering quality. And I probably would have liked this book better had I read the first book, titled Miles Morales: Shock Waves. But nowhere on the cover (front and back), nor inside this book are potential first time readers alerted that this is the second volume in a series until the back of the book!

An unaccounted for line-up change from the Marvel Bullpen. No indication that Stranger Tides is a continuing story. Plus the inclusion of the main villain who is an X-Men and Fantastic Four foe instead of Spider-Man (of any universe) foil! It's strike 3 for this book in my eyes. I've heard that editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski is doing such an awful job that the overall quality of work coming from the House of Ideas is severely lacking. But at least he's not the all-time worst EIC, Axel Alonso. But the rust is really showing on this book.

Young readers should enjoy this book. But only if you let them read Shock Waves first. To not do so will result in a lot of lost readers. There is some fighting. Miles, being around 14 years of age, sneaks out of the house at night to go on patrol as Spider-Man (but then again, when hasn't an adventuresome child in kiddie lit not gone behind mom & dad's back to save the day. I'm looking at you, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.) Stranger Tides for the most part was a wholesome read and there are some excellent sections about family and redemption that parents will love. 

Unfortunately, I am not in that category and I think my interest in reading book 1 as well as what happens next is just about at nil.

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Magic Pickle (Family Comic Friday)

I've had this book sitting on my to-read pile for a very long time. I got this book during my days of volunteering at a dollar book warehouse. So it's been with me for maybe 5 years and I am really kicking myself for having waited so long!

Sometime in the 1950s or 60s, a scientist accidentally dropped the pickle he was having for lunch into some chemicals. As a result, the brined cucumber became sentient and Weapon Kosher was born! Over time, the scientist developed a whole army of veggie superheroes. Unfortunately, these guys all turned evil and went into hiding. As a result, Weapon Kosher was put into cryo-freeze with the hopes that where the bad produce returned, the Magic Pickle would be there to save the day.

It's now the modern day and Weapon Kosher's slumber has been interrupted. He wakes up to find himself in the bedroom of young JoJo Wigman, an elementary school child whose house was built over the science lab facility that gave birth to Magic Pickle! JoJo is indignant that there's now a giant hole in her bedroom floor. But she's thrilled to become a part of a secret world of science, superheroes and evil vegetables. And whether Weapon Kosher likes it or not, the Magic Pickle has a new sidekick!

The book was brilliantly written. Funny and smart. The artwork, especially of the produce, was dynamic, brooding and inked to a point, that they literally all jump off the page!

Magic Pickle is part Captain America and part Veggie Tales and 100% pure fun! I laughed and chuckled so many times. I was something that I didn't want to see end!

The fun actually extends past the main story as there is a bonus story in which the Magic Pickle takes on the threat of the Loconut! Plus, there's a section on how to draw the characters of this story. I thought the Loconut tale was just great. The art lesson, however, was just a little too off-the-wall for my tastes. A story about a pickle with super powers and the how-to section was the part that was too silly? Yes- but it's because of how unlike an art instructional article this section was that I thought it was just too much.

I personally, didn't get my fill of Magic Pickle. I've researched and there appears to be at least 4 other books in the series. Amazon seems to have most of them. I'm hoping my local library has more copies. Either way, I'm getting my hands on some more of this Scott Morse (Plastic Man) creation in the very near future.

And with a character named Weapon Kosher, might I recommend a Hanukkah volume? As a fan of holiday comics and graphic novels, I would definitely buy a copy of that- NEW!

This is a book that will make the kiddies want to finish all their vegetables!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Banana Fox and the Book-Eating Robot (Family Comic Friday)

Kids- be sure to return your library books and you might end up in library jail like our hero, Banana Fox!

Believing that the Secret Serpent Society is finally defeated, Banana Fox and his pals think they might have a chance to relax. That is until they run across Sour Grapes, Jr., the son of the SSS's leader. Turns out children can't go to jail. But as Banana Fox finds out, if you don't give your books back to the library, you'll end up in jail! 

True- this is likely a plot by Sour Grapes Jr. Especially since the young villain has a new job as a library volunteer. But is it really fair to have to go to library jail when the book return is in reality a book-eating robot?

