Capstone has created several mash-ups of superhero science, using their licenses with DC characters to draw superhero fans into learning about physics, mythology, and more with their favorite superheroes. This latest series presents exciting Batman mysteries with forensic science, a natural team-up for the caped crusader.
Each mystery focuses on a different investigation technique. In The Prints of Thieves, Batman and Robin search for fingerprints at the scene of a burglary: the theft of valuable historical books from the library. With the help of science and Batman’s deductive technique, they quickly track down the criminal. In The Trail of Tricks, readers will be able to see how detectives use footprints and tire tracks to follow the path of criminals, and how Batman and Robin work together to track down the thief who stole hyena pups from the zoo. In The Felon’s Fowl Flames, Batman and Robin are joined by Ace, the Bat-hound, as they use various techniques to track down an arsonist. Finally, Batman and Robin investigate yet another burglary, but this time they use DNA evidence as well as several computer databases to bring justice to yet another criminal in The Spitting Image.
Each book contains additional information about the various techniques and science in inset boxes as well as further information and anecdotes, glossary, index, bibliography, and link to the publisher’s website with more information.
These are not, strictly speaking, graphic novels in that they are not laid out in panels and have only the occasional speech bubble. They are, however, fully illustrated short chapter books. Each spread contains full-page illustrations with a manageable chunk of text superimposed over it. While Batman does go into some fairly involved explanations of the science, especially in the book on using DNA evidence, there is a clear plot and mystery for each title. The art mimics the later volumes of Batman: The Animated Series, with Batman as a serious but not too grim detective and a younger Robin, Tim Drake, eagerly learning all his mentor’s science and skills. There are even a few fast-paced action sequences and, of course, plenty of trips to the lab featuring the image of Batman’s costume covered with a lab coat and face mask.
It’s easy to let this type of book degenerate into talking heads or a bland narrative of facts, but the popular characters and strong storylines keep these titles fun as well as educational. Sure to intrigue both Batman and science fans, these will be a great addition, especially to school libraries trying to encourage reluctant readers.
Batman and Robin: Crime Scene Investigations by Steve Korta Art by Dario Brizuela Trail of Tricks ISBN: 9781515768579 Prints of Thieves ISBN: 9781515768593 Felon’s Fowl Flames ISBN: 9781515768524 Spitting Image ISBN: 9781515768586 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 7-12
Max Axiom, “super scientist,” stars in his 9th and 10th adventures, investigating the science behind drones and robots.
Each book has a brief introduction of the framing plot and then consists of Max Axiom interviewing various scientists and technicians and sometimes explaining the science to his audience. In The Dynamic World of Drones, Axiom is hanging out in the batting cage with a young friend, Brody, when he finds out that they need aerial photos of the recreation areas in order to build more baseball fields. This starts a trip first to Max’s lab to use his own quadcopter drone and then on trips to a weather center, military base, and space center to explore other drones. Along the way readers will learn about biomimetic drones (drones that mimic animals), experimental prototypes for space travel, and many other uses for drones.
In The Remarkable World of Robots, Max Axiom has been called in for an important mission—to research robots for a museum’s upcoming exhibit. Max starts by learning about the basics of a robot’s construction and programming and then visits a variety of labs and factories to investigate different types of robots. He looks at factory models that are built for a single repetitive function, robots inspired by animals, and social robots and android programs. When Max gets home, he checks on his own robot—a robot vacuum—and realizes that maybe robot technology still has a ways to go!
Both titles include additional information about their subjects in inset sections and backmatter that includes a profile of Max Axiom: Super Scientist, more information on the subject, critical thinking questions, glossary, bibliography, link to the publisher’s website, and index.
The art is created by a studio, not credited to an individual artist. There is a fair amount of diversity pictured; Max is black and the scientists he talks to often include women and people of a variety of races. When he’s in his “super scientist” guise, Max wears a dramatic, long white lab coat with lightning bolts. The diagrams and machines are clearly and neatly drawn, although not with any degree of detail. Other than Max, there are no other characters. He talks to a lot of scientists, but they’re generally not introduced beyond the occasional mention of a first name and are all there just to talk about their subject. Their drawn forms are unmemorable and they look like stock photos of office workers. There are also several instances in both titles where the speech bubbles are not positioned correctly, making the dialogue confusing.
