Calamity Jack

Written by Shannon & Dean Hale

Illustrated by Nathan Hale

Bloomsbury Press 2010

Approx age 9 & up

Jack has always aspired to be a criminal mastermind. Fortunately for his prospected victims, he has been cursed with bad luck and a conscience. While trying to free his mother from the servitude of a scheming, fat cat giant, his luck gets the better of him again, and he narrowly escapes with his bones unground. After a year of misadventures with cowgirl, Rapunzel, Jack returns to the city with his fiery-tress 'ed companion in tow, determined to finally free his mother, and the entire city, from the clutches of the giant, Blunderboar.

Calamity Jack is the sequel to the surprise hit graphic novel of last year, Rapunzel's Revenge. It stands alone, though, as Jack has become the main protagonist, plus there is a small recap in early part of the book.

The Hale's ability to masterfully mix together, and totally morph, these classic fairy tales into one big fractured, steampunk mess is once again on display. Jack as an urban Native "American" dandy (the land is never named) is a wonderful touch, putting him somewhere in the middle of Grimm and the Coyote trickster tales. And Rapunzel, revised as a princess-in-exile-cum-frontier heroine is an amazingly strong female protagonist. Her braids, used as lariats, are my favorite visual in this series. Nathan Hale uses them not only as compositional elements, but to compliment the image, their flaming orange hues really making the color scheme pop. His line work is reminiscent of a young Rick Geary, with a bit of P. Craig Russel thrown in for good measure. I think my only critique is placement of the title on the cover. Could have been a bit bigger and a bit punchier, but seriously, I am reaching to find a flaw in this book.

This book is a such a great example of how good it is to be a kid into comics right now. Publisher's are really pushing to make comics for children again, and the majority of them are really respecting the strides artists and writer who pushed them as respected art form. This volume is going to be such an easy sell to all the Steampunk kids out there, even if they have no idea what that means.

"The Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity"

Written by Mac Barnett

Illustrated by Adam Rex

Simon & Schuster 2009

Approx age 9 and up

Steve Brixton, aka Steve, is like most of us part-time super sleuth's in training. He has a Guiness Book of World Records with a secret compartment, an encyclopedic knowledge of classic detective stories, and a severe distrust of anyone with a mustache. While at the library researching a social studies report, a case of mistaken identity will put all his all his P.I. know how to the test, as he is embroiled in an national conspiracy involving special agent librarians, villainous longshoremen and his mom's jerk boyfriend.

Mac Barnett has hit the jackpot on his first try as a mystery writer. The plot's turns for the weird don't feel forced, IE the aforementioned commando librarians, and the continuing references and illustrated examples from the Bailey Brother's Detective Handbook serve the story, rather than the other way around. Adam Rex is perfectly paired with Barnett on this one, his distinct-yet-chameleon style adapting itself to whatever diagram is thrown his way. Speaking of throw, the diagram on page 116 of how to throw the Shawn Bailey haymaker punch takes me back to all my junior spy kits from my international man of mystery days.

This book is the middle ground between a classic Gordon Korman and the Hardy Boys. All the gags are working towards tying up the mystery, and the detective story conventions completely avoid cliché.

I think I have to go dust off my magnifying glass now.

"Dinotrux" by Chris Gall

Little Brown & Co., 2009

Approx ages: 3 to 6

Before the written word, before fire, and even before the stick-shift, there were...

DINOTRUX!

Fearsome, clawed and honking, Chris Gall's fourth picture book is a unique mash-up of the classic childhood obsessions; Terrible dinosaurs and giant vehicles. Presented as a junior bestiary, Dinotrux introduces us to long extinct species like the head-strong Dozeratops, and the tar-defecating Blacktopadon. Evolution redeems them, however, as their ancestors have become the diligent road envoys we know today.

Dinotrux is a bit of a departure in style for Gall. His previous kid's books, like Dear Fish, were characterized by their very polished scratchboard style, while Dinotrux's illustrations are very frenetic in comparison, his line work looser. Indeed, they look scratchy-er than his scratchboards. But the style works for the story, emphasizing the humour and cartoon nature of these Jurassic road hogs.

This book is guaranteed to appeal to fans of McMullan's I Stink, and her dinosaur follow up, I'm Bad. Expect dump trucks and diplod0cus' to be given equal time in the sand box after this one.