This chapter book graphic novel was a hilarious read. I chuckled several times to this, the second in the Banana Fox series by James Kolchaka (Johnny Boo). Banana Fox is a rather featherbrained hero much like The Tick. Banana Fox has that overly-optimistic approach to superheroing as sometimes he has trouble finding the bad in people. And the main character seems to get confused a lot seeing trouble when good intentions are the only thing on the menu. 

I just love this topsy-turvy look at good and evil!

The characters of this book are memorable. The banter between both Banana Fox and his human sidekicks and the kid villain were both witty and brilliant. They're all clearly much more smarter than Banana Fox. But they also seem unaffected by the hero's surreal look on life! And Sour Grapes Jr. really does love his Loopy Boopy Bunny books!

The artwork is a bit cartoonish. But it's something that young readers will delight in. And with the zany traps and clever dialogue, parents and guardians will too! You know how Bugs Bunny gets all double-talkish and confuses the heck out of Elmer Fudd or Daffy Duck? That's how the villain of this book befuddles Banana Fox. Only, in this book, you don't have resulting explosions or falling anvils which in return should appease many violence-avoiding grown-ups.

I'm a little disappointed in myself that I didn't read book #1 first (Banana Fox and The Secret Serpent Society). But this book was from last November and still on my library's new shelf. The good thing is you don't have to have read that volume in order to understand or enjoy this graphic novel.(Though I'm not sure why he's called Banana Fox...)  But when you finish this one, you might want to go back and start from the beginning. I just hope I remember to bring this book back least I get put in library jail!

A great laugh for readers aged 7-10 or so. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic 1912: The Graphic Novel (Family Comic Friday)

Take a trip back in time to April 1912 as Family Comic Friday investigates the sinking of the Titanic!

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic 1912: The Graphic Novel
Written by Lauren Tarshis with Georgia Ball
Art by Huas Studio
Published by Graphix Scholastic
Pages: 160
Retail: $10.99

I Survived is based on the popular award-winning series of chapter books of the same name by Lauren Tarshis. Since 2010, her books have taken young readers back into the past to witness such disastrous events as the attack on Pearl Harbor, the great Chicago fire and hurricane Katrina. Tarshis combines real life events with fictional characters to present a narrative that invites readers into the drama without being too intense. 

Like with Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, the I Survived books do not sugar coat historical fact. People die in some very dramatic ways in these books. So it might be best for parents and guardians to stick to the recommended age range of 8-12 years old for these books. Adults, you might be comfortable with going a year or so younger. But I would greatly suggest that if you do, read the book with your child in order to field any intense feelings or anxieties that might arise when reading. 

I was a huge fan of many elements of this book. I liked that Lauren Tarshis handled the adaptation of her book from chapter book to graphic novel. (Georgia Ball developed the script for the illustrators to follow.) I thought that the educational segment in the back of the book was great. But what  I really fell in love with was the author’s letter to the reader which continued, albeit briefly, the story of main character George and his family after the sinking of Titanic.

Artwork for this book was done by the Argentine collective Haus Studio. The art was very good as was the coloring. My favorite aspect was the framing. The great Jack Kirby was known for taking comics characters out of static poses and instead re-positions the ‘camera’ angles into more dramatic poses. And the artists at Haus Studio developed some of the most breath-taking panels that I have seen in a very long time. 

(See the very last panel on page 109 for a perfect example of this!)

The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 is the first of Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived books that will receive the graphic novel treatment. If your child becomes a fan of this book, not only are there dozens of age appropriate books out there about the Titanic, but a second graphic novel is due very soon. I Survived The Shark Attacks of 1916 is set for release in print and digital formats this June!

For a thrilling venture through one of the worst naval disasters in world history, this is an account not to be missed! Exciting. Tragic. And educational too! This is a new graphic novel series that the entire family will enjoy. 

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: The Graphic Novel is currently available on Amazon in multiple formats. 

If at all possible, during the COVID-19 crisis, support your local comic shop or favorite independent bookseller by ordering this book through them.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

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.

