Garfield #19

It's time for more Thanksgiving fun with everybody's favorite fat cat Garfield!

In this issue, Garfield, Odie, Jon and Liz head off to the annual Thanksgiving parade. Jon remembers as a kid seeing giant balloons of Santa and other fun characters. There are balloons at this parade too. But they're all of things for sale at the local mercantile center. You know, fun stuff like blenders, tires and mayo! 

This blatant commercialism causes Jon to mourn for his lost childhood and be in a funk all year long. Now another Thanksgiving is upon us and it's time for another parade is upon us. Jon's nieces have come to visit and go to the parade. But Jon just isn't in the mood. Can Garfield help his owner recapture his missing Thanksgiving spirit?

In the backup feature, the world's cutest kitten, Nermal, comes to visit. Garfield and Odie decide to stay up late and watch a zombie movie with him. Jon puts the kibosh on the film, citing it'll give the pets nightmares; which of course it does. Can Garfield and friends survive the night of the living meatballs?

Though story #2 is more of a Halloween story, the Thanksgiving Day fun doesn't stop. There's 2 classic turkey themed reprints of Garfield Sunday funnies. Plus there's 2 essay type shorts: one about Garfield's love of Thanksgiving and the other is a sort of top 10 list. They were all enjoyable and brief.

The Thanksgiving stuff was all quite nice. But I was nonplussed about the zombie meatball story. It was too corny and reminded me of Jim Davis' less funny 90s oddball stuff. Having Mark Evanier craft that Thanksgiving story helps too. I've been a fan of his since his days as Kirby's assistant during the King's time at DC in the 70s.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Garfield #7

I'm in such a great holiday mood that I can't wait for the Turkey Day fun to start! So I went online to a favorite online comic book shop and I bought some Thanksgiving themed books. I've got 10! Thus last night was my first holiday themed read!

I started thing off with Garfield #7. The cover obviously isn't holiday themed. (To be fair- the variant cover was but it wasn't available for sale.) And the first story has nothing to do with the fourth Thursday in November. But the second story took place during Thanksgiving! So I'll just ease into the holidays with this one...

In the first story, a adorable alley cat ponders just why is Garfield so popular while he's got to fend for himself in the trash. Could it be because Garfield sleeps all the time? Maybe because he puts competitive eaters too shame? No matter what, this precious puddy tat is going to get to the bottom of this quandary!

Story two, the Thanksgiving themed tale, has Garfield eating himself into a food coma. As a result, the fat cat dreams that it's Turkey Day everyday. Things seem like a dream that is until Garfield runs across his evil twin double. Now it's a nightmare as a group of hungry gobblers have put cat on the Thanksgiving menu.

Both stories were rather clever. Mark Evanier (New Gods) doesn't take himself quite so seriously in the writing duties. Which is a good thing. Because I've really felt that Garfield creator Jim Davis has really gotten dull with his Sunday funnies. Maybe Davis needs to put Evanier in charge from now on?

That alley cat story was a little sad. Mostly because everybody notices the little fella. But nobody knows his name. Being nameless and alone was just so heartbreaking to me. So I've decided that his name is Mervin! And if Mervin came to my front door, I'd adopt him in a heartbeat. (Having 6 cats already be darned!)

A great gradual entry into Thanksgiving.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Al My Friends Are Ghosts (Family Comic Friday)

Imagine what life would be like if you were friends with a ghost! That's exactly what happens when Effie stumbles upon an abandoned building that also happens to be a school for ghost children. Join Family Comic Friday as we explore KaBOOM's newest graphic novel: All My Friends Are Ghosts!

All My Friends Are Ghosts
Written by S.M. Vidaurri
Art by Hannah Krieger
Published by KaBOOM!
Pages: 160
Retail: $14.99

Effie is having trouble at school. While she's very creative and loves to write, her English teacher disapproves of her fondness for monsters and mythical creatures. Effie's classmates think she's weird. And her mom is constantly at odds with her walking home by herself. It's all of these issues that make Effie feel very alone.

During one of Effie's walks, she stumbles upon an abandoned building in the woods. But it's not the building that is so fascinating. It's what's inside that inspires; an entire school made up of ghostly students and phantom teachers!

Deciding to dress up as a scholarly apparition, Effie pretends to be a ghost in order to find other kinder spirits. However, it is the very nature of being a lost soul that could end up being trouble for the human girl. For spending too much time in the afterlife could cause Effie to become a ghost as well!

This was a very interesting story by Iron: Or The War After's S.M. Vidaurri. While some of the concepts seemed a little too complex for me, I thought this was a very well thought out graphic novel. Viduarri crafts not just one by two immersive worlds filled with amazing characters and unique situations. If you felt like the ghost school in this book was a lot like Hogwarts for wraiths, you wouldn't be alone. There's even a game called haunt pass that the ghostly students play. But just as with Harry Potter's Qudditch, there are some rules that I really didn't understand. But I think if further books about Effie and her phantom pals are in the works, S.M. Vidaurii has laid a great foundation on which to build upon. 

I also want to give a massive shout out to artist and fellow North Carolinian Hannah Krieger for her work on All My Friends Are Ghosts. This is her first book and she really killed it. (Yes, pun intended.) There are some great action sequences in this book. And I really loved that dramatic pose of the character Caim towards the end of this graphic novel. I expect great things from Krieger. 

