Easily my worst trait. So, keep that in mind as you read this.
I didn’t need any more convincing to check out Saint Seiya: Dark Wing, it’s already Saint Seiya, it’s going to be great.
As an aging anime nerd, I watched the original DIC dub of Saint Seiya when it came to the United States… about 20 years after the original production concluded. The aesthetic is immediately recognizable as an anime from the mid to late eighties. I found it fascinating to watch as a kid, and I was so surprised that this franchise is actually still going. Maybe not in a regulated production kind of way, but every few years, something new contributing to the universe shows up, like the awful movie adaptation from 2023.
I say this to give the series some context; it is very difficult to summarize this universe because it is so long-lived. The most concise way I can put it is this: the Saints are 5 chosen ones – boys who wear sacred armor that are based on constellations, sworn to defend the earth from being taken over by competing gods.
It’s… a lot. And if you’re also into Greek and Roman mythology… uh, you’ll recognize a lot of names, but this series is not based on any of those stories, it is not a re-telling of those legends; it’s more along the lines of appropriation than anything else. Personally, I enjoy the surrealism of it all.
Set in high school, students’ fates are revealed as chosen ones, sworn enemies, divine figures, and all in the service of the battle of the gods. Our protagonist, Soichiro, goes on a school trip to the Mediterranean, but the ship is attacked and sinks into the sea as he tries to save his crush. But Soichiro is revived as one of the dreaded Judges of the Underworld, under the command of Hades. He is pitted against his twin brother, Sojiro, who is reincarnated as the Gold Saint of Gemini.
Dark Wing consists of 4 volumes in total. It is not-quite-linear, relies on dream logic, and honestly, I appreciate its updated setting of the modern world. The linework is clean and detail-oriented when it is called for—these pages have some very elaborate backgrounds when the backgrounds actually show up. It is delightfully nostalgic to look at; fans of the old Gundam Wing manga will recognize these 90s pattern and texture overlays. And maybe the best part of it all is the re-working of popular 80s design elements into a more modern aesthetic (those feathered up-do’s, I mean…).
I do want to be clear: I loved this next installment of the series, but I am fairly certain that a newcomer to this franchise is not going to know what’s going on if this is the first Saint Seiya book they pick up. It’s a good read if you’re willing to just let the story happen, wash over you as the reader. The mythic themes of destiny and fate and rising to challenges never get old for me.
It pains me to say it, but I don’t think this spin-off makes for a great addition to your library collection. If you can link it to some of the more foundational works in the franchise, I think that would be best. But, on its own, even with all four volumes, I’m not sure this is the way to go.
Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol. 1 By Masami Kurumada and Kenji Saito Art by Shinshu Ueda Titan, 2025 ISBN: 9781787747180
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Japanese, Character Representation: Japanese,
Victor is a necromancer, with magic in his blood that lets him cast spells. If anyone finds out, he would be put to death: necromancy is illegal and fanatically persecuted by the religious order that polices the city. And it’s not easy to hide, given that every transaction–from buying a snack to getting married – requires a blood signature, and necromancer blood visibly glows with magic. So Victor keeps to the shadows, solitary except for his cute one-eyed cat, just trying to survive.
Then wealthy young banking heir Enrique makes him an offer: use magic to resurrect his dead bride, and Enrique will use his vast resources to smuggle Victor out of the city to a place where necromancy isn’t illegal, where he can live a normal life. Victor reluctantly agrees, though he isn’t familiar with the spell Enrique instructs him to use. And neither of them expects the result: Enrique’s bride, Mercedes, is resurrected, but her life is bound to Victor’s. If they get too far apart, she’ll die. She has also come back a little… different. For one thing, she has no memories. For another, her beautiful body is now crisscrossed with stitches–and extremely strong. And then there’s the awkward fact that she’s extremely drawn to Victor. Is it just because of the spell, or something more?
Even if Mercedes doesn’t remember him, Enrique isn’t ready to give up on her. And if she can’t be separated from Victor, well, the three of them will just have to stay together. Which might just lead to more romance than any of them was expecting.
Love Me to Death started as a popular Webtoon, inspired by Frankenstein and influenced by Disney films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It also reflects the creators’ love for Mexican culture, especially in its lush visuals, which often call to mind Day of the Dead celebrations.
