Avenger’s Arena, Volume 1: Kill or Die

Avenger’s Arena, Volume 1: Kill or Die

Dennis Hopeless, Kev Walker, Alessandro Vitti

$15.99, Softcover

Marvel, 2013

978-0785166573

Genre: Action, Graphic Novel 

Age: 12+

Description: Collecting the first six issues of the new series, Avengers Arena tells the story of 16 teens that are kidnapped and trapped on an isolated island. Their captor (who actually appears throughout the story) gives them an ultimatum—fight each other or die.

Opinion: This series seems to be pretty hit or miss with readers. My finance didn’t like it for the main reason that he didn’t like the characters getting killed off “willy-nilly”. I liked it though probably because I don’t have a background with these characters. I am not familiar with any of them so I didn’t have a natural liking for any of them as I began the series. They were all new people to me. Obviously, this series is a take on the comic book world on Battle Royale and The Hunger Games, and I love anything and will read anything like reads like Battle Royale. The twist here is the fact that the teens being pitted against each other are not everyday high schoolers. Instead they are 16 teens with superhero powers and abilities. Therefore, fighting each other isn’t as easy as one might assume and there aren’t really going to be too many people that are easy pickings. Some of the characters include Hazmat, Juston, Reptil, Deathlocket, and more. It will be interesting to see how the series progresses (I am waiting for the collected trade editions) as in the first volume most of the teens form teams and spread out on the island attempting to avoid one another—at least until someone or something appears to be not playing by the rules and the teens wonder who they can trust. Plus, I love the homage to Battle Royale on the cover.   

Unico

Unico

Osamu Tezuka

$34.95, Softcover

Digital Manga Publishing, 2013

978-1569703120

Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel  

Age: 10+

Description: Unico is the name of a little unicorn that has the power to bring happiness to those who truly love him. However, Venus, the goddess of beauty, is jealous of the good fortune he brings to mortals. In a fit of rage, she orders him to be banished to far reaches of the world, his memory wiped of who he is, and hopefully he will not be able to find anyone to truly love him in his punishment. On his journey, Unico does meet new friends, both human, animal and otherwise, and learns what a true friend is.

Opinion: Unico is the manga that a popular anime was based off of. It is by the father of manga in Japan, Osamu Tezuka. You might be wondering why there is such a steep price tag on this one book. First of all, it is the entire collection of Unico in one volume. Secondly, it is in full-color (which any manga diehard reader will know is a bit of a rarity). For manga readers who aren’t into the history and classic series, they might at first be put off by the art style. It is definitely an older style of manga (it kind of looks more realistic than the wide-eyed creations popular today). It is also a great manga for all ages and is printed in English reading style (left to right) instead of the traditional Japanese style (right to left) so it may be a great introduction to manga for younger readers. Each volume in the story follows the same basic plot. The first volume tells of how Unico is banished by Venus. The rest of the volumes find Unico on a new world, seemingly all alone with no idea that he is. Fortunately for him he always finds a friend and discovers his powers when the friend truly loves him. Unfortunately for him, Venus has a spy that must do her bidding and he is forced to be taken away from his new friends and banished again. The whole 400+ page volume reads quickly. However, I think I was very disappointed with the end to the series. The whole theme of the story is about true friendship and the last person that Unico meets is a devil who absolutely doesn’t want any friends. When he finally gives in and considers Unico a friend he discovers that Unico—his first ever best friend—is gone. Turns out Venus has changed her mind and allowed Unico to come back from his banishment and be with his beloved princess again. The poor devil is basically left heartbroken and alone. It just seems like a really cruel and unfair ending.   

