DC Comics’ new Absolute Universe follows Marvel’s Ultimate Universe formula of the early 2000s in creating an ongoing parallel universe with drastically different interpretations of their characters. Unlike the pinnacle of gritty realism that was the original Ultimate Universe, this new Absolute Universe makes no attempt to emulate the real world. This new world asks the question, “What would the heroes of the DC Universe become in a world where the villains have already won?” Each title makes foundational changes to each and every character. Batman’s not rich; Wonder Woman is a witch and Superman didn’t arrive on Earth until his teens. This might be the biggest departure from the original characters since this new universe was created. Traditionally, J’onn J’onzz is a Green Martian from the planet Mars. He is a shapeshifter, telepath, and enjoyer of Chocos cookies. His civilian identity is a private investigator named John Jones. None of that is the case in this new title.
Written by Deniz Camp with art by Javier Rodriguez and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Absolute Martian Manhunter follows F.B.I. agent John Jones as he goes back to work following being injured by an explosion while on duty. His body has healed but something has hitched a ride in his brain. An alien consciousness going by “the Martian” despite explicitly not being from Mars, has integrated its alien perception of reality with Jones’. John must now reconcile his everyday concerns and anxieties of being a husband and father with the human and alien threats exposed to him with help from “the Martian”.
This series swept at the 2026 Eisner Awards. It was nominated for eight awards and won four. The writer Deniz Camp won an Eisner for this title as well as his own comic creation published through Image Comics, Assorted Crisis Events. Deniz Camp has quickly risen to a household name among comics fans. Along with his success with Absolute Martian Manhunter and Assorted Crisis Events, Camp just wrapped up three celebrated volumes of The Ultimates for Marvel Comics and another original creation partnered with Image in the form of 20th Century Men.
All of this success is warranted. His writing range is never more apparent than in titles like Martian Manhunter. His writing combines a detective story with not-entirely-comprehensible extra-dimensional forces like a technicolor True Detective. The voice Camp and Otsmane-Elhaou give “the Martian” really highlights its other-worldly intelligence. The combination of the script and Otsman-Elhaou’s manipulation of the text give its voice a clear alien presence when presented with other characters’ speech bubbles or text boxes on the page next to it.
Javier Rodriguez’s art is a delight. He takes the opportunity of an alien perception of reality to explore the boundaries of visual storytelling on the page. He uses retro styling combined with more abstract designs. “The Martian” itself was actually designed as a model out of clay when Rodriguez was making concept art. This detail really separates “the Martian” ‘s character design from the Earthlings of this world.
Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 Martian Vision collects issues 1-6 of the limited series with Vol. 2 The Agency collecting the remaining six issues. For librarians looking to add something like this to their collection, my only reservation would be that now since the series is over, DC may publish the entire series in one binding rather than two. It may be helpful to wait if that is preferable for you or your audience. For prospective readers and catalogers, this title has the traditional content warnings for a superhero title: violence, blood, death, limited gore as well as domestic abuse, substance abuse and a mass shooting event. DC’s age rating is 15+ which seems appropriate.
Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol.1 Martian Vision Writer: Deniz Camp Artist: Javier Rodriguez Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou DC Comics, 2025 ISBN: 9781799505211
Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 Martian Vision By Deniz Camp Art by Javier Rodriguez DC, 2025 ISBN: 9781799505211
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Filipino-American, Spanish,
In The Last Time We Spoke, the author opens with an encounter. A woman on the train resembles his mother so much that he starts to believe it is her – except that his mother cannot be there. She died when he was 14, and when she was just 49. This is the power of grief – the way memories of a lost loved one can strike at any time and be strong enough to envision them there.
