An excellent, fun read. The characters are immediately likeable, and the action is clear and concise. There are carefully layered conflicts, both internal and external, which Hatke articulates with a minimum of dialogue and precision artwork. The way he draws his figures, especially in action, are unlike anything I've seen. They have a cartoonish feel, but there is something so positively real about them that I love. The set up for volume 2 is excellent. I want it, and I want it NOW. ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 5-8

Jon called this "Boring Jack" ( )

Jack has to take care of his sister, Maddy for the summer while their mother is working two jobs to try to make ends meet. When they go to a local flea market to buy tools, Maddy, who almost never speaks, tells Jack to buy some seeds from a vendor who will only trade them for his mother's car. At Maddy's insistence, Jack trades the car for the seeds. When they start to plant them, strange things begin to happen.

Mighty Jack is very much a mix of a modern Jack in the Beanstalk, Little Shop of Horrors, and Lord of the Flies. The magical plants are unique, especially when they are eaten. We really don't know why Maddy is unable to talk much. Hopefully that will be revealed in future books in the series as well as more development of all the characters. Overall, Mighty Jack is a fun graphic novel with lots of references to other classic stories. ( )

Magical plants are soooooo cool. Also, I love the fairy tale tie-in, and the fierce, sword-wielding neighbor girl. ( )