Topside

When a small mistake quickly snowballs, a young girl of color braves the strange surface of her planet to prove she can set things right.In a crumbling subterranean society like the Interior, repair technicians are essential, and Jo Wilson is one of the best. Skilled, vigilant, and committed to doing her job well and without help, Jo wants nothing more than to demonstrate her competence and expand her opportunities to fix what is broken. So when a minor mistake turns into a major problem, Jo is determined to rectify the situation on her own (and ideally before any Interior agents take notice) by traveling to the planet's ungoverned surface. But with forged papers, a clandestine mission, a con artist guide, and bounty hunters in pursuit, trouble is inevitable. Monk (editor: Enough Space for Everyone Else, 2016) has crafted a work that demonstrates the dynamic narrative balance so distinctive of science fiction in which a technology- and action-heavy plot is driven by thoughtful character motivations. Bogosian's (Kringlewart and the Crookedest Christmas Tree, 2016) art follows through with visual depth for a planetary setting that literally comes alive and a refreshingly gender-expansive and racially diverse cast. Some readers may be a bit disappointed with a conclusion that falls short in narrative complexity, but the likelihood of sequels for further exploration is an effective balm. Immersive, mysterious, and just the right amount of trippy. --Kirkus Reviews --Journal Josephine, born and raised in the Core, is now one of the employee-citizens responsible for keeping the Core running. It's not an easy task, thanks to a disintegrating infrastructure and a chronic lack of resources. When she makes a mistake on a job that causes a system failure, Josephine goes topside in an effort to obtain the material she needs to make the repair. Teaming up with a couple of con artists and bounty hunters, Josephine and her new compatriots race to find a hidden cache of supplies, with agents from the Core hot on their tails. Half the fun of this story is following the characters to their final destination. As quest stories go, the world building in this one is impressive. Both Topside and the Core feel fully realized, with wordless panels full of imaginative creatures, a diverse cast of expressive characters, and strong, evocative colors doing much of the storytelling. A dystopian sf graphic novel perfect for readers new to the genre. --Booklist --Journal Topside is an engrossing adventure buoyed by lush sci-fi landscapes and unlikely friendships. Monk and Bogosian have crafted an imaginative odyssey that calls to mind the works of Hayao Miyazaki. --Kristen Gudsnuk, Making Friends --Other Print Vibrant and fun, Topside blasts off on a colorful journey across an alien world. --Katie Shanahan, Silly Kingdom --Other Print Thoughtful, woke, and enjoyably propulsive. The world Monk and Bogosian describe is terrible, but such an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon. --Zander Cannon, Kaijumax --Other Print An intriguing mix of adventure and wonder and the mundane, both quietly epic and very personal. Wonderful art. Highly recommended. --Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation --Other Print