Mechanic describes the time before his mother’s death as a time filled with doctors and experimental treatments – something he says was like “flailing while standing still, screaming on mute.” But there are times of joy amid the hardest times, too. The author chases geckos with his sister while in the Bahamas- looking for all the world like a family on vacation when really they are there for another special treatment. Soon the moment is shattered, though, as his father breaks the news that there are no treatments left to do and the family has to come to terms with impending loss. As the book moves back and forth in time, it touches on the anticipatory grief of watching cancer consume his mother before returning to a present day marked by her absence. In between, in the aftermath of his mother’s death, the author also receives a diagnosis of ADHD and OCD.
Structured unlike a typical graphic novel, the words and images blend here. Sometimes, the font is large, and images make their way inside of it. Other times, the images stand up next to a block of text to complement it.
While the ground covered isn’t necessarily new ground in the discussion of grief or mental illness, Mechanic’s experience is both his own and relatable. Readers who have experienced the death of a parent or loved one will recognize themselves in his journey, and in statements like “it doesn’t take long to realize all you took for granted.” This book may be for you if you gravitate to adult graphic novel memoirs like Tyler Feder’s Dancing At The Pity Party or It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood.
The Last Time We Spoke Vol. By Jesse Mechanic Street Noise Books, 2025 ISBN: 9781951491420
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Classic Fantastic is our series of features on the classics of the format—please check out our other picks for the most important titles, in terms of appeal, innovation, and storytelling, that every library should own.
What’s it about?
This Southern Gothic fairy tale features Emmy, who lives with her Pa on his farm, enjoying a fairly idyllic existence, this despite the surrounding woods being home to all sorts of haints that don’t want to stay dead and monsters who don’t mind a little human in their diets. What lurks in these woods becomes front and center in Emmy’s thoughts when, on her 18th birthday, she discovers her connection to Hester Beck, a witch who tormented the people of Harrow County until the people finally had enough and murdered her. Upon discovering the truth about Hester Beck and the people of Harrow County, Emmy goes on a dark journey of self-discovery.
As the series progresses, Emmy must learn more about the supernatural world she’s discovered and the powers she’s inherited, while also ultimately deciding who she is. As the resident “witch,” Emmy becomes the one Harrow County’s human inhabitants go to when they’re plagued by dark forces and often she is also a mediator between the humans with whom she lives and the various spirits and supernatural creatures that respect her power. Luckily, Emmy has some help in protecting Harrow County from the things going more than bump in the night. There’s Bernice, her best friend who throughout the series becomes a formidable magic user; Priscilla, a goblin who helps Emmy in her interactions with monsters, and a skinless boy whose helpfulness extends beyond being both a skinless boy and an empty sack of talking skin. Throughout this series, Emmy grows in her powers while discovering more about her heritage, including her true “family,” a group of supernatural beings that, like Hester, considers Harrow County’s citizens expendable.
Revealing Emmy’s complete character arc, The Complete Harrow County Compendium truly lives up to the name by offering a plethora of extras. Not only does the book have the complete Harrow County story, but it also includes shorter comics, intros that were created for the library editions, sketchbooks used by artist Tyler Crook, scripts written by author Cullen Bunn, and more.
Notable Notes
While much of this book leans heavily on an idea of the early American South infested with haints, this universe offers many different kinds of tropes and stories. While there are some side stories that feel like “Monsters of the Week” tales where Emmy simply finds and then banishes a pesky monster or haint, the main story is Emmy’s coming of age story. Like many tales featuring fantasy protagonists, Emmy fights a constant battle between using her powers responsibly and letting them corrupt her, especially as her antagonists learn how to strike Emmy where it will cause the most physical and emotional pain. Along with Emmy’s story, the land of Harrow County and its strange, rich mythology is expanded upon throughout the series.
Bunn might be familiar to fans of mainstream superhero comics, having written for titles such as Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe and Green Lantern: the Lost Army. Bunn, however, also has quite a portfolio of horror comics series he created, including The Damned, a 2007 tale of crime families warring for souls, supernatural western series The Sixth Gun from 2011, and the monster horror revenge tale Basilisk in 2021. Harrow County, which was first published in 2015, is considered his most well-known horror work, if not his best.
