by Lucy Softich

The Unwritten Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross
$9.99

Plot
Wilson Taylor, the author of the famed Tommy Taylor book series, disappeared mysteriously before he could publish the 14th book in his series. However, he left behind more than disappointed fans; Wilson left behind a son. Tom Taylor bears a striking resemblance to his father’s fictional creation of the same name, and has been riding that fame for years (much to his embarrassment and shame). But the world is changing. Certain facts about Tom’s identity come to light, leaving even him wondering: what if stories were more powerful than we ever imagined?

First Impressions
I picked this book up on a whim at Powell’s (I believe it had a “recommended” sign all it’s very own), based mainly on the lovely cover. It also contains a twisted spoof of Harry Potter, and being a cynical yet devoted fan, I couldn’t resist. I’m also a sucker for anything that pushes the boundaries of reality and blurs the line between fact and fiction.

Lasting Impressions
Some stories stay with you because they feel eerily real, despite impossible circumstance. The Unwritten is one of those stories. The fan reaction in the book (some threaten Tom and call him a fraud, and others literally worship him) seems very close to things I’ve seen fanatical fans do. It’s reality to the n-nth degree, and that’s one thing I love about speculative fiction. The story is compelling, and I can’t wait to get the second volume!

Behind the Scenes
In the back of the book, there is a section which lays out the original text of the opening, along with concept art of the first few pages, and the covers. It’s really cool to see the process a story goes through from text to graphic novel.

Audience
A must-read for fans and haters of Harry Potter, and really anyone who’s been touched by fan obsession. There’s really a lot here for any reader, a lot of thoughtful discussion of what happens when a story becomes more than just words on paper.

This is another book for older readers, probably 16+. There’s some swearing and some graphic violence, and a lot of literary references which may be lost on younger readers.

by Lucy Softich

Demo, by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan
$19.95

Plot
Demo is a collection of twelve short stories, each revolving around a different cast of characters, all teens or young adults dealing with their own personal powers. In many cases, these powers are supernatural.

First Impressions
I first heard of Demo in a class I took on graphic novels (isn’t college awesome?). It wasn’t required reading, but one of the final presentation groups focused on it, and I’ve been eager to read it ever since. I’m a sucker for realistic portrayals of life with super powers, but what really attracted me visually is that each story has a separate art style, despite all being illustrated by the same artist.

Lasting Impressions
Each of the stories is touching, in some cases heart-wrenching, and feels very true to life (even when cars are exploding and characters are literally changing their shape). Even in such short snippets, you really get a feel for the individual characters. My only regret is that we don’t get to follow them for more chapters.

The art is, simply, stunning. Each chapter has a different style to it, and yet they still all manage to feel connected. The overall style is very manga-inspired, but the artist really runs with the style and makes it her own. Each page is a pleasure.

Audience
Demo is definitely for an older crowd, probably 16+. There’s some heavy swearing, and some mature themes that simply may not appeal to a younger audience. Fans of superheros who are looking for a more realistic take on the concept, or readers who normally shy away from superhero comics because of the exaggerated plot-lines, will both really enjoy Demo.

by Lucy Softich

Runaways #01: Pride and Joy (by various authors)
$7.99

Plot
Six teenagers find out that not only are their parents not as boring as they’d thought, but they’re actually a team of super villains. When they’re annual get-together proves to be much more than an annoying yearly reunion, Alex, Karolina, Gertrude, Chase, Molly, and Nico decide they can’t stand to live with their parents evil ways, and set out to live in hiding and possibly bring a end to their parents’ plans.

First Impressions
I was a bit turned off by the cover at first, but this series came highly recommended to me (and I was tired of my friends quoting it at me). I don’t know a whole lot about American superhero comics, so I was a bit worried about jumping into the Marvel world, but this book proved a great introduction, without being too clichéd.

Lasting Impressions
The characters in Runaways are not your parents superheros. They don’t have costumes or code names (despite Molly’s insistences), and they don’t make long speeches or perform impossible acts. They’re just teenagers, and they feel like teenagers. However, the series still has that feel for the fantastic which I’m [now] coming to associate with Marvel. It’s become one of my favorite series.

Behind the Scenes
I own the small trade paper (the $7.99 one) and it’s fine if you’re just checking out the series, but if you plan to reread the books ever I recommend buying the bigger $14.00 version. My little one is literally falling apart, and the art looks much better in the bigger version.

Audience
This is a great for new and old superhero fans a lot, and will appeal to teenagers of both gender, as well as some adults.

Publisher’s Note
For those of you looking to get a tast of what Marvel has to offer without diving head first into their universe, this title is a great place to start. The events and characters are “cannon” and part of the Marvel Universe, but they’re secondary characters without a deluge of backstory. Slip in and read! Good times! —Bo

by Lucy Softich

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1, by Hiromu Arakawa
$9.99 (new)

Plot
Set in psuedo-Europe, Fullmetal Alchemist follows to brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, as they search for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. In an Alchemy accident as children, Edward lost an arm and a leg, and Alphonse lost his whole body (and now resides is a suit of armor), and only the Philosopher’s Stone can return them to normal…

In this first volume, Edward and Alphonse face religious corruption in a small town, and later find themselves in the midst of a train robbery, all with a bit of character background thrown in from time to time.

First Impressions
I’d heard about this series and seen images of it (and cosplay from it) long before I ever got around to reading or watching it. I assumed it was just another action/adventure manga that would go on way too long, awash with filler and minimalistic character development. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was almost instantly charmed by the well-developed  characters and the complex story line. The hype was not for nothing.

Lasting Impressions
This series really pulls at my heart strings, without being overly sympathetic or sappy. It’s full of great action scenes and a very fast-paced plot, but the characters really make the series. That said, I’ve always felt the beginning was a little confusing. Vol. 1 isn’t bad, but it’s feels like a somewhat sloppy beginning to what is an otherwise fantastic series.

See Also
If the manga peaks your interest, it has been made into two anime series. The original, titled simply Fullmetal Alchemist, deviates from the manga after about Vol. 5, but the new series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, supposedly follows the manga almost beat-perfect. There is also a movie follow-up to the original anime, but I found it very disapointing.

Audience
This genre is typically aimed at tween to teenage boys, but Fullmetal Alchemist has a wealth of stuff there for the female or older reader. It also boasts some of the best female characters I’m ever seen in manga/anime.