Sparks! #1 (Free Comic Book Day 2018)

Imagine that the world's most heroic dog is really a robot controlled by two zany house cats! 

That's the hilarious premise to this Graphix Spotlight Free Comic Book Day release from 2018. This comic provides the first chapter of the Scholastic graphic novel from Ian Boothby (Futurama) and Nina Matsumoto (Saturnalia).  

This teaser was extremely funny. Two cats in a dog suit! How crazy is that?! I love what I've read so far of Sparks! It's got a unique premise. Plus the villain is a infant with very unusual parents. And there's an intrepid reporter who is investigating the appearances of the mysterious dog- and she always gets injured!

I've been hoping that my local library would have a copy on hand but it's just hasn't been meant to be. That doesn't mean that I've stopped looking. I'm just very frugal. But if the chance arises to get my hands on this, you can be sure that I'll be reviewing it on this blog as my Family Comic Friday selection for the week I complete it.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Clem Hetherington, Volume 1 (Family Comic Friday)

I think I finally have found out why so many kids are orphans in children’s literature. It’s because if mom and dad was around, there is no way in the world that the parents would let their kids do any of the insane stuff they do in them! That’s the case in today’s edition of Family Comic Friday. The graphic novel we review is Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race. It’s the first in a new series by Something’s Amiss at the Zoo’s Jen Breach and Douglas Holgate.

Clem Hetherington, Volume 1: Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race
Written by Jen Breach
Art by Douglas Holgate
Published by Graphix

13-year old Clem and her robot brother Digory have run away from the orphanage.
They long for the days of excitement when they used to conduct archaeological
excavations with their parents. On the run, those days seem long gone until an old
friend and partner of Clem’s folks returns with another chance for some adventure.

Clem and Digory are recruited to drive their father’s custom-made roadster in a
competition called the Ironwood Race. Racer’s run in series of heats in hopes of
uncovering 4 missing artifacts. The team who find the most treasure while running
the fastest wins! Other than that, there are no rules in the Ironwood Race. It’s the
ultimate fight to the finish!

Clem Hetherington is a cross between Indiana Jones and Mad Max. There’s secret
passageways and enigmatic maps, futuristic technology, fierce mutants and no holds
barred racing! Being from Australia, the birthplace of apocalyptic adventure stories
this seems like a perfect project for the team of Breach and Holgate.

Some scenes of action and adventure may be a little too intense for very young
readers. Also, there is some violent scenes both implied and not that prevent this
book from being an all-ages read. Recommended for readers in grades 3-7, I wonder
if grade 3 might still be a bit too young to read this book.

The story itself was quite original. I’ve never seen an event just like the Ironwood
Race as I never really thought to put race car driving with archaeology. Yet, this is a
logical pairing as TV and movies are filled with treasure hunters racing to beat their
rivals in order to discover a hidden temple or forgotten tomb.

I really look forward to further adventures of Clem and her brother, Digory. They were
an interesting duo and they really engaged the imagination. I hope they are preparing
for another race because if they are, I’ll be watching from the front row!

An extremely inventive read that may be too intense at times for readers in grades 3
and under.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars,

Team Taekwondo Book 1: Ara's Rocky Road to White Belt (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to another edition of Family Comic Friday. We continue our preview of family friendly comics coming out for this year's Free Comic Book Day event on May 5th. But first, we'll learn a little bit of the martial art of Taekwondo as we review ATA International's new line of graphic novels for young reader Team Taekwondo. 

We've got a lot to cover today, so let's get started...

Team Taekwondo Book 1: Ara's Rocky Road to White Belt

Written by Master Taekwon Lee, Jeffrey Nodelman
Art by Ethen Beavers

Published by Rodale Kids

Poor little Ara. The young turtle is awfully shy and is often overshadowed by the achievements of his older brothers. For Ara, another successful day is finding a new rock for his collection. His just needs a little confidence and he might just get it thanks to a chance encounter.

One day while hunting rocks, Ara goes further than he's ever traveled before. It's here that Ara meets a young tiger named Baeoh. Baeoh is practicing his taekwondo kicks and could use a spotter for the special move of breaking a board with his hands. 

