Module Thirteen...Point Blank: The Graphic Novel

Point Blank:  The Graphic Novel.  by Anthony Horowitz.  Illustrated by Antony Johnson, Yuzuru and Kanako.

Horowitz, A & Johnston, A.  (2007).  Point Blank:  The graphic novel.  London:  Philomel

Synopsis:

Alex Ryder is a teenager and a spy, working for MI6 in London.  This is a graphic novel adaptation of the second novel in the Ryder series.  Alex is sent to investigate the deaths of two billionaires, one living in New York and the other near the Black Sea.  Both men had sons attending a school in the French Alps called Point Blanc.  A mysterious South African scientist, named Dr. Hugo Grief, runs the school.  Alex goes under cover at the school to find out what is happening to the parents of the students. 

My reaction:

I found the graphic novel entertaining and with, even though it has a bit of violence, it isn’t anything I wouldn’t let my kids or students read.

Review:

Point Blank: The Graphic Novel.

By Anthony Horowitz and Antony Johnston. Illus. by Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki.  
June 2008. 144p. Philomel, paper, $14.99 (9780399250262). 741.5. Gr. 6–9.
Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 21, 2013).
 

As in Stormbreaker: The Graphic Novel (2006), rapid-fire action, appealing manga-style art- work, and a heavy reliance on the James Bond formula drive this second graphic adaptation of Horowitz’s best-selling Alex Rider books. The plot maintains the basic premise of the eponymous novel, published in 2002: Rider, a 14-year-old British spy, is sent to a mysterious Swiss boarding school to investigate the nefarious plot of its headmaster. With clear lines and carefully toned coloring, the art makes the most of the creepy castle setting, twisting pas- sages, gadgets, and death-defying snowboard escapes, while the mix of perspectives and pan- el sizes helps to reveal clues in quick succession. Suspense builds right up until the terrifying conclusion, which, because it involves body doubles, has high impact in this visual format, which showcases the mirror effects. A sure hit with both fans and newcomers, particularly reluctant readers. —Gillian Engberg
 

Library Use:

This would be great in a display on spy novels, graphic novels, and their companion books.