Review: Three adventurous new graphic novels

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Three new graphic novels that explore ideas of friendship and adventure. Duffy is determined to help a new friend who is being bullied, Miles and Jones need to save themselves, their parents and their park and Detective Beans is on an important case. Meanwhile, here at The Sapling, Lucy Black is on a mission to find great graphic novels and to tell you all about them.

Duffy and the Bullies, by Jeff Szusterman and illustrated by Ant Sang 

You may have heard of Duffy? Duffy books in homes? Main character Duffy is a reading champion and an all-round good guy. He is unbelievably level headed, cheerful and popular but his empathy and optimism endear him, even to cranky book reviewers. In Duffy and the Bullies the reader quickly picks up that as well as being really into books, Duffy is really into rugby and the school team community around him. Duffy’s days seem pretty carefree, a nice mix of sport and reading with gentle ribbing from his little sister.

This short and sweet graphic novel is based on a play: Duffy and the Cloak Bay Bully by Lauren Jackson. Each character is well rounded. Duffy’s hardworking parents are supportive and engaged, his coach is observant and involved, and even the bully is multidimensional and not just a villain. At times Duffy breaks the fourth wall and addresses the reader, which is slightly cringe but also a useful narrative tool.

Duffy meets Marama, who is being bullied and he immediately wants to help. Duffy doesn’t know the full story but the reader does—Marama is struggling in a single parent home with her busy dad and no one available to listen or lean on. Her anxieties are keeping her awake and her lack of sleep is more fuel for bully Ashlee. It’s not clear (even to Ashlee) why Ashlee is being a bully but like a lot of bullying it seems to come down to wanting cred from popular kids like Duffy and from underlying self-esteem issues.

The story comes to a head during an action packed and dynamically illustrated football game. Ant Sang is truly a master illustrator who excels at combative scenes and capturing body movement. In a somewhat saccharine ending, everyone’s bullying issues are resolved with Duffy’s help and the kids learn valuable lessons from a book they all read. Whilst this may not be the case in real life, there is still a place in children’s books for happy endings and ‘moral of the story’ tales. This is a book for hesitant readers aged eight or over, and those who want to believe in the power of community. 

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Miles and Jones: The Anaconda Attack, by Sam Smith and illustrated by César Lado

Miles is a non-stop rush of kid streaking across the page in cute and comic fashion, well showcased in black and white by César Lado. The graphic novel opens with a slightly slapstick scene of Miles searching the house for shoes as he desperately wants to get outside to pick up his best friend Jones, who lives on the other side of their neighbourhood park. 

At Miles’ side is his bumbling counterpart, Dad, a walking dad joke. His Dad cracks witty asides and stumbles along with Miles as they cross their sweet and wonderfully green community park. Out of nowhere appears an ultra villain called Glam Evil, who is furious about the sounds of happy children at the park (mean, but somewhat relatable) and curses the park and the people in it. A rather bemused Miles and his Dad break the fourth wall (an annoying but useful tool) and tell the reader to look out for her later in the book.

We are introduced to Jones, who doesn’t seem to have much character beyond being Miles’ best friend. They both enjoy adventure and are looking forward to a sleepover. Jones’ mum is a stereotypical Type A helicopter parent who fusses over Jones and ensures she is laughably over equipped for one night away.

As the four of them set out to cross the park again the villain’s curse plays out. Storming weather, flooding and giant anacondas ensue. The story descends into a somewhat chaotic and very absurd action sequence as the families try to save themselves from three giant snakes.

At times the storyline is as muddy as the park grounds but Sam Smith ties it up quite nicely with a clever narrative trick and a cliffhanger promise of more adventure to come. This is a book for busy six to ten year olds with busy minds who like a fast pace and wacky humour.

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Detective Beans and The Case of the Missing Hat, by Li Chen 

Detective Beans is a delight; from page one it’s clear the reader is in safe hands. This graphic novel aimed at seven year olds and up is funny, uber cute and silly but it’s also appealing to readers seeking more than just a cheap laugh.

Li Chen, who both wrote and illustrated this debut graphic novel, has carefully created a whole world to dive into that’s short enough to read in one sitting. In Detective Beans’ world, adventure is around every corner. The birds want to chat and even the plants seem to be leaning in conspiratorially. The story focuses around Beans, a young cat who lives with his caring but hands-off mum.

Beans is fascinated by life and obsessed with noir films. To emulate his heroes, Beans wears a fedora-style detective hat. One morning he wakes (around page 16) to find his hat is gone. The pacy and lushly coloured panels follow Beans as he enlists the help of his best friend, local characters, shopkeepers and a magician and hits the case and tries to find his prized possession.

Beans lives in a Sylvanian world of friendly anthropomorphic creatures and he sees this world through rose-coloured, ever-curious glasses. He approaches kids and adults alike with an expectation of care and respect. With the exception of one cranky snob, Beans is met with consideration within his community, a place where small obsessive cats are respected and humoured.

Beans lives in a Sylvanian world of friendly anthropomorphic creatures…

Chen is obviously well practiced at the art of the graphic novel; she has produced many webcomics and her skill careens off the page. Chen can create a joke (that only observant readers will see) through the position of characters’ eyes, or the way the bird glances at its watch before chirping the dawn of the day. This skill elevates Detective Beans from a fun book to a great example of what a good graphic novel should be.

Good graphic novels should be a careful balance of words and pictures and neither element should take precedence over the other. Chen understands this balance and beautifully marries the two. The writing is cheeky and optimistic and so is the way Beans trips through the town and the tiny, silly details on each spread. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat showcases Chen’s broad and absurd imagination. Beans’ world is whole and enticing. Here’s hoping Chen creates many more graphic novels in Beans’ world and others like it. This is a book for curious readers of any age and, of course, anyone who just loves cute cat content. 

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