Review — Moonstruck Volume 1: Magic to Brew

Front cover of graphic novel Moonstruck Volume 1: Magic to Brew Moonstruck Vol. 1: Magic to Brew
By: Grace Ellis, Shae Beagle
Illustrator: Caitlin Quirk, Clayton Cowles
Release Date: February 14, 2018
Publisher: Image Comics
Series: Moonstruck (Volume 1)
Rating:


Graphic novel series Moonstruck is a young adult series that combines fantasy and mystery with an LGBTQ+ cast. Written by Grace Ellis and Shae Beagle and illustrated by Caitlin Quirk and Clayton Cowles, this is a series that has graced many “best of” and “you need to read this” lists on professional and fan sites for several years.

Review – The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Kay O’Neill

A tiny dragon and two people with horns. The Tea Dragon Tapestry
By: Kay O'Neill
Illustrator: Kay O'Neill
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Publisher: Oni Press
Series: Tea Dragon #3
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


The beloved, beautifully drawn graphic novel Tea Dragon series has seen the release of another installment. The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Kay O’Neill follows the previous two graphic novels in the series: The Tea Dragon Society and The Tea Dragon Festival.

Review – Lady Mechanika, Vol. 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci

Lady Mechanika: La Belle Dam Sans Merci Lady Mechanika, Vol. 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci
By: Joe Benitez, M. M. Chen
Illustrator: Martin Montiel, Beth Sotelo
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: Lady Mechanika
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


We find ourselves back in Lady Mechanika’s steampunk London once again. Finally, our protagonist’s creator seems to be coming out of the shadows, but all is not well with inventor Archibald Lewis. And so kicks off Lady Mechanika, Volume 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci written by M. M. Chen and Joe Benitez, and with art by Martin Montiel and Beth Sotelo.

Review – Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, Wendy Xu, and Joamette Gil

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu front cover Mooncakes
By: Suzanne Walker
Illustrator: Wendy Xu (Illustrations); Joamette Gil (lettering)
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Publisher: Lion Forge
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


Family, love, acceptance, and trust are core themes of this graphic novel about a family of witches and a werewolf living in a small town. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, Wendy Xu, and Joamette Gil is equal parts and exciting tale of witchcraft and adventure and heartwarming story of love and family that is sure to melt the iciest of hearts.

Review – Ophiuchus

Ophiuchus Ophiuchus
By: Alexis Leriger de la Plante & Natasha Tara Petrovic
Illustrator: Alexis Leriger de la Plante & Natasha Tara Petrovic
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Publisher: Image Comics
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


A single volume graphic novel based off of a prior web comic series, Ophiuchus by Alexis Leriger de le Plante and Natasha Tara Petrovic is a story as colorful as it is steeped in science fiction and post-apocalyptic society.

Review – The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill

Book cover of The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill The Tea Dragon Festival
By: Katie O'Neill
Illustrator: Katie O'Neill
Release Date: September 17, 2019
Publisher: Oni Press
Series: Tea Dragons #2
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


Set years before Katie O’Neill’s The Tea Dragon Society, new graphic novel The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill returns to the world of tiny tea dragons. A brand new story featuring brand new characters, this tale is every bit as heartwarming as the first graphic novel which captured hearts all over the world.

Review – Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad, Joana LaFuente, and Jim Campbell

Front cover of graphic novel Fence Vol. 1 Fence, Vol. 1
By: C.S. Pacat
Illustrator: Johanna the Mad (illustrations); Joana LaFuente (colorist); Jim Campbell (lettering)
Release Date: July 31, 2018
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Series: Fence #1
Rating:


Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad, Joana LaFuente, and Jim Campbell is a graphic novel for young adults. The first volume collects issues 1 through 4 into a full color collection.

Review – Chronin Volume 1: The Knife at Your Back by Alison Wiglus

Chronin Volume 1: The Knife at Your Back
By: Alison Wiglus
Release Date: February 19, 2019
Publisher: Tor Books
Series: Chronin #1
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


It’s no secret I love manga, but what may be less known is my propensity for the Meji Era. The crash of modernity and tradition provides a fascinating backdrop to any story (and tends to speak to my history major heart). Surprising no one, I immediately downloaded an e-arc of Chronin Volume 1: The Knife at Your Back by Alison Wiglus as soon as I saw the cover art.

Review – Submerged by Vita Ayala and Lisa Sterle

Submerged
By: Vita Ayala
Illustrator: Lisa Sterle (artist); Stelladia (colorist); Rachel Deering (letterer)
Release Date: February 12, 2019
Publisher: Vault Comics
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


A graphic novel of true beauty, both artistically and literarily, Submerged Volume 1 by Vita Ayala and Lisa Sterle is a brand new release not to be missed. This is a story of many things. It is a story of family, a story of coming to terms and letting go, it’s about relationships. It is a story many can relate to, on one level or another, and one that is so very worth reading.

Review – The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

The Prince and the Dressmaker
By: Jen Wang
Illustrator: Jen Wang
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Publisher: First Second
Rating:


The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang is an utterly magnificent story of acceptance, following your heart, and chasing your dreams. It is the story of a young prince, Sebastian, and a young woman, Frances, who wants to become a fashion designer and dressmaker. After seeing a dress Frances made, Sebastian hires her as his seamstress. But Sebastian’s secret and Frances’ dreams seem to go hand in hand.