Comic Sunday #9: Hereville – How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch

Comic Sundays are an American newspaper tradition where new comic strips are published weekly. At Becoming Books this tradition will continue focusing on comic strips, comics and graphic novels appealing to young adult and adult audiences.

Hereville – How Mirka Met a Meteorite (Hereville #2)

Story and Illustrations by Barry Deutsch
[Website]
MG Fiction – Graphic Novel, 128 pages // October 31, 2012

Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams
Library Copy – Opinions are my own, review policy here.

Synopsis via Goodreads: 

Welcome to Hereville, home of the first-ever wisecracking, adventure-loving, sword-wielding Orthodox Jewish heroine. A delightful mix of fantasy, adventure, cultural traditions, and preteen commotion, this fun, quirky graphic novel series will captivate middle-school readers with its exciting visuals and entertaining new heroine. Mirka is back, and she's still the only sword-brandishing, monster-fighting Orthodox Jewish girl in town. Or so she thinks. When a misguided troll aims a meteor at the witch's house, the witch grabs hold of the closest thing possible to transform the flying, flaming rock--and that would be Mirka's hair. The meteor is changed, all right: it's now Mirka's identical twin. Doppelganger Mirka, vowing to be a better version of the real girl, sets out to charm all of Hereville, including Mirka's own family. Our heroine challenges the meteor girl to a three-part contest . . . and the loser will be banished from Hereville forever!

Photo via author's Press Kit. Find more here.

This is book to in the Hereville graphic novel series and Mirka is just as dramatic as ever. I really, really enjoyed this storyline. Searching for her place at school and home, Mirka dives into mischief with a troll and a witch. No good can come of this! Mirka instead must face the reality of her dealings while connecting with her family and faith. These could easily be very heady topics but Deutsch intertwines with storyline with humor, Jewish culture, bits of Yiddish (and their translations) and the road to self-discovery. There are a couple of takeaway lessons for everyone here.

The artwork is expressive showcasing a range of Mirka's dramatic expressions. Deutsch's strengths really shine when several panels are combined to show both the passing of time and emotion. Especially the panel above where Mirka is running to beat the clock. The smaller panels demonstrate all of her hilarious inner monologue. The two-page spread could've easily been done with just the larger Mirka's but Deutsch gives the whole 9-yards when combining storytelling with the illustrations.

This was an awesome #WeNeedDiverseBooks read for me and I look forward to Hereville #3.

4 Stars – A great graphic novel for tweens combining solid storytelling with great illustrations.