The story revels in cute, often silly romantic tropes. Oops, Mercedes saw Victor shirtless, and he’s hot! Oh no, they tripped and fell on top of each other! People keep mistaking them for a couple! Blushing abounds! There are serious elements to the plot – it’s dangerous to even associate with a necromancer, let alone be one, and also Mercedes is starting to wonder if she might have been murdered. Sometimes the romance, too, is more serious: Victor has major emotional scars, Mercedes is confused and scared by her new situation, and both have trouble believing that someone could want them when most people would consider them monsters. But there’s also lots of humor and sweet moments. There are a few hints in the direction of the three main characters ending up in a polyamorous relationship, but that’s as far as it goes in this volume, though the author’s note at the end confirms that that’s where things are going.
The artwork is colorful and expressive, full of pretty settings and even prettier people. Victor and Enrique are both cute while being very different types, and Mercedes looks like an attractive woman in a very effective “sexy Frankenstein” Halloween costume. (During a costume party, another character basically assumes that’s what she is.) There are a few manga-esque elements, like roses appearing around Enrique when he smiles and characters looking chibi sometimes in funny moments. We see elegant architecture, fun outfits, colorful festival décor, and lots of sparkly magic. This volume also contains a bonus short story about Victor’s past, which is mostly text with just a few illustrations.
Love Me to Death combines an interesting fantasy setting, sympathetic characters, and hefty doses of both angst and humor. Hand it to fans of shojo manga and fantasy romance.
Love Me to Death By Toonimated Little, Brown, 2026 ISBN: 9780316587198
Company Age Rating: 14+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
After the death of her husband Paulo, Julia reluctantly adopts the garden plot he left behind. She’s distressed one day to find it wrecked, dirt everywhere, plants destroyed. She determines the culprit must be a mongoose because only an animal could have been so ruthless. To her great frustration, no one in her life believes it exists or takes her seriously. As she begins to see traces of it everywhere the mongoose becomes an obsessive focal point for Julia as she wafts through a new period of her life.
A few years ago I lost my mom and discovered that when someone close to you passes, there’s this distinct before and after that suddenly redefines the timeline of your life. You can never return to the before and the after is so incredibly weird that it’s hard to describe to someone who hasn’t been there. It’s this bizarre time and place where nothing feels right, where isolation creeps in even when you’re surrounded by well-meaning people, and where you feel out of step with the universe.
Julia is in this strange after place and she’s struggling in the free-fall of grief and mourning after losing Paulo. She sleeps a lot, eats very little, and can’t get back into her routine. But she’s coping just fine, if you ask her. Her family tries to be helpful, but they’re each dealing with their own issues and tend to get under each other’s skin.
Don’t go into this book expecting to see a well defined path through grief or mourning. This is an exploration of the experience of grief and specifically not dealing with it. There is a lot of symbolism and moments that are left up to interpretation, allowing for different understandings from different readers. It’s a deft way to represent the individual responses to loss that show up in our lives and a subtle but impactful investigation of a difficult set of emotions.
Author and illustrator Joana Mosi uses a minimalist, but effective black and white drawing style to convey her story. There are noticeable empty spaces between panels, which also occasionally appear out of order to convey the fragmenting and mixing of Julia’s memories and thoughts. As if the book itself were making physical space for her brain fog. There are memories we don’t see and photos in Julia’s physical space are represented as blank picture frames, further defining an undercurrent of before and after.
There really aren’t any content warnings other than the obvious devastating loss that occurs before the story begins. Some readers might come away from this feeling like they didn’t fully understand everything on every panel or how everything connects, but this is a story where confusion is an important part of the experience. The ending is left somewhat open-ended, mirroring the process of grieving.
This book is best suited for the adult collection but I could see older teens connecting with it as well. Mosi has said that she conceived the idea for this book after the loss of her father and she has such a good grasp on the range of feelings and numbness that Julia experiences that I wonder if there are some autobiographical elements quietly tucked in. I think if you have been in that strange “after” time brought on by a major death in your life, you’ll connect with Julia and her story, even if your grief took a different path. Readers who are less familiar with mourning will still understand Julia’s very human response to such a traumatic event in her life.
