A fast-moving and entertaining supernatural graphic novel.
Four experts tackle a mystery in the forests of Kasbro County, and what they find is far weirder than they could ever have imagined in Tobin’s graphic novel.
The action commences with a bang, literally, when a decrepit house collapses. Dead at the scene is Olivia Boucq, a surveyor investigating strange geological activity. After Olivia’s funeral, the other members of her team—Mason Bryke, Kokoro Eto, and Jess Waynelle—are questioned by the sheriff, filling in readers on the backstory: Various disasters in the local Broke Tree Valley area have killed hundreds of people over the centuries, but none have been seriously investigated until now. The trio proceeds to get very drunk and share memories; Jess confesses that she and Olivia were in a relationship. Things take an unexpected twist with the return of Olivia—or a walking-dead version of Olivia, seemingly placid but on some kind of mission. Now, her friends must protect this strange new Olivia and figure out where it is she needs to go. They are visited by innumerable other members of the undead (none as aware or poised as Olivia), who guide them all toward a mysterious “mammoth” figure. There are plenty of unexpected scrapes along the way, and much palpable heartache and pathos as Jess tries to hold on to her connection with her girlfriend (“I miss you, Olivia. I miss you so much”). This graphic novel collects five single comic book issues into one taut and compelling story that combines elements of black comedy, horror-thrillers, and an X-Files paranormal vibe. Enticing images by Susini and robust, lively dialogue provide a solid base from which the intricacies of the story unfold. The visual presentation is contemporary and sleek in its layout—easy to read and optimized to propel the narrative forward. The artistic style varies slightly to reflect scenes depicting playful banter, freaky horror, or romantic flashbacks. The tone is irreverent and the content is quite adult, including a lot of drinking, swearing, and violence.
A fast-moving and entertaining supernatural graphic novel.Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9781545815908
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Review Posted Online: Nov. 27, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Even so, this remains Macbeth, arguably the Bard of Avon’s most durable and multilayered tragedy, and overall, this enhanced...
A pairing of the text of the Scottish Play with a filmed performance, designed with the Shakespeare novice in mind.
The left side of the screen of this enhanced e-book contains a full version of Macbeth, while the right side includes a performance of the dialogue shown (approximately 20 lines’ worth per page). This granular focus allows newcomers to experience the nuances of the play, which is rich in irony, hidden intentions and sudden shifts in emotional temperature. The set and costuming are deliberately simple: The background is white, and Macbeth’s “armor” is a leather jacket. But nobody’s dumbing down their performances. Francesca Faridany is particularly good as a tightly coiled Lady Macbeth; Raphael Nash-Thompson gives his roles as the drunken porter and a witch a garrulousness that carries an entertainingly sinister edge. The presentation is not without its hiccups. Matching the video on the right with the text on the left means routinely cutting off dramatic moments; at one point, users have to swipe to see and read the second half of a scene’s closing couplet—presumably an easy fix. A “tap to translate” button on each page puts the text into plain English, but the pop-up text covers up Shakespeare’s original, denying any attempts at comparison; moreover, the translation mainly redefines more obscure words, suggesting that smaller pop-ups for individual terms might be more meaningful.
Even so, this remains Macbeth, arguably the Bard of Avon’s most durable and multilayered tragedy, and overall, this enhanced e-book makes the play appealing and graspable to students . (Enhanced e-book. 12 & up)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2013
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: The New Book Press LLC
Review Posted Online: Nov. 6, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2013
Lush visuals bring this thoughtfully constructed tale to life.
Wondrous visitors encounter a desperate pocket of humanity.
Lori, a white orphaned teen who’s finally been adopted after bouncing around various foster homes, awakens to discover that nearly everyone has disappeared. The rapture? Maybe. She runs into her classmate Annette, who has brown skin and curly black hair, and they partner up to scavenge for food. The pair tries to evade several threats, such as the large Wolves and a gang called The Dogs. Supernatural Giants arrive, seemingly from space, speaking an impenetrable language of “musical chiming and weird bass-rhythms.” Lori and Annette then meet Beatrice, an older white woman who shares important observations about the Giants and Wolves. The tone of the story then subtly shifts from post-apocalyptic desperation to one that’s somewhat playful. After a certain point, a visual element that appears early on takes on clear significance and meaning in the context of the story at large, offering a subversively humorous twist for readers to consider and a creative element that deviates from other alien invasion narratives. Hans’ artwork and paneling fill each scene with wonders. An interaction with a giant sees the red, violet, and pink figure standing against a bright, otherworldly white-and-blue backdrop with dark contours. Elsewhere, Lori and Annette pause at night as they behold ominous shadows, their foggy breath forming clouds, and they hear a “KRRNCH” sound. The quick-moving plot wraps everything up neatly.
Lush visuals bring this thoughtfully constructed tale to life. (character designs) (Graphic science fiction. 14-adult)Pub Date: Nov. 12, 2024
ISBN: 9781534387072
Page Count: 104
Publisher: Image Comics
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2024
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