comics
Manga Review: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Manga Classics: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Crystal Chan (Goodreads Author) , Kuma Chan , Jeannie Lee , Mark Twain
by Crystal Chan (Goodreads Author) , Kuma Chan , Jeannie Lee , Mark Twain
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
A wonderful adaptation of Mark Twain’s Adventure of Huckleberry Finn into manga form! I think the authors and illustrators did an excellent job of condensing the story into a small volume without losing the integrity or flavor of the story. I love how the various accents of the characters are preserved, but the dialogue is still clear and easily understood.
The artwork brings a lot of emotion into the story, and firmly connects the reader to the characters. Seeing the expressions on character’s faces as they experience joy, grief, fear, sadness, or relief, made me feel those things too as I was reading!
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Graphic Novel Review: The Altered History of Willow Sparks
The Altered History of Willow Sparks
by Tara O’Connor (Goodreads Author)
by Tara O’Connor (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
I really enjoyed this graphic novel about a girl who discovers a magic book that will change her life! Willow is a nerd being bullied by the popular girls at school, but she has friends and a great job working in a library. The book gives her the power to rewrite her life, but of course, magic comes with a price. Willow uses the book to become one of the popular girls, and her life at school seems to be better, but at a cost. If only, Willow can realize the truth before it’s too late, she might be able to salvage her friendships with the people who truly care about her.
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Comic Review: Archival Quality
Archival Quality
by Ivy Noelle Weir (Goodreads Author), Steenz (Goodreads Author)
by Ivy Noelle Weir (Goodreads Author), Steenz (Goodreads Author)
2 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
When Celeste loses her job as a librarian, she’s willing to accept any new job, even one in a haunted museum. The more she dives into the archives, Celeste discovers the secrets of the museum’s past, and begins to have dreams of a ghost who died there. She’ll need the help of her new coworkers to uncover the truth about the ghost and the secretive museum board.
I was disappointed in this comic. The artwork isn’t that good, and looks as though it were just thrown together. The story fell flat for me.
Manga Review: Valentine
Valentine Tome 1 (Valentine, #1)
by Vanyda, David Bolvin
by Vanyda, David Bolvin
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Valentine is the quiet one in a group of rowdy friends. Between school and parties, her friends try out smoking and drinking and meeting up with boys, but Valentine is only interested in getting her crush to notice her. She’s too shy to speak to him though, and she gets dragged along for the ride with her friends.
Despite the fact that Valentine doesn’t do or say very much in the story, her facial expressions and quiet moments of repose display an emotional depth to her character in stark contrast to her boisterous friends. I really enjoyed the subtlety of Val’s experiences and seeing her gentle reactions to the world around her. Continue reading
Comic Review: Sci-Fu
Sci-Fu
by Yehudi Mercado
by Yehudi Mercado
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Wax is determined to be the best DJ in the world, but when his mixes accidentally answer an interstellar challenge, he’ll have to be the best DJ in the universe to protect his family and friends from the robots of Discotopia, where he fights against the evil King using the ancient art of Sci-Fu, a martial art that uses sound waves as weapons.
I’m not much of a fan of rap music, but I am a musician, so I was more than intrigued about a comic that uses music to fight off alien robots! I loved all the rhyming and rhythm. I could almost hear the music in my head as I was reading the book!
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Graphic Novel Review: Photographic
Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide
by Isabel Quintero (Goodreads Author) , Zeke Peña
by Isabel Quintero (Goodreads Author) , Zeke Peña
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
A poetic and dream-like journey through the personal history and photographs of Graciela Iturbide, a famous photographer in Mexico.
There’s an emphasis on Graciela’s fascination with birds, and how her thoughts on flight and wings inspired and influenced much of her work. There’s an ethereal feeling to each page, with drawings showing both the photographer and reproductions of her photographs. Continue reading
Comic Review: Herding Cats
Herding Cats (Sarah’s Scribbles, #3)
by Sarah Andersen (Goodreads Author)
by Sarah Andersen (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Another hilarious collection of comics about dealing with anxiety, being introverted, loving life, and staying creative! I just adore Sarah Andersen’s work. She has such a unique way of cutting to the heart of what brings delight or disaster into our everyday lives. She actually makes me laugh out loud, crazy giggle, and chuckle to myself when I read her work.
The only reason I took off one star is because I’m not a pet person, and several of the comic panels are about loving dogs and cats. I’m just ‘meh’ about pets, so those didn’t interest me. However, pet owners would probably love those.
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Manga Review: Dream of the Butterfly
Dream of The Butterfly Vol 1: Rabbits on the Moon
by Richard Marazano, Luo Yin
by Richard Marazano, Luo Yin
3 out of 5 stars
Little Tutu is lost in a snowstorm and travels to a magical land where animals talk and humans aren’t welcome. She is forced to work in a factory, and befriends several groups that need her help to rebel against the emperor. But Tutu is just trying to find her way back home, and the emperor asks her bring him a rare spring butterfly with mysterious powers.
I liked the imaginative characters and setting, but the plot is jumping all over the place and there’s not really enough time spent on any
Graphic Novel Review: Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel
by Mariah Marsden , Brenna Thummler , Kendra Phipps , Erika Kuster
by Mariah Marsden , Brenna Thummler , Kendra Phipps , Erika Kuster
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This graphic novel adaptation is really too short to give a full picture of Anne’s story, but I loved the artwork and the beautiful colors of the book. I think that it’s the perfect way to revisit the story if you’ve already read the original book, but I definitely would NOT recommend it to those who are unfamiliar with Anne. There’s too much of the plot left out or implied, although it’s easily understood if you already know the background of the story.
The illustrations are whimsical and colorful, and the pacing of the panels gives a satisfying dreamy feeling to the book. There is a lot of focus on the countryside and the beauties of Avonlea, the trees and lakes and flowers, and then we see Anne’s reaction of wonder and delight to the loveliness of nature. Continue reading
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