All My Friends Are Ghosts is a fanciful tale that families will love. Despite being about ghosts, this really isn't a scary book. It's a book about what it means to have someone on which to call a friend. Why some ghosts don't even really look like ghosts. As they have started to forget their human pasts, some specters start to exhibit the looks of animals and other creatures. It makes for a very fresh take on the human child befriending a spirit story.

This book is recommended for readers aged 9-12 and I think that is a good starting point to judge if All My Friends Are Ghosts is appropriate for the young reader in your life. Some action scenes are intense. Plus, there's some preteen angst and a little bit of potty humor. Yet, overall, it's a graphic novel that will that you and your family to another plane of existence and excitement!

All My Friends Are Ghosts is slated to have dropped in stores just this week. However, some online purveyors list that the book will debut in print and digital formats on March 17th, 2020! If it's not available in your neck of the woods just yet, be patient! 

For more Family Comic Friday and other reviews, check out my blog: Madman with a Book!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Drew and Jot: Dueling Doodles (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to the first Family Comic Friday of 2020! We start the new year off with a look at a new book by a fan favorite of FCF- Art Baltazar! The creator of Aw Yeah Comics lets his imagination go wild in the new graphic novel Drew and Jot: Dueling Doodles!

Drew and Jot: Dueling Doodles
Written and illustrated by Art Baltazar
Published by Kaboom!
Pages: 208
Retail: $14.99

Andrew just had the best first day of school ever! Andrew loves to draw comics in his sketchbook, starring his personal creation: The hero Drew! Today, Andrew met Foz who also has a sketchbook. Foz draws adventures starring his character, the evil Doctor Danger!

Andrew and Foz decide to work together to craft an epic crossover between Drew and Doctor Danger. Becoming fast friends, the pair add a new character to the mix. It’s Drew’s dog sidekick, Jot! Boy, are those ideas just coming together in an awesome story! Too bad the fellas have got to stop for the night!

The next morning Foz awakens to find that Doctor Danger has escaped from his sketchbook! It appears that this fantastic tale has taken on a life of its own. But are the new friends and their comic creations ready for when Andrew’s sister Patsy gets a hold of the sketchbook and adds her own character to the story? Meet The Phenomenally Super Awesome Bombastic Fantastic and her alien horde of flying saucers! 

Drew and Jot is over 200 pages long. That’s pretty lengthy for a graphic novel aimed at readers 9-12 years of age. But a lot of the pages are short on words while still being big on action! This new universe created by Art Baltazar is tons of fun and extremely imaginative!

It’s weird to not have a story by both Art Baltazar and Franco (Tiny Titans)! They’re as much as an iconic team as Batman and Robin or peanut butter and jelly. But Baltazar manages to capture that co-op whimsy and charm without his artistic partner Franco. Thankfully, the friendship isn’t fractured between the two creators. Be on the look-out for a cameo from Franco as a sales clerk!

I highly doubt that this is the last time we’ll see Drew and Jot or their creators. Art Baltazar knows how to write for kids. And he manages to make this book a little bit educational with tips on how to young fans of comic books can create comics of their own! 

Parents and guardians, make reading a new year’s resolution for your kids! So why not start out 2020 with a graphic novel written by a big kid himself!? Make Art Baltazar’s Drew and Jot a part of your kids January readings!

Drew and Jot: Dueling Doodles debuts in hardcover on January 7th, 2020!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Journey back to a land full of surreal wonders in this week's Family Comic Friday as we review Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies  #1.

Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies #1Written by: Birdie Willis
Art by: Rowan MacColl
Published by: Boom! Studios/Kaboom!
Retail: $3.99

Fans of Cartoon Network's 2014 miniseries Over the Garden Wall will be thrilled when they make their next trip to their favorite comic book store. Brothers Wirt and Greg are back, along with their companion Beatrice, in an untold adventure set in the land of the Unknown.

The brothers stumble upon what they think is a ghost town. It's only residents are a trio of sisters who run the local theatre. Missing their two leading roles, Wirt and Greg audition for the show much to Beatrice's warnings. Is this a simple musical in need of a helping hand? Or is there a sinister secret behind the actions of the sisters three?

Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies was a very surreal read. Wirt and Greg have great comedic timing. Like the Marx Brothers before them, the brothers conversations are often in two different directions with hilarious results.

I also liked the eerie nature of the story. It was spooky without being horrifying or gory. I'm very interested to know what happens in issue #2.

One thing I didn't like was the singing. I guess with a name like ‘Soulful Symphonies’, I should have expected singing. Trying to understand the pace and tempo of a song without any music is really difficult for me. If you have very little musical inclinations, you probably feel the same way. I understand that music played a big role in the animated miniseries. But in my opinion, music doesn't translate very well in comic books.

The art looks a little primitive. The brothers' faces look like a grade-schooler drew it with simple circles for eyes and triangles for the nose. However, the artwork of this comic is nearly a flawless representation by artist Rowan MacColl of that from the miniseries.

