The damsel runs toward danger in this action-packed, witty fantasy series-starter.
Action and intrigue abound in Clemson’s YA graphic novel as a young agent attempts to rescue a princess.
Bec, an agent of D.I.S.T.R.E.S.S. (her medieval-like fantasy realm’s premier espionage agency), has much to prove. Abandoned by her adventuring father (who happens to be a former agent himself) at a young age, she must live up to the expectations put upon her by her family’s epic legacy. She’s done fine so far—however, when she’s tasked with rescuing Estrid, a kidnapped Dwarven princess, she must come to terms with her family’s history and fight to stop an evil sorcerer’s plans for ultimate power. She’s joined by a ragtag team including Dave, a not-quite-a-knight, and Brunhilde, Estrid’s shield-maiden with a love of mead, ale, and calling Bec “Merciless One.” This first volume of Clemson’s series subverts gender roles and moves as far away from the damsel-in-distress trope as possible. Bec is part secret agent (think James Bond) and part superhero with a chip on her shoulder. Her witty comebacks serve as a welcome respite from the book’s heavy subject matter (death, abandonment, and generational trauma). Dave’s status as a hapless would-be knight is also entertaining and offers an unexpected take on standard adventure fair. Brunhilde is a refreshing female fantasy character—she occupies the roles of the rough-and-tumble warrior and excitable fangirl at the same time. But despite all the well-paced action, the story leaves out some important details on peripheral characters. Readers don’t learn the name of Bec’s father (Rickard Flashjoy) until the final portion of the narrative, for example, and the villain’s motivation isn’t very clear beyond the unquenchable-thirst-for-power trope. Mora’s full-color illustrations are exemplary, deftly shifting styles to communicate changes in atmosphere and time period where necessary and creating a world readers can get sucked into. Fans of the Venture Brothers animated series will delight in seeing visual references to the show throughout the comic, including the appearance of a notorious supervillain.
The damsel runs toward danger in this action-packed, witty fantasy series-starter.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9781545823385
Page Count: 122
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios / Maverick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Flipping awesome.
After a wish goes wrong, a girl and her crush must figure out how to break a body-switching curse.
Chi-Chi Ekeh feels invisible. Like her previous crushes, hot varsity swimmer Flip Henderson—yet another rich white boy at her Texas boarding school—seems unaware of her existence. With only weeks until graduation, Nigerian American Chi-Chi’s friends Esther and Yesenia dare her to ask Flip to Senior Festival. But Flip accidentally shows her promposal video to the whole class—and immediately turns her down. Embarrassed, Chi-Chi flees, but her innocent remark—“I just wish Flip Henderson liked me”—has unexpected consequences. After falling and hitting her head, Chi-Chi wakes up in Flip’s body, and he in hers. Freaked out beyond belief and regularly switching bodies, Chi-Chi and Flip work with Esther and Yesenia to break the curse. Meanwhile, forced to see herself through someone else’s eyes, Chi-Chi must confront uncomfortable feelings. There’s much to love about this book. The fully realized and sympathetic characters, sincere and humorous development of friendships, and protagonist’s relatable and bittersweet emotional journey will keep readers engaged, eager to reach the resolution. Ukazu carefully balances tough topics like self-hatred, depression, and suicidal ideation with funny feel-good moments, deftly rendered in her characteristically expressive style. The dynamic and engaging illustrations bring to life a heartwarming story of self-love, acceptance, and true connection.
Flipping awesome. (author’s note) (Graphic fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2025
ISBN: 9781250179517
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
Hinds adds another magnificent adaptation to his oeuvre (King Lear, 2009, etc.) with this stunning graphic retelling of Homer’s epic. Following Odysseus’s journey to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, readers are transported into a world that easily combines the realistic and the fantastic. Gods mingle with the mortals, and not heeding their warnings could lead to quick danger; being mere men, Odysseus and his crew often make hasty errors in judgment and must face challenging consequences. Lush watercolors move with fluid lines throughout this reimagining. The artist’s use of color is especially striking: His battle scenes are ample, bloodily scarlet affairs, and Polyphemus’s cave is a stifling orange; he depicts the underworld as a colorless, mirthless void, domestic spaces in warm tans, the all-encircling sea in a light Mediterranean blue and some of the far-away islands in almost tangibly growing greens. Don’t confuse this hefty, respectful adaptation with some of the other recent ones; this one holds nothing back and is proudly, grittily realistic rather than cheerfully cartoonish. Big, bold, beautiful. (notes) (Graphic classic. YA)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4266-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
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