Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant

Starred review from June 17, 2013
Cliff pulls out all the stops for his first graphic novel, which he originally published online, pairing a wisecracking, death-defying heroine (“Guard!” she calls good-naturedly from her prison cell, “I’m escaping”) with a sensitive minor military official prone to overthinking when lightning-fast action is required (“Jump? Surely not! What about the other options? Are there any other options?”). The plot, such as it is, follows Lieutenant Selim as he is dragged willy-nilly into Delilah’s life of action and danger when all he wants is a hot cup of tea; really, though, it’s a vehicle for blood-pumping episodes of derring-do and heroism involving swordplay, artillery, aqueducts, piles of treasure, tyrannical Ottoman rulers, treacherous officials, and the occasional quiet idyll in Delilah’s flying boat. Sunlit landscapes, candlelit interiors, and nighttime explosions give Cliff opportunities to show off his splendid draftsmanship, while the dialogue provides a constant stream of sardonic banter (“Kill me with what? That rope? You’ll give me rope burns ’til I yield?”). Cliff apparently took five years to write this, but fans will hope a sequel doesn’t take that long. Ages 12–up.

Starred review from June 15, 2013
In Cliff's swashbuckling print debut, a tea-loving Turkish janissary must choose his future path after his quiet life is turned upside down by an encounter with a brash adventuress. Selim's modest career as a soldier in early-19th-century Constantinople comes to an ignominious end after the agha finds fault with his interrogation of their new English-speaking prisoner. Not only does Delilah Dirk escape soon after her interview with Selim, she also helps him avoid execution, leading everyone to assume they are in cahoots. Left with no other options, he flees with Dirk on her flying boat, but it doesn't take long for Dirk to create more trouble. Eisner-nominated as a webcomic, the graphic novel is glorious in print. The rich, saturated colors and dashing linework pop off the page, and the author wisely lets his characters' dynamic body language and expressive faces mostly speak for themselves during the action sequences. Dirk's fearlessness and verve are both appealing and exhausting: Readers will sympathize with Selim's quandary when he is reluctant to end a peaceful interlude in a friendly village and Dirk is eager to move on. Fast-paced and unabashed fun, this romp will leave readers longing for additional installments. (Graphic adventure. 14 & up)

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July 1, 2013

Gr 6 Up-The intense action on the cover promises a rollicking adventure, and the interior pages certainly deliver on that promise. Delilah Dirk has abandoned conventional court life and become a globe-trotting soldier of fortune. She is captured and held prisoner in 1800s Constantinople. Eventually she escapes, taking along the astonished Turkish Lieutenant Erdemogul Selim, whose quiet life centers around a proper cup of tea. This unlikely pair embarks on a wild journey that includes flying a ship, outwitting the Evil Pirate Captain Zakul, and escaping burning buildings. Characters vividly come to life with expressive faces and mannerisms. The bumbling, mild-mannered lieutenant serves as a perfect foil for Delilah's acerbic wit and considerable physical prowess. Her frustration with Selim's ineptitude results in recurring comical situations. Subtle humor and charming interchanges between these two unlikely companions, "Miss Dirk" and "Mr. Selim," will captivate readers. Story construction consists of three distinct threads: Selim's narration, dialogue between the characters, and engaging visuals. These three often-differing points of view are intricately woven together into a storytelling tour de force. Pacing of the tale is excellent, with tranquil moonlit nights and campfires setting up subsequent action sequences. Jewel-toned colors add to the rich visual experience. The saga concludes as the two travelers, now companions, face a future brimming with possibilities. Delilah and the lieutenant are destined to join the ranks of such classic duos as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A scrumptious Turkish delight.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2013
Grades 6-12 *Starred Review* Selim is used to being an overlooked and underpaid member of the Turkish Janissary Corps, but when the Agha's men capture a prisonerthe scandalous woman who calls herself Delilah DirkSelim finds out the hard way that maybe he needs a little excitement in his life. Delilah is a swashbuckling heroine who will have readers constantly wondering what will happen next. Selim, on the other hand, is more reservedlonging for some tea and quietbut once he gets sucked into Delilah's orbit, he's unable to resist the taste of adrenaline. Anchoring the story is Cliff's lush artwork. Each panel brims with distinctive people and detailed settings without ever feeling overstuffed. His glowing, vibrant color palette changes smoothly, transitioning easily from warm candlelight to dusty fields to grassy farmland. One two-page spread in particular is a masterpiece of serenity, as Delilah and Selim enjoy a quiet, purple-hued night by a campfire before once more rushing into the fray, whisking readers eagerly along with them. A terrific action story for both older and younger teens and anyone else with an insatiable appetite for high adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)