comic books

Graphic Novel Review: Everyday Hero Machine Boy

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Everyday Hero Machine Boy by Irma Kniivila

Everyday Hero Machine Boy
by Irma Kniivila, Trí Vương

4 out of 5 stars

A mysterious robot boy crash lands in a city, and soon his programming detects a threat. The programming goes into combat mode, attacking bystanders and accidentally destroying a grocery store greenhouse. But when a little bird is hurt, his programming seems to awaken a consciousness and the boy becomes aware of his actions. He looks around and realizes that the devastation is his own fault. He tries to make amends and rebuilds the greenhouse. He is adopted by a sweet lady, who he begins to call his grandmother. Gradually he learns to be human and fit in with society. But there are those who would use his robot programming for their own selfish ends.

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Graphic Novel Review: Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy

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Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy by Jonathan Hill

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy
by Jonathan Hill 

5 out of 5 stars

Tommy has a secret. His family are actually lizard people trying to blend in with the human world. Tommy has to wear a human skin over his green lizard face. It’s difficult trying to be “normal” in middle school when everything is so different from your own lizard culture.
Tommy meets other seventh-graders who also have trouble fitting in. One of his new friends, Dung, is a Vietnamese boy who is dealing with culture shock and trying to learn English. They bond over their differences, discovering that they have more in common than they realized.

I loved this graphic novel! The plot is hilarious and emotional. The characters are complex. Their stories are meaningful. The setting and background are interesting. And the storytelling style is superb!

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Graphic Novel Review: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge

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Star Wars by Ethan Sacks

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
by Ethan Sacks, Will Sliney (Illustrator)

2 out of 5 stars

I ended up DNFing this book after reading other reviews that say that Han Solo and Chewbacca are only in the first chapter. So I read the first chapter, tried the second chapter, got bored and gave up.

I don’t super love the art style. Han looks like his face is all distorted or something. The aliens look cool, but that’s because they are supposed to be distorted and weird-looking.

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Graphic Novel Review: We Live #1

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We Live, Volume One by Inaki Miranda

We Live, Volume One
by Inaki Miranda (Writer/Artist), Roy Miranda

3.5 stars
Tala and her little brother, Hototo, have to travel through many dangers to reach the Beacon, an alien rendezvous that will rescue five thousand children from the coming disasters which will cause the extinction of all humanity. They are attacked by wild animals and greedy humans, but Tala vows to protect her little brother. Hototo wears a cape and pretends to be a superhero. Along the way they team up with Humbo and Alice, who are also trying to reach the Beacon. But time is running out, and the countdown for the end of the world has already begun.

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Comic Review: If Ur Stabby

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If Ur Stabby by Kaz Windness

If Ur Stabby
by Kaz Windness

2 out of 5 stars

Stabby the unicorn ends up stabbing everyone in the eye, and he gets jaded and dark and depressed. He can’t keep a job. He accidentally burst his birthday balloons with his horn. He is full of angst and anxiety. And it’s hilarious!

I have to admit, this book did make me laugh. But there were many parts that I couldn’t enjoy because of the profanity and and vulgarity and general disgustingness. I’m not sure why this is marketed as “teen and adult humor”. It’s definitely adult humor. I would never give this to a teen to read.

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Graphic Novel Review: The Orphan King

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The Orphan King by Tyler Chin-Tanner

The Orphan King (The Orphan King, #1)
by Tyler Chin-Tanner, James Boyle (Illustrator), Andrew Dalhouse (Color Artist), Pete Carlsson (Letterer)

4 out of 5 stars

This graphic novel follows Prince Kaidan, who travels to a faraway island for combat training with his aunt. When he returns, he finds the kingdom in ruins and his parents dead or missing. With a price on his head, Kaidan can trust no one, and he is being hunted wherever he goes.

I loved the legendary tropes in this book! Kaidan is like a young King Arthur, and there is also a Robin Hood type character, but the story isn’t really a retelling of either of those stories. There are elements from those legends, but this story stands on its own. I can’t wait to read the next volume in the series!

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Graphic Novel Review: Unearthed

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Unearthed by Lilliam Rivera

Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story
by Lilliam Rivera (Goodreads Author), Steph C. (Illustrator)
1 out of 5 stars- HATED IT

Jessica Cruz is terrified that her family will be deported, because they are illegal immigrants in the United States. She doesn’t think her friends will understand, and is afraid to tell them that her family is undocumented. When she visits the history museum, she begins to have visions of the ancient Aztec gods who guide her in controlling her fear.

I am so angry at this book! This is some of the worst representation of Hispanics that I have ever seen. I grew up in Mexico as a child, and I am a United States citizen. Many of my friends are legal or illegal immigrants. I have an intimate knowledge of these issues and the people who deal with them. I am appalled at the horrible way the Hispanic culture is represented in this book.

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Graphic Novel Review: Miranda in the Maelstrom

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Miranda in the Maelstrom, Vol. 1 by Riley Dashiell Biehl

Miranda in the Maelstrom, Vol. 1: Enter the Maelstrom
by Riley Dashiell Biehl

4 out of 5 stars

Miranda was caught in an interdimensional storm and separated from her parents. She learned to survive all alone on a barren planet, until another storm lifted her onto the decks of a pirate ship. She travels to different worlds, looking for her parents and having adventures with her trusty dog, Noodles. Sometimes, she makes friends, but Miranda has learned to be wary of who she can really trust.

I loved this exciting plot! There are so many imaginative worlds and dimensions with crazy stuff happening. The characters are all so different and weird-looking. It’s really imaginative and fun!

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Graphic Novel Review: Inkblot

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Inkblot, Vol. 1 by Emma Kubert

Inkblot, Vol. 1
by Emma Kubert, Rusty Gladd
4 out of 5 stars

A librarian sorceress knocks over some bottles of ink and accidentally creates a powerful cat that has magical properties. Like all cats, this inky feline does whatever it wants whenever it wants, and it seems unbound by the laws of time and space. The sorceress begins to realize that the cat could cause the unravelling of the universe, or could save her family and bring the realms together.

The plot is excellent, full of adventure and magic! I really loved the mixture of action and funny scenes. The writing is so clever and hilarious, but also touches on some more somber and serious subjects.

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Manga Review: Othello

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Othello by Stacy King

Othello
by Stacy King (Goodreads Author) (Adaptor), Crystal S. Chan (Contributor), Julien Choy (Illustrator), William Shakespeare (Original Author)
5 out of 5 stars

General Othello is newly married to the beautiful Desdemona. Iago is jealous of Othello’s high position in the military, and pretends to be Othello’s friend, but swears to get his revenge by making Othello miserable any way he can. Iago spreads lies that Desdemona has been unfaithful to her new husband, and plants a seed of suspicion in Othello’s mind. Once Othello’s heart is poisoned by Iago’s lies, it means tragedy for everyone involved.

I am so impressed with this graphic novel! The artwork is beautiful and each panel shows a clear story. The classic story of Othello retains all its integrity, and the characters are powerfully depicted. This edition uses the original words of Shakespeare, and I enjoyed revisiting this beautiful play in a new format.

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