Some kids get really into blends of science and story or narrative nonfiction, but these titles don’t really fit either of those genres. They’re basically talking heads explaining science topics. Max is a rather ridiculous character; supposedly he has super intelligence, the ability to shrink, and his lab coat lets him travel through time and space but none of those abilities were in evidence in these two titles. He rides a motorcycle to appointments and, since he is asking all these people for information on their subjects, appears to lack even basic knowledge of robots and only knows a few simple facts about his own quadcopter drone. The “important” call from the museum director in Robots is about making a cool exhibit, which is just silly.
Kids who aren’t actually interested in superheroes but are interested in science may find these rather bland offerings to be of interest, especially if they are of the “any pictures are better than no pictures” school of reluctant readers. However, actual superhero fans will find these bland at best and patronizingly juvenile at worst. I would look at Capstone’s blends of real superheroes and scientific concepts or Lynda Beauregard’s Summer Camp Science Mysteries for better blends of graphic storytelling and science.
Max Axiom STEM Adventures Series by Agnieszka Biskup, Nikole Bethea Art by Pixelpop Studios Bethea The Remarkable World of Robots ISBN: 9781515773917 The Dynamic World of Drones ISBN: 9781515773900 Capstone Graphic Library, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 7-12
Capstone Publishing has released six new books in their classic fiction graphic novel series. Each book is a comic retelling of classic adventure stories, retold and illustrated by talented people. They are a great addition to any library collection due to the authors’ storytelling techniques, the illustrators’ creative artwork, and extra facts and activities based on each story.
This collection of graphic novels include classic tales of action and adventure. There is Homer’s The Iliad (retold by Diego Agrimbau and illustrated by Marcelo Zamora), the story of the nine year Trojan War and the gods who intervened. It is followed by Homer’s The Odyssey (retold by Diego Agrimbau and illustrated by Smilton Roa Klassen), the epic Greek tale of Odysseus’s tiring and dangerous journey home from the Trojan War. Next up is H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau (retold by David Rodriquez and illustrated by Pietro), the early science fiction story of an Englishman who discovers a mad doctor creating a cross species of humans and animals. Another tale of amazing discoveries is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World (retold by David Rodriguez and illustrated by Pietro), where a group of scientists and adventurers discover a new world where dinosaurs still roam. Then it’s time to set sail in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (retold by David Rodriguez and illustrated by Ignacio Segesso), with Ishmael and the revenge driven sailor Captain Ahab as they search for the infamous white whale Moby Dick. And lastly, there is another sailing adventure in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym (retold by Manuel Morini and illustrated by Enrique Alcatena) where a young man survives a mutiny but discovers a mysterious island with a frightening history.
These graphic classics are written and illustrated very well. The authors have adapted each tale into a simple to read version, appropriate for middle school readers. Since these are adventure tales, there is plenty of action to keep even reluctant readers’ attention and focus. As for the illustrations, the artists are capable of capturing each authors’ vision of the tales with detailed landscapes, creative creatures, and characters with expressive appearances and actions. They each provide their own specific artistic skills in each graphic novel, which coincide very well with the text. But each title does not just include a retelling. At the end of each story, there are a number of activities and extra information for the reader, as well as teachers and librarians. These include an illustrated cast of characters (which can be found in the beginning of each book), biographies of the original authors, the retellings’ authors and illustrators, a glossary of terms, background information on each title, discussion questions, writing prompts and a brief history of the original story or the author’s impact on pop culture.
Due to each story’s length and storylines, it is best to purchase this collection for a public library’s young adult collection or a middle and high school’s library collection. Middle schoolers, grades 5th-9th, will enjoy these stories and many other retellings like them. Librarians should also encourage teachers to use this collection, along with other graphic classic fiction titles from Capstone Publishing, for their lessons, especially when children are assigned the original classic story.
