Rebel: The Graphic Novel

 

Rating: 3 out of 5 | for the ability to bring new readers to an already established series through a different medium

My Thoughts:

Marie Lu is a prolific YA science fiction and fantasy author best known for the Legend series - on which this graphic novel is based - as well as The Young Elite series, and my personal favorite, the Warcross series. Rebel: The Graphic Novel is a spy-fi story that adapts the fourth book in her Legend series. 

Essentially, if readers have never read any of the original Legend books, there will be gaps regarding the characters' pasts that will not be fully answered here. There will also be things left hanging in true manga fashion. Regular manga readers will be fine with this -- that is the power of graphic novel audiences. They don't need all the little gaps filled in, and they are comfortable being left with elements that are not explicitly written or drawn. 

The benefits of this kind of story telling is that if the snippet of character study piques their interesst, it will encourage them to go find the original novels.

Lu is a proven YA writer when it comes to action, and intrigue. Besides attracting  reluctant readers to a longer series, the illustrations by Kaari -- compared to the earlier Legend and Prodigy graphic novels -- will appeal to an older audience. This edition will easily bring in high schoolers, whereas the earlier graphic novels had a more middle-school aesthetic. The characters are drawn in a sleek Japanese manga style, with slender, slightly androgynous character designs. This visual shift is precisely why I think it will appeal to an older demographic. 

If I were in the classroom suggesting a next read for a student,  I would probably point them toward the audiobooks for the original  Legend trilogy (Legend, Prodigy, Champion) and then have them physically read Rebel, which functions as book four. Yes, I get it -- a  "book four" of a trilogy only makes sense because Ms. Lu is a prolific storyteller who specifically wanted to focus on Eden Wing, the younger brother of the main character, Daniel. 

Also, I know this has nothing to do with this graphic novel, but I did reread my 2018 review of Warcross and remembered why it remains my favorite of her books. I highly suggest it as a follow-up to this series!  This is a duology with Wildcard. I actually asked my local public library to order it and they did. Read my reviews. This may be your next read, too. 

From the Publisher:

Eden Wing is a brilliant student. He’s about to graduate a year early from Ross University of the Sciences. But most people don’t introduce Eden this way. Instead, they say, “This is Eden, Daniel Wing’s younger brother.”

Ten years ago, Daniel was known as Day, the boy who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America. Day has since spent the past decade piecing together his memory of his time in the Republic, quietly hiding from the world―even if it’s meant giving up June, the love of his life.

When June suddenly steps back into Day’s life, rekindling the flames of their romance, the pair team up to rescue Eden who’s been drawn into Ross City’s dark side. But like the rest of the world, they may have underestimated Eden―what he’s capable of, where his loyalties lie, and how hard he’s willing to fight for what he believes.

Return to the world of Legend in this epic graphic novel adaptation of the pulse-pounding finale to the series, which brings to life the bestselling Rebel with full-color illustrations.

Publication Information:

• Author: Marie Lu
• Illustrator: Kaari
• Adapter: Kyla Vanderklugt
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Publication Date: September 1, 2026
• Print Length: 224 pages
• Reading Age: 12-17 years

Sheeta's Little Big World 1

 

Rating: 3 for cuteness and nostalgia

My Thoughts: 

In the 1950s and 60s, there was a children's book series called The Borrowers about a family of tiny people who secretly live in the walls and floors of an English house and "borrow" from the big people in order to survive. The book was by Mary Norton and it included some little drawings in the book. That book series became a movie in the 1997 with John Goodman as the big father and owner of the house. I still liked the book better than the movie, but I think that was the trend in the kinds of movies made for kids at that time.

But this book in tone reminds me more of the Ghibli animated film The Secret World of Arrietty (2010). I believe this is Japan's homage to the original Borrowers books because the family is the Clock family, which is the family from the original series. Arrietty is the young teen daughter of the Clock family, and like Sheeta and Nala in this book, they are a bit adventurous and reckless for their own good. 

In this first book in the series, Sheeta and Nala are wandering beyond their tree and quickly get into trouble, but the two boys have set up traps to help them. Unlike the Borrowers, the boys live in a forest so most of their run ins are from predators like rats and weasels. They do get separated, and at the end, while looking for Nala with another little person looking for Sheeta's father, there are large footprints in the mud, so that is for another story. 

Nothing gets settled or found except other groups of little people and lots of problems to conquer so this will keep children entertained. 