Bluffton

Bluffton

Matt Phelan

$22.99, Hardcover

Candlewick, 2013

978-0763650797

Genre: Realistic, Historical, Graphic Novel

Age: 9+

Description: Henry lives in boring old Muskegon, Michigan, where nothing ever seems to happen. However, in neighboring Bluffton the summer of 1908 is proving to be an eventful one. A vaudeville troops and circus have come to the town to relax. It is in town that Henry meets a young boy named Buster Keaton, an actor. The boys quickly become friends as each covets what the other has—Henry wishes he had an exciting life like Buster and Buster wishes for a normal childhood full of boyish pastimes such as baseball and fishing. Will the boys ever realize their dreams?

Opinion: Matt Phelan is an excellent artist. However, I don’t think this book hits its mark. I think I would have been more impressed with it had the ARC been in color. Since it is watercolor paintings the black and white images sometimes are hard to distinguish. The story moves very quickly (one could really read it in 10 minutes tops) and has a serene feel to it. However, I don’t know of any teens nowadays who would know who Buster Keaton is or what vaudeville was. I only happen to know it myself because of my thesis which involves being familiar with American history (and vaudeville is one topic I hate!). I don’t really know what teen would be interested in this story. It seems like it would be boring to younger children and tweens and the story wouldn’t appeal to most readers. It seems like a better topic for adults. The few slightly funny moments (there is some “potty” humor) don’t make up for the slow pace and boring plot.    

Thanks to Candlewick for the ARC for the YALSA YA Galley Group!

10 Little Insects

10 Little Insects

Davide Cali and Vincent Pianina

$N/A, Hardcover

Wilkins Fargo Pty Ltd., 2013

978-0987109910

Genre: Graphic Novel, Humor

Age: 9+

Description: Ten very different insects—including a stick insect known for his, well, impressions of a stick, a detective with a three-week old larva sidekick, a praying mantis who is deadly with a drink cart, and a fly who is just hanging around for the dung—are all invited to a mysterious house on a secluded island for the weekend. What these insects don’t know is that someone on the island has gathered them there to kill them off one by one! Can the detective solve the crime before everyone winds up dead?   

Opinion: First of all, let me say that I am so disappointed that this inventive French (I believe) graphic novel, published in English in May, is already out of print! Nooooo! I pre-ordered this graphic novel (while expensive) based solely on the fact that it is a hilarious take on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (also known originally as Ten Little Indians). I love Christie so I thought a spoof with insects would be interesting. The book is a large format and the art and layout reminds me of the Richard Scarry books. There is lots to look at one the pages besides reading the story which is always nice—gives it added depth. If it comes back into print, I recommend it as a graphic novel for all ages.

Get Jiro!

Get Jiro!

Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, Langdon Foss

$14.99, Softcover

Vertigo, 2013

978-1401228286

Genre: Action, Graphic Novel

Age: 14+

Description: In the not-too-distant future, Los Angeles is run by gangs of mafia-like master chefs and people kill for a seat at the best restaurants in town—literally. In this setting a bloody culinary war is brewing between two groups. First, is the “Internationalists”. They blend foods from all over the world into new delicacies. The second group is the “Vertical Farm” members—chefs who prepare nothing but organic vegan meals. Into this scene arrives a new chef in town, Jiro, a rogue sushi chef known for decapitating patrons who commit culinary misdeeds in his establishment. Both the Internationalists and the Vertical Farm want to claim Jiro as their own. However, he has his own ideas and refuses to be a pawn in this game.  

Opinion: Warning—any graphic novel written by Anthony Bourdain is going to be aimed at mature readers! Yes, there is language, yes, there is violence, but that is to be expected from him! That said, this is a fun graphic novel that is definitively in a class of its own. Give this to teens who love the cooking shows. Give it to teens who like Japanese culture. Give it to teens who love gory stories (there are some “nice” decapitation scenes in here!). And give it to teens who just want to read a ridiculously funny story. There are a bunch of elements in this story that will draw in all kinds of readers. I gave it to one of my teens who is a pretty “innocent” girl and she thought it was hilarious. While clearly a one-shot story, I would more than welcome some more stories featuring Jiro in the future.