Ocean
Grade 9 Up Ellis tells the story of an imminent encounter with a grim past. One hundred years in the future, UN Weapons Inspector Nathan Kane is sent on a top-secret mission to a space station orbiting Europa. The scientific crew working there has discovered ancient caskets floating in the massive, ice-covered ocean of that moon. Inside the coffins are members of a violent and ancient race of beings the ancestors of humankind who have been floating in stasis for millions of years, waiting to be discovered. But to what purpose? And what of the huge slumbering mechanical device pointed at Earth? And why is the interplanetary technology corporation DOORS so interested? With cinematic illustrations, Ellis's story rises above cookie-cutter sci-fi devices and touches on modern issues from racism to weapons of mass destruction. This book is everything a graphic novel should be tightly plotted with memorable characters, vibrantly illustrated, and a smart story that contains all the best elements of both speculative fiction and social commentary. For readers who have had enough of moody superheroes, tiny manga warriors with huge swords, and whining post-modern autobiographies,Oceanwill be a perfect and satisfying read.Steev Baker, Kewaskum Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.