If you are looking for a humorous read that is full of unexpected twists mixed in with a healthy dose of chills, the young readers in your life are going to enjoy Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies. Further issues do promise to up the scare factor a little bit. Most sources cite that the Over the Garden Wall miniseries is for ages 10 and up. So, parents of younger comics readers may want to hold off on this Boom! Studios publication for a little while.

Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies #1 was published in print and digital formats on August 7th, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Rocko's Modern Afterlife #1 (A Family Comic Friday Extra)

Another beloved all-ages franchise adds zombies to the mix and gets gritty in this Family Comic Friday Extra. First it was Archie. Then Scooby-Doo went on to battle the walking dead. Now from your friends at Nickelodeon and Kaboom, it’s Rocko’s Modern Afterlife!

Rocko’s Modern Afterlife #1
Created by Joe Murray
Story by Anthony Burch
Art by Mattia Di Meo
Published by The Boom! Studios Imprint Kaboom
Retail: $3.99

A zombie apocalypse has infected the residents of O-Town. It’s unsafe to be out on the streets. But that’s a-okay with Rocko as he’s not really big on technology or large crowds of people. Yet, when his food supply suddenly runs low and the fate of one of his best friends hangs in the balance, our hero wallaby will have to risk his neck to save the day!

A story involving a monster doesn’t necessarily mean that the adventure isn’t for kids. Children literature is full of age appropriate tales of vampire bunnies and elementary school workers who are witches or werewolves. The same goes for this 4-issue mini-series written by actor and writer Anthony Burch (A Bug’s Life). Rocko’s Modern Afterlife is a book that can be enjoyed by some children; just not all.

The experience of seeing characters change from a normal everyday job to brain-eating ghoul can be unnerving. Plus, having the undead attack, bite and even feast on others is also quite intense for younger readers. Back issues of sister series Rocko’s Modern Life are aimed for readers aged 8-12. I would advise the age range for this series to be for readers 10 and up. But as always with Family Comic Friday, I make parental suggestions and not demands. Besides, those of you who grew up watching Rocko in the 90s know that the show was never one to shy away from pushing the envelope with double entendres or satirical social commentary.

Mattia Di Meo’s art is very well done. The Rugrats and Adventure Time artist does a fabulous job of rendering the characters are they looked on the TV screen. And the zombies are extremely menacing. I believe that Di Meo’s stunning art is one reason why Rocko’s Modern Afterlife might not sit well with the youngest of comic book fans.

This new take on Rocko’s Modern Life keeps the quirky spirit of the franchise alive and well, even if some of your favorite characters aren’t. It’s a little more mature that the 90s cartoon. But unlike Afterlife with Archie and Scooby Apocalypse, the Rocko franchise has not gone into the realm of teen plus. With the subtle scares, this series would have been perfect for a September/October drop just before All Hallow’s Eve.

If the younger reader in your life isn’t quite old enough to enjoy this mini- don’t worry. They’ll grow up. And when they do, as Marty McFly would say, ‘Your kids are gonna love it!’

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Amazing World of Gumball: Spring Break Smash #1 (Family Comic Friday)

It appears that the creative teams at Kaboom! And Cartoon Network are ready for winter to be over! It’s only the middle of February and yet they’ve already have a spring break special! For this week’s Family Comic Friday, let’s take a look at The Amazing World of Gumball: Spring Break Smash #1.

The Amazing World of Gumball: Spring Break Smash #1
Written by Chelsea Furedi, Julia Prescott, Caleb Goellner, Lucy Ebrey and Mirka Andolfo
Art by Chelsea Furedi, George Mager, Mattea Di Meo, Lucy Ebrey and Alessandra Patane
Published by Kaboom! Studios
SRP: $7.99
Pages: 41

Gumball the cat, his adopted goldfish brother, Darwin and their friends star in this jumbo-sized special! It’s spring break in the community of Elmore and it’s residents are preparing for some vacation fun!

There’s a total of 5 stories in this hilarious one-shot based on the Ben Bocquelet series from Cartoon Network. A pair of stories stars Gumball and Darwin. First the brothers try to rough it in the great outdoors but find themselves grossly unprepared for their camping trip. Then when they get left behind from the annual family vacation, the duo try to recreate the water park resort in their own home!

In between the stories starring the Watterson family, we learn from the Hot Dog Guy that a beach romance between a burger, a hot dog and seagulls is a disaster waiting to habit. Overbearing fellow student Tobias tries to throw the most epic spring break bash of all-time. And Rocky shows us what it takes to get Elmore Junior High ship-shape when the students are away.

I’m not very familiar with The Amazing World of Gumball. I’ve watched a couple of episodes. But from what I have seen, the humor was spot on. The artwork of the characters was also right. But there was some differences with the backgrounds. On the TV show, the animated characters interact on a live-action set. But all of the backgrounds were illustrated here. It’s not a problem. It’s just very unfamiliar looking compared to what you see on Cartoon Network.

This springtime special isn’t rated. Most books from Kaboom! are geared to being for all-ages. Doing some research, the TV series is rated TV-Y7. With the exception of Gumball’s dad lying around the house in his tighty-whiteys, there’s not really questionable in this book. And from what I know of most people’s dads, this is probably something that isn’t all that unusual. Uncomfortable, sure. But not objectionable.

