Naruto By: Masashi Kishimoto

     
        This story takes place in the Hidden Leaf Village, a ninja nation that is the largest and the strongest out of the other four. Ten years ago a nine tailed fox appeared, which caused tidal waves and mountains to fall. The village leader used a special ancient technique called reaper death seal.This seals the nine tailed fox inside the new born baby, who becomes the main character of the series.

What happens next? To be continued...

(I would recommend this book to a reader who enjoys fantasy and action stories.)

-Dylan B.

Watchmen By: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

    Watchmen is the story of a group of has been “superheroes” who have attempted to reintegrate themselves back into society after vigilantism has been banned. The process was easier for some than others, while a couple of them have clung onto their former lives illegally. It has been years since many of them have been in contact with each other, but the murder of an old ally has many of them worried. These heroes pasts are brought up throughout the story and many of their strengths and flaws are revealed.

    As the story goes on, it is made increasingly apparent that many of these supposed “heroes” are less than just. Rorschach is barely more than a deranged psychopath and Doctor Manhattan, the only man on the planet with any real superpowers, cares little for what happens to the world around him. Watchmen gets progressively more gruesome and violent as the troubled psyches of each of these heroes are explored and tensions increase. Towards the end, many of the heroes seem no better than the villains they fought.

    Watchmen is a welcome throwback to just how dark comics used to get. The characters all feel human and none of them are even close to being perfect. Watchmen doesn’t fear delving into the workings of the human mind and why people do what they do. Unlike many stories nowadays, it doesn’t feel the need to play it safe. Watchmen intends to tell a dark and gritty story about what heroes might actually be like, and it exceeds expectations. It delivers a great story and is well worth a read.

Nevermore Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe reaches into your mind and pulls you into his gruesome fantasy world. As you jump through the multiple stories in the book you will lose yourself with excitement, confusion and fear. You will eventually forget that you’re reading a book as your mind dives into the text, your eyes absorb the images and you picture yourself in the character’s situations. “The Raven”, one of the most well-known stories is rationalized into a bright tale that focuses on greed and insanity. I recommend this book to older, more mature age groups. It’s an easy but interesting read that will not disappoint. Every story displays a fresh, new display of art in-between each page. This creative collection of stories and lessons will stay in the back of your mind.

-Amanda Joao

Tyranny By: Lesley Fairfield

This book is about a girl who is going through a stage in her life where you have to be the perfect size. The “Model Figure” in her eyes. Most girls in America go through it and experience it in their lifetime. It is a tragic thing to have anorexia but to not know is worst. Anna believes she is perfectly fine being super skinny. She’s only like that around certain people but when she is alone she loves to eat.  Of course she is going to burn it all off because it isn’t her ideal image. I recommend this for kids who need to learn about eating disorder and how it can affect someone physically and mentally. If you don’t learn about it when you’re young, you might end up going through it when you’re older. This in my opinion could be the hardest thing. Some people don’t make it out and die. If you get help, you can get better and be a survivor. I don’t think this graphic novel is for younger kids, but I do believe middle school students should read it.

Persepolis By: Marjane Satrapi

This graphic novel is about a girl named Marji. She grew up in India, and lived the country. When she was younger, she was convinced that she was the last prophet, and every night she had a conversation with god. Their family was forced to where the veil, which is a hood to keep women modest. She wanted to stand up for not having to where the veil. She would try to sneak out and join protest groups.
- Devin K.

The Twighlight Zone (The After Hours) By: Rod Serling

A young woman shopping in a department store is directed to a lift that takes her up to the top floor, a creepy deserted floor where only one attendant works and sells only one gift. This gift happened to be the exact gift she was looking for. When she takes it back down she realizes it's completely broken. Of course she wants a new one but when she complains she's told that there is no top floor. She then faints and when she comes to it, it is night time in the store and she's all alone with the store mannequins...or is she?

-Corey B.