The Mongoose By Joana Mosi Pow Pow, 2025 ISBN: 9782925114475
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: Portuguese, Character Representation: Portuguese,
What starts out as a slice-of-life story about a young man who works at a coffee shop, quickly becomes so much more as the reader discovers that Eli has magic, and the new hot guy from the coffee shop, James, catches him trying to practice in secret. James introduces Eli to the magical world that regular humans don’t know about, as well as his friends. And in the process, they start dating.
Each chapter follows one of the ensemble characters through their day, which allows readers to connect with them while the story’s mystery progresses. Each character encounters something odd, so they bring the information back to the group and discuss a strategy to uncover what the adults are trying to conceal from them. When their questions go unanswered, and they can’t find anything through their research, the group decides to summon a spirit from the past to find answers. But all they find is more questions as volume one concludes.
This story starts with chapters that show the same sequence of events but from different points of view, which I really liked and thought the rest of the story might do the same thing. However, since the other characters did not overlap as much, this was not the case. As the series title, Arcana, suggests, there is allusion to the major arcana of tarot origin in the chapter titles and portrayal of character roles within the group. One character does use tarot cards to divine events, so this does happen on the page.
The author is inclusive with characterization and artwork. The Lost Heirs features a gay dating relationship, LGBTQ+ representation in side characters, and none of it feels forced nor does the inclusion of various body types of the main ensemble. The body types (thick and thin, short and tall) are rarely mentioned in the story and are portrayed with cartoon coloring and body proportions, which works to naturalize them. The color palette is rather limited, using a brighter color to highlight an important character or emotion when necessary.
There is non-graphic, consensual sex between two young men that happens behind closed doors, so no nudity is shown (apart from naked male chests while cuddling in bed afterwards). If you are looking to diversify your graphic novel collection, and want a story that happens to have healthy LGBTQ+ relationships and characters as well as different body types, this is a great addition. Just beware that volume one ends on a cliffhanger, so readers will be wanting volume two!
The Lost Heirs By Sam Prentice-Jones Feiwel and Friends, 2025 ISBN: 9781250290229
“As I delved deeper into the narrative, day by day, step by step, I realized that the fact which made this story famous worldwide became almost secondary.”
It’s a bold claim.
But we’ll get into that later.
Just a quick note: I am very far removed from this story. And this is not the case with author Frédéric Bertocchini, who states that he was born almost 1 year after Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and the harrowing events that followed. The first I had heard of this story was, strangely, in my high school freshmen chemistry class. Couldn’t tell you how it came up.
The story about the Uruguayan rugby team (Old Christians Club) that crash landed in the remote Andes and what they did to survive is perhaps not well-known in this day and age. Certainly, not particularly well-known to American audiences – there is one movies from the 90s that I can recall (Alive, directed by foreign media have covered the story through documentaries, films, and even theater. And seeing this book up for release, well, I was compelled to take a look. This is Bertocchini’s English-language debut.
The story is told from the perspective of Roberto Canessa; at this point in his life, he is a 19-year-old medical student and has nothing but hope for his future. The comic wastes little time; the disaster strikes early, and now Canessa is tasked with doing what he can with his medical knowledge to try to keep the first round of survivors alive. But the conditions are harsh out this far, the snow is falling, and the airplane has little amenities to offer first aid, let alone serious medical treatment. And it’s not just outside forces that threaten the survivors – infighting, power struggles, threats, dwindling supplies, and paranoia also take hold.
It is on the 10th day of their suffering that Canessa suggests eating the bodies of the deceased. Obviously, an incredibly difficult and painful thing to put forth, something that only can be done by someone who is on the brink of death with no other options for life-supporting nutrition. This is the “fact which made this story famous worldwide” that does, in fact, become secondary to the day-to-day survival activities this group of people had to endure. The story gets grimmer as the days go on – the search for their plane is eventually abandoned by the authorities, the mountain sends its arbitrary wrath, more survivors die, and the ups and downs of hope and despair are experienced with disgust and faith in turn. For the sake of the review, I will say that the survivors are eventually rescued after Canessa and Fernando Perrado trek through the mountains for 10 days, eventually coming to the nearest town and alerting the authorities. The passengers of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 were stuck in the remote Andes for 72 days. Of the 45 occupants on the plane, 16 survived.
The art is flat and blocky with a minimalist color pallet, reminiscent of Mike Mignola’s work. There is something matter-of-fact about the straight lines and square compositions. It makes for an enjoyable, straightforward reading experience.
