Narwhal and Jelly Books 6-8 by Ben Clanton

Narwhal's School of Awesomeness (v.6) by Ben Clanton - 81 pages
Narwhalicorn and Jelly (v.7) by Ben Clanton - 73 pages
A Super Scary Narwhalloween (v.8) by Ben Clanton - 69 pages

These are the latest three volumes in the Narwhal and Jelly graphic novel series for children. 

In Narwhal's School of Awesomeness, Narwhal and Jelly decide to substitute teach a school of fish for the day.  
While all the Narwhal and Jelly books are filled with puns, this one has even more than usual.  The reader also learns a surprising amount of true information during reading the book.

In Narwhalicorn and Jelly, Narwhal drags Jelly along on an adventure to see a "real" unicorn.
This book leads the reader to the important lesson that sometimes we need to be better listeners to our friends and not get too caught up in our own excitement.

In A Super Scary Narwhalloween, Jelly isn't sure he likes Halloween because it is a little too scary for him.  
This book was super cute with its illustrations -- especially of Narwhal's possible costumes.

I would definitely recommend this series to kids.

Over the Garden Wall vol 1, by Pat McHale

Over the Garden Wall vol 1, by Pat McHale, 112 pages

Wirt and Greg are brothers lost in a weird wood, led by a duplicitous bluebird. Taking place during the television show Over the Garden Wall, this graphic novel offers a window into the previously unseen adventures and shenanigans on the journey home.  These stories are as wonderfully bizarre and equally enchanting as those in the show.

The music of the show was one of its more enchanting aspects, and I thought it was a nice touch that in the back of the book, the publishers actually included the sheet music to the songs "sung" in the novel. 

 

Monstress: Awakening (Monstress, #1) by Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda, and Rus Wooton

 Monstress: Awakening (Monstress, #1) by Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda, and Rus Wooton-201 pages

Maika Halfwolf is an Arcanic trying to find answers about many things. She is willingly taken prisoner to Zamora in her quest to find answers. After escaping from slavery she hunts down the person from whom she's seeking answers and then flees from Zamora. Arcanics and humans are currently at a very tenuous peace after a long, bloody war. Both races were made from/after the Ancients, who seemingly no longer exist. Maika's actions threaten to bring war back between the humans and Arcanics. It seems that Maika is very special and not just for what she found in Zamora. Many factions are hunting her because of this. I enjoyed reading this fantasy comic/graphic novel. I may read more of the volumes later. I would give this 4 out of 5 stars.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Mirror Moon by Mallory Reeves

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Mirror Moon by Mallory Reeves, 128 pages

Jack hasn't quite learned his lesson, as in Mirror Moon he once again attempts to spread the Halloween cheer amongst his holidayland members. What Jack doesn't realize is that his experiment has inadvertently been creating mischief-making dopplegangers of the denizens of Halloweentown. 

As per the usual, Sally steps in to save the day because the Pumpkin King has been blinded by science. It's a nice little comp to revisit Halloweentown. 

Zero's Journey, part threeby D.J. Milky,

 

Zero's Journey, part threeby D.J. Milky, 128 pages

The journey back to Halloweentown stretches on for poor Zero. I like that these graphic novels have captured the dark whimsy and playful heart of the original content. They are also so beautifully rendered that there are times I forget that I'm reading it. 

Zero's Journey, part two by D.J. Milky

Zero's Journey, part two by D.J. Milky, 128 pages

Zero's journey continues. 

This comic was an interesting follow-up to the first part. It had some really intense moments that made me teary. Criers, gird your loins. 

Zero's Journey, part one by D.J. Milky

 Zero's Journey, part one by D.J. Milky, 128 pages

All is not well in Halloweentown when Jack makes a mistake that leads to Zero's disappearance. Zero has his own struggles navigating the foreign world of Christmas town.

Star Wars: The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 1: Balance of the Force by Cavan Scott, Ario Anindito

Star Wars: The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 1: Balance of the Force by Cavan Scott, Ario Anindito-120 pages

I enjoy Star Wars and graphic novels, so I checked this out. I didn't like it as much as I expected, actually. It's set during the High Republic, approximately 150 years before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Jedi Knight Villar Mac arrives on Jedha to help guard the Convocation and the Guardians of the Whills. The Jedi are there to keep the peace and only interfere when asked for help. A new threat is revealed and riots erupt in the streets near the Convocation because of this new threat. I thought this would be more of a mystery and keep me more engaged, but it was just okay. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

 Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe-240 pages

Gender Queer is the story of Maia Kobabe's journey to realizing e doesn't identify as female or male. Maia goes by the pronouns e, em, eir. I wanted to read this because there's been a lot of talk about it and it's been challenged frequently. There are some somewhat sexual images, but they are all in the context of Maia's exploration of eir gender identity. Maia was assigned female at birth, but as I mentioned, doesn't identify as female or male and identifies as asexual. This is a very personal story about Maia's journey. 

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Steele

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle-213 pages

Becca moves from LA to Piedmont and starts at a posh new high school. She really wants to be normal and have normal friends. One day a simple act of kindness gets her in with the popular girls known as the Squad (Marley, Arianna, and Amanda). She starts going to parties with them and becomes friends with them. One night at a party, the Squad reveals that they're werewolves and eat "the worst guys" to satiate their hunger and replenish their energy. However, things start to go wrong after a while and the FBI is on the case when a local "worst guy" named Thatcher goes missing (Becca killed him in self-defense). Becca and Marley end up falling in love with each other and end up going to prom together. What happens to the Squad and their alpha, Arianna, in particular? I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and would give it 4 starts. 
 

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore et al.