Spring Break Smash was a very funny read. I don’t think Kaboom! should have debuted this until a little more closer to the beginning of spring. Reading a book during the right season or holiday just feels right. But I’d would rather see a book be released too early than too late.
One great thing about this special is that you don’t have to be a regular viewer of the show in order to enjoy it. True, it does help. But that’s what Wikipedia is for, right? Whether you are a first timer or the most dedicated of fans of Gumball, prepare for laughs and a great preview of spring break fun yet to come!

The Amazing World of Gumball: Spring Break Smash #1 debuted in print and digital platforms on February 13th, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Charles M Schulz's Lucy (Family Comic Friday)

This week’s Family Comic Friday is actually perfect for the entire family! If you are age 3 or 93, who doesn’t like Charles Schulz’s Peanuts? Today’s review looks at a collection of classic and new Peanuts stories starring everyone’s favorite crabby sister and busy-body- Lucy Van Pelt!

Charles M. Schulz’s Lucy
Stories and art by Charles Schulz, Jason Cooper, Vicki Scott, Scott Jeralds
Inks by Paige Braddock and Justin Thompson
Pages: 96
Retail Price: $14.99
Published by kaBOOM! Studios

The focus of the Peanuts cartoon has always been Charlie Brown and his faithful dog, Snoopy. But the best lines and funniest acts of practical jokes and grumpiness come from Lucy. The sister of Linus, Lucy bosses everyone around. It’s probably because she’s the oldest of all the characters.

This collection of everything Lucy is culled from over 50 years of Peanuts comic strips and the Peanuts comic book from kaBOOM! The Schulz strips have been remastered. The inks have never been clearer and the colors have never been so popping!

What’s extremely impressive about this book is how well other writers and artists such as Scott Jeralds and Vicki Scott capture the look and essence of the Peanuts gang! There have been other comic books based on comic strips and they pale in comparison to the genuine article. But that’s no so here! The world of lil’ folks created by Charles Schulz is alive and well in this book!

Parents and guardians will delight in not having anything objectionable in this volume. There are a couple of sections featuring quotes by Schulz about his inspirations in creating the Peanuts characters. While quite insightful, there are a few big words on those pages that younger readers might need some help with. But there’s only a two or three of those sections and they are only a page in length each.

With stories themed around baseball, a school science fair, the Christmas stress of being watched by Santa, and an art lesson by Linus on how to draw his sister, there’s a little something for everyone in this hardcover collection.

Charles M. Schulz’s Lucy was originally supposed to debut in print on January 30th, 2019. The book has been delayed by the published until February 5th. It can be purchased as a hardcover via Amazon or your favorite local bookseller or comic book shop.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Pandora's Legacy (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to another edition of Family Comic Friday! I hope you are all as big of fans of mythology as I am for today’s selection is full of epic heroes, villains and creatures. This week, I will be reviewing Pandora’s Legacy from Kaboom! This 2018 graphic novel modernizes the Greek myth of Pandora’s box and blends in folklore and legends from around the globe!

Pandora’s Legacy
Written by Kara Leopard
Art by Kelly and Nichole Matthews
Published by Kaboom!
SRP: $9.99

Trevor and his sisters, twins Janet and Charlie, are just about to beginning summer vacation at their grandparents house when their beloved cat Po, escapes his carrier. Fleeing into the woods, the siblings chase after their cat and make an amazing discovery. In the middle of the woods is a derelict cottage filled with ancient looking statues. When Trevor breaks a vase that one of the statues is holding, the siblings unknowingly release an army of mythical creatures. For you see, that Grecian urn was in fact Pandora’s box!

The siblings aren’t flying blind as they attempt to retrieve the monsters unleashed. Their cat Po now houses the spirit of Greek hero Prometheus and can now talk. He explains that the Trevor, Janet and Charlie are descendants of Pandora and the next in a long line of protectors of her fabled box of monsters.

However, with the original container now in pieces, the children will have to rely on the only thing that remained with Pandora- hope! Can they devise a new way of capturing the missing creatures? It’s just possible that the key to locking the monster back into their prison has been in their possession since before this adventure began.

Kara Leopard (Mr. Hare and Mr. Bear) pens an amazing tale that promises to be the first of a series. The idea of a family of protectors of Pandora’s Box is quite similar to Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. Only replace bloodsuckers with gorgons, mermaids and other creatures of myth and fable.

I really liked all of the characters in this book. However, I think Kara Leopard has a huge problem on her hands. The best character in the book non-fatally sacrifices their freedom to save the day. The writer has got to figure out a way to bring him or her back because that character steals all of the best parts of this story!

I also feel like I need a Greek-to-English dictionary in this book. The main characters are Greek Americans and they use Greek words sprinkled throughout their conversations in English. Yet, there's nothing like an Editor's Note to explain what is being said. I felt a tiny bit lost in translation at times because of that. Some young readers might feel the same. (Something to consider if there is ever a sequel.)

The art by twins Kelly and Nicole Matthews (Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy) was quite interesting. Though Pandora’s box is a Greek myth, I am thinking that the monsters she set free weren’t all from that same part of the world. The creatures in this book have features identifiable from Japanese and European mythology as well as Greek. Plus aren’t Chupacabra’s from Mexican and Puerto Rican folklore?

