Battling Boy by Paul Pope –ADVISABLE

Pope, Paul Battling Boy 208 pgs. First Second, 2013. $15.99  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG. GRAPHIC NOVEL

The land of Arcopolis is totally overrun by monsters. They kidnap children, and cause devastation. A brave man battles them, with much success, until he is too, beaten. In another land, there is a young boy, 12 years old, whose time for being tested as arrived. His monster battling father decides to send him to Arcopolis. Armed with various weapons, his demigod status, and his desire to prove himself, battling boy sets off to help. He quickly finds out that battling evil is much harder than it looks.

I think fans of graphic novels will love this story. The artwork and the story are fairly gritty and strangely engaging. The graphics do a great job of conveying movement and even sound. The battle of superhero vs monster could do with a bit more intrigue, but I really liked the character of Aurora, she was much more interesting than Battling Boy.  Prepare to follow this should it become a series, it will be a popular checkout for teens.

MS, HS -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.