Collaborating with Bunn while illustrating most of Bunn’s world of ghosts and monsters inspired by Appalachian folklore is artist Tyler Crook, who gave the book its signature look thanks to his use of watercolors, which makes each page look like they belong in the Saturday Evening Post or on a postcard purchased from a general store. However, just because this series’ aesthetic might remind people of a romanticized rustic life in early 20th century America, there are more than enough graphic depictions of violence to turn the most modern stomachs. Like any good historical horror, this book threads the needle between historical authenticity and skin-crawling horror.
Significance
Many readers think of EC Comics like Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt when they think of horror comics, but there are also horror comics that construct richly textured worlds and deeply complex characters like Mike Mignola’s Hellboy and Joe Hill’s Locke & Key. Harrow County deserved to be mentioned alongside these seminal horror comics containing longer story arcs. Not only is this world gorgeously rendered in this book, Bunn and Crook’s universe has also led to spin-off series like Tales from Harrow County, which allows them to explore the backstories of the book’s secondary characters, meaning this book can be a spectacular jumping off point for those who love this fictional universe and Southern Gothic horror.
While many other creators like Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder helped define how to depict horror in a comic book format, Bunn and Crook also deserve their props for creating in Harrow County a book that’s nostalgic, terrifying, and heartfelt. And Harrow County isn’t just a flash in the creative pan for both men. Bunn has created several different horror graphic novels for Oni Press, Dark Horse, and Boom! Studios, and Crook has worked in both video games and in graphic novels like BRPD. Much like chocolate and peanut butter, when the two combine their talents, much like they did for , they create graphic storytelling magic. Harrow County can be seen as a book where Bunn and Crook were continuing to cut their individual creative teeth, but it also represents Bunn and Crook at what many will say is the height of their creative prowess. In a world where graphic novels can be optioned into movies and series, it may only be a matter of time before we see Emmy played by Anna Taylor Joy interacting with a CGI-rendered Priscilla.
Appeal
Fans of horror comics will love the gore that Crook renders in watercolor as well as his imaginatively rendered monsters. Those who love historical fantasy stories will want to visit Harrow County, walk through the town’s dusty streets, and be aware of the setting sun at their backs and what the darkness could bring. While not necessarily a book for the squeamish, and its depictions of blood and guts in watercolored reds might make it too bloody for a library’s teen section, Emmy’s story, despite taking place in a very significant period in American history, is still a timeless one about how a young person grows up and decides, through missteps and heroics, who they are.
Why should you own this?
Many dark fantasy shows like “Supernatural” utilize the trope of protagonists discovering a world lying just underneath the one that normal people take for granted, and that this underworld has very sharp teeth. Like Sam or Dean Winchester in Supernatural, Emmy must not only protect Harrow County from the encroaching darkness, but often has to make some difficult decisions to do so. Its setting offers up a slice of Southern Gothic Americana, its magical elements draw on a delightful mix of dark fantasy tropes, and its characters will, for many readers, feel like old friends who sadly will leave them once the book is closed. An important work of horror in the graphic novel medium, this should be a top choice if you’re a librarian building an adult graph novel collection for patrons who also love horror.
The Complete Harrow County Compendium By Cullen Bunn Art by Tyler Crook Dark Horse, 2025 ISBN: 9781506745091
This graphic novel, infused with Filipino mythology, starts on a sad note. Mage and her companion Squalo live happily in the forest with her sorcerer father until they are attacked by monsters from Ventrolio. Her father’s final instructions sends her on a journey to find the Bakunawa, a guardian serpent of the oceans. The two practice hard to improve their skills and complete many side quests, leveling up their skills (and acquiring “monnies”). But as they near their goal, they find out that something is very wrong with the Bakunawa – will Mage be able to fulfill her father’s wish?
