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Book Review: Graveyard Quest by KC Green

Graveyard Quest by KC Green

Oni Press, 2016

ISBN: 9781620102893

Available: Kindle edition and comiXology ebook, print

Graveyard Quest follows, well, the Gravedigger, who keeps the bones of his dead mother in a cabinet, and talks to them every moment he can. He is tormented by the ghost of his dead father, the previous Gravedigger, who is frustrated with his son’s inability to get over his mother’s death. One morning, the Gravedigger wakes to find his mother’s bones missing. He ventures to the underworld to try to reclaim them. Along the way, he encounters an unusually helpful mole, a town of worms, and a team of ghost bandits, among others. The Gravedigger’s father follows him, demanding he turn back and do his job, as the bodies are piling up in the graveyard back home.

Will the Gravedigger help the government break into Hell? Will he reclaim the bones of his dead mother? Will his father ever be happy with him? Why is this mole always helping him? And what’s the deal with the ghost bandits wanting to break into Heaven? All of these questions are answered within the pages of this graphic novel, which is hilarious, heart wrenching, and full of adventure. While the language may not be suitable for some children, it may be enjoyable for some young adults, depending on their reading taste. I would be fine with my oldest nephew, who is also a horror fan, reading this.  The artwork is simple, but pretty great. I think my favorite panels involve the worm community. The “reverend” worm is fantastic. Recommended for those who like a little humor in their graphic novels.

Note: Graveyard Quest began as a story arc on Green’s web comic, Gunshow.

Contains: some strong language

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker


Media Tie-In: The Right Hand of Doom Limited Edition Beer

I was going through old emails and look what I found. It arrived in my mailbox on my birthday (I will not reveal exactly what day in February that is). How cool is this? Better than birthday cake, in my opinion.  Unfortunately, it is already sold out.

Now THIS is a media tie-in. Librarians, take note. I’m sure there’s a nearby pub that would love to host your graphic novel discussion group.

 

 

 

For Immediate Release:

Introducing the RIGHT HAND OF DOOM beer

inspired by Mike Mignola’s bestselling HELLBOY graphic novels

 

Portland, OR– To celebrate the 21st anniversary of Mike Mignola’s legendary Hellboy character, Dark Horse Comics and Rogue Ales have collaborated to create the RIGHT HAND OF DOOM, a limited edition beer that will be available online beginning February 22, 2015 at www.rogue.com.

 

“When Dark Horse Comics published the first Hellboy story 21 years ago, I never thought there’d be a Hellboy beer,” said Mignola. “But I really can’t imagine a better time for Rogue to introduce the Right Hand of Doom beer. If Hellboy was real I guess he’d finally be able to buy me a beer.”

 

“Hellboy has appeared in graphic novels and comic books, prose novels, two animated features, two live action films, toy lines and all manner of merchandise,,” said Mike Richardson, President of Dark Horse. “Rogue Ales approached us with the idea of creating a heavy-handed, supernatural red ale and we loved the idea of two independent, Portland based companies coming together to create something new that would be both fun for fans and worthy of the Mike Mignola’s creative legacy.”

 

“This beer is dedicated to the B.P.R.D,” said Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales. “RIGHT HAND OF DOOM is brewed with all the same passion and intensity that Mike Mignola and Dark Horse have brought to Hellboy for the past 21 years.”

 

The RIGHT HAND OF DOOM label features a Hellboy drawing by Mignola. The beer will be available for the first time publicly at an event at Things From Another World Comics store in Portland on Friday, February 20 at a signing with Mignola and fellow comic book superstars Matt Kindt (MIND MGMT), Eric Powell (THE GOON) and Brian Wood (REBELS). The event begins at 4 PM, with Mignola’s signing scheduled for 6 PM. The beer will be available nationally via http://buy.rogue.com/Rogue-Hellboy-Right-Hand-of-Doom-Red-Ale; pre-orders are now available.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Robot God Akamatsu by James Biggie, illustrated by Frankie B. Washington

Robot God Akamatsu, Vol. 1  by James Biggie, illustrated by Frankie B. Washington, and lettered by Josh Van Reyk

Zetabella Publishing, 2013

ISBN-13:  9781927384152

Available: Graphic novel hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition

 

Robot God Akamatsu is the first volume of a YA graphic novel series. Back in the days of Atlantis, humanity was protected by the titular Robot God Akamatsu and the three pilots who operated the robot god from a space station orbiting the Earth. To engage the Robot God, they would invoke the term Deus Ex Machina, which translates literally to “god from the machine”.

In the present day, Akamatsu is recovered and brought back online in time to fight his brother, URU. URU is the lord of Kaiju (sea monsters) and is currently exiled to a place called the Abbation plane. Now that Akamatsu has been awoken, URU plots to use the Robot God’s power source to bring URU and his horde of monstrous warriors to Earth. For once, the action all occurs around the city of Boston, and New York City is spared destruction.

This is a very fun graphic novel. I would like to see Biggie and Washington create further installments in the epic battle of Akamatsu and URU. This is recommended for readers of comic books, and lovers of Kaiju and classic robot sci-fi. If you enjoyed Pacific Rim, this is the graphic novel for you. Recommended.

Contains: Comic book mayhem

Reviewed by Benjamin Franz