Reviewed by Matt Lebois for Readers' Favorite

Dark Cloud is a breathtaking graphic novel by Sandra Wolff, creator and writer of the screenplay it vividly and memorably brings to life, and Jared Barel, who adapted it to graphic format using unique methods. Dark Cloud tells an action-packed story set in the post-apocalyptic Southwestern United States, presenting the eponymous hero, a woman with a murky past, a hardy survivor with the ability to sense spirits of the land. Partnered with a faithful robot guardian, a remnant of the world’s nearly-obliterated past, she is drawn into conflict with a powerful warlord, one of the new would-be rulers of these lands. When a devastatingly destructive force comes into play and threatens to upset what little balance remains for humanity’s survivors, Dark Cloud, though outnumbered and outgunned, puts everything she cares about on the line to prevent tragedy.

The visuals in this book are phenomenal. The desert mesas, sunsets, lighting flares are absolutely gorgeous, and the characters are a stand-out. It wouldn’t be cheating to flip to the end and read up on the creation process first. The blend of live actors, digital and traditional art really pops and gives the book a truly unique look. The story and dialogue are equally cinematic and original. The final result is a pitch-perfect callback to 80s or 90s apocalyptic action flicks, if they had had bigger budgets to work with back then. The creator’s foreword cites The Road Warrior as a foundational inspiration, and I also found myself reminded of Red Dawn, Terminator, Dark Angel, and Battlestar Galactica. I hope we’ll see Dark Cloud on the big screen too.

Reviewed by Amy Louise Hill for Readers' Favorite

Fractured Shards by Stephen Kok and created by Dan Feuerriegel and Shaun Keenan is a comic book-style graphic novel. Join Detective Vetro as he solves the most horrific and gruesome murders from both worlds of District and the Lights. Being an enforcement officer can be tough enough as it is, but having the power to see exactly how the murders took place in your mind is on another level entirely. Vetro wants justice by blood, but the system is corrupt, leaving Vetro that bit closer to ignoring his higher-ups and reaping justice the way he craves it. This fast-paced comic book will satisfy the needs of any thrill-seeker. Grab a copy of Fractured Shards, and dive into the world of Detective Vetro.

Fractured Shards by Stephen Kok, Dan Feuerriegel, and Shaun Keenan is the first comic book I’ve ever read, and I wasn’t disappointed. The writing was so good that I shared every ounce of adrenalin with Vetro, the main character. The book is action-packed, has you hooked on every page, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it once I’d started. The illustrations by the talented Riccardo Faccini are outstanding and bring the characters to life. This is an amazing comic book that I believe everyone will enjoy. I will certainly be on the lookout for the next book by these innovative creators, as I am eager to know what happens next. I urge anyone with a thirst for graphic novels to check out this story because you will love it as much as I did!

Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite

Isaiah and the Orchestra of Sounds is a story based on a real condition. Tinnitus occurs when you hear a ringing or similar tone in one or both ears. At first, Isaiah hears music in his ears, like a full orchestra. When the problem begins at school, he tries to describe what he hears to his friends, but it is hard to convey the feeling. Eventually, he can’t eat, can’t study, and can’t rest at night. And it’s as if the sounds are intensifying. As the days pass, he feels exhausted, besieged, and hopeless. His grades start to drop, and he doesn’t know what to do about it because the ringing makes him feel confused. The good news is that tinnitus can be treated. Morenike Oyenusi approaches the subject from a professional perspective and the book will assist people who need to know more about tinnitus.

Isaiah and the Orchestra of Sounds uses a comic book format but includes useful information and descriptions between the images. Morenike Oyenusi’s goal is to create awareness about tinnitus and there is useful information at the end of the story. Although tinnitus is not a disease, it often affects people’s lives, as in Isaiah’s case. Readers will now be able to understand the ailment and are encouraged to talk about it. The book also explains that cases can be different. The book includes a glossary, a list of probable causes, possible solutions, and links to additional, more specialized information.

Reviewed by Charles Remington for Readers' Favorite

The Hero’s Tale by R.M. Wilburn takes us back to the near-future dystopian world ruled by the Great Orange Beast, Herr Bigly Rump, a thinly-disguised parody of the current incumbent of the White House. These are the last extracts from Mary Morgan’s diary as she faces her final battle to rid the world of the evil dictator who has enslaved most of the population in his heavily guarded city, Rumptopia. Due to the dire shortages of food and materials, Mary uses scraps of paper to chronicle her adventures which are beautifully presented in this stunning graphic novel by author and illustrator R.M. Wilburn. The narrative moves along at a fast pace and we are thrown straight into the action when Mary joins a team of child rebels to advance the planned overthrow. There are many twists and turns, amazing characters, and astounding scenarios like the Fud Faktoria where older members of the community are encouraged to work and where they are apt to disappear without a trace. But Rump is not satisfied with simply enslaving the population of Earth - he wants to be King of Space too. To realize his ambitions, he has built a fleet of rockets with which he plans to conquer Space. But Mary sees the rockets in a different light. She hatches an audacious plan of action which rapidly drives the narrative towards a fantastic conclusion. Will Rump be defeated or will he become King of Space? The race is on.

