Kill Your Catalog

Redefining the library through graphic novels for kids and young adults

[killyourcatalog]

Best graphic novels of 2015

So for those of you still out there, I’m about to recap from my favorite graphic novels from this year, including some notable titles that were good, but not my favorite. This list will include some things that started within the last year or so, but really jumped into the public eye as ongoing series this year.

Lumberjanes - Kind of a shaky start with this series, which didn’t make a lot of sense to this blogger in the beginning. However, the friendships between the girls made this a real standout for tween readers this year. Friendship to the max!

Baba Yaga’s Assistant - Creepy, funny and a cool spin on the Baba Yaga folktale. This story focuses on a teen girl’s feelings of abandonment following the remarriage of her father. Great illustrations too!

Black Widow - I don’t really care for traditional superhero comics. They bore me most of the time, but the Black Widow series that began in 2014 had incredible illustrations, excellent atmosphere and tight writing. Unfortunately the whole set was only three volumes, and now it’s done! Among my top picks this year, Black Widow is one of the more complex superheroes out there.

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue - A funny series that presents Shakespeare in a kid-friendly light, mostly focusing on making the plays funny for young audiences. They’re getting better as they go!

Little Nemo: Return to Slumerbland - Even if you don’t know the original Little Nemo, which this blogger does not, this reboot is wonderfully illustrated and fully imagined.

Ms. Marvel - Another series ending too soon. Ms. Marvel depicts a real teen, with modern concerns. Kamala Khan is a superhero for the ages!

Honor Girl - Man, did I love this one! An excellent memoir that actually has better text than illustrations. For any teen.

Rutabaga the Adventure Chef - Not sure if this will be an ongoing series, but it’s a great book for kids. An adventuring chef, filled with exuberance.  

Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure - This was probably the best graphic novel this year in terms of design. The illustrations were brilliant, and the way they were laid out on the page was integral to the story.

Princess Decompsia and Count Spatula - Kind of an Addams Family for kids that provides readers with some sweet humor and fun illustrations.

Roller Girl - My favorite this year for kids. The roller derby aspect is almost beside the point in this middle grade coming of age tale.

Batgirl - The Batgirl of Burnside did not debut without its controversies, but the writing and illustrating team combated their missteps admirably to take Barbara Gordon into the modern landscape with humor, intelligence and an ‘I don’t give a shit’ attitude.

Drinking at the Movies - Last, but absolutely not least, this is a memoir done by my cartoonist alter-ego Julia Wertz, who makes her way through life’s hiccups with a lot of dark humor, but very much appreciated dark humor. Technically this is a reissue, but it’s too good to forego on a technicality.

[babsdraws]

💜💜 Batgirl #50 cover 💜💜

[killyourcatalog]

Yes!

[killyourcatalog]

Written and Drawn by Henrietta

A Junior Library Guild Selection. Reading books is fun . . . but what about making them? Armed with new colored pencils, Henrietta's rea...

So meta in the best way! Henrietta is the creator and the subject here. I love Toon Books. So fun and cerebral but still so accessible.

[killyourcatalog]

Hilo Book 1

Introducing HILO—a funny, action-packed, full-color new middle-grade graphic novel series that Bone creator Jeff Smith calls “delightful....

Part of a series of quick little reviews I’m posting to catch up on a long absence. Hilo is not of this Earth, literally. Funny and full of sci-fi adventure.

[killyourcatalog]

Jem and the Holograms

Meet Jerrica Benton - a girl with a secret. She and her sister Kimber team with two friends to become... JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS! But what ...

Truly outrageous! Not my favorite new series this year, but good for nostalgia enthusiasts young and old alike. Nice spotlight on diversity here too.

[killyourcatalog]

Mouse Guard

Inside the June Alley Inn, located in the Western mouse city of Barkstone, mice from all over the territories gather for food, drink, and...

I’ll add a bit more here for those not familiar with this series, which draws heavily from Redwall by Brian Jacques for inspiration. Talking mice living in a Medieval-style society, with this series focusing on guard mice who protect their brethren from dangerous animals and other hostile species. The Legends of Guards books are compilations written by other artists. Nicely drawn and sophisticated books for grades 3 to 7.

