Water Baby - Ross Campbell

Water Baby
Ross Campbell
Minx an abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401211479

The short-lived MINX graphic novel line was supposed to feature stories about strong women and girls and be quality graphic novels for young women. I plan on keeping most of the series set aside for my daughters for when they are older, but this is one book I will not be keeping. I found very little that is redeeming about this graphic novel. The main character has lost her leg in a shark attack; we don't know if her sour view of life and the way she treats everyone poorly was habitual before or after the attack. She seems to just be a skank, with nothing to teach and there is no growth or change. The story feels incomplete and poorly planned compared to the rest in the MINX line. It does not really go anywhere but downhill. I was truly disappointed in this book, and with it being the last in the series I read, it is a good thing as I may not have read some of the others if I had read this earlier.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2010

2010 was my beat year for reading productivity, not counting books read to my children, some again and again I read over 300 books this year. This was the first year I read more than 1 or 2 graphic novels. I have found it is a medium I really enjoy. As such it was really hard to pick the Top 10 Graphic Novels for the year but here goes.

1. JANES - by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes, Janes in Love

2. Copper - Kazu Kibuishi

3. Emiko Superstar - Mariko Tamaki & Steven Rolston

4. The New York Four - Brian Wood and Ryan Kelley

5. Wolverine - Old Man Logan - Mark Millar, Steven McNiven

6. Hope Larson

Chiggers, Gray Horses, Mercury and salamander dreams

7. Re-Gifters - Mike Carey, Sonny Liew, Mark Hempelh

8. The War At Ellsmere - Faith Erin Hicks

9. The Good Neighbors - Holly Black and Ted Naifeh

Kin, Kith and Kind

10. Emily The Strange - The Lost Days - Rob Reger, Jessica Gruner and Buzz Parker

Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011 
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

Emiko Superstar - Mariko Tamaki and Steve Rolston

Emiko Superstar
Mariko Tamaki (Author)
Steve Rolston (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401215361

This was the second last of the 12 MINX graphic novels that I was able to track down and read. It is one of the best in the series. It is the story of a young girl who does not follow all her friends off to business camp. Who borrows the words of another woman to learn to find her own voice. Emiko is staying home this summer; she is babysitting after being fired as a whipping girl at a coffee bar. She is invited to a Freak Show at a placed called the Factory. At first she goes, but then she auditions and makes the act. Wearing some of her grandmothe's old clothes she finds a new person inside and spends the summer exploring who she really wants to be.

This story is fantastic - the writing, the concept and the artwork. I reread it immediately and know I will reread it again and again. The short-lived MINX graphic novel line was supposed to feature stories about strong women and girls and be quality graphic novels for young women. I plan on keeping the whole series set aside for my daughters for when they are older, but I will probably pull this one and a few of the others out from time to time to reread.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

Books by Mariko Tamaki:
Cover Me
True Lies
Fake ID
Emiko Superstar ( with Steve Rolston)
Skim (with Jillian Tamaki)
(You) Set Me on Fire

Author profile and interview with Mariko Tamaki.

Good As Lily - Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm

Good As Lily
Derek Kirk Kim (Author)
Jesse Hamm (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401213817

What would you do if on your 18th birthday you encountered alternate versions of yourself, from ages 6, 29, and 70? That is exactly what happened to Grace Kwon. She soon must find a way to balance friends, high school and her parents all while hiding her alternative selves and figuring out why they are here and if she can find a way to make them go back to their own time. At the same time she is trying to salvage the school play that was going to be cut because of budget issues. This was a great story, well told and wonderfully illustrated.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

confessions of a blabbermouth - Mike & Louise Carey and Aaron Alexovich

confessions of a blabbermouth
Mike & Louise Carey (Authors)
Aaron Alexovich (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781845765828

It was very humorous to find out that a story about a father ghostwriting for his daughter was written by a father and daughter team. This is not my favorite story in the MINX line, but it was a good read with strong female characters that learn to bond together. There are hints at abuse, bullying at school, issues of blended families. There are a lot of good topics covered in this book.

Tasha is headed for a breakdown. Her mother's new boyfriend is a writer who is spurring his daughter on to follow the family vocation. He is overbearing, obnoxious and pigheaded. His daughter starts attending Tasha's school and things get even worse. Then for the holidays they have to take a trip together to America; Tasha is about to lose it.

I loved Mike's first graphic novel in this series, and it provoked my tracking down the others. I was a little disappointed in this one, compared to the series as a whole, and especially compared to Re-Gifters. There are some good themes and topics but as a whole it just did not resonate with me the way some of the others have.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

kimmie66 - Aaron Alexovich

kimmie66
Aaron Alexovich
Minx an abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401203733

The ghost in the machine is a common theme in science fiction and fantasy and has been for many years. But what if a story were set in the future when most people spent more time plugged into the net then they do in real life interacting with other people? Telly Kade is a typical 23rd century teen, living most of her life in the lairs in a virtual world. But then her best friend goes missing supposedly to commit suicide. Telly cannot handle that and goes in search of Kimmie66, even if it means breaking the rules of VR and laws, to find out who she really was and what happened to her. Her search for the truth will lead her into a deeper understanding of the VR world and of the real world.

