Teen Boat!

March 1, 2012
He's a teen... and a boat. This overly ambitious and often downright odd graphic novel introduces the not-too-creatively named Teen Boat. This is a young man for whom the ordinary trials and tribulations of adolescence are amplified by his bizarre nautical alter-ego, which he turns into if he gets any liquid in his ear. In an effort to fit in at his stereotypical high school where the jocks get the hot girls, the punk kids are anarchists and the goth kids moodily mope around, Teen Boat tries to use his transforming abilities to achieve popularity. He lets the in-crowd throw a party on him when he is in his boat form; this, of course, ends disastrously. He tries to get a driver's license, but his jerky driving maneuvers lead to his evaluator's coffee accidentally spilling in his ear, resulting in a calamitous outcome. This is very much a comic for adolescent boys: Humor is often sophomoric, and most of the girls--with the exception of Teen Boat's best friend--are busty caricatures. While some of the jokes will indeed induce a chuckle or two, many are stretched to the point of exhaustion, leaving readers ho-humming rather than haw-hawing. The peculiar concept and campy jokes create a strange blend, sort of Archie meets the Transformers--a puzzling combination, indeed. Puerile and odd, this concept doesn't float. (Graphic fiction. 12-15)

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March 1, 2012

Gr 7-10-This web comic, now in print and full color, features a teenager who has the ability to transform into a small yacht. The authors play with this concept in the campiest ways possible: the words "Teen Boat" always appear in the same superhero typeface; Teen Boat has a crush on a girl named Nina Pinta Santa Maria, then later finds love with a Venetian gondola. The short chapters contain plenty of action: Teen Boat gets hijacked by pirates, falls in love, and fails his driving exam. The cartoon illustrations are simple, bold, and accessible. Teens who clue in to the comic's self-aware goofiness will enjoy this title.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2012
Grades 7-12 Between the bullies, bad parties, falling for the wrong girl, and holding down a first jobnot to mention being a teen who can turn into a small yachtit's no wonder Teen Boat is having a hard time living the high-school dream. It doesn't help that our hero is also incredibly dense. In this expanded version of their award-winning minicomic, Roman (Astronaut Academy, 2011) and Green poke fun at as many teen-drama scenarios as they can while using the hectic pacing of a Saturday-morning cartoon, with chapters that are short, deliberately silly, and often hilarious. Pop culture-savvy teens will get a kick out of spotting references to everything from The Breakfast Club to The Muppet Show. With tongue-in-cheek humor and eyebrow-wiggler jokes that border on lewd at times, but mostly in a nudge-nudge, wink-wink sort of way, this book is a good grab for teens looking for a quick laugh.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
Besides possessing the ability to transform into a small yacht, Teen Boat is a normal teen. The graphic novel collects his various misadventures such as wanting to be cool, trying to land a girlfriend, working his first job, and learning to drive--all complicated by his nautical superpower. Crisp art, corny jokes, and an absurd concept make for a whimsical read.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)