Book Review: Universal Monsters: The Mummy by F. E. Hicks et al.

Universal Monsters: The Mummy written and drawn by Faith Erin Hicks, colors by Lee Loughridge

This very faithful adaptation manages not to be a "movie-in-comic-book-form" by switching the focus to Helen Grosvenor, the woman who has an eerie resemblance to the Mummy's ancient paramour. Back in the day Imhotep was in love with a priestess of Isis named Ankh-es-en-Amon. She died from a plague and Imhotep tried to resurrect her using the Scroll of Thoth. He failed when authorities showed up. They buried him alive and cursed him with immortal life (while in a nameless grave!). This story starts with Helen as a young girl dealing with her parents--a British father and an Egyptian mother. They are rich and lean toward a British lifestyle. Helen only hangs out with the children of their servants who are all full-blooded Egyptians. The kids at the British school hold no interest for Helen. But the Egyptian kids think of her as the boss's daughter, and a half-breed at that. If that was not enough problems, Helen also discovers another soul trapped inside her who becomes her closest friend, though an invisible one, so others (British and Egyptian) think she's strange. Her life gets stranger as her father is involved in an archeological dig that discovers Imhotep's mummy, who comes to life when one of the assistants reads aloud the Scroll of Thoth buried also in the tomb. Plenty of troubles follow from this.

The shift in focus is interesting and provides a way to explore the story without changing the basic beats of the plot. Helen is an interesting person and her interactions with the other soul living inside her provide a lot of drama. The art is nice but less like a horror story than I was expecting. Hicks has a distinctive style (see her Nameless City series) that is a little more cartoonish than the story is. My quibble about the art is small because her writing is so fine, the whole is very satisfying.

Recommended.

Book Review: Avatar TLA: The Bounty Hunter and the Tea Brewer by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Bounty Hunter and the Tea Brewer script by Faith Erin Hicks and art by Peter Wartman

Iroh's tea shop in the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se is a popular spot, though some of the locals still resent his leadership in the siege of the city in the hundred years' war. He tries to smooth over the conflicts when an old acquaintance, June, shows up. She's a bounty hunter who helped Zuko track down the Avatar during the war. Now she is here to take Iroh since he has a bounty on his head. She doesn't want to talk about the situation. Iroh's patience and persistence makes him easy to transport though their destination is not something June will to admit to. She wants to be a loner and keep to her old job even though the world has changed so much. She finds out how much when they get to their destination.

The story develops the theme of adapting to new circumstances, reaching all the way back to Iroh's abandonment of the siege of Ba Sing Se during the war. Many different characters (not just the title two) are confronted with the changing world and have to decide how or even if they want to change with it. The story makes for interesting reading even if it wears its theme on its sleeve.

Recommended--highly for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Book Review: The Nameless City Book 3 by F. E. Hicks et al.

The Nameless City Book 3: The Divided Earth story and art by Faith Erin Hicks and color by Jordie Bellaire

The new General of All Blades plans to solidify his grip on the city by using the ancient weapon that made the city so prosperous (and desired by the three nations)--Napatha. It is a powerful flame that cut a passage through the mountain to the sea beyond. Surely it will wipe out any enemies. He refuses to let his generals have the formula in case they turn against him. An aide gathers the ingredients, hopefully in time to drive off the Yisun army approaching.

Meanwhile, Kaidu's father is seeking out the Yisun army to make a treaty with them. He runs into trouble in the form of a Dao force led by his wife, who is coming to see Kaidu and is now swept up into the conflict. Kaidu is still in the city and wants to steal the formula to prevent its use. He and Rat plan to infiltrate the royal palace. They run into trouble when they discover all the buildings next to the palace have been destroyed. They can't sneak in by the roofs and will have to find another way.

The action is plentiful in this volume. It's well balanced with the backstories and plot expositions by the various characters. Everyone has their own agendas, plans, and desires for the Nameless City. The story ends happily, tying up lots of loose ends and bringing this world to a better place. The characters are interesting, even the bad guys. I enjoyed the story a lot.

Recommended.

Book Review: The Nameless City Book Two by Faith Erin Hicks

The Stone Heart: The Nameless City Book Two written and drawn by Faith Erin Hicks and colored by Jordie Bellaire

See my review of Book One here.

Having averted an assassination, you'd think our heroes could rest on their laurels, but that is not to be. While Kaidu's dad is working on a peace treaty to avert a war, other forces are looking forward to war. One faction wants to rob the Stone Heart, a monastery at the middle of the Nameless City. The monastery has an extensive library, including an ancient book from the founders of the city. The book describes the power they used to create a hole in the mountain range allowing the River of Lives to connect to the sea, thereby making the Nameless City a key trade route. The book is written in an ancient, forgotten language. But the power is so tempting, the bad guys are willing to do too much to get what they want. The power would certainly make them win the war.

The story expands a little bit, following different threads leading our characters into conflict. The political intrigue creates interesting stakes for the people and leaves the story with a tough situation for the heroes. The art is just as good as the storytelling. The narrative continues into a third volume, which I will surely read.

Recommended.

Book Review: The Nameless City Book One by F. E. Hicks et al.

