Into the Outlands

August 29, 2016
The explorers in newcomers Christie and Lang’s graphic novel are furry, Muppet-like creatures with googly eyes, who don’t seem like they could get into much trouble; then things go terribly wrong. Charged with investigating the resources of the outer islands of Crutonia, the crew of experts is headed by Captain Quirk (a nod to Star Trek? This captain keeps a pompously worded logbook, too). Catastrophe strikes almost immediately as giants snack on their boat, stranding them on a remote island. The crew finds semi-safe haven in the cavern of the one-eyed sorceress Hukka, who takes a mysterious interest in their injured winged scout, Zaifer: “We mustn’t leave poor Hukka like last time,” she murmurs to Zaifer, after she drags him off to a corner of the cavern where the others can’t find him. The pacing is snappy, engaging plot twists abound, and so do intriguing characters, like the cheerful little Yoons. Why aren’t they scared of the marauding giants? “We Yoons is poisonous!” “No eat us!” Readers will hope for a sequel, and the cliffhanger ending promises one. Ages 8–12.

What secrets and perils lie in the outlands of Crutonia?Capt. Quenterindy Quirk, who's not as qualified as he thinks, is given command of the HMS Gwaniimander by King Hoonkl and charged with exploring and charting the lesser-known northern areas of the kingdom. A few days into the mission, they encounter carnivorous, four-eyed giants that destroy the ship and eat several crew members. The survivors take up residence in a cave, but it's not uninhabited. The sorceress Hukka will allow them to stay only three days, but the giants, the Hooklm, are still about. Quirk's cartographer, Nersel Bukubay, stumbles upon another indigenous species, the happy, friendly Yoon (who are poisonous to the Hooklm). Meanwhile, Hukka kidnaps one of Quirk's injured crew. Can the survivors escape magic users and hungry giants while still working to complete their mission? Christie and Lang met as kids in New York and began writing and illustrating tales set in Crutonia. Now the duo debut a series of graphic novels with an aesthetic that looks as though it was inspired by Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock. Several furry species--some with as few as two legs and others with as many as six--inhabit their eccentric, medieval-feeling land. The colorful cartoon panels are inviting, and the adventure tale will draw readers further in. The goofy names are a bit much, but a handy character list is provided at the close. Fans will be glad of the ominous ending that portends more adventures to come. (Graphic adventure. 7-12) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2016

Gr 3-5-Captain Quenterindy Quirk's royal mission to explore the Outlands of Crutonia is quickly derailed by ravenous, four-eyed giants called Hooklm who look like the Odyssey's Cyclops. The surviving crew members find shelter with a hostile sorceress, then move on to the protection of the Yoons, cheerful, childlike creatures who are poisonous to the Hooklm and generally invincible. The story is full of action, humor, and twists and is illustrated in full color in a cartoon style on glossy pages. The protagonists are colorful and furry, bearing a cuddly resemblance to the Muppets. They also have distinct personalities. Captain Quirk is more talk than action; Smok, the humble cook's assistant, is a quiet hero; and Hukka, the sorceress, is an enigmatic, frightening villain. Even the numerous Sxervian frogs, the crew's protecting army, are named separately in a section at the end called "Characters of Note." VERDICT This intelligent epic adventure will appeal to fans of Jeff Smith's "Bone" and Kazu Kibuishi's "Amulet."-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2016
Grades 3-6 Confident but incompetent Captain Quenterindy Quirk leads an expedition to the unexplored Outlands of Crutonia on board the HMS Gwaniimander, but the first beings they encountersavage four-eyed giantsimmediately destroy the ship and eat most of the crew. Quirk and the rest of the survivors must depend on the help of grumpy one-eyed Hukka, a sorceress whose secrets may destroy them. Meanwhile, cartographer Nersel Bukubay meets the incessantly cheerful Yoons, who befriend him and the rest of the crew. Many of the characters bear a strong resemblance to Jim Henson's Muppets and Fraggle Rock characters, but their cheerful, cartoonish appearance belies the serious perils they face. Christie and Lang manage to strike a good balance between drama and comic relief, and the colorful art features detailed landscapes. Each character, from Quirk to kitchen assistant Smok to the numerous Sxervian Frog Brigade troops and the Yoons, is readily identifiable, but for extra help, the book includes an illustrated character guide. Perfect for middle-grade comics fans who adore Jeff Smith's Bone (2004).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)