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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the colors in this book. The story was ok, but the hero was undeveloped as were all the other characters.
deemazztan's review against another edition
5.0
Read this in one sitting. It's getting 5 stars because it completely held my attention even though I didn't like the angularity of the drawings. I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels, so any that I like always get a little padding in the ratings.
jgarrigan's review against another edition
5.0
Age recommendation: 9+
Battling Boy was one of my favorite graphic novels of the last few years. It is the start of an ongoing series, and what a great start it is. Author/artist Paul Pope is most well known for several fairly adult series in the past, and his distinctive European/Japanese fusion art style. His switch to children's/YA fiction is welcome and surprisingly effective. Young Battling boy, the son of a Thor analogue, has come of age and needs to prove his worth. He is sent to the city of Arcopolis, set on a fantasy Earth, that is being overrun with monsters. Armed with only his wits, and some magical t-shirts, he needs to figure out how to save the day.
Battling Boy was one of my favorite graphic novels of the last few years. It is the start of an ongoing series, and what a great start it is. Author/artist Paul Pope is most well known for several fairly adult series in the past, and his distinctive European/Japanese fusion art style. His switch to children's/YA fiction is welcome and surprisingly effective. Young Battling boy, the son of a Thor analogue, has come of age and needs to prove his worth. He is sent to the city of Arcopolis, set on a fantasy Earth, that is being overrun with monsters. Armed with only his wits, and some magical t-shirts, he needs to figure out how to save the day.
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally published at More Than Just Magic
Magical t-shirts, space, crazy monsters? What’s not to love about this book?
Battling Boy is a demi-god who has been sent to Acropolis to prove himself. He’s been told very little about what he’s supposed to do and is only given some magical t-shirts with which to accomplish his goals. He goes in just as blind as the reader and together you discover just how crazy this world is and how much work needs to be done. This is the kind of story that I would have inhaled as a kid (and frankly still is). It’s action packed, dangerous and above all a little crazy. The villain is also incredibly creepy.
In terms of the artwork, I applaud Paul Pope’s unique style but found it a little abnormal for my taste. Sort of like how Ren and Stimpy used to make me feel – a.k.a unsettled. That’s not to say it was bad, just not my style.
Given my affinity for awesome super-heroines it should be no surprise that I was most enthralled with Aurora West, so I am very excited to see she is getting her own book later this year. However upon giving my copy to a nine year old boy I was quickly informed that in fact the t-shirts are the coolest part (and a trip to school for show and tell finds that others agree – I’m outnumbered!)
Magical t-shirts, space, crazy monsters? What’s not to love about this book?
Battling Boy is a demi-god who has been sent to Acropolis to prove himself. He’s been told very little about what he’s supposed to do and is only given some magical t-shirts with which to accomplish his goals. He goes in just as blind as the reader and together you discover just how crazy this world is and how much work needs to be done. This is the kind of story that I would have inhaled as a kid (and frankly still is). It’s action packed, dangerous and above all a little crazy. The villain is also incredibly creepy.
In terms of the artwork, I applaud Paul Pope’s unique style but found it a little abnormal for my taste. Sort of like how Ren and Stimpy used to make me feel – a.k.a unsettled. That’s not to say it was bad, just not my style.
Given my affinity for awesome super-heroines it should be no surprise that I was most enthralled with Aurora West, so I am very excited to see she is getting her own book later this year. However upon giving my copy to a nine year old boy I was quickly informed that in fact the t-shirts are the coolest part (and a trip to school for show and tell finds that others agree – I’m outnumbered!)
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1563
I am always impressed when an author can not only make an entire new world, but also new mythology. That is exactly what Paul Pope does in his new graphic novel (will be a series). Arcopolis is a terrifying apocalyptic-esque town where you cannot walk around at night and you are always being watched by monsters. The setting is what makes this story really able to happen.
When reading, I could tell that Paul Pope is a “comic mastermind” because this story is set up very much like a traditional comic (good vs. evil, superheroes); however, there is a new twist on it because our hero is an underdog. This makes the reader root for him even more.
