If you have a family member, friend or neighbor with a tween who loves comics, run right away and order Fantasy Sports No. 1 by Sam Bosma, then sit back and know that you are the coolest aunt/uncle/friend/neighbor ever. Don’t forget to read it first (or buy yourself or your library an extra copy) because it is that good.

In a world with pyramids and magic and viking ships and vaguely medieval cities and all sorts of cool adventure novel trope-y locations, Wiz Kid is an Intern at the United and Ancient Order of Mages. Unfortunately, Wiz and her boss, Mean Mug, are not getting along.  The Archmage is aware that the problem is Mug but, she points, out that Wiz is their most qualified intern, so she sends them both back into the field together.

Their task takes them to a mausoleum filled with puzzles. While Mug contents himself beating up the skeleton guards, Wiz befriends one and gets them into the tomb, where they will face off with an undead conqueror in a battle of wits and basketball skills.

I was fully hooked, lined and sinkered, when Wiz befriended the remaining skeleton guard over a cup of tea and he turned out to be a really nice guy. ^_^

The art is colorful, playful and bold, with an interestingly muted palette – no primary colors here, but the sense of monstery garishness still is clearly communicated.

Wiz Kid is a girl, but her sex is never, not once, a focal point of conversation, either overt or implied. She wears traditional non-gendered “scamp/thief” clothing, and is a person of color. She’s got smarts, strong magic and is an absolutely delightful protagonist. I hope like heck the “No. 1” of the title is not a tease. I want to see more of Wiz Kid! I am convinced that if you read this book you will too. It’s just that much fun. The book has a July 2015 release date.

Ratings:

Art – 10 Fits the story so well
Character – 10
Story – 10

Overall – 10

Giant robot evil undead conquerors, wizards, treasure, skelton hordes, tea, adventure, puzzles, and basketball. Gosh, this book was so wonderful.

Thanks Nobrow for thinking of me and sending me this review copy. It’s like you saw into my heart. <3