This story is certainly not for everyone, but I was that kid in school reading about the Donner Party and Franklin’s lost expedition for fun, and I knew what I was getting into. The illustrations are not graphic or violent, an amazing feat, really, considering the subject matter. The book is not exploitative nor morbidly gaze-y. But the slicing of human flesh from human bodies for consumption is shown, and I would say the overall melancholy of the events depicted is definitely something to be aware of. If you can get through that, then you will be able to enjoy this harrowing narrative of loss, grit, and teamwork.
Shadows on the Ice: The 1972 Andes Disaster By Frédéric Bertocchini Art by Thierry Diette Black Panel Press, 2025 ISBN: 9781990521294
Publisher Age Recommendation: High school/16+ NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult, High school Character Representation: Uruguayan
Shadows on the Ice: The 1972 Andes Disaster? Vol. By Frédéric Bertocchini Art by Thierry Diette, Pacal Nino, , Not in listBlack Panel Press, 2025 ISBN: 9781990521294
Company Age Rating: 16+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18) Creator Representation: French, Character Representation: Uruguayan,
When an unremarkable player in an expansive virtual fantasy world discovers legendary blacksmithing abilities, it’s not exactly the answer to all his problems—but the ability to craft godlike equipment certainly goes a long way toward changing his circumstances.
Overgeared from IZE Press adapts this story of Youngwoo Shin from the Korean light novel of the same title. Youngwoo ks a bit of a loser in real life, and in the massive online VR Game Satisfy, he’s also a low ranging errand boy. However, when a job goes badly, he uses a powerful in-game item to turn his character into a smith and the successor to the greatest blacksmith in the game’s lore. Reset to base level but with an abundance of new abilities, Youngwoo decides to seize the opportunity in front of him in an effort to make something of himself in the game and out of it (there’s a pile of debt waiting for him back in the real world after all). However, alone and with the odds stacked against him, his only chance will be to craft an arsenal of advanced gear capable of offsetting his weaknesses (and there are many of those). It’s a difficult enough challenge on his own, but Youngwoo’s change has not gone unnoticed, and there are others who are quite interested in seeing what the newly forged smith will make of himself.
Volume 1 opens with intercuts of past and present, introducing Youngwoo’s in-game character named Grid in his overgeared state along with flashbacks to how this adventure began. It’s a bit of a jarring opening to follow, but once the stage is set, the story settles on following Grid in the immediate aftermath of his rebirth as an adventuring smith. There’s lots of game lore and rule mechanics mixed in with the gameplay, but with excitement and humor, the story strikes a fairly quick pace of daring and misadventures. Outside of the game, Youngwoo proves to be a bit of an unlikeable character. Struggling with money, jobs, and relationships, his video game addiction and general lack of motivation hang over his decisions. It’s early in the story yet, so there’s presumably room for growth, but it’s Grid’s sometimes bumbling attempts at gaining levels and fighting enemies that drives most of the story. Volume 1 already establishes a cast of in-game characters and conflicts that promise to kick off more shenanigans. And back in the real world, the game’s developers have also taken notice of Youngwoo’s new fortune, though it remains unclear exactly what they expect of him.
Illustrated in full color, this volume is a vibrant romp through the digital world of Satisfy. Video game menus and notifications are integrated into the story, visible to the characters as much as they are to the reader. And when the action kicks off, magic and combat explode across the page with stylization worthy of adventure comics and video games alike. The characters are distinct and the narrative is generally easy to follow, hitting the range of emotional beats effectively. It’s a comic that seems to relish its own concept and execution, and the art team brings the story to life with a visual language that’s engaging and fun to read.
On the whole, Overgeared is an enjoyable start to a new series. For those not thoroughly familiar with the genre already, the digressions into game mechanics and stats screens might be a bit distracting. And though I expect there’s much more to come, Youngwoo’s shortcomings as a protagonist make him occasionally tricky to root for with full sincerity. All that aside though, there’s a great deal to enjoy here in a comic that, while not necessarily treading any new ground, seems to have a great deal of fun setting out on an adventure. It’s a story aimed comfortably at teens, with plenty of fantasy violence but nothing too troubling in the content otherwise. Especially if readers have previously enjoyed titles like Solo Leveling and Ready Player One, Overgeared should find happy readers ready to settle into familiar territory and see where Grid’s often poor decision making leads next.