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Awkward

Mostly a fun read, but it was filled with cliches and formulaic plot lines. Peppi and Jaime have an awkward relationship, as the title notes, because she pushed him after some school bullies insinuated that they were a couple. Usual middle school fair. She is riddled with guilt about the whole thing, and just wants to apologize. After being forced to work together, with Jaime as Peppi's tutor, they become friends, and the enemy science and art clubs (never knew these clubs were such deep rivals; but I guess things have changed) put aside their differences eventually. Could've been better, b...

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Black Widow, Vol. 1: The Finely Woven Thread

This hasn't gotten a whole lot of press, compared to some other lady-related comics of late. I see a lot of excitement about new Wonder Woman stuff, and then there's the new Batgirl. People are clambering for Black Widow stuff, but I guess if it's not for kids, it's not the same? This is a classic tale of espionage, with Black Widow attempting to atone for her past as a KGB assassin by going on lone-wolf missions around the globe to save people. Lots of internal monologue, and not a lot of supporting character development, but I liked this, and I'm hoping the series builds on its creepy vib...

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland

This was amazing. The artwork was detailed and really brilliant. Based on the original series from the 1920s, this book worked within the style and framework of the original. I loved everything about it, particularly the artwork.

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Nimona

This was an interesting look at the superhero-villain-sidekick relationship. Nimona is an enthusiastic sidekick to villain Ballister Blackheart, and she is perhaps too enthusiastic, as she wants to kill all of their enemies as soon as they become slightly threatening. Nimona has a complicated past, as does Blackheart and his nemesis Sir Goldenloin. I don't really care for Noelle Stevenson's artwork. It's too jagged looking, but I love what she's doing in comics right now, re-examining gender roles and comics in general.

Yeah, I know. Late to the game. What can I say?

[killyourcatalog]

a review of The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Romeo and Juliet

Excellent! A great way for kids to experience Shakespeare without all of the death and bloodshed. The audience members in these stories are as good as the cast. I love all the funny remarks, and there are probably three different thing happening here: the play, the story between the audience members, and the zookeepers who are totally clueless. Lots of fun facts in back too.

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Lumberjanes, Vol. 1

If I had to guess who the inspiration was for the Lumberjanes, my first instinct would lead me to Kathleen Hannah of Bikini Kill, the sometime leader of the Riot Grrrl movement from way back in the long-lost early '90s and third-wave feminism. The tiniest details in this comic indirectly invoke that exuberant, girlish sisterhood, which can be for good and ill. Much like the Riot Grrrl movement itself, Lumberjanes is fun and empowering but also infantile and cloying. It seems the hype surrounding Lumberjanes rests more on the intention of the comic than the quality of it on its own terms. It...

[excursio]

Marjane Satrapi is the queen of everything

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Roller Girl

This is everything I want in a graphic novel: great illustrations, good characterization, cool design and the possibility of a continuing story. This is an awesome story about a girl entering her early teen years, and that comes with a lot of uncertainty but also a lot of excitement. For fans of roller derby, stories about growing up and graphic novel lovers. This was great.

[killyourcatalog]

a review of The Boulder Brothers: Meet Mo and Jo

Not the greatest new series on the block in terms of interest-level, but it serves a purpose in that it's an early reader in comic book form. The story has a bit of a Rocky and Bullwinkle feel, with a deadpan style of narration that hovers over the action at all times. Part of a series. Kids will probably enjoy the gags in any case.

[killyourcatalog]

a review of Rutabaga the Adventure Chef: Book 1

Eccentric and fun, Rutabaga is an indefatigable hero. He's a traveling chef in search of all of the best and rarest ingredients, and his pluck and optimism sometimes lead him into sticky situations. Great illustrations, especially all of the panel-by-panel close-ups of facial expressions.

[killyourcatalog]

a review of We Dig Worms!: TOON Level 1

Lots of fun, very vivid, almost three-dimensional illustrations that create a wonderful sense of the lives of worms. Perfect for teaching or just general interest. McCloskey is a teacher, and it shows. I love it.