R.M. Wilburn has created another stunning graphic novel that resounds with the concerns of the average liberal thinker in a time of increasing political polarisation. Cleverly woven into the plot are issues of fake news and the difficulty of finding truth in amongst the ubiquitous propaganda of vested interests and the absence of reliable history. Issues of honor and integrity, of freedom and fairness all feature in the visually striking pages of this book. I have been fortunate to follow Mary Morgan’s diary from the first adventure and am happy to recommend this last volume which concludes the series. Ms. Wilburn is a talented author and illustrator; her humanity and concern for people and the planet shine out of the pages of her work; sumptuously illustrated volumes that deserve a broad readership.

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Witch Hunter: Volume One, Hunt The Hunters is a graphic novel written by Vincent J Ferrante, with the cover by Jeff Batista, and with color by Blake. The year is 1692, it is three o’clock and school is in recess. It seemed like another normal day for young Jon Redmont. However, he sees an announcement nailed to a tree; his mother and their family are wanted for the practice of witchery! Frightened, Jon goes to find his mother and witnesses a terrifying sight. Unable to escape the condemnation of their village, most of the Redmont family and their household of lodgers are killed. But everything is not as it seems - the ones condemned were the ones who were doing their best to save humanity, while the ones behind the condemning were the ones eager to see humanity fall. Three hundred years later, Jon Redmont is resurrected and given another chance to help humanity and avenge his fallen family. This time it is his turn, as the witch hunter, to hunt the hunters!

The first volume of Vincent J Ferrante’s Witch Hunter contains Jon Redmont’s origin story and his adventures after the tragic deaths of his family. The first volume is already filled with action-packed sequences as the hero does his best to fulfill his mother’s wishes; to oppose the darkness without being darkened by it! The Scarlet Circle is a group of witches determined to plunge the world into darkness and Jon Redmont stands in their way, determined to stop them by whatever means necessary. The novel's issues are intense and it is filled with vigorous and suspenseful content and action scenes. I found that the artwork went well with the storyboard; the bright colors and bold, inked lines emphasized the movements and efforts of the heroes and villains wonderfully. The storyline is precise and straight to the point, often filled with the usual puns and humorous jabs you find in every good, classic comic book. Jon Redmont is a hero with an impressive hideout, a collection of interesting weapons, and an eye-catching costume but he is also more than that. He is a hero with an unforgettable, touching, and heartbreaking past, determined to do his part and be there when he is needed, despite the odds being against him. Overall, an impressive tale of the Witch Hunter’s adventures as he fights and hunts the hunters for the sake of humanity. Good job!

Reviewed by Nicholus Schroeder for Readers' Favorite

Family Time: I’m A Star by Brandon Foster is a short story about a girl called Simone. She is the second-born child of a family of four. She was the star of her team and was envied by most of her fellow students. But there was one girl called Keisha who was not so taken with Simone as she didn’t understand why everyone adored Simone and thus despised her. Furthermore, Keisha surmised that if she could be friends with her nemesis she could take Simone's place as the school’s most loved student by destroying her reputation with her family, team, and friends. Will Keisha triumph? And if she does, then what will become of Simone? Will she be able to live outside the spotlight?

Family Time: I’m A Star is full of life lessons that are relevant to people of all ages. I was really moved by how Brandon Foster was able to demonstrate just how detrimental a bad friend could be in one’s life. This book opened my eyes to the despair that such people could inflict upon their unsuspecting victims. The pictures found in Family Time: I’m A Star are also a very welcome addition in my opinion, as they help make the whole book even more interesting. The images have a pleasant, warm tone and pop with bright colors. Though this book is a rather short read, it is quite an enjoyable story with much wisdom that I happily absorbed and appreciated.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Saga of Evil Monkey Man: Season One is an action and adventure graphic novel written by N. Blake Seals, with art by Butch Mapa. The bucolic nature of the little hamlet nestled on the North Shore of Long Island, Cold Spring Harbor, was disrupted one day by an explosion at the most notorious element of the area, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Those who were closer to the scene were also privy to a most unusual sight. A gigantic monkey-man dressed in clothes that seemed shredded as a result of a transformation had appeared outside the Lab. He was even now trying to evade the authorities. Would he have time to figure it out? Was there a way to reverse the experiment that had created this man-monkey fusion?