From the Publisher:

A charming new adventure manga for readers young and old! The very little Sheeta lives in a town inside a hollowed-out log. His neighbors are friendly, supportive, and above all, careful. But soon, Sheeta's longing to explore is going to bring him face to face with dangers he never imagined…

Taking inspiration from The Borrowers, Studio Ghibli, and children's classics like Treasure Island, Sheeta's Little Big World is a beautifully-illustrated, three-volume story perfect to read alone or with your own little companion.

Sheeta and Nala live happily inside a hollowed-out log with their fellow "littlefolk," who stand no taller than a blade of grass. When Nala runs off one day to investigate a mysterious smoke signal, Sheeta must summon all his courage and wits as he sets off in pursuit. Rats, ants, weasels, giants... The wide world is full of dangers, but the plucky Sheeta will stop at nothing to find his friend.

Publication Information:

Author, illustrator: Yuki Kamba

Publisher: Kodansha Comics (September 22, 2025)

Print length: 192 pages

The Weirn Books, Volume 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon

 

Stars: 3

My Thoughts:

I saw the Weirn Books on my NetGalley feed and thought I was reading part of the Nightschool Weirn series which I enjoyed. The Nightschool series by Chmakova is for an older manga audience. This is not the same series. This one is for upper elementary and lower middle students. The art is still clean and distinctive. I kept looking for vampires but there are none. This one is less likely to be banned. The story is cute, but I did not read volume 1, so I probably missed some background on the other characters (which is why I kept looking for the vampires).  

If you give your students time to read in middle school, this is a good series to have because it has the manga stylings, without the sexualized female bodies or inappropriate situations of other manga that considers YA like adult without the porn. 

From the Publishers:

After her terrible adventures in the Silent Woods, Na’ya’s world seems to have returned to normal…that is, except for the nightmares that keep haunting her. What she needs is the power to protect everyone in case the evil scientist returns, and she has the perfect solution―she’ll turn into a dragon, once and for all! With help from Ailis and Jasper, everything seems to be going according to plan. But what’s that dark shadow slithering around the spell-casting range…?

Publication Information:

Author, Illustrator: Svetlana Chmakova

Publisher: JY (October 15, 2024)

Paperback: 224 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1975311278

Grade level: 3-7

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Barda DC Graphic Novel

 

From the Publisher:

Darkseid is…and life on Apokolips is tough—but then, it is hell after all. And no one knows this better than Barda, Granny Goodness’s right hand warrior.

But Barda has a secret…she is in love. Or she is drawn to the idea of it anyway, whether it be the beauty of a flower, her affection for her closest friend, Aurelie, or the mysterious and fierce enemy warrior, Orion, who is the only match for Barda’s strength.

But when Granny decides Barda is becoming too soft, she assigns Barda a task that might be more than she can handle—to break the seemingly unbreakable Scott Free. And as Barda questions why Scott has such hope and what he might have done to promote such hatred from Granny, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected.

The only thing is, we do not speak of love on Apokolips…

My Thoughts:

Author/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu, @ngozi, tweeted out  "I am beyond thrilled to announce my very first graphic novel with DC COMICS! Written AND illustrated by yours truly—Buckle up and get ready for BARDA. Over the last two years I've become enamored with Jack Kirby's vision and genius. I CANNOT wait to show you my take on the New Gods!!!! This graphic novel on Big Barda's origins will be a blast for readers old and new—with plenty of that KIRBY KRACKLE!! Special thanks to my editors Jim Chadwick and Courtney Jordan. They are the absolute BEST. And thank you to @1010lilfoot for layout/thumb assistance! Also, @samhumphries —Harley gig was a blast. Thank you."

It seems that the once white, male centric superhero comic systems we call DC and Marvel have been diversifying not just their characters, but their authors/illustrators. I am guessing that the audience coming to comics and graphic novels are shifting, but I wanted to see how this graphic played out with someone like my husband who while not white, is a male who grew up on comics. Some of the things that are different in Ukazu's version of a DC comic is in her illustration style. She also puts a focus on the bad girl fury who just wants to feel love for the first time. She is emotional and empathetic. She appreciates beauty and friendship in a world that does not value either. And "we do not speak of love on Apokolips," much less kiss a boy/prisoner/torture victim.

