Month: July 2026

Animal Pound (Issues #1-#5) / Tom King, Peter Gross (Illustrator)

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
Animal Pound (Issues #1-#5)
By: Tom King, Peter Gross (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Dystopia
Number of Pages: 176
Published: November 18, 2025
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Dates Read: May 6, 2026 - May 6, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9798892155724

When the animals at the pound have decided they’ve had enough, they join together against anyone who walks on two legs. But with this newfound freedom comes the challenge on how best to lead everyone. When the groups work together will their efforts be enough to be fair for everyone?

This kept my attention for about ¾ of it and then I ended up skimming the ending. The artwork was great – a bit dark, a bit creepy/off putting, but in an interesting way, made the animals more realistic that’s for sure.

Obviously I hated Piggy and his Trump-like actions.

Overall, an interesting retelling of Animal Farm but with animals and a little more connection with modern times.

News From the Fallout (Issues #1-#6) / Chris Condon, Jeffrey Alan Love (Artist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
News from the Fallout (Issues #1-#6)
By: Chris Condon, Jeffrey Alan Love (Artist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror
Number of Pages: 200
Published: March 31, 2026
Publisher: Image Comics
Dates Read: April 27, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781534335745

In 1962, Nevada’s nuclear bomb test goes horribly wrong at the Army Base and it releases a contaminate that turns humans into zombies. Otis Fallows is the only person who was there and survived but is now on the hunt to find somewhere safe – if that even exists anymore.

You know “silent” graphic novels where there’s little to no dialog? This one is like that, except it’s a darkened scene – barely any details and lots of shadows/silhouettes, plenty of dialog. It did make it a little hard to keep track of who was who, but anyone important was a bit easier to distinguish.

Overall, I totally felt the despair of the novel, but wished there was a little more to it. I kept getting lost in the illustrations (or kind of lack thereof) and though I appreciate the alternative / dystopian history, there could have been a bit more.

*Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for a digital copies of this book in exchange for an honest review

Arthur’s Cat / Johan Leynaud, Sarah Ardizzone (Translator)

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
Arthur’s Cat
By: Johan Leynaud, Sarah Ardizzone (Translator)
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Number of Pages: 40
Published: March 10, 2026
Publisher: Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: April 27, 2026
Format: Library Book / Hardcover	ISBN: 9780802856586

Arthur absolutely loves his cat, Zeffo and wants to do everything with him. But Zeffo? No so much – he would love some space! But one day, Arthur gives Zeffo too big of a hug and gets scratched. The days after Arthur and Zeffo work to find a new way of loving each other.

A cute and adorably written children’s book about pets and boundaries to little ones.

I loved the artwork and how Arthur was orange and Zeffo was blue, since they are complimentary colors, it really shows how opposite the two were from each other.

One can also appreciate the portions where it says both hearts had to heal. Zeffo didn’t want to scratch Arthur I’m sure, but that’s the best way to show he crossed a boundary. 

Overall, it is an adorable and cute children’s book with beautiful illustrations.