The Nameless City Book One written and drawn by Faith Erin Hicks and color by Jordie Bellaire

The Nameless City isn't really nameless. Every conqueror gives it a different name. The city has been conquered and reconquered for centuries by the three adjacent countries: Dao, Liao, and Yisun. The city is so important because the River of Lives runs through it. The river goes to a mountain range dividing the city from the sea. The ancient dwellers of the city bored a whole through the mountains so shipping could go through, creating an essential commerce route. At the start of the story, Dao is in control though they have been there for thirty years and the army is wearing thin. No country has retained control for more than thirty years. 

Kaidu is a Dao teenager who has just come to the city from the family farm. His father Andren is one of the lieutenants of the General of All Blades, the supreme commander at the city. Andren takes Kaidu on a quick tour of the city. Kaidu becomes fascinated with a hungry girl named Rat who runs off with his knife. He eventually gets it back and they strike up a bargain. He'll bring her food and she'll teach him how to run across the rooftops (parkour style, though they don't use this term because the story is set in a middle-ages time). Their friendship progresses as political intrigues start happening in the city.

The story is very interesting and the characters are delightful. This book sets up a lot of the world and makes some fascinating moves at the end, making me definitely want to read the next volume.

Recommended.

Book Review: Avatar The Last Airbender: Azula in the Spirit Temple by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar The Last Airbender: Azula in the Spirit Temple script by Faith Erin Hicks, art by Peter Wartman, and color by Adele Matera

Azula continues her campaign against her brother Zuko, the current Fire Lord. Her team is a small band that conducts sabotage. One granary they attack turns out to be a trap. Azula and her allies escape with only one captive left behind. The rest of the gang want to rescue their comrade but Azula is ready to move on with other things that are more important to her (i.e., she doesn't see them as allies, only as underlings). When Azula wakes up in the morning, the rest of the group is gone. Azula wanders through the woods, winding up at a strange temple with only one person inside, a monk who offers meager hospitality. Azula is unimpressed and demands the monk's private room to sleep in. She has a bizarre dream and wakes up to bizarre circumstances and unexpected characters in the temple.

The story is an examination of Azula's attitude and what she wants out of life. Azula herself is not aware of what she needs but is entirely aware of what she wants. As the story progresses, readers clearly see that her needs and wants are very different, practically polar opposites. Azula has a chance for growth...will she take it? 

I enjoyed this as a basic look at Azula's psychology and at her tragic self-unawareness. The best villains are the ones who are understandable. The reader can see where they went wrong and lament their inability to fix themselves. So many people care for Azula and want what's best for her. She does not accept their attitude, advice, or actions. The other thing she does not accept is blame. Nothing is her fault. Any failure is due to betrayal or incompetence in others. Azula thinks she should be a winner but the world and everyone around her holds her back. She can't find a way to what she wants but she keeps trying. Truly, a tragic hero.

Recommended, highly for Avatar The Last Airbender fans.

Book Review: The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories by F. E. Hicks et al.

The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories: A Cautionary Fables and Fairytales Book written and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks and many others

This anthology of fifteen stories draws inspiration from all over the continent of Africa, from the jungles to the plains to ancient Egypt. Like most folk and fairy tales, the stories have a strong sense of good and evil and emphasize the triumph of virtues like kindness, honesty, and bravery in what are often the most adverse circumstances you can imagine. Some tales explain natural phenomena like thunder always following after lightening or turtles living in water or hyenas being the least popular animals in the animal kingdom. The characters are sometimes normal humans, sometimes gods, sometimes anthropomorphized animals. Sometimes they are all mixed together in one story. The tales have a lot of whimsy and imagination. They are a delight to read

The art in these comics is quite varied. Each creator has their own style of drawing. I was surprised I liked them all--usually there's one or two in an anthology like this that don't work well. The styles all suit their stories and look good in the black and white format of the book. I will definitely be looking for more of this series in the future.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Team Avatar Tales by G. L. Yang et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Team Avatar Tales written by Gene Luen Yang, Dave Scheidt, Ron Koertge, Sara Goetter, and Kiku Hughes; art by Ryan Hill, Little Corvus, Faith Erin Hicks, Gene Luen Yang, Sara Goetter, Kiku Hughes, Carla Speed McNeill, and Coni Yovaniniz

This anthology of eight short graphic stories reprints a handful of stories from Free Comic Book Day and other places. It is a mishmash of art styles and characters, so some stories are better than others and the visual appeal will be different in each. The show's humor and creativity clearly inspired everything. The best story is "Sisters" which features Kyoshi Warrior Ty Lee. She is cheered up during a moment of feeling down when blind earthbender Toph takes her to see the circus...not just any circus, but the one Ty Lee left years ago. She didn't just leave the circus behind, she left behind six identical sisters! Comedy and heart-warming family drama ensue.

Overall the stories are entertaining but don't add a lot to the Avatar universe.

