One of the most interesting (and overlooked) graphic novels of the current season that is suitable for young readers is Michel Gagne’s The Saga of Rex ($17.99), a 200-page, full color volume from Image Comics.  The Saga of Rex includes stories that were originally included in the Flight anthologies.  The character debuted in a story entitled “Inner Sanctum,” which was originally published in Flight #2, which was published by Image with subsequent stories included in Volumes, 3, 4, 6, and 7, all of which were published by Ballantine.  In order to create a longer narrative that functions as a seamless graphic novel, Gagne arranged the stories in chronological order and added some new art.

Gagne has worked as an animator for Don Bluth (An American Tail, The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go to Heaven), Warner Bros. Animation (The Iron Giant, Osmosis Jones), Pixar, and The Cartoon Network (Star Wars: Clone Wars).  He brings a filmmaker’s sense of visual storytelling and dynamic within-the-frame movement to The Saga of Rex, which chronicles the adventures of its title character, an adorable little fox, who is abducted via spaceship to the strange world of Edernia where his adventures provide visually exciting thrills certain to please young and old readers alike.