SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) — Gr 9 Up-The book opens with a 12-year-old girl named Erin having an incredibly vivid and confusing dream. She wakes up and starts her paper route. Because it’s November 1, there’s a lot of residual Halloween weirdness out on the streets, and soon she finds herself the target of some teenage boys who are wearing costumes while vandalizing the neighborhood. Erin is rescued by several newspaper delivery girls who are traveling together for safety, and then the narrative takes a surreal turn. Some folks in the neighborhood start disappearing, and people who appear to be wearing Halloween costumes seem to be from different times or places. The papergirls try to figure out who is attacking them and why, who are their allies or enemies, and just what on earth is going on. The tale ends with a striking cliff-hanger that will let readers know that the girls’ adventures are far from over. Vaughn’s reputation has already skyrocketed with the success of graphic novels like Saga, and this title helps to showcase his abilities as the author of far-out fiction that will make readers think. Colorful and captivating, the artwork expertly captures the strange qualities of this memorable outing. Strong language makes this more appropriate for mature readers. VERDICT An awesome selection for older teens and adults looking for an exciting sci-fi tale with unexpected twists.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

KIRKUS – “I loved that the book features four kick-ass girls on a wild adventure, and I think you will too. It reminds me a bit of The Goonies in that regard. When you look at those comic book shelves I mentioned a bit ago, you’ll see a lot of overly-muscled dudes fighting other overly-muscled dudes. Here, you have four very regular looking girls who I think will appeal to young and old comics readers out there.

Since this book is set in ‘88, there’s some language you might have to explain to your young readers, stuff that today wouldn’t be tolerated. I stumbled over a little of that simply because it’s probably been 20 years since I’ve heard it. But overall, I think this is a book you could enjoy yourself, or with your family.”

“Nightmarish.” ― PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“It is fantastic! Not only is Eric Powell’s art on point, but Harold Schechter introduces some new ideas about Ed Gein that have never been heard.”  —  THE LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT

“Painstakingly researched.” ― HORROR DNA

“As extensively researched as the Alan Moore/Eddie Campbell Jack the Ripper graphic novel From Hell, “Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?” is a masterpiece of the form, standing as the best possible dramatization of Ed Gein’s tale in any medium.” —BLOODY DISGUSTING

“This is a new true crime comics essential.” — SYFY WIRE

“As extensively researched as the Alan Moore/Eddie Campbell Jack the Ripper graphic novel From Hell, ”Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?” is a masterpiece of the form, standing as the best possible dramatization of Ed Gein’s tale in any medium.” ―  BLOODY DISGUSTING

“AfterShock Comics’ Maniac of New York is a wholly entertaining twist on the slasher horror sub-genre.”
— Comic Book Resources

“Maniac of New York starts off big and strong while also providing a lot of good character material to engage with so that it feels really well fleshed out… Kalan nails it perfectly here while Mutti’s artwork drives the intensity of all beautifully.”
— Fandom Post

BOOKLIST (STARRED) — “French graphic creator Toulmé transforms “the words that were entrusted” to him into this stupendous testimony of survival. The first of three volumes (the subsequent two have published in France and are scheduled to be published in the U.S. in 2022) begins with Toulmé’s personal attempt to humanize the horrific immigration statistics, among which “Syrians make up the vast majority of the refugees trying to get to Europe.” A journalist friend led Toulmé to Hakim. Within the first 10 pages, readers know that Hakim has been living in Aix-en-Provence since 2015, but his labyrinthine path from homeland to safety will reveal years of dangerous, challenging displacements. In Syria, Hakim was a gardener managing his own nursery, successful enough to buy his own apartment. By 2011, war destroyed life as he knew it. As chaos ensued, Hakim was imprisoned and tortured without cause, and his younger brother disappeared. Leaving was his only option, taking him through Lebanon, Jordan, then Turkey—desperately searching for ways to help his family back home. Toulmé affectingly uses a palette of blues, purples, and reds for his present-day exchanges with Hakim, then renders the past in browns and blues; his art is invitingly sublime throughout. Chute deftly translates. Volume 1 ends in the midst of another transition, leaving captivated readers only wanting more, more, more.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY — Hakim’s story adds to the growing body of graphic literature on the refugee experience, with insightful perspective on how an ordinary life can crumble.

