Flight Volume 7 TPB
Publisher: Villard Books
Release Date: July 2010
Price: $27.00
Creator(s): Various; Edited by Kazu Kibuishi
Format: 284 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-3455-1737-1
Age Rating: Teen+
ICv2 Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5

This volume, like the others in this series, features a startling array of artistic styles and concepts, all showcasing the visual storytelling of selected artists.  Some of them are now established in their own rights [Kean Soo, Leland Myrick, Kazu Kibuishi, Dave Roman], while others are still relatively unknown, and are pleasant surprises.

Kean Soo’s contribution is a cute little modern fantasy story, part of his Jellaby series.  Katie and Steven Shanahan turned in a delightful fairy tale, sort of an elaboration on Rosetti’s “Goblin Market” poem.  Kazu Kibuishi’s own entry is a brief fantasy involving couriers who ride pigeon to deliver the mail. JP Ahonen showed us what a fairy tale would be like if read by a ninja to his daughter.  Each of the sixteen tales had its own odd twist on reality.  Kazu Kibuishi has possibly become the premiere anthologist of the comics field, and this volume does not disappoint.  Even the more serious pieces, like Leland Myrick’s “Sustain This Song,” do not slow down the pace of the book.

While less strictly adhering to the theme of “flight” than the early volumes, this one belongs in the hands of teens and adults, and will appeal to many who do not read traditional comics.  Even younger readers will appreciate about half of the book.

--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.