I asked my husband why he stopped reading DC comics. I thought it would be the story line shifting too much. But no, it had nothing to do with the shift in authors or story lines. What he did not like was the shift in art style, so for him it was about the illustrations. So I showed him Ukazu's art work, and he felt that the gender of the artist was irrelevant, but he did not like the style. The characters were too soft looking. They did not look villain like or super hero like because of the softness of the lines. He felt that it was getting into manga territory and it was not his preference. 

I really think he is the expert versus me because I did not purchase comics when I was younger. I was not the intended audience for the comics coming out of in the 70s - 90s like my husband. Still, if I were to look at this as something I could "sell" to my students, I don't know how successful I could be because I am not sure who the intended audience for this graphic novel is supposed to be. That is where the 3 stars comes from. It is a good enough story, with well drawn graphics and a complex story line. I just don't know who I would book talk this to.  Perhaps the fact that this particular graphic novel has 3 editors listed is further fact that even the publishers do not know who the audience will be. 

Publication Information:

Author: Ngozi Ukazu

Editors: Marie Javins, Courtney Jordan, Jim Chadwick

Publisher: DC Comics (June 4, 2024)

Paperback: 191 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1779511133

Grade Level: 10-12

Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 1

 

My Thoughts:

Manga, like comic books, are meant to be consumed, passed on, returned, exchanged, collected. But it is a series, so one can never stop at volume 1. The appeal for me of manga, then is the art first, and then the fantasy or over the top violence. This particular one is based on a video game from Disney, which is probably why I don't recognize the subhead, The Manga: Book of Heartslabyul. I am an outsider to what the video is actually about, so from my lens, this is a mix of Alice and Wonderland meets The School for Good and Evil.  Nothing really gets resolved regarding the conflict, since this is only Vol. 1. What we do know is that for Yu, the androgynous main character,  he is in the wrong place, Night Raven College, and unlike the other students, he has no magic. Or does he? Stay tuned.

As far as the art, it is reminiscent of the manga from the late 70s and early 80s in Japan. I used to read manga in Japanese as a way to retain my language, so my first manga was Candy Candy by Nagita Keiko and Yumiko Igarashi. The manga was colored like bubblegum rainbows. The young girl was an orphan with huge eyes, irises that sparkled, blonde wavy hair and a cute upturned nose. The males were also very western, with big eyes, long hair, slim faces and clothes with big collars, ruffles and/or bows, so again, androgynous. The other manga I liked was Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka with his skunk hair, heavy eyebrows and large scar going down his face. His adventures got me interested in medicine as he was an unlicensed medical practitioner. 

The art in Wonderland by illustrator Yana Toboso has the same feel as these early manga. As I was reading it, the art just felt familiar and nostalgic like I was meeting an old friend, o-hisashiburi desu ne. 

From the Publisher:

Manga based on the hit mobile video game from Disney, Twisted Wonderland!

Stranded in the world of Twisted Wonderland, Yu must brave a magical school filled with ghosts, monsters, and uncooperative students!

Yu is whisked away to Night Raven College, an arcane academy in the world of Twisted Wonderland. Stranded until he can find a way home, Yu is allowed to stay on campus despite having no magic of his own. But when his new friends land him in trouble with the headmage, his future at the school looks bleak. Now Yu’s only hope of avoiding consequences hinges on bringing together a pair of argumentative first-years and a fire-breathing monster cat…

Publication Information:

Authors, illustrators: Yana Toboso, Wakana Hazuki, Sumire Kowono

Publisher: VIZ Media (July 11, 2023)

Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After (Graphic Novel)

 My Thought:

First, this is such a beautiful, old-timey, intriguing cover. The art style is like the comic books I remember. reading when I was young.  This story is part of a series of supernatural detectives who police the world/universe/time continuum? This is the first book I read in this adaptation series, so the main characters of this series do not show up as key components of this particular story, however, it seems like the characters are in the present, but also have been around for centuries. 

This story is about two sisters, Olympia and Chelsea. Although they are daughters of the river goddess, Mama Thames, they are not the crime fighters. In fact, it seems like others expect them to screw up, so they are trying to clean up their mess and the fallout from their mess. Their "mess" actually starts when the sisters are "camping" and reveal a magical tree to another camper. That break in magic starts a series of odd transformations in the other campers who live out fairy tales in real life.

It takes two foxes who are witness to the human shenanigans to then find the sisters in the city and get them to reach out for help and then fix their own mess.

I was able to finish this on the plane home (40 minutes) so this series will appeal to comic book readers who like the idea of a mystery series that finishes at the end of each installment. 

