A NEW FAR OUT GRAPHIC SERIES...UMMM... NEW COMIC BOOKS

A new contender to enter the chaotic foray of graphic novels is a series of amazing fractured fairy tales by many different authors and illustrators.  

Red Riding Hood, Superhero:  a Graphic Novel by Otis Frampton

When Red Riding Hood (RRH) visited Area 54 some years ago, a very frightened alien threw his magical red cape at her giving the young girl extraordinary powers such as laser-ray vision and super strength. In this action-packed version, Grandma is no helpless elderly lady but the president of the United States, RRH is empowered, her mom is still clueless and our canine villain, Professor Grimm,built himself a giant wolf robot in order to kidnap the president while trying to also rid himself of the awesome superhero. This fractured tale is has a great layout and fantastic illustrations.  

Reviewed by Cecile 

In Ninja-rella by Joey Comeau and illustrated by Omar Lozano, the expected path for the trod-upon title orphan gets turned on its head. Her stepmother and stepsisters are still evil and self-serving, but instead of having starry-eyed aspirations of marrying the prince, Ninja-rella dreams of protecting him with her fierce ninja skills. And when her fairy godninja sends her to the royal ball with a special glass katana sword, she finally gets her chance. But when she must flee at midnight, she leaves the glass sword behind--the only clue by which the prince might find his new royal bodyguard. This twist on the classic fairy tale Cinderella, is a empowering and action-packed story, sure to make readers cheer for the katana-wielding heroine.

Reviewed by Meghan

Super Billy Goats Gruff: a Graphic Novel by Sean Tulien; illustrated by Fernando Cano

In a retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Sean Tulien, two squabbling billy goats and their mediating brother embark on an unexpected journey when they consume three mysterious mushrooms en route to their favorite grassy hillside. Unbeknownst to the hungry goats, these curiously pixelated, Minecraft-styled mushrooms endow super powers, transforming them into the Ninja-Goat, Wizard-Goat, and Warrior-Goat. Transported to a grim landscape where a dark castle awaits them, the new Super Billy Goats Gruff must battle their way through a trove of video gaming references, including giant directional arrows, diverging paths, mysterious doors, magical monsters, boss fights, and power ups. It’s a wacky, action-packed, fractured fairy tale, graphic novel, multiplayer video game kind of adventure, where the winner is crowned the fattest goat of all time.
Reviewed by Sherry

Also check out Snow White and the Seven Robots where everyone in Techworld is green skinned except for Snow White, who with her white skin, red lips, black hair and seven additional virtues is the smartest of of them all for which she has been exiled to another world far from the ruling queen.

Each entry in the Far Out Fairy Tales graphic novel series include some excellent backmatter to communicate information in a highly entertaining way, including an explanation of the origins of the tale, a quick rundown of the twists seen in this version, a glossary, and a set of “visual questions” meant to show story comprehension and analysis in the graphic format.

Any one of these tales will make lively and engaging reads for kids in 3rd grade and up.

HOLY UNANTICIPATED OCCURRENCES!

It all starts with a vacuum cleaner.  One summer afternoon Flora Belle Buckman is drawn to witness what could only be described as a jet plane in the neighbors’ backyard, but turns out to be  a new powerful Ulysses 2000X vacuum cleaner gone berserk. When the vacuum cleaner sucks up one very hungry squirrel, Flora puts all the knowledge she’s gained from reading comic books to use and resuscitates the poor creature. But the last thing she expects to see is the newly revived squirrel lifting the vacuum cleaner over his head. Believing that the squirrel has gained superhero powers after the vacuum cleaner attack, Flora names him Ulysses, and the adventure begins.

Flora and Ulysses by Kate diCamillo is a wacky adventure that is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny, and every bit deserving of its 2014 Newbery Medal. One lovable heroine, an even more lovable squirrel, and a slightly annoying (yet somewhat lovable) boy make a winning team against malfeasance of all kinds in a fond tribute to superhero stories and comic books. 

For grades  4 and up.

THE SWEETEST SUPERHERO

Gabby Gomez loves the sweet, pink, chewy treat called bubble gum! After blowing an over-sized bubble early one morning, Gabby is smothered with sticky sweetness. Her mother naturally rescues her with a jar of peanut butter in hand, and the gum runs easily out of her hair. But before Gabby sets off for school, her mother tells that she is not allowed to chew gum any more.  With an upside-down smile, slumped shoulders, and hands deep in her pockets, Gabby trudges off to school. What she soon discovers is a piece of gum that changes her and her life.  

Read this first book about Gabby Gomez and her sweet adventure in Chews Your Destiny by Rhode Montijo, Illustrator of the Melvin Beederman series.

For ages 8 and older.