Another collection of comics about the wacky teens running high-school radio station WJHC. While a few of the episodes remain within the bounds of humorously exaggerated realism—coping with an interfering faculty advisor, for example—the capers in this installment tend to the outrageous and offbeat, ranging from a Survivor–style reality program to hijinks among high-fashion models. Still, the entire cast remains familiar and likable, with a few new quirks to round out their personalities. Fisher’s writing is sharp and fresh, filled with a sly meta-humor continually bursting through the fourth wall. New penciler Staton lacks the cheerfully anarchic panel layout of original artist Kirsten Petersen, but adds a fluid grasp of cartoon gesture and a dazzling facility with perspective, accentuated by crisp inking and bright colors from the rest of the art team. Smart, fun and hip, yet utterly wholesome with an occasional dollop of redeeming moral value; a welcome counterpoint to the general trend towards the grim, angst-ridden and graphically shocking in more “mature” comic titles. (Graphic novel. 4-8)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-9744235-1-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Wilson Place Comics
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2005
It would be hard not to end up with an outstanding result when starting with such brilliant material as Carroll’s “Jabberwocky,” but Stewart’s mixed-media illustrations suit the wry humor of this nonsense poem so perfectly it’s hard to imagine it being interpreted as well by anyone else since Tenniel himself. The wide, thin-lipped visage of the Jabberwock is particularly reminiscent of Tenniel’s drawings and provides a tribute to the definitive illustrator of Carroll’s work. But there are many original touches, such as the clockwork inner workings of the beast and the imagining of what exactly things like “slithy toves,” “borogoves,” and “mome raths” are (here, various imaginary forest denizens, some of them birdlike, who relax in hammocks and play accordions). The dusky palette of tan, olive, dusty purple, pale blue, and brick red outlined in thin brown lends an antique feel, as does the pseudo-medieval costume worn by the boy as he hunts the “maxnome foe.” Far from being frightening, the Jabberwock is positively dapper in his top hat and high, stiff collar, and the fact that his insides are mechanical keeps his dismemberment from being gory. It’s helpful that the poem is printed in its entirety at the beginning, so readers and listeners can get their own imaginations started before digging in. This brilliantly original, yet respectful new rendering of an old favorite reminds those who’ve read it before of the infinite possibilities and pure fun in its interpretation, and will bring its delightful nonsense to a whole new audience. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-7636-2018-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2003
Kochalka dishes up a brief episode in comics-style panels, featuring two ghosts, a monster, melted ice cream and burping. If that’s not a foolproof formula for pleasing the Oshkosh set, nothing is. Looking something like a one-eyed pink-and-yellow sock monkey in the bright, very simply drawn panels, the monster insists to Johnny Boo and his ghostlet companion Squiggle that “I’m not BAD, I’m nice”—but so greedily does it gulp an offered carton of ice cream that little Squiggle goes down too. Nor does the monster show much remorse…until Squiggle uses his special “squiggle power” to do loop-de-loops that force the monster to belch him out. Even then the burps don’t stop until Johnny uses his special “BOO power” to scare them away. Johnny’s debut is slender, even for the price, but he’s a true crowd-pleaser: playful, clever and ever ready to forgive, forget or bellow out a BOO. (Graphic novel. 5-7)
Pub Date: June 25, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60309-013-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
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