As I mentioned earlier, Pandora’s Legacy looks to be the start of a new comic/graphic novel series. Published by Kaboom!, I went to their website in hopes of finding out more about a second book. However, there isn’t anything indicating a sequel. The initial announcement for this volume was posted during the publisher’s countdown to Comic-Con last year in July. So perhaps a second book will be unveiled around the same time and manner this year.
As always with Family Comic Friday, I rate a book on it’s artistic quality. However, I also inform parents and guardians of areas that may not be suitable for all-ages. This is an entertaining book perfect for ages 8-12. Older readers who are fans of Percy Jackson will dig this book too!

There is a couple of scary monsters who attack the children at various points. Those situations are that which some younger readers might find a bit too much Also, one of the minor characters has same sex parents. While there’s nothing explicit or condemning about that, I mention this as I understand that different parental units have different parenting styles. I also mention this as I know that many same sex couples have a desire to find age-appropriate graphic novels such as Pandora’s Legacy which are friendlier and more open to all lifestyles.

Kaboom! has a real winner here! There appears to be a near unlimited source of monsters and villains out there that need returning to Pandora’s box. But if Leopard and the Matthews’ twins want to get book two to be as good, if not better than this one, they’re all going to have to find a way to bring that mystery character back from their exile!

Pandora’s Legacy debuted in Print and digital platforms on December 4, 2018!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Rugrats: C is for Chanukah (Family Comic Friday)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Now that we’re done with the turkey and football, parades and such, it’s time for Family Comic Friday to focus on the holidays This week we begin reviewing  holiday specials for 2018. But before we get ready for a visit from Santa, we must get ready for the festival of lights. To help us, we’ve got some little tykes with big imaginations. It’s Kaboom’s Rugrats: C is for Chanukah.

Rugrats: C is For ChanukahWritten by Daniel Kibblesmith, Cullen Crawford
Illustrated by Kate Sherron
Published by Kaboom! Studios.

(Note: There are dozens of ways to spell Chanukah. I will be using ‘Hanukkah’ as my family spells it during our traditional festivities, unless referring to the title of the book.)

I was absolutely thrilled when I first heard about this comic. To my knowledge, there’s never been a Hanukkah special. There’s been Hanukkah stories in the pages of DC, Marvel and even Archie holiday specials. But as far as I can tell C is for Chanukah is the first of its kind. (At least from a major publisher.)  I’m sure that this has made Mr. Adam Sandler’s day and eight crazy nights!

Rugrats is the perfect vehicle to introduce people to Hanukkah. In 1995, the Snick cartoon made history introducing millions to the Jewish holiday of Passover with 1995’s A Rugrats Passover. Now Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and the twins Phil and Lil introduce the miracle of Hanukkah to families in this hilarious special.

The kids and their families embark in a week-long winter vacation. Watching the Reptar Chanukah Special, Tommy and friends get a very weird education into the holiday’s origins. Thus during this vacay, Tommy’s grandparents, the Kropotkin’s decide it’s the right time to start teaching the kids about Hanukkah.

Unfortunately, Mr. Kropotkin isn’t exactly the best storyteller and he tells the babies of a golem monster that eats bad little children when the lights go off. Thus, Tommy and friends decide to go on the offensive. With flashlights in hand, can the Rugrats survive 8 whole nights with a Hanukkah monster on the loose? Where’s Reptar when you need him?!

One of the best things about the Rugrats cartoon was how the babies got things wrong and try to solve their dilemmas with their overactive imaginations. Writers Daniel Kibblesmith (Valiant High) and Cullen Crawford do a fantastic job capturing that sense of wonder in this book. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nickelodeon decided to adapt this book into a 30-minute animated special. I would watch it!

The book was laugh-out-loud funny! The dialogue was perfect. Thankfully, Chuckie’s very annoying father, Chaz, has a part of this story that was kept to a minimum. I’m also glad that the Christmas Vs. Hanukkah rivalry between Tommy’s grandfathers wasn’t as big a deal as the trade solicitations advertised it as being. I think that would have minimized the importance of Hanukkah.

I loved the art in this book as well. Artist Kate Sherron (Amazing World of Gumball) does a fabulous job making everybody look like their 1990s counterparts. But I also appreciate how the artist renders the Reptar TV special and the children’s daydreams in different art styles to keep the excitement fresh and engrossing.

I really wanted to personally own a copy of this book. Holiday comics are one of my favorite things to collect and read. C is for Chanukah would have been a perfect addition to my collection. However, that just isn’t meant to be just yet. I went to several comic book stores the day after the book dropped and each store was sold out!

This is one of the few times where I will tell you that if you can’t find it in print, go digital! The book retails for $7.99. However, it’s bigger than a regular 24-page comic and it’s just so funny and informative at the same time! If you come from a mixed Jewish/Christian family like I do or you have friends who are curious about the Jewish people and their cultures, I highly recommend this book! Make it your Hanukkah present to them!

Now if someone would only make a Kwanzaa holiday special, my collection would be complete… almost. Who am I kidding? I’m never gonna stop hunting for a new holiday special!

Rugrats: C is for Chanukah debuted in print and digital platforms on Wednesday, November 14th.

Hanukkah, 2018 begins the evening of December 2nd.

