Comic Crush Saturday:
October 20th, 2018

Welcome to Comic Crush Saturday, our bi-weekly feature focused on the graphic elements of the book world. Comics became a huge part of my life a few years ago when I started reviewing them (and comic related TV shows) on Forever Young Adult. I’ve maintained a pulllist through my local comic shop, Isotope Comics, and even got Kelly to start one ;). You’ll find mini-reviews, what we’ve read recently, and more so check it out!

Featured Book of the Week

The Hidden Witch (The Witch Boy #2)

by Molly Ostertag
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
on October 30, 2018
Bookshop
Goodreads

Aster and his family are adjusting to his unconventional talent for witchery; unlike the other boys in his family, he isn't a shapeshifter. He's taking classes with his grandmother and helping to keep an eye on his great-uncle whose corrupted magic wreaked havoc on the family.

Meanwhile, Aster's friend from the non-magical part of town, Charlie, is having problems of her own -- a curse has tried to attach itself to her. She runs to Aster and escapes it, but now the friends must find the source of the curse before more people -- normal and magical alike -- get hurt.

Scholastic has so many amazing graphic novels out this fall, including The Hidden Witch, the sequel to The Witch Boy! I had the chance to read them both, a treat since I interviewed Molly Ostertag at SDCC 2016 and she was so excited about her first written + drawn novel. I loved Aster’s story, first struggling against the societal norm that only women can become witches and instead must become a shapeshifter. In The Hidden Witch, Aster sets out to uncover the mystery involving a dark force. It’s such a sweet middle grade tale with wide appeal and gorgeous art. Highly recommend!

What You Should Check Out Now

This is such a cute little easy reader! A group of friends go trick or treating on their block and try to win a contest…Until everything goes wrong!

Trick or Tweet (Bobs and Tweets #3)

by Pepper Springfield, Kristy Caldwell
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
on August 28, 2018
Bookshop
Goodreads

Lou Tweet and Dean Bob can't wait to go trick-or-treating on Bonefish Street on Halloween. This year, they're entering the Best Halloween Block contest, which means they need to visit every house and mark down each delicious treat that they receive.

But with spooky houses, a power outtage, and another big Tweets and Bobs family feud, will Lou and Dean be able to accomplish their task and win the contest? Find out in another spooky installment of Bobs and Tweets, this time with funhouses, new friends, and lots and lots of candy!

This third book in the Bobs and Tweets series is filled with full-color illustrations and high-interest rhymes that's just right for reluctant readers. It's Dr. Seuss meets Captain Underpants wrapped into one zany Halloween adventure! So go ahead, read and laugh and trick-or-treat with the Bobs and Tweets!

The Agony House is a novel and graphic novel hybrid, which kicks up the spookiness about 1000%!

The Agony House

by Cherie Priest, Tara O'Connor
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
on September 25, 2018
Bookshop
Goodreads

Denise Farber has just moved back to New Orleans with her mom and step-dad. They left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have finally returned, wagering the last of their family's money on fixing up an old, rundown house and converting it to a bed and breakfast.Nothing seems to work around the place, which doesn't seem too weird to Denise. The unexplained noises are a little more out of the ordinary, but again, nothing too unusual. But when floors collapse, deadly objects rain down, and she hears creepy voices, it's clear to Denise that something more sinister lurks hidden here.Answers may lie in an old comic book Denise finds concealed in the attic: the lost, final project of a famous artist who disappeared in the 1950s. Denise isn't budging from her new home, so she must unravel the mystery-on the pages and off-if she and her family are to survive...

Another novel/graphic novel combo that is a companion to Hello Neighbor (the game!)

Missing Pieces (Hello Neighbor #1)

by Carly Anne West, Tim Heitz
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
on August 28, 2018
Bookshop
Goodreads

Nicky Roth has always been a lonely kid. But that all changes when he and his family move to Raven Brooks and meet their eccentric neighbors, the Petersons. Nicky befriends the Petersons' son, Aaron, bonding over their talents for tinkering. Soon the boys are inseparable and using their skills to pull pranks on the townspeople.

But something about Aaron bothers Nicky--people seem almost afraid of him and his family. Through snippets from Aaron and a lot of sleuthing in the town's archives, Nicky discovers a dark past haunting his neighbors, a streak of bad luck they can't seem to shake. Aaron thinks that's all behind them now, but Nicky has a feeling the Petersons are fated for another tragedy. . . .

This pulse-pounding prequel novel to the hit video game Hello Neighbor includes two-color illustrations throughout, to help readers unwind the mystery at the heart of the game.

DC’s Titans! We are only one episode in but as soon as I saw Dick Grayson in the Nightwing suit, I was all in. Plus, Raven is so good and the vibe is very dark DC. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

What We Can’t Wait For

Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider by Seanan McGuire, with art by Rosi Kampe

A SPIDER-GEDDON TIE IN! What? You thought we were done with Gwen Stacy after the first two landmark volumes of her series?! GET OUTTA HERE. It’s a whole new spin on Gwen and her world of Earth-65, brought to you by none other than SEANAN MCGUIRE & ROSI KÄMPE! We pick up with Gwen right where we left her – fighting crime through her home reality, unaware that it sits on the precipice of interdimensional calamity! Someone’s gonna be late to band practice…

Best News of the Week

I know we are all waiting for Jensen to enter the hero arena but Stephen Amell is smashing our dreams before we barely get to have a few!

Let me squash this rumor right now. @JensenAckles was on set tonight because he’s Grant Gustin’s #2 fan (I’m #1) and not because he’s playing The Batman.

— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) October 19, 2018