The Walking Dead Book 1 By: Robert Kirkmen

The Walking Dead from start to finish is an action packed, fast read that will keep you turning the page! It starts off immediately when Rick, the main character, wakes up from a coma at a local hospital. When he wakes up, something is not right. There is absoloutely no one around and all of the sudden he starts to get attacked by this human looking zombie. Managing to escape from the madness, Rick noticed that there was no population anywhere until randomly he gets struck over the head with a shovel by a young boy. Rick woke up in a stranger's house extremely confused.  
Later, everything was explained to Rick after he awoke. The world has been taken over by blood thirsty zombies. The news has it that it's safer in the city, so the rest of the story includes Rick's journey to Atlanta and what he does when he gets there. I would suggest this book to anyone and everyone at the highschool level.
- Corey B.

Paige By Paige By: Laura Lee Gulledge

        This novel is great for young adults; it shows many different issues that teenagers may face. Moving in to a new city, making new friends, and having a romantic relationship. The main character is Paige Turner. Paige has moved to a new city and has to learn how to cope with this new environment. While doing this, she starts drawing in her own journal to help express what she is feeling and thinking. This is a real page turner, no pun intended; you won't want to put it down. It is a quick and easy read, but it has a great plot to it. You will not want this book to end, and unfortunately there is not a sequel yet. If you love to read about teenage life books, this book would definitely be for you.
 - Dorina G.

The Wizard of Oz By: L. Frank Baum

The Wizard of Oz graphic novel was an interesting book and a little to none of the story itself was changed. However, the artwork of the novel contrasted the story and art of the mood of the story was very changed from its original form. The graphic novel adds a lot more emotion and artwork including a new outlook to the characters and how we see their inner emotions rather than explaining through text. The artwork was very well created and adds an outstanding new look to the graphic novel. The artist also uses darker colors rather than bright and vibrant ones to show a darker side to the story. The characters are portrayed as cute animals, a lonely tin man, a scary yet thoughtful caring scarecrow and many other characters play their role in the new adaptation.

-Anonymous  

V for Vendetta By: Alan Moore & David Lloyd

London, 1997: 9 years after the recession ended in ’88, 5 years after the end of the war and power struggle, and 4 years after the uprise of the fascist Norsefire party. Ever since then, no one’s life has been the same.


Evey Hammond was a poor 17 year old girl without a home. Her mother died when she was 10, and  her father was taken from her by Norsefire for being part of a Socialist group when she was 12. She’s barely been able to make ends meet, she’s had to wander from place to place and pick through trash cans for food. She was left with few options. Prostitution was the only option she thought she had to make any money. Her first customer turned out to be a police officer who threatened to rape and murder her for being out past curfew. When all hope seemed lost, a dark figure emerged from the shadows and saved her life. He spoke only in quotes and riddles. He wore the mask of the notorious Guy Fawkes and dressed all in black. He called himself “V”. That same night he went up to the roof of a nearby building to show her his creation. He flipped a switch and blew up the Houses of Parliament and the Justice Building. This man spoke of things and did things no man would ever dare say because of the consequences enforced by this fascist government. This mysterious man without a face, without a name, without a past. Although she feared him, Evey stayed with V because she felt safer with him than she did on her own. Evey lived there with him for a few months while he continued his radical demonstrations. They go on and on and the police have no leads, until he decides to occupy the news building. He makes his own broadcast on all stations and the police find him but little do they know, letting their guard down will be the last mistake they ever make.

-Danny O.

