Lost Boy

July 3, 2023
Debut creator Martin crafts a tale of desperation and resilience in this haunting survivalist graphic novel. While driving home from a ski trip vacation in the snow-peaked mountains of Wyoming, teenage Jack and his father, who have a strained relationship, encounter a doe in the middle of the road. Jack’s father swerves to avoid it, resulting in a fall down a steep rock wall and into a ravine that kills Jack’s dad and the deer. Jack survives the ordeal, but the snow is coming down hard and he has minimal supplies—some flares, a few rations, and his cell phone, which doesn’t have service. Befriending a fawn that he assumes is the deer’s offspring, Jack searches for a way out of the gorge and back to civilization, all the while enduring worsening weather conditions, evading hungry wolves, and navigating the treacherous wilderness. Martin utilizes minimal backdrops rendered in somber blues and blacks with bursts of vibrant reds and fuchsia to portray Jack and the fawn’s journey across the harsh winter landscape. Amid the bleakness of Jack’s situation lies a self-sustaining theme of hope and redemption that buoys this surreal-feeling read to its resolution. Ages 10–17.

November 10, 2023
Grades 6-11 Typical teen Jack pays more attention to his phone than his dad who's asking for some appreciation. "This trip wasn't my idea," Jack argues. "Being on top of a freezing mountain in the middle of Wyoming is not my idea of fun . . ." is the last thing Jack tells his father before their car tumbles off the snowy cliffs. Jack leaves the wreckage, chased by wolves, and saving an orphaned fawn just might be what keeps Jack alive. Award-winning music video director Martin makes his graphic novel debut, working in a moody palette of predominantly dark blues, purples, and pinks. His background as a storyboard artist is evident throughout his action-packed, intricately detailed panels in which characters--both human and animal--seem to leap, swim, and run off the page. Chart-topping Shawn Mendes, whose music videos Martin has directed since 2015, provides the introduction, highlighting Martin's "incredible [preproduction] hand-drawn animations": "I told Jay many times that he should make a graphic novel." Mendes wasn't wrong. Martin transforms static pages into exuberant energy and thrilling adventure.

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Starred review from December 2, 2023

Gr 7 Up-On the way home from a trip in the Wyoming wilderness, a boy named Jack finds himself alone when a deadly accident leaves his father dead. Martin's survival story pits Jack up against the bitter cold, hungry wolves, and isolation; he has to rely on his intelligence and will to survive, but he discovers that "becoming a man" (his father's goal for their trip) is about more than brawn. Jack's sensitivity and empathy play a major part in keeping himself and his young charge-an orphaned fawn-safe and alive. Cool pinks, blues, and grays set the freezing scene. Martin's skill with facial expressions, particularly the characters' eyes, beautifully communicate visceral emotion. Moments like Jack's reaction to his father's demise are devastating yet gentle; a moment where quiet sets in among the unmitigated chaos of the situation. VERDICT Martin weaves adventure and sensitive storytelling into a tale not to be missed. An excellent purchase for graphic novel collections and for readers who enjoy survival stories.-Rosemary Kiladitis

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