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Return of the Dapper Men

Review

Return of the Dapper Men

written by Jim McCann, illustrated by Janet Lee

An epic fairy tale that's as vividly imaginative as it is wonderfully drawn, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN is a magical treat. Set in a world where children who never age past 11 coexist peacefully with robots, it's a bright, sprawling tale that seems to ramble far from where it started without ever feeling as though it has stumbled even a step out of its way.

The first thing you'll notice about the book is its awe-inspiring illustrations, which practically seem to jump off the page. The colors too are the star. They're wild and fierce, creating a 3D tone throughout. Or maybe it seems as though you're reading a wonderful animated movie that has magically come to life on the printed page. Either way, you know you're in for a stunning visual treat.

Jim McCann (author of Hawkeye and Mockingbird) imbues his tale with a lot of wonder. There are a multitude of nods to the imaginative world of a child's mind. But from there, he builds and expands in a host of unexpected ways. When a human boy and a robot girl team up to impart change to this bizarre world and to show how growing, aging, and more can be positive things, they bring about the return of 314 very well-dressed men. And once the title of the book makes its appearance in the story, you've been hooked. You'll eagerly await the unfolding of the rest of this unique, utterly creative story.

Reviewed by John Hogan on December 7, 2010

Return of the Dapper Men
written by Jim McCann, illustrated by Janet Lee

  • Publication Date: December 7, 2010
  • Genres: Graphic Novel
  • Hardcover: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Archaia Entertainment
  • ISBN-10: 1932386904
  • ISBN-13: 9781932386905