Karate Prom

March 4, 2024
In this Scott Pilgrim–leaning graphic novel romp, Starks (I Hate This Place) delivers a raucous send-up of 1980s teen comedies. When high school student Don “TheDragonWilson” Jones loses to Sam Steadman in the All-City Karate Tournament (she kicks him in the face), it’s one of the best and worst days of his life. Though the loss means that he’s out of the tournament, meeting Sam is a love-at-first-sight event that sets both their lives on an action-packed thrill ride of battling bullies, evil exes—of both the jerk and criminal variety—and the looming anxiety of life after high school. The creator’s lively cartoon-style illustrations add verve to the story’s over-the-top plot—Sam, Don, and their friends fight their way through mysterious soldiers of fortune at prom, the after party, and graduation in action sequences with high stakes and flying fists that move at a clip that would make fans of Netflix’s Cobra Kai proud. It’s a fun, rapidly paced adventure well-suited for anyone who misses old-fashioned NES beat-’em-ups. Characters are portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 14–up.

Starred review from April 1, 2024

Gr 8 Up-Don Jones is running late for the All-City Karate Tournament, having spent too much time training. Arriving just moments prior to his match, he heads into the ring before his friends can warn him about his opponent. He is able to lay eyes on Sam Steadman, proclaiming her incredibly beautiful-before she knocks him out with one punch. After the tournament is over, Don and Sam bond over snow cones and she asks him to go with her to prom. Readers, be ready! These two have begun a relationship that culminates in one of the craziest proms ever, full of fighting not only other students, but a band of ninjas! Starks brings all the high jinks and hilarity that he was known for in the "Rick and Morty" comics to this coming-of-age tale, uniting two staples known to all high school students: fighting and prom. Some of the characters fit archetypes you'd expect in a story like this, but the author adeptly subverts assumptions. VERDICT True to its title, Karate Prom creates a joy-filled story about two teens who want to be together so badly, they are willing to fight for it. A tale for lovers and fighters alike.-Adam Fisher

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2024
The lives of two high school students become intertwined as trails of pain and destruction are left in their wake following the All-City Karate Tournament. It's love at first sight for awkward Benjamin Harrison High student Don Jones when he's pitted against Lincoln High's Samantha Steadman for a shot at the finals in the local karate tournament. After Sam quickly defeats Don, he asks her on a date, and the two instantly connect, leading to a follow-up at prom. All is well until Don's murderous ex-girlfriend, Astor Violenzia, shows up to the after-party, and chaos ensues. Broken into three unpredictable and highly energetic acts--with key and unexpected moments occurring off page--the story feels like a playful tribute to '80s pop culture that's gone off the rails. The dramatic fight sequences offer a head nod to Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series. The violence, which drives the story forward, can come across as gratuitous but is in line with the narrative's cheeky nature, while the characters subvert the expectations of their stereotypes. Fiery orange coloring and plentiful action lines match the story's fast pace. Sam has light blond hair and tan skin; Don has brown skin and Afro-textured hair. Diverse body types and skin tones are represented among the cast members. Mercurial and cartoonishly violent but enjoyable thanks to its exuberance. (Graphic fiction. 13-17)

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April 15, 2024
Grades 10-12 Starks, the longest-running writer of the Rick & Morty comics, continues that signature round-eye, pinprick-pupil tradition in this silly story about martial arts and young love. Don "TheDragonWilson" Jones arrives late to a martial arts tournament only to be immediately knocked out (both metaphorically and literally) by Sam. When Don asks Sam on a date, they are accosted by Sam's jerkwad ex-boyfriend/Don's ex-childhood friend, who won the tournament. Though Don only splashes him with a snow cone instead of engaging in a full fisticuffs, it sets off a series of revenge-fueled fights: at prom, the after-party, graduation, and more. Stark's oddball yet charming Nickelodeonesque drawings heighten the nonstop shenanigans, which grow increasingly ridiculous as enemies go from a beefy bully to a shirtless Punchman to the daughter of a crime syndicate to red-eyed ninjas. Teens will be tickled by the humorous plotlines and outrageous expressions here, as well as the oft-tested strength of Don and Sam's blossoming relationship.

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