Publisher: Papercutz
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Price: $8.99 (TP) / $12.99 (HC)
Creator(s): David Gallaher (writer); Steve Ellis (artist)
Format: 80 pgs., Full-Color, 6.5" x 9", Trade Paperback/Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-6299-1442-8 (TP) / 978-1-6299-1443-5 (HC)
Age Rating: 7-12
ICv2 Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5
This book has flashes of brilliance surrounded by minor flaws. The book feels very Kirby-esque, but with a more modern style of art. The main character finds himself on a world where very little makes sense, and is trying to survive unfamiliar circumstances. The artwork and much of the writing work in this context, but the exceptions are jarring. For example, the story in this volume ends at a very odd point, in a way that may feel unsatisfying. Only the knowledge that the story continues makes up for that. The book is just a bit too short of a fragment of a much larger tale.
The story begins with Erik running away from unspecified bad things, in a way that can let readers identify with him, and this was very good. Also, his facial expressions in the book are great. They're just realistic enough to convey emotions, and just cartoony enough to be non-threatening to younger readers.
The world in which he finds himself is a little too surreal, too abruptly, and never solidifies as well as the characters themselves. Think of Kirby's Kamandi, but on a world so alien that there are no familiar touchstones, and you won’t be far off. This may put off some readers who are interested in the world-building in their stories, but other readers who have read a lot of fantasy can probably deal with it.
For all ages, but there is some semi-realistic violence.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
