January 3, 2022
Two nonbinary youths who meet as kids ally against fascism in this spacefaring graphic novel with a Star Wars feel. When researchers from a peaceful science commune land on a planet to collect data, child researcher Lu, who is Black, follows an ion trail to an abandoned transport shuttle. There, Lu finds light brown–skinned Fassen, the sole survivor of a Fireback Brigade resistance shuttle that crashed after an attack by the Ever-Blossoming Empire. Though Lu wants to help Fassen, Lu cannot break their community’s rules, which stipulate “never, ever” getting involved in the intergalactic conflict. Not wanting to leave Fassen stranded, though, Lu fixes the ship’s communication equipment, creating a secret channel for continued communication. Years later, Fassen, a junior-grade medic cadet with the resistance, is on a mission gone wrong when they use the channel to reach solo researcher Lu—an action that transports Fassen and a squadmate across the empire, directly to Lu’s location. In jewel-toned art that foregrounds figures and technology, Delliquanti’s (O Human Star, for adults) tropey comic offers a variously inclusive cast, including incidental nonbinary representation, and explores themes of nationalism, imperialism, and revolution. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jennifer Linnan, Linnan Literary Management.
April 29, 2022
Gr 6 Up-Young scientist Lu, a member of the pacifist Commune, discovers Fassen, a member of the Fireback Brigade who has been inadvertently left behind on a desolate planet following a military skirmish between the Brigade and the oppressive Empire. Although the Commune takes a neutral stance on military campaigns, Lu can't help but assist Fassen in getting back to the safety of the Brigade, with an intergalactic communication tool in hand to keep the two in touch across the far reaches of space. When Lu and Fassen are brought back together following an act of rebellion, the pair bring the attention of the Empire with them, putting all they know and love at risk of destruction. Multiple classic science fiction tropes (space travel, self-aware AI, empires versus rebels) are pulled together in this epic, periodically overwhelming the tale of two queer friends destined to change the universe. Contributing to the overload is the extraordinary attention to detail, both foreground and background, with speech bubbles that are often lengthy, sometimes overlapping, and at times confusing. This is largely overshadowed by the portrayal of friendship and sense of loyalty between the main characters, and their desire to do what is morally best. Pages focusing on Fassen and the Firebacks are warmly colored, in terra cotta oranges and golden honey hues, while the colors around Lu are cool, soft shades of periwinkle purple paired with mossy green. In addition to queer representation from the main and secondary characters (they/them pronouns, transgender characters), BIPOC representation and a variety of body types are included. VERDICT A worthy addition to collections where sci-fi titles such as On a Sunbeam, Spill Zone, and "Paper Girls" are sought out.-Alea Perez
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2022
Two young adults forge a profound connection amid an intergalactic war. Lu is a curious young explorer who belongs to a scientific commune that prioritizes research and knowledge while staying neutral in the conflict brewing around them. While exploring some wreckage, Lu stumbles upon Fassen, a young member of the resistance who has lost their parents in a shuttle crash. Lu helps Fassen return to the Fireback Brigade--the "biggest resistance force the Ever-Blossoming Empire's ever seen"--but the two keep in touch, communicating secretly and becoming fast friends. As the story progresses, they both grow into their respective roles--Fassen's bravery and desire for combat get them switched from a medical path to a soldier's, and Lu continues to research mysteries of the universe with Field, their mobile AI unit. All is well until Fassen discovers the exalted Fireback Brigade may not be as perfect as it seems. Delliquanti's art entrances, combining dynamic scenes with bold, surprising color schemes to create a spellbinding interstellar universe. Characters frequently upend gender norms, such as Sgt. Bda Gr Sertig, who uses she/her pronouns and sports a thick beard and unibrow. Lu is fat and has dark skin; Fassen is brown-skinned, and the rest of the cast includes a variety of genders, skin tones, and body shapes. Charming, kinetic, and colorful in more ways than one. (concept art, author's note) (Graphic science fiction. 12-18)
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