Although the plot sounds intense, the unique artwork actually makes this a very light-hearted story, albeit with moments of sadness and a few very scary monsters. Mage is a small triangle with short, dark hair and occasionally pops out arms to hold her curled magic staff. Squalo, her constant companion, is a plump, pink shark with an impressive battle axe (at least, until he breaks it, which is a different side quest!). As the two battle their way through a landscape in pastel shades of turquoise, deep violet, pink and yellow, stats bars and item holdings pop up to show their progress. When they battle Aswangs, terrifying monsters with bat-like wings, or everyday pirates with ceremonial masks, bars show up describing their moves “Squalo used slice and dice!” along with sound effects and damage counts. Periodic flashbacks to Mage’s life with her father are shown in gray shades. Mage and Squalo are not alone in the landscape; the various villages they visit include both people and mythological beings who show a variety of body shapes, skin colors in shades of yellow, traditional Filipino dress, and distinct personalities. One village, Tubero, is largely populated with tuber-like creatures. Most of the action takes place in and around Karagatan city, with a mixed population of humans and blue-skinned merfolk, who have fins in place of their ears and gills on their necks. Some women, including the brave Captain Italon who takes Mage and Squalo on the final leg of their journey, have pale skin as well as fin ears and gills.
The plot also includes an environmental message; Bakunawa, the guardian of the ocean and of the turtles, is angered by the destruction of the turtles. Not all the problems stem from Ventrolio and the nightmares and monsters he creates; some are caused by greed and disregard for Bakunawa’s creatures and her ocean. It’s not necessary to be familiar with Filipino mythology to follow the story, although it’s fun to research the stories and creatures that inspired the book.
It’s not often that a book comes out that’s so unique it doesn’t have a read-alike; the publisher’s description suggests it for fans of Hildafolk but it has a very different feel to me. I think readers who have enjoyed the Press Start! series will like the video game style of the fights and stats and readers who like adventure and fantasy but want something lighter than most graphic novel fantasy-adventures will enjoy this. Hand to kids who enjoy humor, action, and adventure but prefer to avoid intense, world-breaking plots with a lot of emotional push behind them. Readers who enjoy mythology from different cultures will also be delighted with this gently humorous fantasy.
Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa Vol. 1 By Kara Bodegon-Hikino Harper Collins Harper Alley, 2026 ISBN: 9780063056428
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11) Creator Representation: Filipino,
Most of us have eaten some kind of instant noodle, whether that’s ramen, microwaveable mac and cheese, or something else. Some of us have modified instant noodles with other ingredients: adding veggies or an egg, for instance. Robin Ha’s book is here for people who want to get fancier and more adventurous, all with the starting point of a humble noodle package.
Instant Noodles and Beyond begins with a comic book guide to ramyeon (the Korean word for ramen). It briefly covers the history of instant ramyeon, how it’s made, and its nutritional profile before shifting into cookbook mode: after a few pages of recommendations for staple ingredients to have on hand, the book dives into its many clearly and cheerfully illustrated recipes. There is a section for ramyeon soups, one for brothless ramyeon (like stir-fried noodle dishes), and one for cold ramyeon recipes. Then there’s Think Outside the Bowl, with instructions for using instant ramyeon in dishes ranging from popcorn to puffed rice treats to scallion pancakes. This section also includes some recipes using boxed macaroni and cheese.
The recipes – most of which make one or two servings as written – are inspired by cuisines from all over the world, with everything from Shrimp Alfredo Ramyeon to Pad Thai Ramyeon to Elote Mac and Cheese. Occasionally, there will be a short comic about the historical or cultural background for a specific recipe. Scattered through the book are a few longer comics (usually still just a page or two) that tell fun personal stories, like one about the author’s friend who hosts ramyeon parties.
The comics that illustrate the recipes are drawn in a realistic style, which makes them useful and informative: they include pictures of the packages of recommended brands of ramyeon for each recipe, and they clearly show how to prepare the meat, veggies, and other ingredients. The comics at the beginning of the book get a little more whimsical, with talking ramyeon packs, a cartoon cat cooking, and more.
