This entertaining, pleasantly mellow story, despite trafficking in cliches, brims with exuberance and features an animated...
In Loui’s debut graphic novel, a man passes on what he’s learned while collecting crane-machine plush dolls.
Kenny Loui is a student, teacher, and Civil Air Patrol lieutenant. But he’s first and foremost a UFO catcher— his mission is rescuing plush dolls from captivity (crane machines at a local arcade). Kenny endures such trials as a bill validator repeatedly rejecting his currency and develops a gamer rivalry with the blonde-haired, perpetually snarky Killian. There’s also Somi, a mysterious woman often appearing at Kenny’s side, though he apparently can’t see or hear her. When she isn’t photo-bombing his selfies she cheers him on in multiple languages, including Korean and Japanese, and she offers sage advice she hopes he’ll somehow understand. Kenny applies his arcade experiences to real life: “Don’t just jump in without knowing what you’re going to do,” he muses as he contemplates which doll to aim the crane at. The author has fun with this breezy, semi-autobiographical tale. Irene, a bubbly, talking plush pig, introduces a couple of “episodes” that are BGM (background music)-enhanced, with QR links to music videos to play while you read. Loui keeps the story fresh with Kenny failing as often as he succeeds and provides (disappointingly few) glimpses into his history. Many of Kenny’s “life lessons,” are simple platitudes; some of these, including “Always look before you buy” and “No good deed goes unpunished” are already implied by characters’ actions. Yamawe’s dynamic, manga-inspired illustrations perfectly suit Loui’s tone, with exaggerated facial expressions and lightning bolts intensifying a Kenny/Killian face-off. Readers will surely welcome more of Kenny’s antics in future volumes.
This entertaining, pleasantly mellow story, despite trafficking in cliches, brims with exuberance and features an animated cast.Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2023
ISBN: 9798986730011
Page Count: 150
Publisher: UFO Comics
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A clever and timely conversation on reclaiming identity and acknowledging one’s full worth.
Superman confronts racism and learns to accept himself with the help of new friends.
In this graphic-novel adaptation of the 1940s storyline entitled “The Clan of the Fiery Cross” from The Adventures of Superman radio show, readers are reintroduced to the hero who regularly saves the day but is unsure of himself and his origins. The story also focuses on Roberta Lee, a young Chinese girl. She and her family have just moved from Chinatown to Metropolis proper, and mixed feelings abound. Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane’s colleague from the Daily Planet, takes a larger role here, befriending his new neighbors, the Lees. An altercation following racial slurs directed at Roberta’s brother after he joins the local baseball team escalates into an act of terrorism by the Klan of the Fiery Kross. What starts off as a run-of-the-mill superhero story then becomes a nuanced and personal exploration of the immigrant experience and blatant and internalized racism. Other main characters are White, but Black police inspector William Henderson fights his own battles against prejudice. Clean lines, less-saturated coloring, and character designs reminiscent of vintage comics help set the tone of this period piece while the varied panel cuts and action scenes give it a more modern sensibility. Cantonese dialogue is indicated through red speech bubbles; alien speech is in green.
A clever and timely conversation on reclaiming identity and acknowledging one’s full worth. (author’s note, bibliography) (Graphic fiction. 13-adult)Pub Date: May 12, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-77950-421-0
Page Count: 240
Publisher: DC
Review Posted Online: Feb. 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet bedtime story.
A boy and his stuffed bear head into the woods.
Having captured readers’ attention with Born a Crime (2016), his bestselling memoir of growing up in South Africa, comedian and television host Noah has written a parable about decision-making. As he puts it in a brief prologue, “It’s about disagreements and difference—but it’s also about how we bridge those gaps and find what matters most, whether we’re parents or kids, neighbors, gnomes, or political adversaries. It’s a picture book, but it’s not a children’s book. Rather, it is a book for kids to share with parents and for parents to share with kids.” With plentiful illustrations by Hahn and in language aimed at young listeners, it tells the story of a small boy so impatient to start his Saturday adventures that he rebels against the rules of his household and heads out without brushing his teeth or making his bed, despite the reminders of his stuffed bear, Walter. “We can’t just run away,” protests the bear. “Your mother will miss you. And where will we sleep? And who will make us waffles?” “We’ll build our own house,” the boy responds. “And we’ll grow our own waffles!” From there, the pair go on their walkabout, encountering a garden gnome, a pair of snails, and a gang of animated coins who have lessons to offer about making choices. Though the author suggests in the introduction that adult readers might enjoy the book on their own, those looking for a follow-up to the memoir or a foray into adult fiction should be warned that this is not that book.
A sweet bedtime story.Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
ISBN: 9780593729960
Page Count: 128
Publisher: One World/Random House
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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