Flight Explorer: Graphic Novel Anthology series Vol. 1 (comics)

This first volume in a new series presents an Anthology of comics and graphic short stories that revolve around the theme of flight, including works by noted comic book and graphic novel creators, top animators working at Pixar and other major studios, and new Web cartoonists, including Kean Soo and Kazu Kibuishi.

A few years ago, Image Comics and later Villard published a series of anthologies for adults entitled "Flight", which showcased active cartoonists’ brief works. "Flight Explorer" does much the same thing, although the stories collected here are suitable for a young audience.

Among the artists and writers represented in this first volume are Kean Soo, animator Rad Sechrist, Joahane Matte, Bone colorist Steve Hamaker, and video-game and children’s-book illustrator Matthew S. Armstrong. Each of the 10 stories in this launch volume is strong, engaging, and laced with humor.

Editor Kazu Kibuishi’s "Copper" follows the adventure of a smart dog that unwillingly accompanies its master across a field of giant mushrooms and literally falls into their hands, and Hamaker’s "Fish ‘n’ Chips, All in a Day’s Work" uses a goldfish in a bowl as a key ingredient in tale mixing space operetta and superheroics.

The variety of artistic styles, subject matter, and storytelling techniques combine to make this an intelligent mix, with high appeal to beginning graphic-novel aficionados.