Everyday Hero Machine Boy

by Irma Kniivila, Tri Vuong

Overview

"A funny, uncommonly charming mash-up of martial arts, superhero, and sci-fi comics." —- Library Journal (Starred Review)

When a machine boy falls to earth, his heart is awoken for the first time, and as he learns to be human, he struggles to override his own programming and become a hero.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... Machine Boy!

When Machine Boy falls from the sky into the domed city of Mega 416, he leaves a wake of destruction in his path... until Karate Grandpa is able to turn on his heart. Now, Machine Boy wants nothing more than to become a hero! Whether he is fighting giant bugs in the school's basement, rescuing cats from trees, or making the perfect spaghetti sauce, Machine Boy is always looking for the best way to help others. But when his heart begins to interact dangerously with other debris from space, Machine Boy wonders if he can be a power for good after all.

Included in Everyday Hero Machine Boy, is a two-page READER'S GUIDE. The full TEACHER'S GUIDE is available on SkyboundComet.com.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534325487
Publisher:	Image Comics
Publication date:	09/07/2022
Series:	Everyday Hero Machine Boy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	77 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Irma Kniivila is a Toronto-based cartoonist and illustrator. She is the co-creator of Skybound Entertainment's EVERYDAY HERO MACHINE BOY.

Irma has worked with Penguin Random House, Marvel, Boom! Studios and IDW, and her illustration work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Reader's Digest, and The Walrus, among others.

For more, visit irmaillustration.com
Social: https://www.instagram.com/ikniivila/

Tri Vuong is a comic artist and writer based out of Toronto, Canada. He is the co-creator of Skybound Entertainment's EVERYDAY HERO MACHINE BOY as well as the creator of the popular webcomics The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, and Anchovie Akyama.

His list of clients include Ubisoft, Koei, Capybara Games, Editions Dupuis, Line Webtoon, and Corus Entertainment. When not making comics, Tri enjoys writing his author's bio.

Tri Vuong is a comic artist and writer based out of Toronto, Canada. He is the co-creator of Skybound Entertainment's EVERYDAY HERO MACHINE BOY as well as the creator of the popular webcomics The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, and Anchovie Akyama.

His list of clients include Ubisoft, Koei, Capybara Games, Editions Dupuis, Line Webtoon, and Corus Entertainment. When not making comics, Tri enjoys writing his author's bio.

Irma Kniivila is a Toronto-based cartoonist and illustrator. She is the co-creator of Skybound Entertainment's EVERYDAY HERO MACHINE BOY.

Irma has worked with Penguin Random House, Marvel, Boom! Studios and IDW, and her illustration work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Reader's Digest, and The Walrus, among others.

For more, visit irmaillustration.com
Social: https://www.instagram.com/ikniivila/

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/18/2022

A weaponized robot resembling a 14-year-old human, the titular Machine Boy, struggles to navigate mortal life in Kniivila and Vuong’s quirky, action-packed graphic novel. Though Machine Boy’s destructive emergence resulted in her husband Goh’s death, retired dojo owner Mei takes Machine Boy in after he crash-lands in the domed city of Mega 416. There, he learns karate, runs various errands, and attempts to acquire concert tickets for a mysterious rock-star group—his favorite band, Orphan Universe. Mei eventually enrolls him in high school, where he befriends reclusive Bea Sharpe, who wears a pink hoodie that covers most of her face. But Machine Boy’s misadventures are plagued by emotional upsets, including his and Mei’s occasionally tense relationship as they manage grief over Goh, citizens’ continued wariness regarding Machine Boy’s sudden appearance, and Bea’s seemingly nefarious ulterior motives. Clever framing—such as panels spelling out “BOOM!” simultaneously depicting bombastic action and onomatopoeia—blends together seamlessly with soft, rounded linework, a bold color palette, and distinct character designs. The creators’ warmhearted tale and its gentle robot protagonist are a balm for those seeking connection, belonging, and hope. Ages 9–12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Full of action, heart and a surprising amount of spaghetti—what more could you want?” —-GABRIELA EPSTEIN (The Baby-Sitters Club, Danny Phantom)

“Astro Boy meets The Iron Giant, a sweet, funny, action-packed story for every sci-fi loving young reader!" —-FAITH ERIN HICKS (The Nameless City Trilogy, Avatar: The Last Airbender)

"The anime-inspired blend of martial arts, sf dystopia, and cosmic fantasy is energized by high-octane action and character expression...Good, weird fun that middle-grade readers will adore." — Booklist

"Machine Boy Hero is a fast-paced, hilarious adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world populated by humans and talking dogs. Tri and Irma's art is a treat to look at, and it's hard not to love Machine Boy, our hero with a heart of metal, and his adoptive, karate master grandma." —-KRISTEN GUDSNUK (Making Friends)

"...a great and fun pickup for young comics fans with a whole lot of heart" — The Beat

From the Publisher

★ 02/01/2022

A powerful robot called Machine Boy falls from the sky and proceeds to rampage across the domed city of Mega 416, destroying everything in his path. The city's inhabitants (a mix of humans and anthropomorphic animals) despair, until a retired karate instructor rushes to the rescue and, after defeating Machine Boy, manages to alter the robot's programming so his demeanor shifts to that of a sweet young boy. Thus transformed, Machine Boy is plagued by guilt for his destructive abilities and sets out to redeem himself through service to his new neighbors. Complications accrue: Our hero adopts a tiny, adorable robot, only to discover it possesses an insatiable appetite and no impulse control; he begins attending public school but ends up battling hideous beasts in the sewers beneath the building; and he runs afoul of Orphan Universe, Mega 416's premier musical group/superpowered defenders. VERDICT Creators Kniivila (Year of the Dog) and Vuong (The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn) present a funny, uncommonly charming mash-up of martial arts, superhero, and sci-fi comics. The rare all-ages title that will entertain, and perhaps even enthrall, adolescents and adults alike.

Library Journal