Sure to strike readers like a hammer.
Pistouvi the fox explores life with his human friend, Jeanne.
Pistouvi and Jeanne are best friends in a strange world with strange rules. The only adult presences come from the friendly Wind (shown as an ethereal, beautiful White woman) and abrasive Tractor (a light-skinned, bald man with an abundant black beard). Despite this, Pistouvi and Jeanne, who is a small, blond-haired White girl, make do with their treehouse home and have many goofy adventures together. Danger is never far off, however, as Pistouvi has a unique predicament: If he ever understands what the birds are saying, he will be forever changed. The birds are ever present, as the target of Pistouvi and Jeanne’s pranks or as bigger, more menacing figures. They add an ominous air to an otherwise lighthearted narrative, serving as a reminder that one day Pistouvi and Jeanne may grow apart. The prologue and each of the 10 subsequent chapters serve as their own separate but connected interludes, making this volume more accessible to casual readers. Merwan and Gatignol have crafted a whimsical—and sometimes dark—narrative similar in tone to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The art is gorgeous, the style reminiscent of a black-and-white manga with gray tones. Details such as hair and fur are particularly well executed. The ending is both inevitable and saddening, surprisingly bleak in contrast to the overall more carefree tone.
Sure to strike readers like a hammer. (Graphic fiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-942367-95-6
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Magnetic Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
PERSPECTIVES
A few rough bits but inventive and visually stunning.
A young witch whose magic has been burned away undertakes healing journeys both physical and metaphorical in this graphic novel that was first serialized on Instagram.
Mingling riveting illustrations that incorporate fades, flashbacks, and other cinematic effects with a typographically venturesome narrative, Dhaliwal tells a tale of heroic exploits in which allegorical elements are never far beneath the surface. Burned at the stake but rescued by a pair of helpful (if often annoying) witches on a quest of their own, dark-skinned young “Singe” goes in search of her real name and the rest of her burned-away memories, as well as her lost magic, while her body slowly recovers. Along the way to a climax on the shores of Perish Lake, she meets other witches—notably Smoke Witch, a collective gathering of burnt but still aware ashes that rides the night wind—and engages in desperate struggles with three powerful, vividly portrayed demons: Disgust, Doubt, and Despair. The author’s imagination and graphic skills outpace her literary chops, but there’s plenty of entertaining friction and bonding in the colorfully wrought cast, and more than enough action in the plot to make it easy to overlook awkward phrasings and inappropriate word choices. Said plot does take some arbitrary turns, perhaps so that the ending can be left conveniently open. Still, it’s a grand adventure in a richly articulated setting, featuring a racially diverse cast and clever twists aplenty.
A few rough bits but inventive and visually stunning. (Graphic fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: May 28, 2024
ISBN: 9781770466999
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
An action-packed, magic-filled exploration of natural resource abuse.
A coven of problem-solving witches takes on a mission that tests their friendship and bonds.
Witches Anadil, Hester, and Dot are summoned to Red Isle when the animals of the Dark Lands are found starving after sludge kills all the vegetation. Mother Sorastra, the leader of the Dark Lands, confronts Prince Lexius of the neighboring Light Lands, arguing that he’s abusing nature’s gift of raaka, a resource used to power clever inventions. But Prince Lexius blames Mother Sorastra for breaking a truce and causing the pollution. The conflict escalates when citizens of the Light Lands are murdered, and their facial features are erased. Pale, white-haired Anadil, brown-skinned, black-haired Hester, and Dot, who has brown skin and Afro-textured hair, arrive in time to stop the outbreak of war and attempt to solve the mystery of the face-stealing killer. When a coven of witches impersonating the trio appears, Anadil, Hester, and Dot must overcome their bickering and work through hurt feelings in order to band together and bring peace and balance to Red Isle. This graphic novel features cleverly realized characters: Anadil with her team of magical rats, Hester with her pet demon, and Dot with her ability to summon confectionary are memorable leads. The relationship between Anadil and Hester adds a hint of romance to the story, and the environmental themes add real-world relevance. Vivid illustrations with saturated colors create a fantastical backdrop for the fast-paced storyline.
An action-packed, magic-filled exploration of natural resource abuse. (Graphic fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780062979681
Page Count: 272
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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