Classic Fiction series The Iliad By: Diego Agrimbau Art by: Marcelo Zamora ISBN: 9781496555786
The Island of Dr. Moreau By: David Rodriguez Art by: Pietro ISBN: 9781496555748
The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle By: David Rodriguez Art by: Pietro ISBN: 9781496555755
Moby Dick By: David Rodriguez Art by: Ignacio Segesso ISBN: 9781496555731
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym By: Manuel Morini Art by: Enrique Alcatena ISBN: 9781496555762
The Odyessey By: Diego Agrimbau Art by: Smilton Roa Klassen ISBN: 9781496555779 Capstone Publishing, 2018 Publisher Age Rating:8-12
A young boy’s morning routine is set parallel to Superman’s own in this adorable picture book/graphic novel hybrid.
Using a cheerful palette of bold colors, an adorable brown skinned boy stirs from his bed to greet the morning. A comic style panel—which takes up three quarters of the neighboring page—depicts a suited Clark Kent surveying Metropolis at sunrise. This theme continues as the book goes on. Clark removes his suit and specs to reveal his iconic super suit beneath, while our young hero emerges from the bathroom revealing his own Superman themed outfit for the day ahead.
As the storyline progresses, our young hero continues his own journey alongside the square jawed superhero. The boy gathers energy by eating his breakfast cereal, while Superman ascends high above the skyscrapers with a “woosh!” Sometimes the comparisons seem uneven. When facing a fear, Supes is shown fighting arch nemesis Lex Luthor and his robots, while the boy shrinks at the site of his own toothbrush. Apt fans, however, may notice that the toothpaste emits a glowing hue of kryptonite green. Nonetheless, each challenge is tackled with gusto, and the action continues.
Supergirl (complete with her midriff costume) and Krypto the Superdog are introduced as Superman’s helpers, while our young hero is joined by his sister—with her own cape and super costume—and their family pet, a small white fluffy dog.
Dahl seemingly depicts the siblings’ costumes as homemade. We all recognize the Kryptonian “S” shield which is associated with Superman and his family on the children’s chests. Here, small white stitches seem to hold the symbols to their shirts. The boy also has crayon drawings of Superman in his room. Both brother and sister wear capes.
With the aforementioned switch from picture book to panel format, this book serves more as an introduction to the graphic novel format than an introduction to Superman himself, but does he really need another introduction? Expect this book to soar high with fandom families, or anyone who just loves Superman.
DC Super Heroes: Good Morning, Superman! by Michael Dahl Art by Omar Lozano ISBN: 9781623708504 Capstone Young Readers, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 4-7
Capstone offers another fun series that fractures familiar stories—this time it’s fables. Four titles give a fresh twist to three Aesop fables and one Hans Christian Andersen tale. Each book includes a cast of characters, activities, and further information. This includes a section about fables in general and the original story briefly summarized along with the moral. There is a visual guide to some of the twists in the far out fable, comparing plot points in both stories, and a section of visual questions that take a few panels from the book and ask questions that encourage kids to think about the visual cues. A glossary is also included.
The Boy Who Cried Vampire revisits “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”, but, naturally, is set in a small, medieval town in Transylvania. Ion is bored with his life in his small village–he’d rather watch old monster movies! When he starts yelling “VAMPIRE” things get interesting right away. But he didn’t expect real-life vampire Grigore to show up at his window! Is this the end for Ion, or does his story have a few more twists in store?
The traditional Aesop’s fable of the “Lion and the Mouse” gets a makeover in TheLion and the Mouse and the Invaders from Zurg, when the two of them go up against alien invaders! At first, Thunder the lion, leader of the resistance, disdains the offered help of Daisy the mouse and her small friends. But when the evil Kro’Mar the Malevolent captures all the powerful predators and locks them in his dungeon, Thunder comes to appreciate the courage and intelligence of Daisy.
The hare and the tortoise reprise their battle with a robotic twist in The Robo-Battle of Mega Tortoise vs. Hazard Hare. Every year, there’s a special competition at the Spring Jamboree. Every year, Hunter the hare wins—and rubs Shelly the tortoise’s face in her defeat. But this year will be different; there’s going to be a robot battle! And Shelly knows she’s really good at building things. What if she builds a robot that uses all of Hunter’s abilities? Will she be able to beat him? And what if Hunter cheats? Maybe Shelly has the best chance if she sticks to what she knows–hard work, perseverance, and good design!