Garfield: TV or Not TV? (Family Comic Friday)

Well, we made it through Halloween. But before we jump right into November, we’ve got one more Halloween treat to review. From the mind of Jim Davis, we’ll be taking a look at KaBoom’s newest special starring the world’s laziest cat. It’s Garfield: TV or Not TV?

Garfield: TV or Not TV
Written by Mark Evanier, Scott Nickel
Art by David Alvarez, Antonio Alfaro
Cover by Andy Hirsch
Published by KaBoom!

There are two episodes to this one-shot. I call the stories 'episodes’ as there is a very episodic feel to this comic book. The spirit of the stories is very much in the vein of the Garfield and Friends cartoon from the Saturday mornings of the 80s; especially the Mark Evanier yarn.

Evanier pens the title tale. It has the Arbuckle household going to Hollywood to star in a reality series. The TV producer reminds me a lot of Binky, a deranged clown that would scare the bejeezus out of Garfield on cartoon series. Mark Evanier adds a touch of intelligent charm to this story. It's actually one of the few in which Jon isn't a complete buffoon.

Unfortunately, Nermal, the world's most annoying cat was added to the mix. I'd rather have more Odie or Liz than Nermal. His presence literally adds nothing to the story. Plus, there's not enough of Garfield berating the little gray snot. It's basically the only thing that makes Nermal's presence tolerable in a Garfield narrative.

The back up feature thankfully drops Nermal and adds Liz and more Odie to the plot. This Scott Nickel adventure is set during Halloween. Jon is hosting a costume party. During set up, lightning hits the TV, causing a monster to escape into the real world.      Of course hijinks ensues as people think that the monster is just a decoration. But Garfield and Odie know the truth!

While this was a funny story, it also features a scary looking character. Garfield has not been shy to use some intense imagery. 1984’s Garfield: His 9 Lives had a controversial short in which Garfield becomes possessed by a cat demon and attacks his owner. True, the monster in this special isn't as scary as that. But it still might be a little eerie for younger readers.

Kaboom really did a nice job on this one. Previous Garfield comics have been hit or miss. Either the plots are too silly or the art looks nothing like the Jim Davis brand. TV or Not TV? excels in both regards.

I know that I'm a couple of days too late reviewing this book in time for Halloween. But only one of the capers in this book is set during the holiday. So consider this a Fall special that can still be enjoyed during this time of year.

People read Bunnicula year round and it's set at Halloween. So are several episodes of Stranger Things. Yet I don't hear fans complain that they can only enjoy the show during the month of October. Besides, any comic book store worth its salt is not going to pack up this book until next year’s fright fest. Though this book dropped two weeks ago, TV or Not TV? is still going to be available on store shelves this weekend.

Plus for you digital lovers, it's currently available on several online comic book sites including Comixology. Although for some reason, it's listed as issue #2 on the site. Everywhere else I look, this title is listed as issue #1.

TV or Not TV? was an enjoyable read that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Though you may want to wait until the young reader in your life is maybe 7 or older if scary characters aren’t their thing yet. There’s also some moments of slapstick but the violence level is a lot tamer than the Three Stooges. Overall, it’s got a wholesome charm and it perfect for any Garfield fan!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com.

Rocko's Modern Life #7 (Family Comic Friday)

This week's selection for Family Comic Friday should make Mom and Dad smile… along with the kiddies too. It’s the return of a Nicktoons classic- Rocko’s Modern Life. But with this issue, I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be a nostalgic trip for just the parents or was it supposed to be fun for the whole family?

Rocko’s Modern Life #7

Written by Ryan Ferrier, K.C. Green

Art by Ian McGinty, Jorge Monlongo (Cover)

Published by Kaboom! Studios

First of all, I would like to point out that the story listed by Previews and other sites is false. Issue #7 does not have our favorite wallaby, Rocko, going to his high school reunion. Instead, Rocko’s job at Conglom-o Corporation is causing him great stress. It turns out that the company’s biggest seller, the Pi-Hole, is malfunctioning. The Amazon Echo-like device keeps ordering stuff that people didn’t ask for and in mass quantities as well.

When Rocko goes to complain to the head of the Conglom-o Corporation, the wallaby learns of a conspiracy in which the company wants to enslave the people of earth to the useless goods and wares sold by the company. Thus, always in debt, the customers of Conglom-o would be beholden forever to the company.

The manic nature of Rocko’s Modern Life which ran from 1993-96 is still present in this comic book from kaboom! Studios. Ian McGinty’s art overtakes not only panels but pages, just like in the classic Nickelodeon series. And the characters of Heifer and Filburt are as neurotic and dumb as usual. But was Rocko also such an adult oriented cartoon???

True, the cartoon of Rocko’s Modern Life had some dirty Easter eggs in the background. Things like strategically placed initials of businesses that spell out bad words and other inside jokes. But properties like Disney and Warner Brothers have been guilty of the same thing for years. No, when I talk about RML being adult, I am talking about the overt subject matter.

When Rocko discovers that Conglom-o is trying to take over the world through some free enterprise sleight of hand, the protagonist goes on a rant. He tries to warn all of the citizens of O-Town of the dangers of capitalism. Earlier, there’s also some pretty unsubtle talk about the lack of privacy on social media. Plus, it’s not lost on this comic book reader that the Pi-Hole and it’s malfunctions is a satire of the many faults of Amazon’s all-purpose home assistant Alexa.

