Graphic Novel Review – The Saga of Rex by Michel Gagne (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Children’s
Genre: Graphic Novel/Science Fiction
Size: 200 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: November 2, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1607063223
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Along
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

I picked up a copy of this book at random off a bookshelf on free comic book day and fell in love with it. It is suitable for all ages, tells a creative, heartfelt, and fun story and is full of absolutely stunning pictures.

The story starts out with a bit of history about a Guardian-Shepard who helps some shapeshifting flowers blossom so that they can search the galaxy for specimens to start new worlds with. One of these blossoms stumbles upon a little fox named Rex. Rex is deemed a worthy specimen and goes on an intergalactic adventure that is breathtaking, at times ironic, heartfelt, and just plain fun.

The intro about the Guardian-Shepard is the weakest part of this book; it is also the only part of this book that tells the story in words. The wording looks beautiful on the page, but it comes off mostly as a necessary info dump to give the reader a clue about what is going on. It’s one of those necessary but not incredibly well done bits. It’s okay just not wonderful.

After these first few pages the book is absolutely spectacular. The rest of the book is told only in pictures. The pictures are full color, absolutely stunning, and do an excellent job of telling an amazing story.

Rex is a cute, honorable, and brave little guy. He is a fun character to follow through the story. He faces many foreign planets and adventures with curiosity and bravery. He undergoes many transformations and sees many crazy and creative worlds. In the end though, it is his friendship and love with the blossom that chose him that really gives his life meaning.

This is a wonderful graphic novel that was a joy to read. It is fun and beautiful and really makes you feel good. I also loved that it is great for all ages. My five year old son “read” it, loved it, and was absolutely entranced by the amazing worlds and by the adorable little fox.

Overall just an absolutely wonderful find. I would recommend for fans of fantasy graphic novels such as the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi and the Bone series by Jeff Smith. This is a book that boys and girls; adults and kids will all love.

This book goes towards the following reaidng challenges:
– Graphic Novel Challenge
– 150+ Books Reading Challenge