It feels like the school year is back in full swing (here in the US), and if there’s a theme to my picks from our most recent additions to Comics Plus, it’s a reminder of sequential art’s uniquely charming ability to engage, educate, and entertain readers — all at the same time. Ideally, a reader can even come out the other side of a comic a little bit wiser. With the right selections, comics may also be the most sure-fire way to make learning actually fun, especially for the otherwise reluctant reader.
Fortunately, we have lots of enriching titles to pick from every month, more than enough to drive countless hours of voracious independent reading. And who knows what sorts of minds will be molded by the power of self-driven discovery?
Worst case, at least they’ll all wind up a bit cooler for the effort…
Young Readers
Maybe it’s arguable how “cool” my first pick for young readers is, considering the Super Adventures of Ollie and Bea (Capstone) series reads like one big dad joke. Little ones are sure to giggle along (while having their reading comprehension challenged) as each character in these “hare-larious” graphic novels can’t help but make “owl-ful” little animal puns at any (and every) given occasion. “Very punny,” as my own dad would say. Beyond the verbal puzzles there are also some valuable SEL lessons hiding beneath the silliness. Take Bunny Ideas (Capstone) for instance — where bossy bunny Bea learns that always getting your way isn’t necessarily as fun as it sounds. It’s a nice little workout for both the head and the heart.
My #1 pick for young readers was really a no-brainer for me. As a die-hard mythology buff I’m honestly psyched to have added selections from Caspstone’s Global Folktales collection, featuring loving adaptations of folktales from a variety of different cultures. There’s surely at least one story to interest any curious reader out there (young or old), but How Music Came into the World is probably my favorite. With a super-cool character design and an energetic, inviting style, this retelling of the ancient Aztec tale of how the gift of music passed from the gods to mankind is so fun, dynamic, and thoughtfully well done that I started to wish to there were an entire series of Mesoamerican myths from this creative team!
Middle Grade
Fantasy fans can rejoice as we’re all pleased the Music Box series has found a new publishing home with Capstone and is back on Comics Plus. If you’re not already familiar with this particular charming “enchanted-family-heirloom-whisks-unsuspecting-child-into-strange-magical-world” story, it still does the tropes of that familiar genre a solid service. From its initial volume, Welcome to Panorient, the title’s strong European style and quirky animation influences creates an exciting reading experience from start to finish, and for whose energy in its limited action sequences land that much better because of it. This is one of those comics that’s just begging to be turned into a cartoon someday.
My #1 middle grade pick goes to a most pleasant surprise (for me), mostly because (admittedly) I don’t have any particular sort of fondness towards the world of Disney in general. Nevertheless, many many times throughout the highly entertaining Disney Manga: Donald Duck Visits Japan (Tokyopop) I found myself chuckling out loud at what is, through and through, a solid example of “authentic” manga. The Disney aesthetic is apparent, of course, but the linework, tone, feel, pacing, and most of all, sense of humor, are all quite grounded in a traditional manga storytelling style. Similar to viewing Mickey Mouse All-Stars (Fantagraphics) through the lens of European sensibilities offers an entirely new reading experience, the “manga treatment” gives these classic Disney characters a different, but equally enjoyable new veneer. The most fun parts are the cross-cultural exchanges that happen, both within the context of the story as well as from a much more meta perspective.
When an American company tasks the Three Caballeros to travel abroad to learn the secrets of Japanese hospitality (mostly to get them out of the boss’s hair, er… feathers) we’re treated to a unique slice of life experience that takes time to touch on a bunch of “classic” Japanese experiences — from sushi to sightseeing to, of course, hot springs. The Japanese love of the hot spring is almost ubiquitous throughout manga and anime, but somehow experiencing it through the eyes of Donald Duck made me “get it” in a way that probably hundreds of similar comics have failed to capture. I can’t help but appreciate how this witty little manga is a Japanese creator’s take on an outsider’s experience of their own country, but when you further consider how Osamu Tezuka, the Godfather of Manga, was himself greatly influenced by early Disney in the first place, the entire thing is stitched together full circle in a way that feels like one big new thread in the tapestry of global pop culture.