From the Publisher:

Illustrations from a mysterious book of fairy tales drawn in the late 1800s are coming to life in the 21st Century and causing havoc. The illustrations were originally painted by a Victorian artist called Jeter Day who disappeared one night in an enchanted forest when he was spirited away by tree nymphs never to be seen again…

Now, with the enchantment accidentally broken by Olympia and Chelsea, daughters of the river goddess Mama Thames, Jeter, twisted by his time spent with the nymphs, has returned to our world bitter and resentful. It is a world he neither recognises nor likes. All he wants is his life returned to him and woe betide any man who stands in his way.

With Peter and Nightingale busy on another case, it falls to sisters Olympia and Chelsea with the help of the Foxes to stop Jeter and save the day.

Publication information:

Author: Ben Aaronovitch

Illustrator: José-Maria Beroy

Publisher: Titan Comics (January 24, 2023)

Way of the House Husband (Manga series 2-7)

 

My Thoughts:

I did not know until I started reading this that Netflix has an anime version of The Way of the House Husband on its streaming service. I am currently on volume 4 of the 7 that I own and it continues to be giggle worthy with each little vignette.  Not to be missed in the manga series is the bonus scenes at the end which are sometimes funnier than the book. One of my favorite bonus scenes is when Tatsu is teaching a home ec class at the local high school. Their first assignment is to design their own apron and one teenage male just thinks itʻs lame but in true Tatsu style, Tatsu boss man shames the student and gets him to understand that if he is the only one not to create his own apron, that is really lame. 

As for the Netflix series, because it takes the stiff art from the manga, it is a little disjointed and people not familiar with the manga may not get the same laughs out of these very short snippets. I found myself laughing but I don't know if I was laughing because I know the original scenes or because on screen they were just as funny. The transitions are also too fast. When the cat is just looking at the still alive cockaroach at the end of that scene, the cat and the roach have their own page. That space and time transition is funnier because as a reader you know that Tatsu was defeated. On the screen, it just goes by quickly.

The trailer will demonstrate the look of it, and although I watched it, I prefer the manga.

All My Friends: Graphic

 

Publication date: September 28, 2021

My Thoughts:

This graphic series is about Bina, a middle-schooler who performs with her band and is making progress towards a record deal. Of course she is just a middle schooler. I had to keep reminding myself about that as they seem to be drawn older and put into situations that are not really middle school material. Anyway, she seems to be able to make a lot of very adult decisions and hide it from her parents. In other words, middle grades readers will love it. 

From the Publisher:

Middle-schooler Bina has everything she's ever wanted. She has new friends and a new band whose song is about to be featured on her favorite television show.

But being in the spotlight is hard. When Bina and her band are offered a record deal, her parents are not thrilled. Now, Bina is barely speaking to her mom and dad. To make matters worse, Bina and her best friend, Austin, are still awkward around each other after their failed first date.

Can Bina untangle the various melodies in her heart? Or will fame go to her head?

Paper Girls, Volume 3

 

Author: Brian K. Vaughan

Artists: Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

From the Publishers:

The multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning series from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and CLIFF CHIANG continues, as newspaper deliverers Erin, Mac and Tiffany finally reunite with their long-lost friend KJ in an unexpected new era, where the girls must uncover the secret origins of time travel... or risk never returning home to 1988.

My thoughts:

This is volume 3 of a series on newspaper delivery girls from 1988 who end up in different eras and need to try and find their way back to 1988. Therefore, it is a series, and I am sort of reading from the beginning/middle of it so nothing gets resolved. As the reader, you just try and absorb what is in this new place, who are the friendlies that might help them as well as who are the enemies. They seem to be in a different dimension even if it looks like they are in the past because of the cavewoman-ish indigenous warrior girl with the baby. I say she is in a different dimension because she is wearing technology and it is not unusual for this technology to come through a "poop" hole. There is also someone from the future (or at least after 1988). 

This is a series for girls who love comics, and not the cutesy ones. This is actually a real niche and I have seen just as many females reading graphics series than males so if readers are interested in sci fi/girl power adventures, this series is for you. 

My one gripe that makes this a 2-3 star (kind of ok, I read it, probably not going to get the other volumes) is that it seems obvious by the voice of the characters that this series is written by males who do not quite understand the female voice nor what makes them tick. Perhaps getting a female graphic series, sci fi, met her at a panel in comic con collaborator next time would have been nice.