The Hottest Graphic Novels of Summer 2010: Kids
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Click here for a printable list of all the Hottest Graphic Novels of Summer 2010
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MAY
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Ratman
by Inui Sekihiko
Tokyopop
On sale now
A superhero manga with a twist, Ratman focuses on the short-for-his-age Shuto Katsuragi, who dreams of being a hero. Unfortunately, when he finally has the chance to make his dream come true, he ends up tricked into joining a group of villains! Now, with his world turned upside down and nothing how he imagined, Shuto has to figure out for himself what it means to be a hero.
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Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities
by Jason Shiga
Abrams
On sale now
Combining nonstop action with a groundbreaking new format, Meanwhile revamps the “choose your own adventure” series by using tabs along the edge of the page that allow readers to spiral down, around, and through a dizzying array of tubes that contain puzzles, clues, and shocking revelations for our reluctant hero. There are also hidden codes leading to secret pages, which offer even more adventures to explore in this parallel universe.
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The Popularity Papers
by Amy Ignatow
Abrams
On sale now
Ever wonder how the popular kids got to be that way? Is it the way they look or dress? The way they talk? Why do some kids seem to command the attention from their classmates, while others get picked on or ignored? In The Popularity Papers, Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are fifth-graders who’ve been pondering these tough questions throughout elementary school. Now that they’re about to start middle school, it’s time to get to the bottom of what popular is. Using their trusted, secret scrapbook–style notebook to record plans and observations of what makes the popular kids “tick,” Lydia and Julie hope to achieve their own notoriety—through any means possible.
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JUNE
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The Incredibles: Revenge from Below
by Mark Waid and Marcio Takara
Boom! Studios
On sale June 1
When Dash’s impulsive actions put his sister Violet in harm’s way, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible ground him—and take away his powers! Dejected and powerless, Dash stumbles into the knowledge that his teachers are actually mind-controlling aliens from beyond the galaxy! But neither parent believes Dash. So when he finds that the sinister invaders have already compromised his family, can a powerless Dash get to the bottom of things…or is the earth doomed?
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X-Babies
by Gregg Schigiel and Jacob Chabot
Marvel Comics
On sale June 3
Little X-Men—big adventure! Things have changed in Mojoworld as Mojo’s been ousted by Mr. Veech, who’s replaced the X-Babies—the number one, top-rated stars—with something newer, safer, friendlier, and…more adorable! The X-Babies we know and love aren’t going to sit by and let that happen.
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Neko Ramen, Vol. 1: Hey, Order Up!
by Kenji Sonishi
TokyoPop
On sale June 8
Taisho was a former kitten model who ran away from home and had a hard life on the streets…until the day he was saved by a kind ramen shop owner who later served as his mentor. Now Taisho takes pride in his noodles and is easily angered when customers are dissatisfied!
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Johnny Boo, Book 4: The Mean Little Boy
by James Kochalka
Top Shelf
On sale June 24
James Kochalka's beloved, all-ages series continues with another goofy romp! When Johnny Boo announces a play date with his quiet new friend Rocky the Rock, trusty sidekick Squiggle is left to find a new friend of his own. How about this nice fellow named the Mean Little Boy? He sure is fond of his butterfly net, and he’s got a great game to play with Squiggle…but, wait a minute, maybe the Mean Little Boy isn’t actually so nice! It’s up to Johnny Boo and Squiggle to find a way out of this pickle.
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JULY
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Artichoke Tales
by Megan Kelso
Fantagraphics
On sale July 6
Megan Kelso’s first new book in four years is a fantastic generation-spanning saga. Artichoke Tales is a 176-page coming-of-age story about a young girl named Brigitte whose family is caught between the two warring sides of a civil war, in a graphic novel that takes place in a world that echoes our own, but whose people have artichoke leaves instead of hair.
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Double Duck, Vol. 2
by Fausto Vitaliano and Giorgio Cavazzano
Boom! Studios
On sale July 6
Donald Duck, the part-time international duck of mystery, has his world turned upside-down as friends become enemies and vice versa…sort of. So who can our web-footed freedom fighter really trust? Who knows?
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Muppets: King Arthur
by Paul Benjamin, Patrick Storck, and James Silvani
Boom! Studios
On sale July 6
Many have sought the Holy Grail, and many have failed. Now the Muppets present some very good reasons why, as they recount the fantastic quest of King Arthur and his Muppets of the Round Table! This classic tale of adventure, romance, and magic is told once again, but this time with more frogs, chickens, bears, and Whatnots than you can shake Excalibur at! In the words of Fozzie, it will be a “knight” to remember! This edition features a cover gallery with art from David Petersen, the Eisner Award–winning creator of Mouse Guard.
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Dragon Puncher
by James Kochalka
Top Shelf
On sale July 15
Meet the Dragon Puncher, a cute but ruthless kitty in an armored battle suit dedicated to defeating dangerous dragons wherever they may be. The Dragon Puncher and his would-be sidekick, Spoony-E (a fuzzy little fellow armed with a wooden spoon), confront a gigantic, drooling dragon and have a ridiculous, hilarious brawl.
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AUGUST
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Bone: Tall Tales
by Tom Sniegoski and Jeff Smith
Graphix/Scholastic
On sale August 1
Long before the Bone cousins were ever lost in the uncharted desert on the outskirts of the Valley, Big Johnson Bone, the discoverer of the Rolling Bone River, founded Boneville. But little is known of the mighty explorer’s adventures before he started his famous trading post. So when Smiley Bone sits down with a group of young scouts to retell the legendary stories of Boneville’s origin and its tough, no-nonsense founder, what they hear are tall tales in typical Bone fashion—wild antics complete with rat creatures, dragons, and a snarky little monkey! Previously published in black-and-white as Stupid, Stupid Rat-Tails, this edition features new stories and full-color art.
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Adventures in Cartooning Activity Book
by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
First Second
On sale August 3
The magic cartooning elf is back—along with the Knight, Edward the hungry horse, and a whole new cast of charming characters. And this time, readers can join in the fun—right in the book. Building on the basic lessons presented in Adventures in Cartooning, this activity book leads kids through a story that they help tell by doodling and completing comics activities. And at the end, readers are invited to make their own comic-book story!
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Fraggle Rock, Vol. 1
by various
Archaia
On sale August 18
Join Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red for a brand-new series of hilarious and heartfelt adventures written and drawn by some of the most imaginative creators in comics.
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Rip M.D.
by Mitch Schauer and Mike Vosburg
Fantagraphics
On sale August 24
RIP, M.D. is the debut graphic novel from The Angry Beavers creator Mitch Schauer, acreepy, fun-filled, all-ages adventure introducing Ripley Plimpt, an 11-year-old boy whose ordinary life is turned upside-down when he discovers that monsters are not only real, but are also in desperate need of his help to overcome their very real problems.
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Goldilocks and the Seven Squat Bears
by Emile Bravo
Yen Press
On sale August 28
The seven squat bears are a hardworking bunch. They come home from a long day working in the mines to find a giantess sleeping on their beds…all their beds! Panic ensues, but one enterprising bear decides the solution to their problem is a prince. But are they off to find a giant-slaying prince? Or a princess-marrying prince? Or both?!
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The Unsinkable Walker Bean
by Aaron Renier
First Second
On sale August 31
Adventures, magic, and high jinks are on the high seas with Walker Bean, who’s trying to find a cure for his illness-cursed grandfather and gets in way, way over head his with pirates and sea-witches and ancient Atlantis.
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Editor's Note: We originally had Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword on this list, but the book won't be released until mid-October. We'll feature the book in our Fall 2010 coverage instead of Summer.