Slightly recommended--this is really for Avatar completists, not casual readers.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Suki, Alone by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Suki, Alone written by Faith Erin Hicks and illustrated by Peter Wartman

Suki, the Kyoshi Warrior, is captured by Princess Azula and sent to The Boiling Rock, a maximum security island prison. No one ever returns from there. The treatment is harsh. Suki realizes she can't make it on her own. When she discovers a small plant growing through the cracks of the prison yard, she hatches a plan to grow a little bit of extra food. Food enough not just for herself, but for others in the prison. She grows food. She inspires hope. She makes community. But can there be loyalty among prisoners in a place from which no one has ever escaped?

This story is another great addition to the overall plot of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Some of Suki's backstory is told, enough to give her actions credibility and to fill in the details about the Kyoshi Warriors. A lot of the story is told through images rather than dialogue, always a plus in a graphic novel. It's a fine work all around.

Recommended.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy written by Faith Erin Hicks and art by Peter Wartman

Toph's Metalbending Academy is a roaring success. She has several instructors, plenty of students, and people to manage the business side of things. So Toph is bored. No adventure, no excitement, nothing new. Sokka and Suki come to visit and try to cheer her up by taking her to a concert. At least that's Suki's idea. The band is called Trustfully in Love and they are a big hit with the young ladies. Toph is hardly the stereotypical young lady, so she sneaks out and discovers some excitement with an underground (i.e. illegal) bending tournament. As soon as they recognize her, they split because she is friends with the Avatar, so she is "with the authorities." She sees enough to be intrigued by a young bender who seems to have combined fire-bending and earth-bending. Maybe things won't be so boring after all?

The story is quick and fun, with the usual Avatar humor and positive message about life. The art is fine and the writing is great.

Recommended.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Katara and the Pirate's Silver by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Katara and the Pirate's Silver script by Faith Erin Hicks and art by Peter Wartman

On the run from the Fire Nation, Team Avatar is enjoying riding on Apa the Flying Bison. Toph gives Katara a hard time about being too soft and nice. The others more or less agree, which makes Katara mad. Before she can come up with a good rejoinder, they are attacked by the Fire Nation. Katara falls off, plunging into the river below. She's ok but needs to find her way back to the gang who were forced to fly off without her. She winds up in a seaside town and is recruited by a band of Earth Kingdom pirates who need a waterbender to help them get back upriver with their contraband. She decides to be tough like Toph and joins up with the crew.

The story is fun and exciting, following the typical themes and twists from the television show. Faith Erin Hicks is proving herself to be on par with Gene Luen Yang in writing the characters well and expanding the (already impressively broad) Avatar world.

Recommended.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part Three by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part Three written by Faith Erin Hicks and art by Peter Wartman

Read my review of volume one here. and volume two here.

Avatar Aang faces a big decision: Should he take away Liling's bending powers just as he did to the Fire Lord? Liling is the leader of the pro-bender movement in Cranefish Town and has upped her ambition to driving all the non-benders out of the city. The Fire Lord was trying to take over the world; Liling is trying to take over a small town. Would his act be commensurate with Liling's crimes? The question becomes very urgent when Liling's bender daughter breaks her out of prison. Liling's next move is bound to be trouble. How bad will it be? Can the Avatar find a peaceful solution to the bender-versus-non-bender problem?

Interestingly the action falters a little bit at the end of this story but the moral complexity is given a lot of attention and care. Different characters have different perspectives on the value and legitimacy of the solution. The ending respects the optimism of the series and makes me want to read more of the Hicks's work in the Avatar universe.

Recommended.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part Two by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part Two written by Faith Erin Hicks and art by Peter Wartman

Read my review of volume one here.

Team Avatar (Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph) continues its investigation into the unrest in Cranefish Town. Benders and non-benders are in conflict and a lot of non-bender factories were attacked. Avatar Aang appeals to Councilwoman Liling (one of the heads of the bender faction) to help her fellow non-bending citizens in their moment of need. Meanwhile, Toph finds out about a secret meeting of benders. The team sneaks in to find their true enemy among the bender community.

The story moves along nicely without any big surprise but with plenty of humor and heart. 

Recommended for Avatar fans.

Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part One by F. E. Hicks et al.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance Part One written by Faith Erin Hicks and art by Peter Wartman

Team Avatar (Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph) head to Cranefish Town, the Earth Kingdom city where Toph's dad owns a factory. Since the war ended, the town has grown substantially, with many other businesses moving into the area. Some problems have arisen. First, the businesses have expanded but there's no local government. The business leaders have formed a council but they haven't developed a police force. This is a problem because, second, there is fighting in the street between various benders. The factories have developed new machines that require fewer benders (who are expensive employees). The unemployed benders have turned to crime, causing trouble for the factories and the non-bending citizens. Toph's dad has invited the team so Aang can help get the situation cleaned up. Speaking of cleaning up, the third problem is the generally poor use of natural resources and trashing of the area. Team Avatar spends some time cleaning up the beach as a start. Unfortunately, a conspiracy is afoot to keep the conflict between various factions going strong.

The book is a great intro to the story (there's two more parts) and captures the action, humor, and heart of the television series. The art does a great job mimicking the art from the series. This is a great continuation of both the television series and of Gene Luen Yang's impressive run of Avatar graphic novels.

Recommended, highly for Avatar: The Last Airbender fans.