Tag: Image Comics

Posted in Fiction, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Tween Reads

The Worst Bot Ever is more than meets the eye

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Transformers: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint, by Brian “Smitty” Smith/Illustrated by Marz Jr., (July 2025, Image Comics), $12.99, ISBN: 9781534327993

Ages 7+

The Decepticons have a new bot with big dreams in this younger reader-friendly graphic novel series. Ballpoint is a little bit of a guy, but he’s a legend in his own mind. He’s got plans to take down Optimus Prime and his Autobots (to whom he snarkily refers to as ‘Autobutts”) and win Megatron over, if only he could get it together. No matter how hard he tries, Ballpoint manages to mess things up, to the amusement of the other Decepticons. When he messes up one time too many, Megatron banishes him for good. Unbowed, Ballpoint heads to Autobots territory, set on taking them out solo and getting back in Megatron’s good graces: until Optimus Prime shows him kindness and builds his confidence. This is a fun Transformers story that lets itself be silly, with well-paced dialogue and action to keep readers interested. The artwork features familiar Transformers characters, including Bumblebee, Frenzy, and Jazz. A reading guide at the back of the book includes discussion questions and a how-to-draw feature. Get this one for your graphic novel collections if you have Transformers fans and robot readers.

Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Humor, Middle Grade, Tween Reads

Pack your bags for creepy Camp Midnight!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

camp midnightCamp Midnight, by Steven S. Seagle/Illustrated by Jason Adam Katzenstein (April 2016, Image Comics), $16.99, ISBN: 978-1-63215-555-9 (Diamond ID: AUG150485)

Recommended for ages 8-12

Poor Skye is shuttled between her divorced parents – and she is NOT a fan of her step-monster, Gayle. When her mother drops her off at her father’s for summer vacation, she finds out that they’ve made plans to send her off to camp – and then they end up sending her to the wrong camp! Camp Midnight is no ordinary camp: the head counselor is a witch, and the really cute boy she likes is a werewolf. Skye is under pressure to show her “real self” from the mean girls in her cabin, but she and her new friend Mia are keeping their secrets to themselves. Skye will learn a lot this summer, especially when Mia reveals her secret and it’s up to Skye to decide whether or not it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Camp Midnight is an original graphic novel from Big Hero 6 creator Steven T. Seagle and New Yorker artist Jason Adam Katzenstein. This brilliant pairing brings a lot to the table: we have a sarcastic middle grade main character who readers will love. Skye’s in a position too many kids understand, being shuttled between two households; she has the indignity of a step-mother who makes no secret about not wanting her around, and a seemingly clueless father. Sent off to summer camp without even being asked, she finds herself the odd kid out in a big way, and reacts by rejecting everyone outright before they can reject her. Middle graders are going to love Skye’s sarcastic exterior and her vulnerable interior.

The art is a brilliant accompaniment to the story. I love Katzenstein’s rendering of the “step-monster”, with her glaring dark color and overbearing stature. Mia is drawn to be as soft and sweet as her character, with huge eyes, evoking sympathy from the get-go. The art is often exaggerated, larger than life, giving a bigness to the story that a tale with monsters deserves. Color is for overall mood, with panels in shades of orange, brown, or red, often with one color – like a blue or fuschia – to set apart a mood or action.

Camp Midnight is a fun addition to graphic novel libraries, and I already noticed the kids in my comic book group at the library circling while I was reading it (during what was supposed to be their comic book creating time). Call your distributors and pre-order it!