The final story is based on the classic Andersen tale of the “Ugly Duckling”. Only instead of an ugly duckling, this duck family gets The Ugly Dino Hatchling! Mama Duck and three of her four ducklings don’t care much for the ungainly and ugly Rex, but Fourth, his youngest sister, loves her big brother no matter what. Rex tries to find a place to fit in on the farm, but he sticks out even more than he does with his family, so he retreats to live alone in the forest. But when the rift in time and space that dropped his egg into Mama Duck’s nest returns, along with some very dangerous creatures, will Rex find his true place after all?
Each moral is twisted slightly to fit the story. Rex learns that he doesn’t need to change himself to fit in. Shelly discovers that hard work is the only way to reach her goals. Thunder learns not to judge people by appearances. Ion figures out that nobody trusts a liar.
Although illustrated by different artists, the style of artwork is consistent across the series. They all emphasize a cartoonish, colorful look. Lopez’s art has an appropriately creepy vein, since it is a vampire story. Despite the anomalies of flat-screen televisions, homework, and action figures, all the (white) people are dressed in old-fashioned trousers and dresses and sport pitchforks at the appropriate moments, as they pour out from their thatched cottages. Rodriguez’s art for the sci-fi epic of Thunder the lion and Daisy the mouse shows some stereotypically green and icky looking reptilian aliens. The animals all have space jumpsuits that have a little bit of a medieval tunic feel to them. The stone houses and forest camps will probably make kids think of Star Wars, and it’s hard to avoid that epic space opera when looking at a story with a typical “sci-fi rebellion” vibe. Cano has a slick, digital style of the epic robot battle of the hare and the tortoise. There’s no homemade feel about these robots, all are colorful and complete with fins, stretching legs, and plenty of weaponry and tools. Shelly (female) and Hunter (male) fit their fable’s story while staying away from gender stereotypes. Hunter is a boastful jock, with an adoring crowd of small-minded fans. Shelly, in small skirt and leggings, sticks with her faithful snail friend and works patiently to win her kudos. Otis Frampton, illustrator for The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur has the most recognizable style. He’s the creator of the Oddly Normal comic series and readers may recognize his distinctive messy hairdos, curved noses (or beaks as it may be) and suspicious eyes. Vibrant colors abound, from the bright pink of Rex the dinosaur to rich purple of night scenes.
These will make fun reads for kids who enjoy comics, even without the added dimension of the fable aspect. The stories are humorous and well-told for the most part, although there are some odd plot twists in The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur and The Boy Who Cried Vampire. Teachers planning to create units on fables or wanting to emphasize visual literacy and other narrative skills will find these useful. However, the addition of The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur, which isn’t a fable and in the original has no moral, is a quirky choice that throws off the theme of the set. Parents who prefer storytelling with pointed morals will appreciate the clear and simple lessons of the stories while kids laugh at the cartoons and, perhaps, take the lessons to heart. Overall, a fun and useful series that will be a good addition to both public and school libraries.
The Boy Who Cried Vampire by Benjamin Harper Art by Alex Lopez ISBN: 9781496554215 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 7-11
The Lion and the Mouse and the Invaders from Zurg by Benjamin Harper Art by Pedro Rodriguez ISBN: 9781496554222 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 7-11
Robo-Battle of Mega Tortoise VS. Hazard Hare by Stephanie Peters Art by Fernando Cano ISBN: 9781496554208 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 7-11
The Ugly Dino Hatchling by Stephanie Peters Art by Otis Frampton ISBN: 9781496554192 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 7-11
From Capstone Publishing comes a new series based on remarkable tales of survival during wartime. Great Escapes of World War II takes young readers behind enemy lines where soldiers, resistance fighters, and prisoners have only one chance to escape from Axis forces. Each book highlights these daring escapes with enough information to create a well thought out story.