As a cookbook, this has a fun and novel premise: make your instant noodles fancy! Of course, two major appeal factors of instant noodles are that they are fast and easy to make, and that situation changes somewhat once you have a recipe that requires adding a bunch of other ingredients, which often have to be diced or otherwise prepared. But many of the recipes are still fairly simple, with peppy and straightforward instructions that make them feel accessible, and those other ingredients can add significant nutritional value as well as flavor and texture. Hand this cookbook to inexperienced cooks looking to expand their recipe rotation, or to anyone who likes noodles and wants to try something new.
Instant Noodles and Beyond A Comic Book with Recipes for Souped-Up Ramen, Mac & Cheese, and More By Robin Ha William Morrow / Harvest, 2026 ISBN: 9780063437142
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16), Tween (10-13) Creator Representation: Korean,
It’s a common enough joke that we’ve heard it in a bunch of movies and series (television or streaming), but this was a new way for me to get hooked. Apparently, an FBI agent is barred from resignation or retirement if there is a threat to national security.
So begins the mystery of No Man’s Land.
Set in 1963, FBI Agent Collins – on the day he decided to deliver his resignation letter – is called by the director to assist in solving a strange case. The body of a woman is found in the middle of an ice bridge that connects the USA and Russia (the Diomede Islands); no clear jurisdiction has been established. The bridge lasts for about three months of the year, and Agent Collins is suddenly forced to solve a murder mystery. Can he and KGB agent Fiodrow work together to tie up loose ends? The clock is ticking. Not just because the ice bridge will soon melt, but also from the tense and fragile relationship between two nuclear superpowers.
This is an excellent, almost noir-y kind of book and it’s just the first one! The illustrations are lifelike and gritty with minimal color and a smart use of inkblots, perhaps to evoke bureaucratic paperwork or blood stains (or both). The writing lives in the dramatic close ups of the eyes and faces of the characters, evocative and emotional. The images as a whole are very painterly with many opportunities for dramatic lighting and sunbursts. The author/illustrator even put in some cover variations that pay homage to many famous movie posters, so that was a fun bonus at the end of the read.
Like a lot of thrillers, the story is dense, but I feel that’s warranted by the narrative. The reader can do their best to follow along and sort out the facts in a way that makes sense, or just keep reading forward with anticipation to see what comes next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I hear there’s a movie deal in the works. This is not a book for young children, certainly. Though there is nothing particularly graphic depicted in this installment of the series, there are a few corpses and war and violence continue in the background.
Folks who enjoy True Detective, the Fargo series, and The Terror will likely enjoy this as well.
No Man’s Land By Szymon Kudranski Image, 2025 ISBN: 9781534333604
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Polish, Character Representation: Russian,
A murderous cowboy, monstrous bugs, characters and places that may or may not exist—all this and more waits within the pages of this strange and unsettling anthology collection.
Created by Dustin Weaver and with the additional talents of Jeremy Barlow and D.J. Bryant, The Juniper Lodge collects 5 stories from Weaver’s anthology series PAKLIS, also released by Image Comics. Though tonally similar, each episode stands entirely on its own, making this a perfectly viable entry point for any reader not familiar with Weaver’s work.
Though “the Juniper Lodge” story sits at the heart of the collection, the first entry brings readers back to the wild west, where a gun demands sacrifice and a man facing execution finds that his hopes of salvation may come drenched in blood. Each new narrative delivers a surreal mix of body horror and monsters alongside mystery, fractured realities, and unraveling psychological uncertainty among characters struggling to separate the real from the fantastic. The stories embrace their own ambiguity, leaving a great deal unresolved by each finale and stranding the reader amidst the grotesqueries of each new world. With all three writers taking the lead at various points, some stories offer shades of Kafka while others play out with more noir tones. There are flashes of superhero lore, and visual elements of scifi and cyberpunk woven throughout. But even with all the strangeness unfolding across each page, the core themes remain close to characters in crisis, each reckoning with a world that is not what they once believed it to be.