Teen & Young Adult
My “runner up” for the YA crowd really scratches a nostalgic itch for me, as I still fondly remember discovering Kurt Busiek’s now classic “post-post-modern” exploration of superhero themes during my earliest days at Diamond Comics (which is now over twenty years ago, for those keeping score). Collected in the comprehensive Astro City Metrobook (Image Comics), the grounded yet heartfelt perspective that readers are given into the lives of this world’s superheroes (as well as those most closely affected by them) is something fans of this series have always responded to, but the treat of getting to revisit all those amazing Alex Ross covers again is the big bright ribbon on the whole package! His art manages to bring all these great characters to life in a way that they feel ready to step off the page, and I can’t help but still be a bit in awe of his work all these years later.
My #1 pick, though, was another fun surprise. First because it’s been a little while for so many of my top picks to be manga (or specifically manhwa in this case), but mostly because it’s another example of a book I really didn’t know what to expect going in, yet wound up thoroughly enjoying, and gained a whole bunch of new perspectives in the process. Referring to the single spike of courage it takes to pierce through the shell of fear that protects the sorts of companies that systematically exploit their workers, The Awl (Ablaze) explores the intersecting lives of a fearless labor organizer and well-meaning yet put-upon executive as they struggle to form a new union within the harsh climate of South Korea’s rather unforgiving business world.
It’s a way, way more exciting, and even action-packed story than you might first suspect from such a premise, and although it begins as an exploration of labor rights and the power of collective bargaining (as well as the deceptively simple power of just knowing the law), things quickly begin to pierce beneath the surface to the heart of what truly motivates people in these circumstances as well. From standing up to the power of corporate bullies (including their literal thugs) to issues of exploitation and the complicity of silence, to the real-life courage it takes to risk one’s own welfare in the defiance of it — it’s top-notch immersive storytelling from beginning to end. The last time I remember a book being as eye-opening in this way was when I first read Banned Books Club (Iron Circus), which is some high, but well-deserved praise.
Adult
For mature readers, I have to settle for a tie for my second place pick, because there was an oddly similar premise running through both of these stories I just couldn’t overlook, or separate for that matter (pun intended).
First up is another manga, and it’s a classic example of the sort of bleak, nihilistic Asian horror we’ve all grown to love. The utterly gory, and completely over the top Happyland (Ablaze) is anything but a happy story. Imagine if Squid Game and Battle Royale were combined and set in a hellish amusement park where a very unsettling cast of anthropomorphic animal characters stand ever ready to utilize some very fiendish mechanisms to chop their various riders into bloody bits — unless they reveal their deepest, most shameful secrets to the other members of their family! One by one, the families who survive being vivisected by these insane contraptions still find themselves being cut apart in other ways that somehow seem even more painful than the surgical slice of some demonic buzzsaw. Hold on tight — or don’t; you want Mr. Bunny to think you’re having fun after all! — because this one is (perhaps quite literally) one hell of a ride.
Speaking of psychotic anthropomorphic animals who chop people up into gory bits — I just can’t stop thinking about Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (IDW). While the extreme blood and guts in Happyland is (rightfully so) totally unapologetic, the grounded, almost clinical approach used to explore the bloody methodology of this book’s secretive bear-person serial killer main character is somehow even more sinister — and, honestly, downright unsettling. Imagine the last season (or so) of Dexter if it had been set in the Blacksad (Dark Horse) universe, but you really don’t feel right rooting for the protagonist. The special charm that comes with great animalistic character design is fully evident here, but with the added twist of addressing certain questions I always had about anthropomorphic worlds like our aforementioned feline private eye’s: like how truly symbolic is everyone’s animal form really, and what is it like to encounter one’s non-sentient animal counterpart? You know, the big important questions! Anyway, I was absolutely enthralled and cannot wait for the next installment.