In Behind Enemy Lines: The Escape of Robert Grimes with the Comet Line. U.S. Army Lieutenant Robert Z. Grimes receives help from the resistance fighter group the Comet Line as he is transported from one safe house to the next. In Death Camp Uprising: The Escape from Sobibor Concentration Camp, Jewish prisoners from all walks of life plan and execute an escape plan from Sobibor Death Camp, located in Poland. The third book in the series Outrunning the Nazis: The Brave Escape of Resistance Fighter Sven Somme tells the story of Norwegian resistance fighter Sven Somme as he travels the wooded terrain of Norway and Sweden to escape capture by the Germans. Finally, there is Tunneling to Freedom: The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III which gives readers a behind the scenes look at a famous prison escape called The Great Escape, when Allied airmen constructed various tunnel systems hoping to escape.
The book series provides a visual representation of each story, allowing readers to join with the escapees. This format is better utilized by the stories that take place mostly in the European wilderness. The illustrators use the mountain ranges, rivers, tall trees, and snowy landscapes to convey the real dangers inherent in these journeys to freedom. Besides that, there is nothing really outstanding about the rest of the artwork but the panels do flow well with the narration. The authors provide enough background information for the reader to understand the stories and the peril the characters faced. Because of this, these may be a hard sell for most readers, but those who enjoy history and survival tales may be interested.
Even though these comics may not contain anything striking, it is easy to see that the intent to create these stories is to educate. Each story comes with a glossary of terms, a bibliography, an introduction with historical backgrounds, and an updated look into each escapee’s life after the war and the impact their situation had on history, and critical thinking questions. Great Escapes of World War II is a great series for children in grades 4-6 who are interested in these true life tales. Even though its artwork and narration is simple, it provides enough information about the war for its readers.However, it is best to consider the series an additional purchase for your collection, depending on your readers’ interests.
Behind Enemy Lines: The Escape of Robert Grimes with the Comet Line Written by Matt Chandler Illustrated by Dante Ginevra ISBN: 9781515735304 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: Reading Level 3-4
Death Camp Uprising: The Escape from Sobibor Concentration Camp Written by Nel Yomtov Illustrated by Wilson Tortosa and Michael Bartolo (colorist) ISBN: 9781515735328 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: Reading Level 3-4
Outrunning the Nazis: The Brave Escape of Resistance Fighter Sven Somme Written by Matt Chandler Illustrated by Daniele Nicotra and Douglas A. Sirois (colorist) ISBN: 9781515735298 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: Reading Level 3-4
Tunneling to Freedom: The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III Written by Nel Yomtov Illustrated by Alessandro Valdrighi ISBN: 9781515735311 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: Reading Level 3-4
The Jake MaddoxGraphic Novels series was designed with young readers in mind. These sports-centered stories all present a teen athlete who has a recognizable weakness, learns a lesson, overcomes the weakness, and then goes on to win the game in about 65 pages. Each book spells out the flaw clearly, and each ends with a glitteringly clear resolution. While these stories can be unbearably predictable for an adult audience, I believe they give readers who are working on skill development the right amount of practice to read for character, plot, and theme.
I also applaud the books for covering issues relevant to a wide range of students on and off the field. In Soccer Switch, Andre faces frustration and disappointment in a new coach’s unusual techniques. Comeback Catch focuses on Eddie as he learns to feel more comfortable at the batter’s mound instead of behind the plate. Daydream Receiver has Gus realizing he can’t just be caught up in dreams; he also has to work hard towards these goals. In Double Scribble, Diego has to overcome his disappointment of losing the game to regain a sense of himself.
However, a consistent weakness in the series is the lack of attention to graphic art relative to the story. These illustrated novels have a mild artistic sense, where the art serves mostly as a comprehension aid and does much less to push the story forward or to draw readers towards a deeper meaning. The art mostly relies on a limited range of emotions and gestures from the characters, simple paneling, and solid backgrounds. More attention could be paid to the visual senses of these stories, whether it be towards portraying the athletic victory or towards illustrating inner thoughts and feelings.
Another weakness is the use of sophisticated storytelling structures (flashback, inner monologue, dream sequences, and story-in-a-story) to tell highly readable stories. I am concerned that students who would be able to understand the characters, plot, and themes independently might get hung up on the structural elements, such as telling the difference between a character’s inner dream sequence and outer real-life action. However, some might make the case that these books can be used to teach readers about these structures.
I encourage children and teen librarians who are in need of engaging instructional tools for developing readers to look into the Jake Maddox series for their libraries and schools.