“Thrilling, contemplative, tragic, and inspirational.”
—Peter Dabbene, Foreword Reviews

“A beautiful book. Hakim’s Odyssey is deeply personal and superbly researched. I loved reading it.”
—Benjamin Worku-Dix, author of Vanni: A Family’s Struggle Through the Sri Lankan Conflict

BOOKLIST — Noah loves sewing and design, and he’s not afraid to let everyone know. His parents don’t take him seriously, though, and insist he apply to UCLA instead of the art school he wants to attend. Azarie loves comics and cosplay and doesn’t want anyone to know, especially her father, who is running for reelection. He has forbidden her to do anything that might embarrass him, including having friends “from the wrong zip code.” After meeting by chance, Noah and Azarie team up to create a cosplay costume for Azarie to wear at a local comic con-assuming Azarie can summon the courage to defy her father and break away from the “friends” he approves of. The friendship between Noah, Azarie, and the group of like-minded artists they befriend is charming. The art is lively and expressive, with even the chapter headings being used to add depth to the story. A bright, encouraging story about the resilience of friendship and learning to stand up for one’s self.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL — Gr 8 Up-A sewist and an aspiring actress team up to compete at a con. Noah, a high school senior, longs to go to art school after graduating so his peers, who ridicule him for his talents, will appreciate his handmade garments. Best friend Hiroki is mostly supportive but more interested in ending the school year on a high note by going to parties. They attend a few, but nothing is more life-changing than when Noah runs into Azarie, the mayor’s picture-perfect daughter, at a mall in Santa Monica nerding out about comics and video games. With her reputation at stake, Azarie asks Noah to keep her double life a secret. But her dreams of cosplaying and Noah’s need for a costume for his design portfolio link the pair even more closely as they dare to realize their ambitions. Soon, everybody takes notice-and not everyone approves. Combining humor and teenage drama, Pinckney’s (Fight Like a Girl) latest is among the first in Mad Cave Studios’ new Maverick imprint. Romanian artist Iurov’s heavy lines and muted pastels add a unique flair to this relatable story of finding one’s path despite parental expectations. The beautiful, wordless sequences depicting Noah and Azarie as they create are mesmerizingly meditative. Though characters’ ethnicity is not explicitly mentioned, the art and contextual clues suggest that Noah is Afro-Latinx, Hiroki is Japanese, and Azarie is white. Supporting characters are diverse in skin tone. VERDICT A fashionable, well-stitched tale. Recommended for all teen graphic novel collections.-Alec Chunn, Eugene P.L., OR

KIRKUS — Two young artists seize a chance to showcase their talents in the hopes of pursuing their dreams. High school senior Noah sews and dreams of designing costumes. Already notorious among peers for making his own clothes and costumes for parties, Noah wants to go to art school and perfect his craft, but his parents are opposed. Despite their objections, Noah applies to his dream school along with their approved, traditional universities. One day he bumps into Azarie, a classmate who is the popular lead cheerleader. She secretly nurtures a love of comic books and aspires to be an actress, to the dismay of her strict, status-conscious parents and friends. Azarie ends up proposing that the two of them collaborate to create a cosplay costume she can wear in a contest, thus showing others who they truly are. While working together, they find a wider community of artists, and a friendship grows-but so does others’ animosity toward their bond. The storyline offers a sweet, albeit familiar, narrative. The protagonists’ main conflict-the disapproval of their parents-reads as a not-very-subtle plot device that would have benefited from more development. However, the illustrations bring life to the graphic novel, particularly when it comes to the characters’ sartorial creativity, demonstrating the range of Noah’s talent. Noah is Black; Azarie is White, and background characters are ethnically diverse. A charming effort with a positive message about being true to oneself. (Graphic fiction. 12-16)

“A love letter to the YA mystery genre that good-naturedly pokes fun at some of its tropes, Friday is comic book comfort food that proves its creative team is still very much at the height of its powers.” — Comic Book Resources

“Friday is the best new comic debut all year, powered by an interesting concept that is executed by some of the most powerful storytellers in the industry. We should all be thankful to have work like this during these trying times. 10/10” — Comics Bookcase

“Reading Friday for the first time is a treat, but the most remarkable element of this issue is that subsequent readings are every bit as enthralling…” — Comicbook.com

“This comic manages to feel like a love letter and deconstruction at the same time.  Throw in some lovely art and this is a winner.” — Major Spoilers