While the writing rotates hands, Weaver creates the visuals across each new chapter. The realism of the art shifts between stories, with some more polished and others feeling more textured on the page. Further capturing the tone of the volume, Weaver plays with color palates and perspectives to sometimes change and sometimes distort the reader’s experience. One scene may appear normal; a few panels later, we’re confronted with bulging eyes, twisting hallways, a floating grin that lingers where a stranger once crouched. Weaver’s art establishes the familiar and then breaks it, luring the reader into the horrors. The volume also ends with some bonus content, exploring the comics industry and what it takes to make the leap from big superhero titles to a book like this, providing insights into Weaver’s artistic journey.
Image gives The Juniper Lodge a Mature rating. There’s violence and death, graphic nudity, sexual content, and horror imagery aplenty over the course of the five stories, so this one is more suited for adults. This collection offers a fascinating trip through a series of vivid worlds and distinct characters. As is sometimes the case with anthology comics, the pieces of Juniper Lodge may feel undeveloped, leaving readers searching for a coherent whole. The stories do not resolve neatly, and some feel cluttered with too many moving pieces and big ideas to follow as effectively as I would have liked for myself. But for any reader who wants the blend of science fiction, mystery, and horror wrapped up in nightmare landscapes where nothing is certain, The Juniper Lodge will provide a memorable ride. It will likely have the most appeal to readers who have enjoyed Prince’s Ice Cream Man or Walsh’s The Silver Coin—and possibly some of Junji Ito’s shorter works alongside.
In the end, The Juniper Lodge was a bit too abstract for my tastes, but no one can accuse the volume of being boring. For the right reader, I expect these five stories could be exactly the sort of portal they’re looking for.
The Juniper Lodge By Dustin Weaver, Jeremy Barlow, and D.J. Bryant Art by Dustin Weaver Image, 2026 ISBN: 9781534331020
This sweet story follows Max, an awkward and lonely axolotl. First, Max explains where he lived and how he was suddenly taken from there because his home was being destroyed by construction. He now lives in an aquarium with other underwater folk and has to attend his first day of school. He’s nervous, to say the least!
The friendly teacher, a turtle named Mrs. Tortuga, helps Max get settled in. She gives him an unusual assignment–tell other kids about what it’s like to be an axolotl. As Max struggles to think of unusual facts that might be fun, he plays ball for the first time with two classmates and the ball gets stuck in a cave. The classmates say leave the ball–the cave is just too scary with the growling beast living there! When Max braves the cave by himself he makes a discovery that changes how he thinks about himself and his species.
The artwork is bright and engaging–plus it has an easy enough style for children to replicate on their own. Many kids can relate to Max–a new fish in a big pond. It is refreshing to have a socially awkward protagonist who stays true to himself. I especially liked that he admits to having a hard time remembering names–I can relate!
There are fun facts about axolotls and other aquatic creatures sprinkled throughout the graphic novel, which will get kids invested in learning more about these wondrous creatures. Overall, a must-have for an axolotl and socially awkward kid who feels out of place and scared of change. Max is a great protagonist for kids to relate to, and I look forward to continuing the series!
This series is best for fans of Narwhal & Jelly and Froggy: A Pond Full of Pals!
Max, A Little Axolotl By Joey Spiotto Scholastic, 2025 ISBN: 9781546169451
Company Age Rating: 7-10 NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9)
After her mom dies, teen protagonist Joey is forced to move to Kodiak, Alaska to live with her dad; quite different from where she lived in Seattle!
