Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for this cover image to Flight Explorer #1

Flight Explorer is a young readers spin-off of Flight.  Flight is the comics anthology which features young and innovative artists and writers and was first published by Image Comics (for two volumes) before moving to Ballantine Books.  Kazu Kibuishi is editor and art director for both Flight and Flight Explorer.

Flight Explorer: Volume 10 contains 10 stories, a gathering of whimsy, flights of fantasy, gag comedy, juvenile sci-fi, etc.  The comics herein are a collection of imaginative tales in vivid color, the kind of color that could capture the eye of a passing child as if it were sparkling, faerie candy.  The reluctant reader, young or old, couldn’t help but follow these gorgeous hues into Flight Explorer’s quirky worlds.

Some of the stories really stand out as excellent in their genre, subject, or style, such as Kibuishi’s comic fantasy, “Copper: Mushroom Crossing;” Steve Hamaker’s whimsical “Fish N Chips: All in a Day’s work;” and Jake Parker’s Saturday morning sci-fi serial “Missile Mouse: The Guardian Prophecy.”  Some are merely cutesy little morality lessons: Kean Soo’s “Jellaby: First Snow” and animator Phil Craven’s (Kung Fu Panda) “Big Mouth.”

Bannister’s faux-Tarzan gag “Delivery” is a hoot (not to mention, well drawn), and Matthew Armstrong’s picture book-like monster joke, “Snow Cap: 2nd Verse” is lovely.  The standout tale in this volume, however, is by far Johane Matte’s macabre gem “Perfect Cat.”  It’s like Edgar Allen Poe meets Dr. Seuss or something equally troubling.

Flight Explorer: Volume One seems like the perfect way to introduce graphic novels and comix to young readers, and I dare say that older readers will also fine something to enjoy (like Matte’s story).

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