graphic novel review

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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Graphic Novel Review: Averee

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Averee by Stephanie Phillips

Averee
by Stephanie Phillips, Dave Johnson (Co-Writer), Marika Cresta (Illustrator), Andrew Dalhouse (Colorist)
4 out of 5 stars

Averee has a fairly high level on Ranked, the app that determines your social standing. But her best friend, Zoe, has one of the lowest rankings in school, meaning that she can’t get into certain restaurants or ride on the nicer city buses. Everything about their lives are dictated by their rank, from where they can live and work to where they can travel. When Averee’s ranking suddenly drops, the two friends are on a quest to find out why and to restore Averee’s rank. But the Ranked app is controlled by an evil corporation with even more deadly plans in store.

I loved this graphic novel so much! The world-building is really cool, and I liked the history of how the Ranked app came to be so prevalent. The adventure is exciting and I liked the mystery surrounding the evil corporation behind the app.

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Graphic Novel Review: Waluk

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Waluk by Ana Mirallès

Waluk: The Great Journey
by Ana Mirallès (Illustrator ), Emilio Ruiz (Contributor)
4 out of 5 stars

Waluk is a young polar bear who treks through the frozen tundra with an older bear, Eskimo. They run across humans from time to time, and have adventures hunting for seals. They meet a ferocious mama polar bear with her cubs. Waluk talks to a dog who pulls a dogsled for his master, and tries to inspire him to pursue a free life in the wilderness instead of living in human chains.

I loved this cool graphic novel! The art work is really beautiful with all the mystery and allure of the North Pole. The story is exciting and balances both serious and funny scenes. I really loved the sweet friendship between Waluk and Eskimo. They rely on one another and Waluk learns a lot of wisdom from Eskimo.

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Graphic Novel Review: WolfWalkers

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WolfWalkers by Tomm Moore

WolfWalkers: The Graphic Novel
by Tomm Moore (Creator), Samuel Sattin (Goodreads Author) (Adapted by)
4 out of 5 stars

Robyn Goodfellowe is the daughter of a wolf hunter, tasked with ridding the forest of all wolves. Although her father has told her to stay home where it is safe, Robyn tracks her father into the forest, armed with a crossbow and assisted by her faithful hawk, Merlyn. Robyn is determined to help her father and kill a few wolves of her own, until she meets a mystical WolfWalker girl. WolfWalkers are humans when they are awake, and transform into wolves when they fall asleep. The two girls begin an unlikely friendship, and Robyn must choose to either save her father or save her new WolfWalker friend.

I loved the magic and the mystical legends in this graphic novel! The magical world-building is really beautiful and imaginative.

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Graphic Novel Review: Pigs Might Fly

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Pigs Might Fly by Nick Abadzis

Pigs Might Fly
by Nick Abadzis, Jerel Dye (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

Lily is the daughter of a famous inventor in the Pigdom Plains. She dreams of inventing her own flying machine, succeeding where her father could not. Although she has access to magic, Lily wants to use science to create an engine that will stay aloft on its own power. When a mysterious squadron of attack flyers begin to harass the countryside, Lily scrambles to finish the prototype of her airplane and she takes to the skies to protect her neighbors. But if her father finds out what she has done, Lily will be in big trouble.

I loved this graphic novel! Lily is such a spunky main character. She is so intelligent and brave. I was cheering for her through the entire book! I loved seeing how she interacts with her father, her aunt, and her young cousin. That family dynamic was very dramatic, as they sometimes fight or disagree, but always protect each other. Each of these characters have strong personalities and are very intelligent and independent, so that makes for some great character development.

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Graphic Novel Review: Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire

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Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House o... by Neil Gaiman

Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire
by Neil Gaiman (Author), Shane Oakley (Artist)
4 out of 5 stars

This graphic novel follows a writer who is struggling to write about “real life” in a tale of zombies, dreadful mysteries in damp dungeons, and evil pacts with the vile powers of darkness.

I loved the shadowy art style in this book! It’s so expressive and chaotic. It creates a definite mood for this eerie tale of nefarious deeds.

I am not a fan of horror stories, but this book is not really scary, and it made me laugh so much! It makes fun of typical horror tropes in such a clever way. The story jumps around a lot, but I think that is on purpose to create a disturbing atmosphere. I loved the plot twist at the end!

Manga Review: Silver Spoon Vol. 6-7

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Silver Spoon, Vol. 6 by Hiromu Arakawa

Silver Spoon, Vol. 6
by Hiromu Arakawa, Amanda Haley (Translator)
4 out of 5 stars

Hachiken enters his first horse riding competition with the school equestrian club. He is very nervous, but he tries to encourage his teammates. He is focused and determined to do well, but there are various distractions surrounding the competition. A rider from another school calls him out as her greatest rival with hilarious results. In the second half of this volume, Hachiken is helping to prepare for the big school festival and has a long list of responsibilities.

I loved this volume! I got really excited about the riding competition and was interested to see the scores of the different characters who competed. There are some really funny scenes, and interesting developments for Hachiken in his personal relationships with friends and family.

Silver Spoon, Vol. 7 by Hiromu Arakawa

Silver Spoon, Vol. 7
by Hiromu Arakawa, Amanda Haley (Translator)
4 out of 5 stars

Hachiken deals with the aftermath of the school festival, and goes on a first date with a girl he likes. He is forced to help with the birth of two baby calves while the rest of the school gets to watch the school’s big baseball game. He misses all the fun, but gains the confidence to keep searching for his dreams.

This manga just keeps getting more and more hilarious! I love that things go wrong for the characters, and they are disappointed and have to struggle through tough situations. It shows their strong personalities and the way they have to encourage each other through hard times.

Comic Review: Nimona

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Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona
by Noelle Stevenson
4 out of 5 stars

Supervillain Lord Blackheart has a new sidekick, Nimona, who is a shapeshifter. They team up against Sir Goldenloin to prove that the heroes aren’t all they seem to be. But Nimona is keeping secrets, and Lord Blackheart begins to wonder if she is more dangerous than she appears.

This comic is so funny and imaginative! I loved all the witty one-liners and the weird characters. The story really kept me guessing, and I loved gradually learning the backstory for each of the characters.

The setting is so weird, since it looks like medieval times, but they have some modern technology. Science and magic have to work side by side.

I really liked the whimsical art style, and the intense colors. Every scene uses color and light and shadow to set the mood for an epic battle with a dragon or maybe a quiet board game night with pizza.

This is so much fun from start to finish!