#comix zones

[comixzones]

Smile(Comic Book Review)

Smile is a graphic novel authored by Reina Telgemeier published by Graphix/scholastic. It was released back in 2010. It's cute comic based on Reina's real life dental issues. It chronicles her tripping at girls scout camp and getting her teeth injured which was followed by continuous dental surgeries and dental work. This all coinciding with her growing up through her middle school and teen years. 

    Reina is such a relatable and good storyteller. She takes you directly into her world of growing up with dental issues and how this consistently made herself conscious and insecure in herself.  Of course this was only made worse by so called friends and peers. The annoyance and trauma of a  life braces and retainers not too mention surgeries really hits home after reading this novel. It really a very good comic  built for teens and even adults too. The art is very nice and clean. Very typical scholastic comic look kind of has that hand  drawn look that's fitting for this type of comic.

      I personally really enjoyed this graphic novel. It's very cute and easy to get drawn into. Reina Telgemeier has a good feel for telling stories and this one is very good.

Rating: 8.0/10

By: Patrick Griffin II

[comixzones]

My Thoughts on Saga series

Written by  Brian Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Stapes comes the sci-fi/fantasy mix that is Saga. Saga is one of my favorite comics of late and really looks to be getting better with every volume and issue.

      Saga is the story of what happens between Alanna and Marko and their daughter Hazel. Alana happens to from the planet Landfall where she for a short period fought in the war against there moon called Wreath. She was eventually kicked out for cowardice and soon after met and became friends with Marko of Wreath. The two become extremely close and have a baby named Hazel who is actually the one narrating  the comic. Of course it's a violation to the waring planet and moon for the two to be together so they're always on the run from bounty hunters. Alana's planet Landfall interestingly enough is more tech savvy and fight that way while Marko's is magic and spell based.

       This whole plot and setting makes for a very interesting set of characters and a very detailed world. The writing is very sharp and witty and all the characters have sense of depth. Combine that with the art of the book which is great very clean and detailed I'm not close to an artist so I can't get overly detailed into the art style I just love the color pallet used though. There are tons of creatures and side stories to be delved into from Alana and Marko's parents too the bounty hunters out to kill them one of which being Marko's ex.

    The best way to describe it is imagine Star Wars, Game of Thrones and Romeo and Juliet came together as one. I highly recommend this comic book series  to anyone who hasn't checked it out thus far.

By: Patrick Griffin II