After a successful practice with Ara, Baeoh invites the turtle to follow him to his master's dojo. There, Ara is introduced to the martial art and taught principles of honor, respect and positive self confidence. When the class is over, Ara is invited to return for another class. At the end of that class, Ara could earn a white belt if he can break a board with his hands!

Will Ara accept the challenge? Is he strong enough to break that board? Or will our shy turtle friend seek solace in his comfy shell?

This was a great book for all varieties of young readers. Fans of funny animals, manga and anime will delight in this book. It's also a great introduction to the art of taekwondo.

Parents, if you are afraid that this book will influence your child to beat up people, relax! Yes, the characters in the book practice some sweet flying kicks and steel-handed chops. But the focus of this book is taekwondo's practices of discipline and positivism. 

This book was published by Rodale Books in cooperation with ATA International. ATA International is a North American organization dedication to the study and practice of taekwondo. They have charters for over 1500 individually owned and operated schools and clubs nationwide.

The Team Taekwondo series is written by Master Taekwon Lee, a sixth degree black belt and master instructor along with a fellow practitioner of taekwondo, Jeffery Nodelman. Nodelman has written numerous children's books such as Disney's Doug Chronicles. You can tell who wrote what sections. Master Lee obviously had a hand in the parts of this story where Ara is taught about taekwondo whereas Nodelman designed the scenes where Ara and his father talk about commitment and courage. 

Tackling the artwork for this series is Samurai Jack's Ethen Beavers. That's a good choice for Team Taekwondo as Beavers has extensive experience drawing scenes of martial arts and oriental design thanks to his work on the Cartoon Network property. He creates an adorable line-up of species from the animal kingdom and world of myth to occupy the team.

My only issue was with the coloring at the back of the book. There's a great section at the end that explains the different types of belts that are achieved from practicing taekwondo. One level is supposed to be brown but it really looks black instead. The book doesn't mention that the color is supposed to be brown until later on. Thus I couldn't understand why one student who had a red belt was at a higher belt level than the taekwondo master who had a black belt. 

I don't know if this is Ethen Beavers' fault or the editors. But that one section doesn't translate very well. It's too late to correct in Book 2, which has already been published earlier this year. But if the introduction to taekwondo section is added at the end of all of the books, hopefully the editors will correct this error before the release of Book 3. The third volume of Team Taekwondo is scheduled for release sometime in 2019.

If you find that the young reader in your life is inspired to learn more about taekwondo, look no further than the back page. There you can find a link to redeem a free starter class at an ATA International center nearest you (some restrictions do apply.) 

Recommended for readers aged 6-10, this book might be what sparks a life-long relationship with taekwondo and other martial arts with the young reader in your life. 

Team Taekwondo Book 1: Ara's Rocky Road to White Belt can be found at a variety of online booksellers including Amazon and even your local library now!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Sparks #1 FCBD 2018
Written by Ian Boothby
Art by Nina Matsumoto

August is a brilliant inventor who is afraid of the outside. Charlie is a crack pilot who isn't afraid of anything. Together these pals save lives every day. They also happen to be cats who pilot a powerful, mechanical dog suit! Always eager to leap into danger, this feline duo have their work cut out for them as they try to thwart Princess, an evil alien bent on enslaving mankind. Don't let the fact that Princess looks like a cute, diaper-wearing baby fool you. She's clever, determined, and totally ruthless. So when Princess and the browbeaten fools she calls servants enact a brilliant and dastardly plan to conquer Earth, August and Charlie pull out all the stops to save the day.
Rated: All-Ages.
SRP: FREE
Release Date: May 5, 2018

Terror Trips: 3 Ghoulish Graphix Tales

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s a very novel idea to turn the Goosebumps series into graphic novels. This is primarily for kids, though there’s some really good artwork in this. Contains 3 different stories that involve going on a trip or vacation. I did feel that the premise of the sibling who is terrified but plays it off as being a “kidder” to make the other sibling scared is played out. 

For ages 9-13. 

Worth Consuming.