This comic book has eye-catching graphics and a cute storyline. But somehow because the graphics are so interesting, I had trouble paying attention to words and understanding the story. It felt like everything happened so quickly that I was confused much of the time as to what was going on. Kind of like watching a Saturday morning anime cartoon where it's all so fast and shouty you have no idea what happened. ( )

A funny story about a pickle and JoJo Wigwam who team up to fight the evil veggies. The veggies progression to becoming evil, a scientific experiment is pretty funny.

This is the first book in the graphic novel Magic Pickle series. Weapon Kosher, the pickle, is brought out of a deep slumber in order to protect the world from the evil vegetables that have returned. Apparently, Dr. Formaldehyde dropped his lunch into his machine many years ago which created destructive vegetables. Weapon Kosher was saved for when the vegetables returned to cause havoc. The pickle is brought back out of his slumber in order to save the world with the help of JoJo, a girl he meets from the house in which he has been stored in. JoJo has her own problems at school with a girl who thinks she is all that. All JoJo wants to do is be a part of Weapon Kosher's adventure in finding the evil lettuce head. Weapon Kosher refuses to let her participate. She ends up going to school and finding the lettuce in her lunch bag and starts a food fight with it in direction toward her arch enemy, LuLu. The head of lettuce is able to be captured, the kids at school think JoJo is cool, and Weapon Kosher ends up winning the battle and protecting against the evil vegetables. In the end, JoJo is convinced that she is going to be Weapon Kosher's sidekick and names herself Sweet Tomato.

I have a difficult time with this format overall. I liked that Weapon Kosher ended up helping Jo Jo with her bully problem while trying to complete his own mission but it wasn't until the end of the book that I understood the theme. It felt like a lot of back and forth for a long time but I think maybe this is the format.

Plot: A magic military pickle (aka Weapon Kosher) who has been in cryogenic slumber is reawakened in order to stop an evil gang of produce. He is aided in his endeavors by his adorable sidekick, JoJo Wigman.

My reaction: This book is very entertaining with clever wordplay and unique graphics. The sense of humour really plays to an audience of 8-12 year olds.

Recommended Age Level: 8 - 12 year olds

Series Information: The are currently two other Magic Pickle books on the market. ( )