Her dad hasn’t been present in her life until NOW, and even though everyone tells her he’s a nice stand-up guy, that previously didn’t include her, apparently. The only friend she’s made is a 3000-pound grizzly living in the woods near her house. While Kodiak people talk about a mythical “spirit bear”, no one has seen it except her. Did I mention that her dad is a state trooper? Did I mention that Joey can see auras? When Joey goes missing in a snowstorm while taking her dad’s boat out, (without his permission) the bear comes to her rescue. (The bear also rescues her twice!) State troopers and volunteers with rifles start a search, and well, you can imagine how this turns out. BUT WAIT! MORE drama is in store – Eons-old Mama Grizzly knows her cub has been killed, and BOY IS SHE PISSED!
I’m on the fence about this title. The pacing of this story is awkward. It seems like a LOT of sturm-und-drang in a very short time. Joey is already dealing with her mom’s death and a move and has to witness the brutal killing (TWICE!) of the only friend she’s made. Any ONE of these things would be profoundly disturbing to any teen, and the bloody killing scenes by the hunters AND THEN AGAIN by the troopers and searchers could be triggering to some teens. They were to me, and I’ve had Hunters Education classes! Car crashes, plane crashes, evacuations of people, explosions everywhere and the destruction of downtown Seattle follow. After Mama’s rampage, the story hustles on to a hurried-up and (what I felt was) unlikely, too-easy ending. Joey and her father finally work together to lead Mama and her dead cub back to the wilderness. I like a good kaiju story as much as anyone, but it’s too much plot for only 168 pages. Authority figures and adults (with some exceptions) are one-dimensionally portrayed as testosteroney enthusiastic killers. The plot lurches from one unlikely situation to another. Finally, there are plot threads that are never explained, like the huge bones found during a construction site excavation, and the hunters who kill a grizzly without facing consequences. (It’s illegal to do that in AK without a bear tag, which is won in a organized lottery, and only used legally during a certain period of time.)
The art is well developed, but I feel like the women are more realistically and positively drawn. The men are drawn with sharp angles and scatological grimaces. Joey’s dad is drawn in a two-dimensional way that blocks us from imagining the “guy everyone loves.” All the animals are drawn in a wonderfully realistic and mystical fashion.
We certainly need more comics and graphic novels that depict native Alaskan peoples, stories and culture, but I think this comic tries to do too much. Is it a Godzilla/Kaiju action story? Is it a story about a teen processing her grief? Is it about life challenges and changes? One barely has time to catch one’s breath and think about it.
The comic is marked for “Young Adult” age range, and I would shelve it there. Despite my quibbles, teens may like it purely for the action. I would call it an optional purchase.
Queen Kodiak By Christopher Greenslate Art by Riccardo Faccini Mad Cave Studios, 2026 ISBN: 9781545821015
From studying under J.R.R. Tolkien in university to fighting the rise of fascism in the 20th century to serving as a powerful creative force behind the most famous works published by George Orwell—23rd Street Books dives into the life of Eileen O’Shaughnessy in Mrs. Orwell, written by journalist, author, and filmmaker Andrea Chalupa with art by Brahm Revel.
Mrs. Orwell opens with our introduction Eileen O’Shaughnessy (later Eileen Blair), studying at university under the esteemed Professor Tolkien, partying at night, and chafing against the strict social standards which hold women back in the name of propriety. At a party, she crosses paths with a writer named Eric Blair, who publishes under the name George Orwell.
With shared interests in art and politics, the two find a deeply passionate connection, somewhat to the dismay of Eileen’s brother with whom she lives. From marriage to traveling conflict zones in Europe in search of political movements and armed resistance to the rise of fascism and the brewing storm of what would become World War II, Eileen and her husband find themselves tested as they fight for both their ideals and their lives.
A talented writer on her own, Eileen throws herself fiercely behind supporting her husband’s work, serving as editor, typist, and muse for numerous of his publications, especially influencing his most famous titles, Animal Farm and 1984. With a world in violent chaos and a marriage fraught with turmoil and infidelity, this graphic novel shines a light on two incredibly influential writers—only one of whom remains widely known today.