V for Vendetta By: Alan Moore & David Lloyd

This book launches off with a twist of events as a group of police officers harass Evey, a sixteen year old prostitute post arrest. Zip, zam! The sky goes dark and everyone’s eyes get wide. A masked man swoops from the alley shooting at the police as young Evey squeals with terror. V has arrived. Throughout the story the author introduces V as the masked criminal who won’t stop until he rids his city of the totalitarian government that has taken over. V’s getaway apartment becomes Evey’s new home and she quickly adapts to the bombing, murders and violent ways of her “hero”. Doors open about V’s past life and how he spent multiple years being tortured in a nearby concentration camp by the new government officials. Along the way he blows up the House of Parliament and awes at the fireworks in the sky. He captures government officials and gains revenge through reenacting painful situations of his past. Evey becomes equipped to life away from her parents as she waits for V to reveal himself underneath the mask. Bullets fly, the government panics and V reveals how he got his name.


-Amanda J.

The Hobbit By: Charles Dixon

                                                                  
        The Hobbit has become one of the best loved books of all time. Now in an illustrated form the fantasy classic is even more thrilling. I thought it did a great job depicting the actual pictures. Chapter 1 opens as the wizard Gandalf visits the hobbit Bilbo Baggins and invites him to join in an adventure. Bilbo declines. He doesn’t want to leave the safety and comfort of his hobbit-hole. The graphic novel edition goes much faster than the actual book. Overall the entire graphic novel edition was really good.


-Katelyn S.

Nevermore By: Edgar Allan Poe

                                                                           
Nevermore is a griping horror book that allows the reader to dive into the mind of a deranged man while at the same time allows them to explore the dark recesses of their own mind. You will experience and view the human mind when it is pushed to its limit. Greed, torment, guilt and many more emotions are displayed in the short stories throughout this collection. Your own mind will be strained as you contemplate your own reactions if placed inside Edgar Allan Poe’s world. When you read and observe the illustrations portrayed in this graphic novel, you will feel as though you are feeling the stories tap on the inside of your skull, as if they are memories waiting to escape your psyche. Once you read through each story your mind cannot help but wonder how you would react when placed in the character's situations. Disorientation is the best way to describe the feelings that come from this novel; confusion and helplessness will overwhelm you as you allow your mind to step into the bodies of those who are tormented by the unknown.
By: Daniel G.

A Review of Blankets

By Craig Thompson

As an avid comic book reader, I’m used to reading about overly-muscular men in spandex; women saving the world in fishnets and pin-up worthy poses, and splash pages of explosions. Perhaps that’s why one may think it odd that Craig Thompson’s surreal, six-hundred page auto-biographical graphic novel, Blankets, struck such a strong chord with me. An intimate retelling of Thompson’s childhood and adolescence under the roof of his fundamentalist Christian parents’ home, Blankets provides its reader with an honesty rarely explored by authors.

Coming of age, religion, and sex are but a few controversial topics explored by Thompson in detailed and beautifully illustrated panels of black and white. Growing up and often bullied and harassed at school in the bland farmlands of the Midwest, Thompson escapes the pressures and threats of the world he resides in with dreams of becoming renowned for his drawings as a child. Time and time again, however, he is shot down for his hopes by the condescending adults in his life, like educational and bible school teachers. He grows into a kind and open-minded boy however, and by his senior year of high school, he no longer dreads the yearly bible camp he is forced to attend yearly, by finding solace in the other outcasts there as well.

And with the introduction of the sweet and whimsical Raina, Thompson’s tale evolves from a story of himself to that of his and hers; his first love. The story takes place mostly at Raina’s home in Michigan, where the author spends two weeks visiting. Between frolicking in the snow, sneaking into each other’s bedrooms only to sleep beside one another nightly, and caring for Raina’s mentally challenged adopted siblings and her niece, the two fall in love despite the factors keeping them apart, like distance. Craig and Raina forge a relationship as lovely and heartfelt as the homemade blanket (the source of the graphic novel’s title) Raina presents to him upon his arrival.

In a raw and earnest telling of family, God, and first love, Thompson spins a story sure to capture the hearts of those who don’t often pick up graphic novels and passionate fans that do alike. With Thompson’s sincere musings and stunning visuals of feathery snow, swirly splash pages, and graceful angels, along with a solid story, Blankets will create warmth in your heart very much like that of an actual coverlet.