So with these cases in point, was the cartoon this comic is based on so brazen in it’s social commentary? I really don’t remember it being like this. Maybe I was too young to notice. Or maybe I have a good point!

Reboots are all the rage right now in the entertainment industry. Some of  these returning properties are aging right along with the viewers who grew up with them. Is that the plan of the editors at Kaboom!? If so, maybe they shouldn’t have released this series under the all-ages imprint of Kaboom!, but under the more adult oriented Boom! Studios.

I don’t really have a problem under which imprint that the put Rocko. But I do think that a lot of the social commentary in this storyline isn’t geared for an all-age audience. Let’s say all of the things covered in this tale was occurring in real life 25 years ago. If this story was done as a cartoon in 1993, I think my sister, who is 12 years younger than me, would have gotten a lot of laughs out of Rocko’s frantic behavior. But I don’t think she would have understood why he’s so upset about capitalism and data breaches.

This comic book doesn’t have a rating on it. The Kaboom imprint is supposed to be for a younger audience. But I wouldn’t go too young. I think readers under the age of 10 will enjoy the silly aspects. Those aged 11-15 might get some of the deeper concepts. But mom and dad, they’ll be the ones to get all the inside jokes. They’ll also feel old knowing that Rocko’s Modern Life debuted back when Bill Clinton was President, Nicktoons was a Saturday night rite of passage and Amazon was little more than a jungle in South America.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Ruinworld #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Pogo and Rex are adventurers looking for fame and fortune in the ravages of Ruinworld.
Their latest round of excitement takes them to an atoll that houses a treasure chest.
However, the chest is protect by an enchantment and neither our stalwart fox or cowardly
pig are qualified to dismantle such a powerful spell. But that won't stop either of them from
trying

Are you not familiar with the characters of Pogo or Rex and their home of Ruinworld?
Don’t worry! I’m not either. But that’s where we will be travelling in this week’s Family
Comic Friday.

Ruinworld #1
Published by Kaboom
Written by Derek Laufman
Art by Derek Laufman

Ruinworld is the international comic book hit by Derek Laufman. It blends funny
animals with the settings of Dungeons and Dragons for an all-ages comedic romp
through spooky castles, destroyed forts and seedy marketplaces. Laufman has
been publishing stories starring Pogo, Rex and their friends several years now and
their mishaps in the business of treasure hunting has made the duo worldwide
superstars.

The already established storylines of Pogo and Rex was my only issue with this
issue. Kaboom doesn’t start off with reprinting the first ever exploits of the comedic
fox and pig duo. Instead, the publisher gives Laufman free reign to craft an all-new
5-issue miniseries for Kaboom’s readers in the US. So when Pogo and Rex start
name dropping other characters from Ruinworld, it’s going to be a little bit confusing
for new readers.

Ruinworld might be an all-new land for American readers but it’s not being treated
as such by Kaboom. This lack of starting Ruinworld in the New World at the very
beginning might actually hurt this new series. However, I am here to tell you that
if you can overlook that concern, you are really going to enjoy this book.

Derek Laufman really brings these characters to life both in word and illustration.
Pogo and Rex are a great comedic duo and they play off each other’s weaknesses
very well. Not only do the lead characters have a sort of Martin and Lewis straight
man/silly man vibe, there’s an almost Waiting for Godot sort of quality that exudes
heart and hubris to the characters.

The artwork of Laufman is very good. It’s got that classic funny animal quality that
countless comic books have had for decades. Yet, there’s a worn-in kinda of feel,
similar to that Star Wars or Harry Potter. Nothing is spit polished clean in Ruinworld.
That is really a good thing or otherwise, you’d have to call this series Cleanworld.

The first issue was very enjoyable once you get past the lack of introduction of
the characters; both main and off page. The book was quite funny while also being
a little bit spooky. Ruinworld is considered all-ages, but some scenes and
characters may be a tad intense for readers under the age of 8. A good rule of
thumb with Ruinworld for those with young children: if Scooby-Doo is too scary
for your child, this series will need to wait for a year or two.

Ruinworld #1 debuted in store on July 11th, 2018 and  is available in both print
and digital formats.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Brave Chef Brianna (Family Comic Friday)

Written by Sam Sykes
Art by Selina Espiritu
Covers by Bridget Underwood
Published by Kaboom!

Welcome to the first Family Comic Friday of 2018!

For this week, I choose a title that's subject matter is very near and dear to me. When I am not writing for my blog, I am a professional chef and culinary instructor. So, I choose a title from the expanding genre of culinary themed comics and graphic novels for my initial entry in the new year.

The title I selected for this week is called Brave Chef Brianna. Published by KaBoom! Studios, this book is the story of Brianna. She is the only daughter among fifteen older brothers born of a world famous chef. The chef poses a challenge to his children: create the most profitable eatery within the next two years and the winner will inherit dad's culinary empire.

Brianna chooses to open shop in Monster City. However, the residents of the town don't take very well to humans. Plus, the city officials have made it illegal for monsters to eat human food. It all looks like Brianna's plan is doomed to fail. That is until a small group of monsters sample her forbidden cuisine and become hooked!

