Step Aside, Pops: Review Haiku

When you don't know what
to get your smart-a$$ friends for
their birthdays, try this.

Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant! Collection by Kate Beaton. Drawn & Quarterly, 2015,

The Lion of Rora: Review Haiku

Little-known tale of
religious persecution
and war strategy.

The Lion of Rora by Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage. Oni Press, 2015, 184 pages.

Courtney Crumrin: Review Haiku

Creepy sorcerers
and lots of mustaches make
for one spooky read.

Courtney Crumrin Volume 7: Tales of a Warlock by Ted Naifeh. Oni Press, 2015, 113 pages.

Baba Yaga's Assistant: Review Haiku

Creepy as all hell,
but notable for Masha's
grace under pressure.

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola and Emily Carroll. Candlewick, 2015, 125 pages.

Secret Coders: Review Haiku

I for one welcome
our new computer science
overlords. Good fun.

Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes. Turtleback Books, 2015, 96 pages.

Oyster War: Review Haiku

Oysters and pirates
and selkies, oh my!
Plus epic mustaches, dude.

Oyster War by Ben Towle. Oni Press, 2015, 167 pages.

Terrorist: Review Haiku

Oppressed Serb becomes
pawn in global pissing contest,
unleashes hell.

Terrorist: Gavrilo Princip, the Assassin Who Ignited World War I by Henrik Rehr. Graphic Universe, 2015, 231 pages.

Dragons Beware!: Review Haiku

The further adventures
of everyone's favorite
pint-sized hothead.

Dragons Beware! by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre. First Second, 2015, 153 pages.

Ms. Marvel: Review Haiku

Not your average
origin story. Not your
average superhero.

Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona. Marvel Comics, 2014, 120 pages.

Nimona: Review Haiku

Why, what does your
stereotypical kicka$$
heroine look like?

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. Harper, 2015, 266 pages.

The Marvels: Review Haiku

Intertwining stories
about family, theatre,
loss. Marvelous.

The Marvels by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 2015, 665 pages.

It's Cybils Day!

Calloo callay, it's Cybils Day! Head on over here for the winners.

And many thanks to my fellow judges on the Graphic Novel panel!

To Catch a Cheat: Review Haiku

The Baby Rat Pack
is back, with new enemies
but the same swagger.

To Catch a Cheat by Varian Johnson. Levine/Scholastic, 2016, 256 pages.

How Mirka Caught a Fish: Review Haiku

Everyone's favorite
orthodox hero is back,
with mommy issues.

How Mirka Caught a Fish (Hereville #3) by Barry Deutsch. Amulet, 2015, 144 pages.

Comics Squad: Lunch! Review Haiku

Pull up a chair for
another great graphics
collection from your faves.

Comics Squad: Lunch! edited by Matthew Holm and Jennifer L. Holm. Random, 2016, 144 pages.

Rutabaga the Adventure Chef: Review Haiku

Your new favorite
charmingly ridiculous
culinary hero.

Rutabaga the Adventure Chef Book 1 by Eric Colossal. Amulet, 2015, 127 pages.

Harriet the Invincible: Review Haiku

A rodential twist
on fairy tales, with one
kicka$$ heroine. Sweet.

The Hamster Princess #1: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon. Dial, 2015, 242 pages.

Exquisite Corpse: Review Haiku

Well, if this is not
delicious, shocking revenge,
I don't know what is.

Exquisite Corpse by Penelope Bagieu. First Second, 2015, 124 pages.

PrinceLESS: Review Haiku

If Merida and
Tiana aren't independent
enough for you . . .

PrinceLESS series by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin. Action Lab Entertainment, 2014, 118 pages.

Missile Mouse: Review Haiku

Intergalatic
spy drama with a rodent
twist. Why aren't there more?

Missile Mouse #1: The Star Crusher 
Missile Mouse #2: Rescue on Tankium 3 by Jake Parker. Scholastic/Graphix, 2010/2011, 172 pages.