Review by Natalie R.

Skim

By: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Jillian Tamaki

        The main character Kimberly, also known by her friends as Skim, isn’t the most popular girl in school. She’s a little over weight, studies Wicca (witch craft), and has never been in love. Her one and only best friend Lisa isn’t exactly always the nicest person in their quests to find themselves. When a girl in school’s ex-boyfriend commits suicide, Lisa and Skim both deal with it differently and that causes them to not be as close of friends. Skim ends up confused and in love with someone that she could never be with, and becomes friends with the last person you would ever expect. This is a story filled with the difficulties that everyone faces at 16, trying to figure out who you are. The plot has something everyone can relate to. If you’re looking for a quick read and love realistic fiction, this is definitely the graphic novel for you.

                                                                                    Review by: Renee T

The Walking Dead Series by Robert Kirkman

This thrilling, edge of your seat, graphic novel series is all about survival of the fittest when the dead are up and walking with the few living. There are 14 chapters within this 7 book series, each packed with suspense. The main characters you will follow throughout, are Rick and his family who stick together through thick and thin. They are constantly running into new and interesting people and some, shouldn't be trusted. Rick's main goal is to find a safe haven, or create one, so that he and his loved ones can start over. In every book you will find that there is something the characters learn about themselves in terms of their morals. It really makes you think about the extremes you would take in order to protect the ones you love. You must be able to withstand some gruesome images and detail though, in order to read some of these books. Overall though, these books are extremely addicting, and you will find yourself frantically searching for the next book or chapter. You may have heard of the TV series The Walking Dead on AMC; It's based off of these graphic novels even though they have a completely different plot. If zombies, action and suspense are your thing, then these books are for you.
Review by Renee T.

Mouse Guard by David Peterson

The Mouse Guard has been fighting battles with serpents, wolves, and large carnivores for ages. They have many loyal members in their group of "protectors." However, now there is a traitor named Midnight. He was given a map of Lockhaven for the invasion with his army, a group called the "Black Axe." He has also stolen the legendary black axe from one of the original members of the guard. The army is set to invade at dawn when everything spirals out of control...

review by Dory T.

Nevermore: A Graphic Adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's Short Stories

Nevermore: A Graphic Adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s Short Stories
Are you a fan of the work of Edgar Allen Poe? Well here they are as they have never been seen before. This graphic novel contains some of Poe’s most infamous stories including "The Raven" and "The Tell Tale Heart." However, this book takes these stories and remakes them and sets them in an original modern view. For example the main character of the Tell Tale Heart is female and also blind. I can’t tell too much since that would spoil the ending. I found most of the stories to be unique and satisfyingly creepy. None of the artwork is the same for each story which I found fit the mood of the book perfectly. The endings are twisted and can sometimes leave you wanting more. If you are a horror fan or someone who just wants a good scare I recommend this book.
~ S. O'Connor

Watchmen by Alan Moore

Watchmen By Alan Moore, Illustrated by Dave Gibbons

Watchmen by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons
"The Minutemen," a group of superheroes disbanded due to government regulations, begin to die mysteriously. The brutal murder of "The Comedian," a particularly savage crusader, prompts former partner "Rorschach" out of hiding. He is fastidious in attempting to uncover the clues as to just why the killings are occurring and the book is written, in part, as his journal. In the Watchmen the characters are driven by their perceived need to help a society infested with crime, but there is something bigger going on, something insidious, and Rorschach is determined to find out what it is. He eventually enlists crime fighters; "Dr. Manhattan," "Nite Owl," and "Silk Spectre 2" to help in the investigation which quickly spirals into a haunting crime drama. This is the second graphic novel that I have read by Alan Moore, the other being V for Vendetta. His writing style gives his characters the human flaws and emotions that make them real 3-dimensional people. Dave Gibbon's artwork is exemplary, with many of the frame angles being used in the current movie.
~M. Siano