Graphic Novel: "Green Arrow: Year One"

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Diggle, Andy, and Jock. Green Arrow: Year One. New York: DC Comics, 2008.

Double crossed and assumed dead, Oliver Queen drags himself up onto the beach of a deserted island. It turns out he is not alone and both friend and foe will cross paths on this jungle island of misery and intrigue.

Oliver Queen is a man on the move. Looking for adventure, a rendezvous with the latest supermodel, and his next bottle of booze. Will he never tire of trying to make it happen (whatever it is)? Or will he risk everything for those who have nothing?

Our millionaire playboy needs to get out of town fast when he creates a scene at a fundraiser for a drug rehab. It is there that he throws out the winning bid for a longbow once owned by the legendary archer Howard Hill. Leaving with the bow in his hand and his tail between his legs, he decides to travel with his assistant to Fiji where a sketchy business deal is going down. Or so he thinks.

That boat's not heading to Fiji! And Oliver Queen is in for the fight of his life. A fight brought to life in action packed living color. Marooned on a jungle island, will Queen go down in a blaze of glory? Or will our chartreuse hooded hero be a match for the evil China White? Read this compilation to see an ex-playboy with a thirst for justice take on a small army of drug dealers for a target. A fitting target as the legend begins; the legend of the Green Arrow.

YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens.

Manga: "Chibi Vampire"

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Kagesaki, Yuna. Chibi Vampire. Los Angeles: TOKYOPOP, 2003.

Karen is from an ancient line of vampires and is actually a vampire in reverse. As if gushing with extra blood every month isn't enough, a new boy arrives at school and the effect he has on her makes things even more complicated.

Who is Chibi Vampire and why is she feeling so drained? This manga, first in a series, will introduce you to the Maaka family whose middle child is a little vampire with some big problems.

Karin Maaka comes from a family of vampires including a "sexy creature of the night" older brother Ren and her bat controlling little sister Anju. Karin was not born a normal vampire like the rest of her family- she doesn't suck the blood of her victims, she deposits her blood into them. Each month she fills up like a tick and worries she might have one of her niagra nosebleeds at school if she doesn't get rid of some blood fast. Life gets even more complicated when a new boy arrives at her high school and she finds herself inexplicably blood bloated every time he comes near her.

You will be drawn into this pop-gothic world of vampires dealing with the comedy and horrors of adolescent development. The manga artwork is a perfect backdrop for this dark comedy of errors. It could get very interesting for you finding out: who is Chibi Vampire and why is she feeling so drained?