The short-lived MINX graphic novel line was supposed to feature stories about strong women and girls and be quality graphic novels for young women. This was a great story well written and with interesting plot twists and surprises. I plan on keeping the whole series set aside for my daughters for when they are older, but I will probably pull this one and a few of the others out again and again from time to time to reread.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (Unreleased)

The New York Four - Brian Wood , Ryan Kelly

The New York Four
Brian Wood (Author)
Ryan Kelly (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 978141211547

This graphic novel focuses around four friends who meet while at university and plan on getting a place together. The main character is Riley Wilder, a young woman who always follows the rules, does what she is told, gets good grades and has overly protective parents. Her parents are over protective because of her wild older sister. While at college, she starts meeting up with her sister again, and between that and a stranger texting her, her life slowly starts to unravel.

Drawn with a mixed style of various frames and full page spreads, the artwork in the book is wonderful. The story captures much of the essence of the university experience, also some of the confusion around family dynamics. The story is compelling and it looks like a second book is in the works because it ends with "see you next semester." It would be interesting to see where the story goes next. The four female characters are very well written, and at times, both inspirational and infuriating.

This short-lived graphic novel imprint produced some great stories for and about girls. They are books I will keep for my daughters for when they are older.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

Burnout - Rebecca Donner , Inaki Miranda and Eva de la Cruz

Burnout
Rebecca Donner (Author)
Inaki Miranda (Illustrator)
Eva de la Cruz (Inker)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401215378

This book is a story about abusive relationship, love, environmentalism and learning who you are and who you are willing to be. It is a coming of age story written as a graphic novel set in the Pacific Northwest. Danni and her mother moved to a small logging town after her father disappeared. They are getting by but her mother wants more. Soon they move in with her mother's boyfriend, who turns out to be an alcoholic. Her soon-to-be step brother is an angry young man named Haskell, who she has been crushing on in school. Danni is confused and feels alone. But she soon discovers that Haskell has a secret - he is an eco-terrorist and Danni soon finds herself helping him, but she must learn how far she is willing to go.

The story delves into dealing with the issues of growing up, mixed families and learning who you want to be. The MINX graphic novels all have female-centric leads. The stories deal with young women learning to believe in themselves and to stand up for themselves. They are great stories and this is an awesome one.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

Token - Alisa Kwitney and Joelle Jones

Token
Alisa Kwitney (Author)
Joelle Jones (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401215385

This is the story of Shira Spektor; it is 1987 and all she wants is for things to be the way they were. But her father is dating his secretary; her best friends are her Grandmother and her friend. And then she meets a strange guy. She could use some advice but her mother passed away when she was three. Between the conflict with her dad at home and the other girls at the Jewish school, Shira needs an outlet and she finds shoplifting. Yet she realizes that her life is spiraling out of control but does not know if she wants to put the brakes on.

Wonderfully written and illustrated, this is another example of a great graphic novel geared for girls. The MINX line was announced with much fanfare but DC Comics canned the line in less than two years and now has even removed the webpage supporting these great books.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)

Clubbing - Andi Watson and Josh Howard

Clubbing
Andi Watson (Author)
Josh Howard (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781845765804

Charlotte Brook is in big trouble because she got caught trying to use fake ID to get into a club. Her parents have exiled her to her grandparents, a golf course in the countryside. She was sent to the country to keep her out of trouble, and to punish her. Soon this Goth girl shopaholic is trying to solve a murder.

The MINX line of comics was supposed to feature strong female characters, to be a premier series of comics for girls and young women. They achieved that as the 5 I have read so far have all been excellent books that I would be proud if my daughter would read when she was older. This is a story of a strong female character, yes she gets in trouble. But basically she is a good girl. These are excellent books. Well written and illustrated. What is best about this series is that almost all the books present a different culture, or ethnicity, yet together they present strong examples of good character, and strong females trying to find their way in the world. As well, they are entertaining enough that almost anyone can read them and learn from the stories.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (Unreleased)

Janes in Love - Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

Janes in Love
Cecil Castellucci (Author)
Jim Rugg (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401213879

This graphic novel continues nearly a year after The P.L.A.I.N. Janes. Where the first in this series dealt with the Janes learning to have confidence in themselves, and doing something they believed in, this one takes place a year later and as Valentine's Day is approaching the Janes realize they want to find love and happiness.

