ApocalyptiGirl

June 8, 2015
With a style that combines the idiosyncrasies of cartoonists Noelle Stevenson and Paul Pope into a fresh new look, MacLean (Head Lopper, Daruma) bursts from the underground scene with a short but memorable major-imprint debut. Aria, a lone operative seeking something of incredible value lost under the rubble of postapocalyptic Earth, must brave
hostile tribes and her own isolation in order to complete her mission. With a song in her heart and quiet companionship from her cat, Jelly Beans, Aria carves a path of destruction through everything that stands between her and victory. Scenes range from the horrifically brutal to the soft and compassionate, with no hint of sensationalism or melodrama, but rather raw, authentic emotion in both the script and visuals. MacLean shows a talent for silent storytelling, and his incredibly kinetic, flowing art and use of nontraditional page structures indicate an intimate knowledge of storytelling on its most primal level—as unique as Aria
herself.

August 1, 2015
Spunky adventurer Aria and her cat Jelly Beans attempt to eke out a meager life for themselves in a postapocalyptic earth while on a mission to recover the very artifact that destroyed the world. In between brief moments of tenderness with her cat and her frustrations over her impossible task, Aria spends most of her time running away from or viciously murdering her many enemies, as the wasteland is ruled by rival tribes. As Aria flees and fights, she is haunted by the thought of a young boy from one of the tribes, constantly debating whether to kill or spare him, making for dynamic and complicated character intrigue. MacLean's laser-like focus on action and the book's short length are both assets and weaknesses: Aria's trigger-happy, katana-wielding nature is intoxicating, yet there's little background or explanation for such an engrossing character and world. MacLean's artwork is angular and exaggerated, with saturated, flat colora compelling, unsettling match for the violence and hectic, strange environment. A quick read and a riveting adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)