Overgeared Vol. One By Team Argo IZE Press, 2023 ISBN: 9798400900518
Related media: Book to Comic
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Korean, Character Representation: Korean,
Nothing inspires heated discourse more than an adaptation of a beloved novel with a longstanding fanbase. Will it capture the essence of the author’s vision? Is it even possible to do well? Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1968 popular fantasy novel, A Wizard of Earthsea, has been adapted many times before, often in ways disappointing to Le Guin. But seeing that her son, Theo Downes-Le Guin, worked closely with writer and illustrator Fred Fordham, I was intrigued to see this new interpretation.
Downes-Le Guin, now the steward of some of his mother’s books following her passing in 2018, was especially concerned about preserving the language and the diversity of the expansive world of Earthsea. Much to Le Guin’s disappointment, some previous adaptations whitewashed her characters, particularly the main character, Ged, who is described by Le Guin as copper-skinned. Fordham, fortunately, portrays Ged and other characters according to her original vision. He’s a good choice for an adaptation on this scale, having written and illustrated well received adaptations of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, as well as collaborations on other adaptations of classic works.
What initially pulled me into the graphic novel was the stunning cover art. An overhead view of Ged walking alone on an unnamed island shore, waves at his back, his shadow long and blurred behind him is a beautiful, if not mysterious, way to enter into Earthsea. I found myself fast becoming a fan of Fordham’s art, finding it gorgeous and soft, where every line feels precisely placed. The watercolor details give the imagery the right amount of whimsy for a fantasy of this caliber. And as mentioned before, Fordham preserves the diversity of characters, but also location. He plays with color and lighting to give each new place a unique feel.
The text is largely taken directly from the novel, borrowing the grandiose and epic feel of Le Guin’s striking language. I was worried the story couldn’t be told adequately while cutting out enough text to fit the graphic novel format, however, Fordham shows his skill here and accomplishes more with minimal text, and expertly utilizes silence to portray some very poignant moments in the narrative.
The plot follows the book pretty faithfully. Ged, who will one day be known as a great and powerful wizard, starts out life as a proud and impulsive boy on the island of Gont. At a young age Ged shows skill with spells and summoning animals, and while Gont is known to produce wizards, his power seems greater than expected.
He learns what he can of magic from his aunt, the local village witch, but quickly masters all she can teach him. When raiders attack his village he summons an impressive mist, hiding the villagers and terrifying the invaders. The spell saves the day but drains him of his energy, leaving him utterly unresponsive. Once tales of his power reach surrounding villages, Ogion, a kind, elderly wizard intrigued by Ged’s abilities, comes to heal Ged and offers to make him an apprentice. But Ged’s restlessness and urge to master power pushes him to access a dangerous spell. It becomes apparent that Ged might require another path through wizardry, and although he’s formed a deep bond with his master, he opts to leave both Ogion and Gont for the isle of Roke where he will learn from the great masters.
Now a teenager, Ged is introduced to other boys like himself and forms a great friendship in the kindly Vetch, and a great rivalry in the arrogant Jasper. He begins to learn from masterful wizards about the delicate equilibrium of the world and how magic can destroy it if handled recklessly, but his pride still eats at him. Egged on by Jasper, he attempts to prove the strength of his power by summoning an ancient spirit of the dead. In doing so he toys with the balance and summons a mysterious and vicious shadow into the world, putting himself and all those around him in danger.
Filled with regret, Ged quickly grows up under the magical protections on Roke until he finally and solemnly earns his wizard’s staff. Realizing he must leave Roke without knowing how to face the deadly shadow chasing him, he initially decides to flee until he can right the wrong he created. On his journey to discover the secret of the shadow’s demise he finds dragons to battle, old friends and new, and the edges of the known world.
This is a difficult story to distill down, but Fordham does a good job bringing out the important points from the novel to show Ged’s growth and journey. However, whenever adapting a novel like this into a shorter format, some things will get lost in translation. In this case, there is a loss of depth in the storytelling where the graphic novel is not able to fully explore characters, relationships, or situations as well as the novel. I don’t believe this lessens the quality of the story significantly, but I could see someone new to Le Guin finding themselves a little lost in areas where the narrative moves quickly.
