minxy's review against another edition
2.0
To be honest the graphic novel was nothing to special in my opinion. I just felt that the story was a bit unimaginative and sometimes lacking in coherence. Furthermore, it felt very much as if Pope was just introducing the world and characters of Battling Boy and there was not much going on otherwise. The drawing style of Paul Pope in this graphic novel didn't do anything for me either. I just had the feeling that I saw most of it before because he also contributed to Batman comics before. On the other side, I really liked the colour scheme of Battling boy. It's vibrant and works very well for the different sequences of the story. Also, I liked the "Nightmare" villains although I'm did not really understand what kind of creatures they are. I really would have liked to know more about them. All in all, an ok graphic novel in my opinion but for people who really like graphic novels with heroes and supernatural stuff it would probably be a great read!
rltinha's review against another edition
4.0
Parece-se com não sei quantas coisas e, apesar disso, consegue basta originalidade.
Não podendo chegar à 5.ª estrela, cabe fartamente nas 4 que recebe.
Agora quero as 12 t-shirts do Battling Boy =x
Não podendo chegar à 5.ª estrela, cabe fartamente nas 4 que recebe.
Agora quero as 12 t-shirts do Battling Boy =x
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful Paul Pope YA graphic novel. If you are familiar with Pope's work (I'm a big fan of [b:Heavy Liquid|590546|Heavy Liquid|Paul Pope|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389648660s/590546.jpg|577306]), this is the same gorgeous art and intriguing concepts that are expected in his books. In this case, he is channeling at least three superhero/sf tropes (the science hero, the demigod who visits earth (think a young Thor), and monster attacks on cities), but everything feels fresh and invigorated. If you like YA's, there's a strong emphasis on what it means to step into the shoes of adult responsibility. The only con is that this is not a complete tale, but only a set up for future graphic novels --- you get only a small sense of resolution.
haia_929's review against another edition
4.0
This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.
This comic book is set in Acropolis, a huge city overrun with violence and monsters. Their greatest hero Haggard West is killed by a local gang leaving the city unequipped to defeat the monsters. In comes Battling Boy, a God from another world, who takes the place of the hero and fights to save the city as part of his coming of age tests. This book was really amazing. The story is really interesting and the content just hooked me as soon as I started reading it.
Battling Boy is a God, which really surprised me. I didn't know what exactly he was going to be, or what the book would be about. He definitely seems to have been influenced, in terms of character creation, by the Greek/Roman Gods and other pantheon style Gods. I am a big fan of the Greek Gods and content about them so this was a huge plus for me.
The art style is a little rougher, a little more on the superhero comic side. Combined with the content of the story, the street gangs and monsters, it reminded me a little of Batman Returns with a little less of the grit that makes that comic so terrifying. (It makes sense because Paul Pope has worked on Batman comics and other super hero comics before.) That only serves to make it a little more appropriate for a younger audience. This is really a great art style for the particular content of the story.
In terms of characters I found Battling Boy and Aurora West really interesting. They're young, Battling Boy is only around 12 and Aurora's a little older, which means they're both still kind of in the "training" phase of their lives as future heros. Battling Boy is undergoing this coming of age journey to become a hero where he's sent away to perform a heroic act (very reminiscent of old Greek heroes) and Aurora has been trained to be her father's successor. It was great to see both some strong younger heroes but also strong females. Aurora and her mentor are both strong female characters and I'm excited to see them in future books.
The one bad thing about this book? It's too short! I found that not enough had happened by the time I finished, and I wished the story had been longer. Of course it's not a standalone so there is more coming, but it just felt like not a lot happened and there was a very abrupt ending to the book.
That being said, the book was amazing and I'm really happy that I've picked it up. I highly recommend this book!
This comic book is set in Acropolis, a huge city overrun with violence and monsters. Their greatest hero Haggard West is killed by a local gang leaving the city unequipped to defeat the monsters. In comes Battling Boy, a God from another world, who takes the place of the hero and fights to save the city as part of his coming of age tests. This book was really amazing. The story is really interesting and the content just hooked me as soon as I started reading it.
Battling Boy is a God, which really surprised me. I didn't know what exactly he was going to be, or what the book would be about. He definitely seems to have been influenced, in terms of character creation, by the Greek/Roman Gods and other pantheon style Gods. I am a big fan of the Greek Gods and content about them so this was a huge plus for me.
The art style is a little rougher, a little more on the superhero comic side. Combined with the content of the story, the street gangs and monsters, it reminded me a little of Batman Returns with a little less of the grit that makes that comic so terrifying. (It makes sense because Paul Pope has worked on Batman comics and other super hero comics before.) That only serves to make it a little more appropriate for a younger audience. This is really a great art style for the particular content of the story.
In terms of characters I found Battling Boy and Aurora West really interesting. They're young, Battling Boy is only around 12 and Aurora's a little older, which means they're both still kind of in the "training" phase of their lives as future heros. Battling Boy is undergoing this coming of age journey to become a hero where he's sent away to perform a heroic act (very reminiscent of old Greek heroes) and Aurora has been trained to be her father's successor. It was great to see both some strong younger heroes but also strong females. Aurora and her mentor are both strong female characters and I'm excited to see them in future books.
The one bad thing about this book? It's too short! I found that not enough had happened by the time I finished, and I wished the story had been longer. Of course it's not a standalone so there is more coming, but it just felt like not a lot happened and there was a very abrupt ending to the book.
That being said, the book was amazing and I'm really happy that I've picked it up. I highly recommend this book!
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
3.0
I feel a little ambivalent about Battling Boy. It's a neat concept but I don't feel the story really took off at any point in this volume. The art was distinctive and the monsters were suitably eerie but I like bolder lines in my graphic novels. Which might not be the right term but I know what I mean. Still, magic t shirts are a clever idea and I'm mildly curious as to what our hero will face next.
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
3.0
Monsters have invaded Arcopolis and are kidnapping boys. The city depends on Haggard West to save the day...and then he dies. Meanwhile, on another planet a teenage boy is sent on a quest. He lands on Earth with the job of saving the planet. Armed with a suitcase of 12 magical t-shirts, a key, and a few other things he starts fighting monsters. After defeating one monster with the help of his dad everyone on Earth thinks he is a new superhero.
There were a lot of loose ends with this book. Why were the monsters kidnapping boys? What is the story with the Battling Boy's planet and parents. The story ends abruptly so there will obviously be more to come. I am not really a fan of graphic novels anyway...I don't really have anything against them...just not my thing and this one didn't do much for me.
There were a lot of loose ends with this book. Why were the monsters kidnapping boys? What is the story with the Battling Boy's planet and parents. The story ends abruptly so there will obviously be more to come. I am not really a fan of graphic novels anyway...I don't really have anything against them...just not my thing and this one didn't do much for me.
nkives's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, but I also was hoping a book this size would have a complete story in it, and this one really doesn't in any plot line.
stilldirty's review against another edition
5.0
Its only flaw is being an incomplete story (that "continues" in a prequel that doesn't seem to directly involve Paul Pope, different artist and different writer.) I hope this does see a proper sequel at some point, because it seems like a completely original reinvention of archetypes with somewhat unusual circumstances. And, basically, this could very easily become a kids movie (which I mention as a compliment.)
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.