Warning: Cliffhanger ending! Battling Boy better be the first in a series, because I am dying to know what happens!
I am always impressed when an author can not only make an entire new world, but also new mythology. That is exactly what Paul Pope does in his new graphic novel (will be a series). Arcopolis is a terrifying apocalyptic-esque town where you cannot walk around at night and you are always being watched by monsters. The setting is what makes this story really able to happen.
When reading, I could tell that Paul Pope is a “comic mastermind” because this story is set up very much like a traditional comic (good vs. evil, superheroes); however, there is a new twist on it because our hero is an underdog. This makes the reader root for him even more.
Warning: Cliffhanger ending! Battling Boy better be the first in a series, because I am dying to know what happens!
dantastic's review against another edition
5.0
Haggard West, hero of Arcopolis is dead. Fortunately, Battling Boy has arrived to prove himself to his parents and take up Haggard West's fight against the monsters plaguing Arcopolos. But what of Haggard West's daughter, Aurora?
I've got a couple of old issues of Paul Pope's THB and I liked his Adam Strange feature in Wednesday Comics so when I found this on the cheap at V-Stock, I snapped it up. It was easily worth my four bucks.
Paul Pope's art is what originally drew me to this. It's part prime era Jack Kirby, part Moebius. It's minimalist yet complex, stylized, and fucking awesome. He's as at home drawing vast cityscapes and other-worldly homes of gods. The monsters get as much attention to detail as the mundane. In short, it's great.
The story is good, too. It's a coming of age tale about the son of a god and the daughter of a dead hero. Arcopolis is a city under siege by monsters and Battling Boy shows up to stem the tide. Things quickly go pear-shaped.
There is some good use of parallelism as Battling Boy and Aurora West try to fill the shoes of their parents. Aurora uses the science of her father while Battling Boy draws power from his father's cape and the twelve magic t-shirts he's been given, as well as being the son of a Thor analogue.
Battling Boy just scratches the surface of the world Paul Pope has forged. I guess I'm tracking down the rest of the books in this series. Five out of five stars.
I've got a couple of old issues of Paul Pope's THB and I liked his Adam Strange feature in Wednesday Comics so when I found this on the cheap at V-Stock, I snapped it up. It was easily worth my four bucks.
Paul Pope's art is what originally drew me to this. It's part prime era Jack Kirby, part Moebius. It's minimalist yet complex, stylized, and fucking awesome. He's as at home drawing vast cityscapes and other-worldly homes of gods. The monsters get as much attention to detail as the mundane. In short, it's great.
The story is good, too. It's a coming of age tale about the son of a god and the daughter of a dead hero. Arcopolis is a city under siege by monsters and Battling Boy shows up to stem the tide. Things quickly go pear-shaped.
There is some good use of parallelism as Battling Boy and Aurora West try to fill the shoes of their parents. Aurora uses the science of her father while Battling Boy draws power from his father's cape and the twelve magic t-shirts he's been given, as well as being the son of a Thor analogue.
Battling Boy just scratches the surface of the world Paul Pope has forged. I guess I'm tracking down the rest of the books in this series. Five out of five stars.
reickel's review against another edition
2.0
Battling boy did not do nearly as much for me as I'd hoped. Extremely little character development, annoying characters, limited plot, and essentially this is just an intro. Really wish this was the first half or even first third of a story.
The art is solid, but not my favorite in the brush-ink space. Gimme Moon or Thompson.
The art is solid, but not my favorite in the brush-ink space. Gimme Moon or Thompson.
quietdomino's review against another edition
It's a kid-friendly, engaging, enjoyable, Thor-adjacent comic! Great enjoyment was had by all.
markmiller99's review against another edition
3.0
I love the art, but the story is not as good as I had hoped, and it didn't really go anywhere.
radicaledwardiv's review against another edition
4.0
I love Paul Pope's style. His drawings are so dynamic and the vibrant colors were what really drew me to pick up this book. The final page ends so abruptly and I hope there will be a continuation of the series besides the prequels featuring Aurora West.