This story is apt to be an irresistible draw to any Long Islander; I know it was for me. Seeing the opening frames showing downtown Cold Spring Harbor brought to mind the night I was first introduced to that marvelous, historic hamlet. Likewise, the flight of the Monkey Man and the motley crew that assembles to assist him out to Montauk and onwards had me revisiting the far eastern reaches of the island in my mind and wondering if it wasn’t time to go back for a visit. If you’re not from Long Island, try the story anyway. You’ll probably end up becoming an honorary Long Islander and planning your own visit in the near future. N. Blake Seals and Butch Mapa do a grand job of making the island real, no small feat considering the constraints of the format and the fantastic elements of the story.

The Saga of Evil Monkey Man: Season One is marvelous, spectacular and so much fun to read. It’s beautifully put together: the art, coloring, storyline, and the result is a professionally designed and created story that’s wacky, entertaining, and filled with fast-paced action. Seals’ characters are well-crafted, and his plot is ingenious and clever. This is one of those reads that makes one experience a pang of regret when it’s over -- but it’s not! There appear to be three more seasons based on the artwork shown at the end of the book. The Saga of Evil Monkey Man is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Joanie Chevalier for Readers' Favorite

Mup, written and illustrated by Raea Gragg, is a graphic novel with beautiful and eye-catching illustrations, and the topics about being environmentally conscious, the angst of turning into a teenager, and family are timely and creative. Mup is a cheerful and high-spirited young girl who does not have a care in the world. She meets up with her teenaged self, Arianna, who only cares about how popular and pretty she is. Arianna’s world is a dreary place, with all the plants now dead, but her father, a botanist as well as a contagious optimist, is on a mission to Africa to find the hidden valley where a cure can be found to reverse all the damage. There, Mup, her future self, and their father, as well as a few other lively characters meet the evil villain whose only mission is to drill for oil and get rich. Mup by Raea Gragg is a fantastic way to introduce important social issues to children.

I was impressed with the creative storyline and gorgeous eye-popping graphic designs and illustrations in Mup by Raea Gragg. The pages came to life from the first to the last, and relevant social issues are revealed in a fun and non-threatening way. This is a story for all ages: the young, to introduce them to the important issue of conservation; the teenager, to soothe their anxiety about leaving childhood behind; the adult, for a gentle reminder about the feelings of being a teenager and the importance of holding onto the family. Raea Gragg is truly a dynamo and I expect to see more work from this talented author and illustrator.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Astral Evolution is a work of comic book fiction with graphic novel illustrations and was created by author team Jay Magnum and Brian Augustyn, and an extensive team of artists. Penned as the exciting sequel to the high-quality Astral Genesis, we find ourselves with Colonol DeVane and a fantastic superhero whose origins make her a princess from ancient Egypt. Evil is afoot in this lavish thriller story that also has plenty of science fiction and true comic book genre hits, including rough and ready heroes versus glamorous wicked types, epic fight scenes and gorgeously drawn heroines who also know how to kick their enemies to the curb.

Stylish and filled with substance, this is another fantastic work from the Astral series team, led by author duo Jay Magnum and Brian Augustyn. Lila was my favorite in this piece: a capable and intelligent glamazon of a woman with plenty of light and dark in her storyline. It was wonderful to see such character development for her and the surrounding cast, and even in the relatively short space of a graphic novel, we can feel attached to these characters and treat them as real individuals with relatable emotions. The art style with line drawings from Ariel Medel is truly stunning, creating dynamic action scenes that add to the complex and intriguing plot of the tale. Overall, Astral Evolution is an excellent addition to the series and an extremely high-quality graphic novel that every fan and collector ought to own.

Reviewed by Louanne Piccolo for Readers' Favorite

The Mega Awesome Notebook by Kevin Minor is an awesome graphic novel about an equally awesome graphic novel. It tells the story of a teenage cartoonist whose drawings come to life through a radioactive cloud of awesomeness after he accidentally microwaves his notebook at breakfast. Radioactivity, however, is the least of his worries as he is faced with boring algebra, bullies and a lack of self-confidence in what seems to be a normal day for him. Dud, the main drawing in his notebook, quickly forms a love-hate relationship with the artist in an attempt to become independent. Through their spats, more details about the boy’s life are revealed to the reader – a crush, divorced parents who don’t seem to have much time for their child and an incapacity to deal with these issues appropriately.

Both written and illustrated by Kevin Minor, this touching glimpse into the mind of an angst-ridden teen is nothing short of brilliant. The Mega Awesome Notebook delighted me in its ingenuity and creativity and delivered a laugh on every page despite its sometimes emotionally charged subject matter. Minor’s capacity to switch from one artistic style to another at the stroke of a pencil is quite remarkable and the mark of true artistic talent. The main characters, both the teen and Dud, were touching, entertaining and brought the story to life in the way only very beautiful drawings can. I feel that this graphic novel is suited to readers of all ages with its life-like art and brilliant social commentary. I am blown away by the sheer talent of Kevin Minor - he has a new fan in me!