As discussed in the note at the end of the book, Mrs. Orwell serves as a work of historical fiction that nevertheless draws heavily from recorded fact. It even includes a reading guide for anyone wanting to dive deeper into Eileen’s life. While never shying away from the complexities and failings of either Eileen or Eric, the main focus remains on recognizing and celebrating Eileen’s work and the vital role that art and resistance play in the face of violence. The characters are layered, revealing facets of themselves through engaging and entertaining dialogue, while Chalupa carries us through a great span of time including major historical events on the world stage. It’s a great deal of content to cover in a book of this sort, and if Mrs. Orwell has any flaw, it’s that there’s not quite enough time to unpack some of the history, particularly in the book’s later portion.
Nevertheless, in tackling themes of fascism, war, censorship, art, and media—there’s a wealth of material here that remains all too relevant today. But in addition to uncovering lesser known biography and vital discussions about the nature of creation and resistance, the book is also simply fun to read. Entertaining and often funny, it succeeds on a narrative level as much as a historical one. It’s a feat to balance all these elements, and Chalupa has written a striking story about two passionate, flawed, messy, creative, and highly influential people which brings them to vibrant life within these pages.
And speaking of vibrant pages, Revel’s shifting palate of art is a delight from start to finish. Colors and tones shift across the story, as do the layouts and structures of each page. With a careful eye for pacing and visual storytelling, Revel keeps the art grounded without being afraid to weave in flashes of stylization and dramatic representations of emotions alongside the more focused, powerful moments the book has to offer. Heightening both humor and heartache, Revel’s visuals are a vital aspect of the book’s appeal. The grit feels real, as does the threat of war and death. At the same time, we get soft romantic interludes, mixed realities where fiction intrudes on the present, and appropriate weight given to the heavier themes the book holds in store.
23rd Street Books lists this title for adult readers. There are smatterings of violence, sexuality, and language throughout, but the book never lingers on the more mature elements or presents them in graphic detail. At the same time, with a strong historical focus alongside a range of complex topics and themes, it’s likely the book will appeal most to older readers and those already familiar with Orwell’s work. It could also be a good companion read for older students studying Orwell’s life and writing. Overall, Mrs. Orwell is an excellent read in its own right, while also bringing to life a figure often lost in the obscurity of history. A woman who refused to accept the bounds society placed on her, a fighter who dreamed of a better world, a writer who left her mark for generations to come—more people should know the name Eileen O’Shaughnessy, and this graphic novel is an excellent step in ensuring that her life and accomplishments are not forgotten.
Mrs. Orwell By Andrea Chalupa Art by Brahm Revel 23rd Street Books, 2026 ISBN: 9781250877857
Company Age Rating: Adult
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Not a Martian, Not a man. Absolutely insane.
In 
in terms of appeal, innovation, and storytelling, that every library should 
This graphic novel, infused with Filipino mythology, starts on a sad note. Mage and her companion Squalo live happily in the forest with her sorcerer father until they are attacked by monsters from Ventrolio. Her father’s final instructions sends her on a journey to find the Bakunawa, a guardian serpent of the oceans. The two practice hard to improve their skills and complete many side quests, leveling up their skills (and acquiring “monnies”). But as they near their goal, they find out that something is very wrong with the Bakunawa – will Mage be able to fulfill her father’s wish?
A murderous cowboy, monstrous bugs, characters and places that may or may not exist—all this and more waits within the pages of this strange and unsettling anthology collection.
This sweet story follows Max, an awkward and lonely axolotl. First, Max explains where he lived and how he was suddenly taken from there because his home was being destroyed by construction. He now lives in an aquarium with other underwater folk and has to attend his first day of school. He’s nervous, to say the least! 
After her mom dies, teen protagonist Joey is forced to move to Kodiak, Alaska to live with her dad; quite different from where she lived in Seattle!
force behind the most famous works published by George Orwell—23rd Street Books dives into the life of Eileen O’Shaughnessy in Mrs. Orwell, written by journalist, author, and filmmaker Andrea Chalupa with art by Brahm Revel.
