"Kids raised battle-gear, red balloons,
ripe with water, readying war shields,
swamp-wet spitballs, acorns winter-
hard.
But Grindle struck fast, spinning his
web of strife. His fingers, quick-flying,
caught foreheads, a quake of time, ten
kids turned teenaged, tired-eyed, ever-
texting, eight turned middle-aged, aching,
anxious, angry at the internet."
Anyone who loves magnificent language and spectacular artwork will immediately be drawn to this graphic novel that has roots in the classic Beowulf. I will admit I have not read the original; I have read this adaptation twice. It is a long and compelling tale that evokes rereading at numerous points to truly appreciate the dramatic flow of the story, the humor, and the remarkable alliterative cadences.
It begins in Treeheart, where children play in joyful abandon.
"Treeheart was the hall's name, sky-born stronghold, helmet of kids.
Roger's thanes gathered throneside, thirsty for adventure.
Freeing frisbees lost beyond the fence-shields of fun-haters!
Wielding water balloons by slingshot, scattering teenage smooch-fests!"
While the kids are thrilled with their treehouse home and making all the noise that kids love to make when they are enjoying life, there were others not so happy: inspectors declaring a lack of safety, teens who long for earlier times, and other adults who hate the racket, the frivolity, the joy.
The worst of those is Mr. Grindle. He is described as a fun-grinder and a job-gobbler. It seems it runs in his family. He lives next door and he is tired of the birthday celebrations, the noise, the taunting. He is done with all that.
"And when the last of them lay down, lulled to sleep,
the floor flecked with fallen candies, each tooth frosting-crusted,
each gurgling mouth ringed round with rainbow sprinkles,
each cake-filled cheek chocolate-coated ...
THEN CAME GRINDLE."
His touch ages his victims, and touch them he did. The effect is immediate and heartbreaking. Children quickly turn to people who become obsessed with adult concerns, and some are distressed by the incessant cleaning of their clubhouse. The few who were not touched take it upon themselves to find help for their dilemma. Enter Bea Wolf! She is a hero among heroes ... one of a long line of children known for their strength, bravery, and leadership.
"But greatest among girl and boy is the ungrounded geezer-brawler,
fight-master, smasher of sea-beasts, matchless monster-stomper
who topples sorrow-towers, who tore the tie from the time-stealer.
Bea Wolf, legend-kid, everlasting flashlight of fun-lovers!"
Inventive and accomplished text is matched perfectly by powerful and irresistible artwork filled with texture in settings and characters. Created in black-and-white, the faces are appealing and cringe-worthy and the moonlight-infused, shadowy scenes are stunning. Back matter includes a history of Beowulf, how it became a popular legend, a comparison between Old English and Weinersmith’s modern verse, and some drawings from Boulet's sketchbook. REMARKABLE!
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