 V for Vendetta by Alan Moore et al.-295 pages

I have seen the film of the same name and it is a good movie. I learned a while back that the film is based on this graphic novel, so I wanted to read it and compare the two. V for Vendetta is set in a dystopian London. After World War 3, a totalitarian government arose in England. V is an anarchist out to topple the government so that the people can govern themselves. I enjoyed the movie a little more, but this was good, too. 

Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2: The Heart of Drengir by Cavan Scott et al.

 Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2: The Heart of Drengir by Cavan Scott et al.-120 pages

I read the first volume recently and I enjoyed it. I want to continue reading through this series. These comics/graphic novels are supplementary stories to the novels set during the High Republic era of Star Wars. In this one, the Jedi (including Keeve Trennis and her master Sskeer) are allied with the Hutts to rid the galaxy of the Drengir (dark side force sensitive plant-like creatures bent on the destruction of the Jedi). The Jedi, led by Marshal Avar Kriss, are trying to find the "Heart of the Drengir" also known as the "Great Progenitor" because if they destroy it, then they destroy the Drengir. The Jedi also continue to encounter the Nihil, who are a sworn enemy. I continue to enjoy reading through these and look forward to reading the third volume. 

Star Wars: The High Republic - Trail of Shadows by Daniel Jose Older, et al.

Star Wars: The High Republic - Trail of Shadows by Daniel Jose Older, et al.-112 pages

The Jedi are concerned about a new "weapon" the Nihil have been using to fight and kill them. A wise Jedi named Emerick and a private investigator team up to find answers about this new "weapon." While on this mission, Starlight Beacon is attacked and destroyed by the Nihil. I enjoyed reading this and I've enjoyed reading everything I've read of "Star Wars: The High Republic" thus far.

Crisis on Infinite Earths (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

 Crisis on Infinite Earths (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez-368 pages

Originally published in 1985, Crisis was a game-changer for DC Comics (and for comics in general). Worlds and superheroes perish in this epic battle of good vs. evil. I wanted to read this because I watched the CW "Arrowverse" crossover featuring Supergirl, The Flash, Green Arrow, and many others. A scene from the crossover episodes piqued my interest in reading the original comic material. This comic and the TV crossover are similar, yet different. I enjoyed reading this comic, but I enjoyed the TV crossover more. However, the CW crossover wouldn't have been possible without the original material, so this gets props for that. 

Black Widow by Kelly Thompson, Vol. 2: I am the Black Widow

Black Widow by Kelly Thompson, Vol. 2: I am the Black Widow-112 pages

Natasha is reeling from the events of volume 1, but must move on to deal with a new threat, Apogee. He is a cult leader who is giving his followers a serum with powers. However, the powers may be killing them if they use them too much. Hawkeye (Kate Bishop), White Widow (Yelena Belova), and Spider-Girl (Anya) all join Black Widow to try and stop Apogee. I enjoyed reading this second volume and look forward to reading a third volume when it releases. 

Black Widow by Kelly Thompson, Vol. 1: The Ties That Bind

Black Widow by Kelly Thompson, Vol. 1: The Ties That Bind-112 pages

I enjoy almost anything Marvel and Black Widow is no exception. This is the beginning of a new story arc for Black Widow. She falls into a trap of happiness and peace set by a group of villains intent on taking her out of the picture. Can she get out of the trap? Will Hawkeye, Winter Soldier, and Yelena be able to help her? I enjoyed reading this first volume and look forward to reading the second. 

Ms. Marvel: Something New (Ms. Marvel #9-10) by G. Willow Wilson

 Ms. Marvel: Something New (Ms. Marvel #9-10) by G. Willow Wilson-248 pages

I previously read a few volumes of G. Willow Wilson's Ms. Marvel and really enjoyed it. With a show on Disney Plus about Ms. Marvel reportedly releasing sometime this year, I was interested in reading more of her story. Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) learns more about herself and what she really wants. She also learns more about how her powers work. Old and new friends and foes appear in this collection. I really enjoyed reading this as well and I look forward to watching the TV series when it releases.

Children of the Whales, Vol. 7 by Abi Umeda

 Children of the Whales, Vol. 7 by Abi Umeda-200 pages

Much is revealed about the origins of the Mud Whale in this seventh volume. It is revealed that the original inhabitants were exiled because of rebellion against the Empire. That is the crime of which they were guilty. Also, the origins of the first mayor and the first Council are revealed. It is an enlightening volume. I am enjoying this Manga series, but I want to read other things and I'm not sure I'll be finishing this series. Currently, there are 20 volumes in this series with a 21st set to be published next year. 

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 7: A Rogue's End by Simon Spurrier et al.

 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 7: A Rogue's End by Simon Spurrier et al.

Doctor Chelli Aphra's journey comes to an end (at least for now) in this seventh and final volume. It seems that Doctor Aphra may have finally turned a corner from being only a selfish user to truly caring about others. She finally decides to do some good and to do right by those she cares about. I really liked the way this series ends. I would recommend this to Star Wars fans and those who enjoy comics/graphic novels. 

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon by Simon Spurrier et al.

 Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon by Simon Spurrier et al.-112 pages

 

Doctor Aphra decides to lay low, but it lasts only a short time. She soon gets roped in on another adventure that, unbeknownst to her, is for the Empire. The Empire has taken notice of Aphra and her actions that have led to open rebellion on planets she visited. She thinks the Rebels are planning to make a superweapon out of the special rifle she found that was created by an ancient Jedi. However, it all turns out to be a ploy created by an Imperial propaganda and misinformation minister. There are several flashbacks to Doctor Aphra's childhood with her mom and they bring a bit of context as to Aphra's behavior and psychology. I enjoyed reading this volume and look forward to finishing this series with the next volume.