Comeback Catcher (Jake Maddox Graphic Novels) by Eric Braun Art by Bere Muñiz ISBN: 9781496537003 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
Daydream Receiver (Jake Maddox Graphic Novels) by Brandon Terrell Art by Eduardo Garcia ISBN: 9781496537027 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
Double Scribble (Jake Maddox Graphic Novels) by Brandon Terrell Art by Arburtov ISBN: 9781496537010 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
Soccer Switch (Jake Maddox Graphic Novels) by Brandon Terrell Art by Arburtov ISBN: 9781496536990 Capstone, 2017 Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
In Goldilocks and the Three Vampires, a brown-skinned Goldilocks with natural brown-and-gold twists is a quick-thinking Indiana Jones-type adventurer. Through diligent research (and a bit of luck), she has found out how to open an ancient tomb that has been sealed for centuries against thieves. Once in, she navigates through several booby traps and other dangers with aplomb until finally discovering three different-looking tombs. They turn out to contain three dim but murderous vampires and she has to use some quick thinking and physical skill to escape.
Sleeping Beauty, Magic Master begins like the original fairy tale with the birth of a princess, subsequent celebration, and sleeping curse cast by the Bad Fairy. But this East Asian princess Aurora grows up learning magic so she will be able to break the Bad Fairy’s curse, saving herself and her kingdom before the deadline on her thirteenth birthday. She goes on a quest to collect the ingredients necessary for a curse-breaking potion, and has lots of adventures involving scary creatures like ogres, dwarves, and a Yeti. However, potions have never been Aurora’s strong suit, and there is some uncertainty about whether she will master the difficult skill in time.
These graphic novels are designed very well for newer or struggling readers. The action-packed plots and the brevity of the stories (33 pages) are perfect for this group. The vocabulary is kept fairly basic, with unfamiliar words given lots of context clues. For example, the Good Fairy says about the curse-breaking potion, “The ingredients are spread far and wide,” and Aurora, looking at a large map of the kingdom, replies, “Oooo, is this going to be an epic, magical quest?” Readers won’t get stuck on the word “epic” because they already have the idea that it’s going to be a long, difficult journey with lots of adventures. The scaffolding provided by the original fairy tales lets the reader know the basic story arcs and objectives—Goldilocks will have to escape from the three vampires, Aurora will have to break the sleeping curse—but the changes in characters’ physical features, adjustments to some plot points, and modernized dialogue all heighten interest for elementary-aged readers.
In addition, teachers and parents will be pleased with the back matter if they are working with new or struggling readers, because it explicitly prompts analysis of visual or textual features in the story. A summary of the original tale is given (all in text), and the following page has a chart comparing the original tale with the one in the book, complete with pictures of relevant scenes. Another spread prompts analysis of events in different panels, either by pointing out things like a change in the gutter color or by asking why a character might have made a particular statement.
Jennings’s art in Goldilocks is sketchy, simple, and serviceable but not spectacular. For the most part, the simplicity of the art is a good thing; it keeps the reader’s focus on the characters and the action, which aids in reading comprehension. However, there are a few panels where the art is inconsistent compared to previous panels, or the proportions of objects are slightly off. One sequence, showing Goldilocks throwing a hatchet into a stalagmite to make it collapse onto the vampires, shows the stalagmite in several different angles in relation to the floor, making it unclear how exactly she’s making it collapse in the correct way.
Lopez’s art in Sleeping Beauty is much more detailed and refined-looking in style. Lighting in particular is used effectively to express the story’s mood in several panels. The color scheme is varied and vivid, contributing to the dynamic nature of the story.
Readers who like rich, complex fantasies like Mighty Jack or the Amulet series might be disappointed by the brevity of these stories, but readers who like quick reads and are intimidated by longer books and unfamiliar vocabulary will love them. Fans of Art Baltazar’s Tiny Titans books who are willing to move outside the superhero realm should try the Far Out Fairy Tales series.