Now Brianna owns the hottest eatery in town! Can she continue to operate in secret defiance to Monster City's strict anti-human cuisine rules? Or will she find herself in hot water with those who wish to impose the old ways of eating?

This 4-issue series by Sam Sykes (Munchkin) is perhaps the most accurate representation of the restaurant industry I have ever come across in comics. Brianna has to endure many real life scenarios that a restaurateur would when opening an cafe. Finding the right location, dealing with rude customers, broken equipment, and staff shortages are all things I deal with on a daily basis as a chef.

Even Brianna's struggles to present human food to the monster population has real world implications. Chefs often must struggle to craft menus that appeal to a wide variety of guests. Navigating Halal and Kosher dietary laws as well as providing vegan/vegetarian grub and protecting diners with food allergies are all barriers to food a chef owner must face. To neglect those needs could result in you business getting shut down or hit with a lawsuit.

While I've built food businesses up from the ground floor, I have also dealt with my fair share of monster customers. They just don't happen to be real monsters like the giants, ghouls, and eclectic clientele that eat at Brianna's. Nor are they are rude as mine have been. Newcomer Selina Espiritu does an amazing job rendering the assortment of residents that dwell in Monster City. Her plate diagramming could use some work however. But her illustrations of the cityscapes is quite stunning. I was equally impressed with Bridget Underwood's covers.

This 2017 series was originally released as 4 individual issues. Recently in December, the title was released as a trade paperback. If your local comic book shop is kid friendly, you probably could find Brianna in either format. You can also check out big box stores like Barnes and Noble and Amazon. If you like your comics to be digital, Brave Chef Brianna is also available on Comixology.

This book has a definite ending. But I really hope this isn't the end to the adventures of Brianna and friends. This series combines both comics and culinary- two great passions of mine. Plus, it's interactive as each issue contains a recipe based on a dish found in the story. Aspiring chefs (along with a helpful adult) can create some really yummy dishes. Thus, not only is Brave Chef Brianna a fun read, it's educational without feeling like going to school.

In my book, anything that turns kids on to reading as well as cooking is the best thing since sliced bread. To not continue the story of Brave Chef Brianna in another volume would be a crime. But the story will not continue if you don't buy this book. Pick up a copy today. You and the young reader in your life will have a really exciting read and maybe even get inspiration for your next dinner party play date.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Not-So Secret Society: The Tale of the Gummy (Family Comic Friday)

It's time for another edition of Family Comic Friday. The book I have selected this week is called The Not-So Secret Society. The book is actually classified as a Halloween book on Amazon. When I first learned of this 2017 graphic novel from Kaboom!, I didn't even realize that it was a Halloween book.

I knew of this book as it was a selection of potential all-ages best of 2017 picks by Goodreads. So, when I found this at my local library, I was excited to read it because of that honor and didn't really know of the book's holiday implications. So please forgive me for not having a timely selection this week.

So what is the book about?

A group of middle school misfits called the Not-So Secret Society love science. But they're constantly overlooked by another group of science loving students that seem to make magic with their science projects. Tired of being upstaged, one of the members of the Not-So Secret Society challenges their rivals to build the greatest science fair experiment of all-time. The only problem- they've only got the weekend to do it and it just happens to be the same weekend that Halloween falls on.

Working with all their might, the students create a machine that can potentially bring any piece of candy to life! After some trial and error, the group finally manage to get a gummy bear candy to come alive. Only, this confection has a sweet tooth and everytime it eats sugar, the gummy doubles in size. With it being Halloween and candy everywhere, how can the members of the No-So Secret Society stop their mad science experiment without destroying the whole city block?

I actually enjoyed this book. It had heart, personality, and was pretty funny. Plus, I had fun reading it. The book started off very different than I expected however.

In the beginning, the Not-So Secret Society are in a subway terminal attempting to open some magical portal to another dimension. And they actually succeed. However, the book's authors Matthew and Arlene Daley never return to this plot line! I was convinced that somehow the kids had goofed in not securing the doorway and some creature got out. But that wasn't to be. Amazon seems to indicate that the Tale of the Gummy is the first in a series. So maybe they'll return to this plot point in the future?

There's a ton of extras at the end of this graphic novel. The Daley's, along with co-creators Trevor and Ellen Crafts are educators and they include several activities designed to make learning fun. Plus there's over 25 mini comic one-pagers that expand the personalities of the No-So Secret Society. The last story is actually a prequel to the beginning of The Tale of the Gummy. While only gag is by series artist Wook Jin Clark (Regular Show), I'm not sure why these adventures weren't placed at the beginning of the book. They really add a depth to the characters that is lacking in the first 30-pages of the book.

The No-So Secret Society have potential to be a great series for readers of all ages. But you, the readers are going to have to go out there and show your support if there's to be a volume 2. Yes, Halloween is the time of year this book is set, but The Tale of the Gummy can be enjoyed 365 days of the year! That's right, I'm saying it- this would make a great holiday gift!

Along with being available in paperback in bookstores everywhere, the NS3 can be found digitally on ComiXology and Kindle. 

And that will do it for this week's Family Comic Friday. Next week, I turn big 4-0 and I count down my top 10 all-ages books and series of all-time. Until then, read on!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.