Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Kim, Derek Kirk. Tune: Book 1, Vanishing Point.


Kim, Derek Kirk.  Tune: Book 1, Vanishing Point.  Macmillan/ First Second     2012  153p  $16.99  978-1-59643-516-2  hs/adult (Grade 11-Adult)  Graphic novel  VG   

When Andy Go decides he has had enough of college, he drops out of art school, sure that he will find employment as an illustrator.  When his resumes are rejected, his parents issue an ultimatum that he has to find a job instead of lounging around home.  The jobs he applies for do not fit his vision of himself, but when he realizes he cannot return home without a job, he goes on one last interview and is whisked into a parallel universe where he will be the “human” exhibit at a zoo.  At this point the story stops, “to be continued” in a second volume.  

Andy’s love of his classmate Yumi, his friendship with two fellow art students who have been his best buddies for several years, the high expectations of his Korean parents, and his interest in science-fiction writing all play a part in this wonderfully-envisioned story.  Personalities are well defined.  The art work is excellent and detailed.  The irreverent humor, often aimed at religious icons and body functions, will make young adults laugh but might offend some communities.  Readers will surely clamor for the second volume to see where Andy Go ends up, what his job will entail, and whether he ever returns to earth.

Science Fiction, Parallel universes - Fiction               --Lois McNicol

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