Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Someone is killing off adventuring parties and the Rat Queens, being a group of intrepid adventurers, find themselves in the crosshairs. This is a fun series, full of humor, old school role-playing game references, four-letter words, mayhem, and twists. This volume ends on a cliffhanger and I'm excited for Volume 2.



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Bookhunter by Jason Shiga

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


In Oakland California in 1973, Special Agent Bay of the Library Police is a tough as nails detective, taking down book thieves. This graphic novel captures the feel of a gritty 70's cop show with a library theme and it's amusing for some of its references to older library technologies (e.g., magnetic tape and card catalogs).



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Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The second Sarah's Scribbles collection finds similar themes to the first. Not quite as strong, but still very funny and entertaining.



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Ivar, Timewalker, Volume 3: Ending History by Fred Van Lente

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fitting, satisfying ending to this time travel/alternate universe adventure series.



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Paper Girls, Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The second volume of an increasingly fun series is full of excitement and twists.



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Incognegro by Mat Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A powerful graphic novel about a reporter who "passes" for white as he investigates and reports on lynchings in the deep South in the early 20th century. He soon is investigating a murder while trying to save his brother. An often disturbing, compelling story from a dark part of American history. Highly recommended.



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Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 2 by Ta-Nehisi Coates

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book 1 of this series felt more introductory and full of background than a start of a story, but Book 2 takes off from there and is much stronger and more plotted. The story mixes the political and personal, and, while not overt, includes some material very relevant to the current political situation here. A strong continuation of a good series.



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Terrorist: Gavrilo Princip, the Assassin Who Ignited World War I by Henrik Rehr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A graphic "novel" that tells the story of Gavrilo Princip, whose assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria would lead to World War I. The story is told in beautiful stark black and white drawings that capture the state of Princip's young, zealous mind and eagerness for Yugoslav nationalism. The book, through Princip, wonders whether the aftermath was inevitable and if indeed one man did make a difference. An important historical story well-told.

[I received an e-galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.]



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The Fade Out, Vol. 1 by Ed Brubaker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A strong noir mystery story set in the Hollywood of the 1950's, amid the accusations of communism and the crumbling of the studio system. After a bender, a writer struggling with his memories of the war wakes up next to the body of a rising young starlet. I enjoyed the compelling story and characters and look forward to the next volume.

[I received an advanced e-galley from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.]



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The Arrival by Shaun Tan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A beautiful, wordless graphic novel about a man making his perilous way to find a better future for his family. The art is amazing and looks like old photographs and the story is compelling, enchanting, and utterly human amidst many fantastical elements.



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