The publisher has given an age rating of 13 and up, and I see no reason to disagree. There is very little in the way of content warnings to worry about, but death is depicted and is central to the story, and this includes animal death. Some of this is handled off screen or in silhouette, and as someone who is deeply and easily disturbed by depictions of animal death and harm, I did not struggle with any of the imagery. I found myself wanting to explore more from both Le Guin and Fordham and would recommend A Wizard of Earthsea for any teen or adult graphic novel collection. I think it’s a great way for not only fans, but those new to Earthsea, or maybe those reluctant to read the novel, to get excited about Le Guin’s work.
A Wizard of Earthsea A Graphic Novel By Ursula K. Le Guin Art by Fred Fordham Harper Collins, 2025 ISBN: 9780063285767
Company Age Rating: 13+ NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
It’s possible you’ve heard his name, but there’s little doubt you’ve heard his music. This is the life of one of Hollywood’s greatest composers.
In collaboration with the family and estate of Henry Mancini, David Calcano sets out to tell the life story of the famed songwriter and composer in The Extraordinary Life of Henry Mancini: The Official Graphic Novel from Fantoons. Born into an Italian immigrant family, Mancini discovered the power of film and music at a young age. Torn between competing expectations and the challenges of breaking into a competitive industry, he fought to make a name for himself while always chasing the next opportunity, uncertain if it all might fall apart around him. Along the way, he married a woman named Ginny, who would go on to become an icon in her own right. And over the course of his career, Mancini would create songs such as “The Pink Panther Theme,” “Peter Gunn,” and “Moon River,” written especially for Audrey Hepburn.
Jumping between different periods in Mancini’s life and a reflective 70th birthday party where the composer regales listeners with his story, Calcano creates a book that is a celebratory retrospective of a life dedicated to family and to music. Even with the shifts in time, the narrative remains clear, shepherding the reader from Mancini’s earliest days through the end of his life and into the legacy he left behind. Presented accessibly, this is not a critical biography, but neither does it claim to be. Factually researched (including a bibliography at the end) the book smoothly sets about marking the key moments and passions of a man whose massive influence began in remarkably simple ways. It’s not an overly complex narrative, but there are some poignant moments which Calcano lays before the reader, giving them time and space for them to make an impact. These are often the more intimate moments where Mancini expresses uncertainty about his career—but also an especially remarkable scene where an entire audience shifts into only Mancini’s father, as the composer grapples with the weight of both love and expectation that have followed him all his life. Overall, the book is crafted with care, designed to bring a history readers may not know to vibrant life across the pages.
In the artwork, Mancini’s life is bright indeed. Illustrated by a full Fantoon’s team, the illustrations have touches of realism but embrace a bright and colorful animated aesthetic that shifts the experience from simple biography to an energized expression of a life lived with excitement, art, and passion. The images move across decades, not only depicting the life and career of Mancini and his family, but also adding stylistic nods and cameos from some of Hollywood’s most iconic directors including Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock. It’s a visual style that’s enjoyable to look at, but also easy to follow and inviting for readers who may not be certain about diving into a biographical graphic novel.
Though there’s not really anything here in terms of mature content, the book will likely appeal most to adults, who may be more likely to be familiar with Mancini’s work. It’s also perfectly accessible to teens with musical inclinations or interests in nonfiction, especially any who are interested in music or composing. Ultimately, The Extraordinary Life of Henry Mancini may not be a heavy draw for graphic readers more inclined toward genre or intrigue, but for any audience interested in biography or the arts, Calcano’s graphic biography of Mancini is a book clearly created with care and admiration, opening wide the life of a man whose work will likely live far beyond him.
The Extraordinary Life of Henry Mancini: The Official Graphic Novel By David Calcano Art by Lindsay Lee Fantoons, 2024 ISBN: 9781970047288
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
All right, everyone, we’re going to have to talk about…
…growing up.
Extra Large acts as a kind of memoir of the author, though the note at the end of the story indicates that it is not a beat-by-beat retelling of his childhood. While on vacation, Tyler wins a shirt at a state fair. The vendor explains he only has extra large sizes left. Too ecstatic about his victory to really worry, Tyler accepts the shirt. It starts out too large on him, and as the story goes on, he finds that it also eventually becomes too small.
