I am secretly a comic book geek. It’s not that I don’t want to keep it a secret (I’m DAMN proud of it!) but it’s just that it’s never come up. I love reading graphic novels and comic books but I know it’s impractical to review every single one especially since the novels are so short but the time to write the reviews would take a while. This is why I have decided to start a new feature (or maybe a one-time thing seeing how this goes) called GRAPHIC NOVELS GALORE! It will basically be some mini-reviews for graphic novels I’ve read recently. (And do y’all like my graphic? I’m feeling very proud of it!) Let’s get started!
Empire State: A Love Story (or not) by Jason Shiga
Goodreads|3/5 stars
Jimmy is a stereotypical geek who works at the library in Oakland, California, and is trapped in his own torpidity. Sara is his best friend, but she wants to get a life (translation: an apartment in Brooklyn and a publishing internship). When Sara moves to New York City, Jimmy is rattled. Then lonely. Then desperate. He screws up his courage, writes Sara a letter about his true feelings, and asks her to meet him at the top of the Empire State Building (a nod to their ongoing debate about Sleepless in Seattle).
Jimmy’s cross-country bus trip to Manhattan is as hapless and funny as Jimmy himself. When he arrives in the city he’s thought of as “a festering hellhole,” he’s surprised by how exciting he finds New York, and how heartbreaking—he discovers Sara has a boyfriend!
Jason Shiga’s bold visual storytelling, sly pokes at popular culture, and subtle text work together seamlessly in Empire State, creating a quirky graphic novel comedy about the vagaries of love and friendship.
My Thoughts: Very misleading synopsis and too short. I felt like there was no story and just a bunch of things HAPPEN. Artwork is meh but still the book isn’t all that bad.
Once Upon a Time: Shadow of the Queen by Dan Thompson
Goodreads|5/5 stars
The Evil Queen has, quite literally, captured the Huntsman’s heart — and now he’s her slave. Based on the world of ABC’s hit primetime series ONCE UPON A TIME, this is the never-before-told tale behind their twisted relationship — and what happens when a good man is forced to do bad. When Regina cooks up yet another devious plan to capture Snow White — this time by allying with a pack of power-hungry werewolves — the Huntsman comes face-to-face with his past…and an independent spirit in Red Riding Hood that just may match his own. Can these two break free of the forces that bind them and save Snow White? When put to the test, where will the Huntsman’s loyalties lie? Has the Evil Queen stolen his heart in more ways than one?
My Thoughts: This was freakin’ awesome. I love the that each little chapter had its own artwork made by a different artist. I also love that Once Upon a Time readers get to learn more background information about a very mysterious character. I also love that there was a new romance introduced and I SHIP IT. If you love Once Upon a Time, read it now.
Amulet Vol.1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
Goodreads|5/5 stars
Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot—and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.
After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.
My Thoughts: While this is an MG graphic novel series, it is so good! I am caught up on the whole series and GAAHHH I need volume six to come out sooner! Let me tell you why this series is awesome: a young girl has to help her family, no romance, ELVES, MAGIC, an independent girl who can save HERSELF, shall I go on?
The Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan
Goodreads|5/5 stars
In Pride & Joy, six young friends discover their parents are all secretly super-powered villains Finding strength in one another, the shocked teens run away from home and straight into the adventure of their lives – vowing to turn the tables on their evil legacy. In Teenage Wasteland, the Runaways find a kindred spirit in a daring young stranger and welcome him into their fold. But will this dashing young man help the teenagers defeat their villainous parents… or tear them apart? Plus: who do you send to catch a group of missing, runaway teenage super-heroes? Marvel’s original teen runaway crimefighters, Cloak and Dagger, make their first major appearance in years In The Good Die Young, the world as we know it is about to end, and the Runaways are the only hope to prevent it Our fledgling teenage heroes have learned how their parents’ criminal organization began, and now they must decide how it should end. As the Runaways’ epic battle against their evil parents reaches its shocking conclusion, the team’s mole stands revealed, and blood must be shed. Which kids will still be standing when the smoke finally clears? Collecting issues #1-#18.
My Thoughts: This is so awesome. Basically, 6 kids find out that their parents are part of The Pride, a super-secret evil society and so these kids runaway and stuff. I can’t say much else without spoilers but this is honestly SO FREAKIN’ AWESOME. The edition shown is actually a bind-up of the first 18 issues of the comic book series but I definitely need to read the rest of the series soon. So good!
And that’s it! Do you guys like this new feature? Should I keep it up? Let me know what you guys think!