Far Out Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Vampires by Laurie S. Sutton Art by C.S. Jennings ISBN: 9781496537836 Capstone, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 8-11
Far Out Fairy Tales: Sleeping Beauty, Magic Master by Stephanie True Peters Art by Alex Lopez ISBN: 9781496537843 Capstone, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 8-11
Every child knows who Thor and Loki are (thanks to Marvel’s The Avengers), but how many of them know the real Norse gods? And when you have patrons who are not familiar with the original tales, how do you introduce them to Norse mythology? With comics, of course! From Capstone Publishing comes Norse Myths, a graphic novel series based on the original tales and mythology of the gods and goddesses of Valhalla.
In Thor vs. the Giants, writer Carl Bowen and illustrator Eduardo Garcia showcase three Norse myths where Thor is up against the gods’ notorious enemies, the giants of Jotunheim. With help from his allies, including his brother Loki, his father Odin, and a friendly giant, Thor is able to trick the giants and defeat them using wits and strength. Twilight of the Gods (written by Michael Dahl and illustrated by Eduardo Garcia) features Ragnarok. The gods engage in an endless fight with fierce monsters, demons, and the dead; a battle that will eventually lead to the destruction of the world and the gods themselves. Both graphic novels include short character biographies (with a punctuation guide for the difficult names and words), along with discussion questions, writing prompts, a glossary, and a short synopsis of the tales.
With bright color schemes and detailed expressions, Eduardo Garcia brings the characters and tales of Norse Myths to life. Each god has their own appearance and color scheme, making one different than the other. The enemies and monsters are gruesome and frightening, especially the demon army and the giants. Each myth is written in simple language, and provides explanations of characters or scenes when needed. The stories themselves show the characters’ personalities that readers may be familiar with, which include Loki’s trickery and Thor’s pride. Children will be able to understand each tale and the daily lives of the Norse gods and goddesses, while learning a thing or two about this ancient mythology.
Thor vs. the Giants and Twilight of the Gods are a must have for any library collection, whether it be public or school. Patrons who enjoy mythological tales, George O’Connor’s Olympians series and Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase series, will be intrigued by these books. These are a great choice if you are looking for more mythology comics or to expand your collection of ancient tales.
Norse Myths: A Viking Graphic Novel: Thor vs. the Giants by Carl Bowen Art by Eduardo Garcia ISBN: 9781496534873 Capstone Publishing, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 9-13
Norse Myths: A Viking Graphic Novel: Twilight of the Gods by Michael Dahl Art by Eduardo Garcia ISBN: 9781496534897 Capstone Publishing, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 9-13
Connecting complex concepts to a series of visuals doesn’t make those complex concepts easier to understand.
Assuming that graphic novels are “easy” or appropriate for “reluctant readers” is like assuming that a videotaped philosophy lecture with subtitles should be easier to understand than the lecture without subtitles. The medium may have changed slightly; the message has not.
High school physics is one of those complex topics. Sure, the formulas are easy to memorize, but I’m pretty sure it took me at least three weeks to even wrap my head around the idea that a car on cruise control at 65 mph down the highway experiences no acceleration. That same car has a whole lot of momentum but zero force. As students slowly begin to realize these words and the concepts they imply have been ever-present in worlds both visible and invisible to humans. Whether or not we know or care, planetary motion will continue to be regularly irregular, and quantum physics is, well, quantum physics.
That’s what I appreciate about The Science of Sports with Max Axiom series. It attempts to give students a reason to care. Organized into four volumes: basketball, football, baseball, and hockey, these books connect what students are doing in school with what they are doing after school.
Through introducing velocity, force, momentum, torque, and other concepts that are included in most high school physics courses, readers can learn why holding out your hands to catch a ball lessens the ball’s impact (answer: by increasing the time it takes the ball to change speed from moving to still, you decrease its force.) It also briefly explains why two baseball bats with the same weight might have that weight distributed differently.
It’s unfortunate that all of this rich source material is presented so weakly. If Max Axiom counts as a character, it’s only because he talks, and my infant nephew’s bounce-and-play talks as well. He’s only there to talk about physics and coach the faceless teen who is featured in each volume on a sport. There’s not much of a plot to these either: instead of chapters or a clear narrative arc about beating a rival team through knowledge of physics, there are sections based on the athletic techniques introduced (e.g. skating around the rink, fielding).