The Janes are:
Jane - DramaticJane
Jayne - BrainJayne
Polly Jane - SportyJane
Jane - MainJaneMainJane is still dealing with the aftermath of being near ground zero of a terrorist attack. She is getting better but her mother is getting worse. All of Janes' art is an attempt to bring her mother back out of her shell. I liked this story but enjoyed the first one more. This one does go into greater depth about relationships and overcoming adversity. It is a good story by a gifted writer. It really is a pity that DC Comic discontinued this MINX line; they were supposed to be heralding in a new era of graphic novels, novels written with girls as the main audience, with strong female characters that could be role models. The line was announced in 2006, with much fanfare, but was cancelled part way into 2008, thus leaving that target audience again under-represented in North America. But the 13 books in the line that were released all look interesting, and like the type of book I will want to share with my daughter as she grows up. This is a shining example of that sentiment.

Books by Cecil Castellucci:
Boy Proof (2005)
The Queen of Cool (2006)
Beige (2007)
The P.L.A.I.N. Janes (2007)
Janes in Love (2008)
Geektastic (Editor & Contributor 2009)
Rose Sees Red (2010)
Grandma's Gloves (2010)
First Day On Earth (2011)
Odd Duck (2013)
Tin Star (2014)
Stone in the Sky (2015)
The Plain Janes 3 in 1 (2020)

...

Music By Cecil Castellucci
Twist Her - Nerdy Girl (1996)
Whoever - Cecil Seaskull (1998)

A Visual Bibliography for Cecil Castellucci
Author profile interview with Cecil Castellucci
MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (Unreleased)

Re-Gifters - Liew, Hempel and Carey

Re-Gifters
Mike Carey (Author)
Sonny Liew and Marc Hempel (Illustrators)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401203719

This is the second Graphic Novel in the now defunct MINX line that I have read, the first being The PLAIN Janes by Castellucci and Rugg. Both are about strong female characters - young women who can be role models or examples for the young women in our lives. This one is about a young Korean girl growing up in LA. She has spent years studying hapikido. But she is also a young girl in love. And love sometimes makes us do crazy things. This is a story about tradition, it is a story about honour and it is a story about life. Dixie, Jen Dik Seong, is told by her instructor: "If you do not find that harmonious balance you cannot fight well or live well". Read to find out if she can learn to discover that balance. Wonderfully drawn and written, this is a great story. It is a pity DC Comics cancelled this line. These are books I plan on hanging onto for my daughter for when she is older.

MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (Unreleased)

The PLAIN Janes - Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes
Cecil Castellucci (Author)
Jim Rugg (Illustrator)
Minx a abandoned division of
DC Comics
ISBN 9781401211158

To start off, I do not read a lot of graphic novels. I haven't collected comics in over 20 years. The few graphic novels I have read in the last 5 years, I have either been asked to review, or liked the author's other works and gave them a try. With this one I was very hesitant; it was about a group of girls in high school, and yet I loved it. I enjoyed it so much I read it twice back to back and cannot wait to read the sequel Janes in Love.

The story is set shortly after 9/11 and features a girl, Jane, who was near one of the blasts. Her whole life is turned upside down. He parents move her to a small town. Her mother is not getting better from the shock of 9/11; she is getting more frightened, and protective and a little paranoid. Jane was popular and in the 'in crowd' at her old school in the city. Here she decided to make conscious changes; she joins the outcast, a group of Plain Janes, who are:
Jane - DramaticJane
Jayne - BrainJayne
Polly Jane - SportyJane
Jane - MainJaneTogether they form a group called P.L.A.I.N. - People Loving Arts in neighborhoods. They perform some random acts to make people think and appreciate the world around them and the beauty we can see every day but not notice.

The story is great. It has a message every high school student and maybe every adult could learn from. It is incredibly well written and Jim Rugg did an amazing job illustrating the story. I have a feeling this will become one of those books I read annually because there will be more I can get from it each time I read it.

Books by Cecil Castellucci:
Boy Proof (2005)
The Queen of Cool (2006)
Beige (2007)
The P.L.A.I.N. Janes (2007)
Janes in Love (2008)
Geektastic (Editor & Contributor 2009)
Rose Sees Red (2010)
Grandma's Gloves (2010)
First Day On Earth (2011)
Odd Duck (2013)
Tin Star (2014)
Stone in the Sky (2015)
The Plain Janes 3 in 1 (2020)

...

Music By Cecil Castellucci
Twist Her - Nerdy Girl (1996)
Whoever - Cecil Seaskull (1998)

A Visual Bibliography for Cecil Castellucci
Author profile interview with Cecil Castellucci
MINX Graphic Novels:

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007)
Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007)
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007)
Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007)
Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008)
Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008)
The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008)
Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008)
Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008)
Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)

All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased)
Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (Unreleased)