Graphic Novel Review – Battling Boy by Paul Pope (2/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Length: 208 pages
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: October 8, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1596438057
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Battling Boy series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 2/5 stars

“Monsters roam through Arcopolis, swallowing children into the horrors of their shadowy underworld. Only one man is a match for them – the genius vigilante Haggard West.

Unfortunately, Haggard West is dead.

Arcopolis is desperate, but when its salvation comes in the form of a twelve-year-old demigod, nobody is more surprised than Battling Boy himself.”

This is the first book in the Battling Boy series…although it appears no more books were ever released in this graphic novel series. This was okay. It’s just the start of an adventure that was never continued. I like the premise but the artwork was just so-so. It was also a bit hard to follow; the story jumps around without letting the reader know where you are.

With Haggard West dead the Arcopolis needs a new hero. Battling Boy is sent to Arcopolis to complete a coming of age ceremony and finds himself in over his head battling monsters he just cannot handle. Then West’s daughter steps in and it looks like maybe together they might be able to protect Arcopolis.

As mentioned above, the artwork in here is so-so. It’s very traditional comic style but I thought facial expressions were really lacking. It’s also a bit hard to follow from panel to panel. I never engaged with the story or characters all that well I also thought it was hard to follow, there is no background on this world or the characters.

Overall, I didn’t really enjoy this and it felt like a waste of time to read. The artwork, characters, and story are pretty thin. In addition to that this is just the beginning and intro to a world and story that was never continued. Not recommended.