The artwork here is minimally useful as well: occasionally Max brings out a magic watch or a pair of eyeglasses that will illuminate a graph or a formula for us readers, but otherwise the artwork is simplistic and emphasizes the shading of Max’s muscles more than anything else. Here’s an unfortunate lost opportunity: given that high school physics is already a highly visual academic subject with boxes, arrows, and lowercase letters going every which way, there is a rife opportunity for an artist to take the standard free body diagram and re-make it into something beautiful.
It’s books like these—well-intentionedthough they are—that make me yearn for a rock-solid science textbook that introduces complex concepts slowly, gives lots of examples, and allows the reader plenty of practice and reinforcement before moving on to the next concept. Physics alone, if presented the right way, is fascinating. The sports applications can wait.
Science of Baseball with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by David L. Drefer Art by Maurizio Campidelli ISBN: 9781491460870 Capstone Publishing, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 8-14
Science of Basketball with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by Nikole Brooks Bethea Art by Maurizio Campidelli ISBN: 9781491460887 Capstone Publishing, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 8-14
Science of Football with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by Nikole Brooks Bethea Art by Caio Cacau ISBN: 9781491460894 Capstone Publishing, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 8-14
Science of Hockey with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by Blake Hoena Art by Caio Cacau ISBN: 9781491460900 Capstone Publishing, 2016 Publisher Age Rating: 8-14
Capstone has created several mash-ups of superhero science, using their licenses with DC characters to draw superhero fans into learning about physics, mythology, and more with their favorite superheroes. This latest series presents exciting Batman mysteries with forensic science, a natural team-up for the caped crusader.
Max Axiom, “super scientist,” stars in his 9th and 10th adventures, investigating the science behind drones and robots.
Capstone Publishing has released six new books in their classic fiction graphic novel series. Each book is a comic retelling of classic adventure stories, retold and illustrated by talented people. They are a great addition to any library collection due to the authors’ storytelling techniques, the illustrators’ creative artwork, and extra facts and activities based on each story.
A young boy’s morning routine is set parallel to Superman’s own in this adorable picture book/graphic novel hybrid.
Capstone offers another fun series that fractures familiar stories—this time it’s fables. Four titles give a fresh twist to three Aesop fables and one Hans Christian Andersen tale. Each book includes a cast of characters, activities, and further information. This includes a section about fables in general and the original story briefly summarized along with the moral. There is a visual guide to some of the twists in the far out fable, comparing plot points in both stories, and a section of visual questions that take a few panels from the book and ask questions that encourage kids to think about the visual cues. A glossary is also included.
From Capstone Publishing comes a new series based on remarkable tales of survival during wartime. Great Escapes of World War II takes young readers behind enemy lines where soldiers, resistance fighters, and prisoners have only one chance to escape from Axis forces. Each book highlights these daring escapes with enough information to create a well thought out story.
The Jake Maddox Graphic Novels series was designed with young readers in mind. These sports-centered stories all present a teen athlete who has a recognizable weakness, learns a lesson, overcomes the weakness, and then goes on to win the game in about 65 pages. Each book spells out the flaw clearly, and each ends with a glitteringly clear resolution. While these stories can be unbearably predictable for an adult audience, I believe they give readers who are working on skill development the right amount of practice to read for character, plot, and theme.
In Goldilocks and the Three Vampires, a brown-skinned Goldilocks with natural brown-and-gold twists is a quick-thinking Indiana Jones-type adventurer. Through diligent research (and a bit of luck), she has found out how to open an ancient tomb that has been sealed for centuries against thieves. Once in, she navigates through several booby traps and other dangers with aplomb until finally discovering three different-looking tombs. They turn out to contain three dim but murderous vampires and she has to use some quick thinking and physical skill to escape.
Every child knows who Thor and Loki are (thanks to Marvel’s The Avengers), but how many of them know the real Norse gods? And when you have patrons who are not familiar with the original tales, how do you introduce them to Norse mythology? With comics, of course! From Capstone Publishing comes Norse Myths, a graphic novel series based on the original tales and mythology of the gods and goddesses of Valhalla.
Connecting complex concepts to a series of visuals doesn’t make those complex concepts easier to understand.