Tyler’s life in middle school is disrupted by the complex relationship he has with how he looks. Inevitable, really, but no less jarring for young people. On top of that, he’s really entering the age where you start forming your individual identity, and unfortunately, that can mean sometimes taking cues from social pressures. Tyler doesn’t always act true to what he really feels and thinks is right, but it is in the interest of self-preservation. These things can seem really important in those early teen years, and I bet a lot of young people would be able to see themselves in this story. It’s a collision of body image, self-esteem, health, and bonding at one of the most confusing times in a person’s life.
What I found most relatable about this comic is that it shows the reader how these sorts of opinions about ourselves and behaviors are formed. Tyler didn’t suddenly wake up and think he was too fat or too big or too anything. It started with how his clothes seemed to fit, how his parents viewed and talked bout food and diet, what the bullies at school called him. And these things keep coming up over time; these are not pivotal moments in Tyler’s life, necessarily, so much as they are ongoing events. Like waves that repeatedly shape rock, these events repeatedly shape Tyler’s opinion on himself and others. Despite the conflict coming from several different sources, the story is not convoluted at all. It’s an easy read with depth, if you seek it out.
The illustrations really lean into the look of a 1990s American cartoon. We’re talking bold colors, hard outlines, and those weird little geometric shapes that you saw on plastic cups and fast food wrappers. If you grew up watching the likes of Pepper Ann or Recess, you’ll get the vibe. There are also no visibly obvious signs that Tyler’s weight changes over time, a detail that I appreciate as weight gain can sometimes seem invisible.
I know some readers might be sensitive to subjects like dieting, weight loss/gain, bullying, and related subjects. The narrative mainly focuses on Tyler’s day-to-day school and social life, but I do think people should be aware that these themes are present.
The best element of the overall story is that Tyler realizes what makes him feel good about who he is as a person, and it has nothing to do with his weight. That higher self-esteem does, however, make him want to act in ways that align with his values, which begets more happiness for himself and others.
Extra Large By Tyler Page Macmillan First Second, 2025 ISBN: 9781250851567
Company Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
Look! It’s another entertaining edition of Science Comics, making science easier to understand!
This time around, Charlie the seahorse takes a deep-sea ride with Ryder, one of his over 700 kids! Charlie’s wife has bought him a “Freaky Fish of Filmland” cruise adventure, and the witty comments and weird deep-sea creatures don’t stop. Have you ever heard of the Bloodbelly Comb Jelly? Or the Viperfish? How about the Phronima Amphipod? Charlie and Ryder meet all these unusual deep-sea creatures and learn how they survive way down in the dark—at least until the tour guide’s boat conks out and they must ask for help!
The pages are sharp and brightly colored, and like all Science Comics pack a LOT of information into 132 pages. Ryder must conquer his fear of the ocean so he can grow up to be a strong seahorse. The panels are well paced and arranged. Science Comics are really popular in my library, and they’re priced low at $13.99 for paperback. My homeschooling moms love them too.
The work is appropriate for kids 5-12 years of age. Kids who like weird creatures and unusual alien types will probably like this book.
Science Comics: Deep Sea Creatures Adapting to the Abyss By Mike Lawrence Macmillan First Second, 2025 ISBN: 9781250841285
Victor is a necromancer, with magic in his blood that lets him cast spells. If anyone finds out, he would be put to death: necromancy is illegal and fanatically persecuted by the religious order that polices the city. And it’s not easy to hide, given that every transaction–from buying a snack to getting married – requires a blood signature, and necromancer blood visibly glows with magic. So Victor keeps to the shadows, solitary except for his cute one-eyed cat, just trying to survive.
What starts out as a slice-of-life story about a young man who works at a coffee shop, quickly becomes so much more as the reader discovers that Eli has magic, and the new hot guy from the coffee shop, James, catches him trying to practice in secret. James introduces Eli to the magical world that regular humans don’t know about, as well as his friends. And in the process, they start dating.
became almost secondary.”
answer to all his problems—but the ability to craft godlike equipment certainly goes a long way toward changing his circumstances.
essence of the author’s vision? Is it even possible to do well? Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1968 popular fantasy novel, A Wizard of Earthsea, has been adapted many times before, often in ways disappointing to Le Guin. But seeing that her son, Theo Downes-Le Guin, worked closely with writer and illustrator Fred Fordham, I was intrigued to see this new interpretation.
It’s possible you’ve heard his name, but there’s little doubt you’ve heard his music. This is the life of one of Hollywood’s greatest composers.
All right, everyone, we’re going to have to talk about…