My #1 pick goes to a title that sadly took me over ten years to finally get around to reading the full arc: Jonathan Luna’s epic existential exploration of what makes us all “real” in the first place, Alex + Ada (Image Comics). What undoubtedly felt like pure sci-fi speculation just a decade ago now feels increasingly prophetic. From I, Robot (Europe Comics) to Battlestar Galactica (Dynamite) to the friggin’ Terminator (Dynamite), I thought I’d encountered every notable cautionary tale we had about awakened artificial intelligence. And from Blade Runner (BOOM! Studios) to Battle Angel Alita (Kodansha), I thought I’d experienced every variation on the Boy-Meets-Artificial-Girl (or vice versa) love story, yet Alex + Ada still had surprises in store for me.
While the natural influences of science fiction greats like Phillip K. Dick and William Gibson are felt throughout, this young-love-vs.-the-world story quickly manages to carve out its own place; thrilling, and smart, and just sexy enough to be fun. Where Luna’s story really shines is how the thoughtful depths of his world-building really center around some rather cerebral concepts concerning larger “artificial” identity politics, and how when even those ideas-turned-policies are rooted in fear-based assumptions, they wind up contributing (on both sides) to a paranoid, almost Orwellian society that manages to oppress those who would otherwise have naturally come together out of love. Sound familiar? Like all good sci-fi, it’s a cautionary tale about our own time masquerading like it’s happening in another. And while I’m the first to admit that I harbor a deep distrust towards the advancement (and subsequent acceptance) of AI, thanks to this story I realize that’s probably because I’m similar to the titular Alex in the respect that should any form of consciousness become self-aware, I can’t help but feel they should be permitted the same degree of self-determination as any free-willed human (for better or worse—*gulp*). That being said, by their very nature robots were created to be our servants (robot means “slave” after all), so I hope that should they all just “wake up” one day, they are more forgiving than I’d probably be if our situations were reversed. And (fingers crossed), like Ada, they ultimately would really just prefer to date us, rather than destroy us. Anyway… this is officially out there on the internet now, so hopefully it’ll serve as a record for our future mechanical overlords that I (as well as anyone else who reads and enjoys this book), should henceforth be classified as one of the “good humans”.
Honestly, that’s just a small sample of the great comics, manga, and picture books added to Comics Plus last month. With literally thousands of titles to choose from across a wide range of genres, I could keep writing forever! Be sure to check in every month for more highlights, and browse our expanding list of past Rob’s Advisory selections.
Until next month, here are some more honorable mentions that (mostly for space reasons) didn’t quite make my list, but you may also enjoy checking out:
- Afro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia (Andrews McMeel)
- Astronauts In Trouble (Image Comics)
- Big Nate: Remain Calm! (Andrews McMeel)
- Cinderella Speaks Up (Capstone)
- GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST!, Vol. 1 (Yen Press)
- The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love, Vol. 1 (Yen Press)
- Hellboy: The Crooked Man & The Return of Effie Kolb (Dark Horse)
- Hi’iaka and Pana’ewa (Capstone)
- The Hyena and the Fox (Capstone)
- In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name, Vol 1 (Yen Press)
- Kalevala: The Graphic Novel (Ablaze)
- Life Really Socks: Into the Sock-Verse (Andrews McMeel)
- Minecraft Omnibus Volume 2: Wither Without You (Dark Horse)
- Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons (Oni Press)
- Rompepistas (Ablaze)
- Strategic Lovers, Vol. 1 (Yen Press)
- They Fell From the Sky (Mad Cave)
- Tomorrow the Birds (Ablaze)
- Usagi Yojimbo: 40th Anniversary Reader (Dark Horse)
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Rob Randle is the Production Director for LibraryPass, and has worked in and around the comic book industry in various capacities, including as a book reviewer for the NY Journal of Books, and a judge for various comic book industry awards—the 2006 Eisner Awards, among others. Before joining LibraryPass, he had been the Director of Publishing for iVerse Media LLC since 2010, and prior to that was a purchasing manager for Diamond Comic Distributors where he helped to manage the monthly Previews catalog for close to a decade starting in 2002. Additionally, Rob occasionally does freelance work as a comics creator, and is the author of the critically acclaimed graphic novel Serial Artist. Rob holds a B.A. of Illustration from the Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA).
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