The Hidden Door (Explorer Series #3)

by Kazu Kibuishi (Editor)

Overview

Edited by New York Times bestselling comics creator Kazu Kibuishi, who is also a contributor, Explorer: The Hidden Doors—the third volume in the highly praised series—gathers some of the foremost and fastest-rising talents in comics for kids.

A bullied boy discovers a door guarded by a sly monster . . . A painting of a door opens in a forgotten Egyptian tomb . . . A portal in the park promises to turn you into a much cooler 2.0 version—if you can just get the bugs out . . . and much more . . .

Contributors include:
Jen Wang (Koko Be Good), Johane Matte (Explorer: The Mystery Boxes), Steve Hamaker (colorist of Jeff Smith’s Bone series), Faith Erin Hicks (Friends with Boys), Doug Holgate (Zack Proton series), and Jason Caffoe (Explorer: The Lost Islands and Flight).

Readers may never walk into a room the same way again.

The Explorer series:
Explorer: The Mystery Boxes (#1)
Explorer: The Lost Islands (#2)
Explorer: The Hidden Doors (#3)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419708848
Publisher:	Abrams Fanfare
Publication date:	10/14/2014
Series:	Kazu Kibuishi's Explorer Series , #3
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	438,862
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	GN240L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kazu Kibuishi is the author of Amulet, the award-winning New York Times bestselling graphic novel series; the illustrator of the new paperback covers for J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series; and the editor of eight volumes of Flight, the Eisner-nominated anthology series. He lives in Bellevue, Washington.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2014
Gr 4–8—Readers are once again presented with an array of stories created by a cast of comics authors and illustrators smartly assembled by Kibuishi. With a balance of styles, sensibilities, and palettes, the work showcases seven unique approaches to the central theme of finding a hidden door. Most of the entries hinge on a kid facing an emotional or physical peril. In "Asteria Crane," Kibuishi delivers a cinematic tale of experimental dream therapy that could easily be at home as a sci-fi film. In "Luis 2.0," Jen Wang shares a sweet vignette about wanting to become someone else, only to find it's better being one's authentic self after all. The range in this slim volume is expansive. From funny to deep and fantastical to refined, all of the stories have a compelling narrative arc. The colors are just as varied, and are universally dynamic and nuanced. Consider this (and previous series installments) as a necessary addition to any graphic novel collection.—Jenna Lanterman, formerly at The Calhoun School and Mary McDowell Friends School, New York City

School Library Journal

"The last three stories—Steve Hamaker’s rollicking 'Fish n Chips'; Johane Matte’s inventive Egyptian-graverobbing story, 'Mastaba'; and Jen Breach and Douglas Holgate’s pun-tastic fantasy action tale 'When Is a Door Not a Door?'—end the collection on a high note, with solid plots and gorgeous artwork. Expect followers of the popular series to snatch it up."

Booklist - Snow Wildsmith

★ 2014-09-14
Enticing doorways give these seven new graphic shorts a common element. These doors range in nature from physical barriers, such as one concealing a lonely mummy's treasure in Johane Matte's "Mastaba," to a psychological threshold over which intrepid Asteria Crane in editor Kibuishi's story of the same name passes to enter a young patient's subconscious. In each tale, they lead sometimes to comical adventures, sometimes to life- (or, for the mummy, death-) changing experiences. An uncertain magician gains new confidence making soup in a "Giant's Kitchen," (Jason Caffoe), Faith Erin Hicks' "Two-Person Door" leads a would-be hero to adventure without his even opening it, and Jen Wang offers a wishing door that lets a self-conscious lad remodel himself into "Luis 2.0." Though done in different styles, the art features consistently clean lines, clear colors, easy-to-follow action and individually distinct characters. Another worthy entry in a series of themed collections that places production and storytelling on equally high pedestals. (Graphic short stories. 7-12)

Kirkus Reviews