ALISON DARE: THE HEART OF THE MAIDEN
by J. Torres & illustrated by J. Bone
An extremely promising premise disappoints with its flat, awkward construction. First published by Oni Press, the once out-of-print Alison Dare, daughter of famed archeologist mother and superhero father is back and starting a new semester at St. Joan’s Academy for Girls. Before she knows it, 12-year-old Alison, her chums and her illustrious family are caught up in a perilous plot to find and protect The Heart of the Maiden, an ancient relic that the nuns at her school have vowed to protect. Short, episodic stories weave together in this volume, but the arrangement is anachronous, creating a confusing timeline for readers to follow. A companion, Alison Dare: Little Miss Adventures (ISBN: 978-0-88776-934-4), publishes simultaneously and is similar in its short episodes and its overall odd juxtaposition of stories. For those unfamiliar with Alison and her gang, there is little back story to explain various characters; those willing to stick with these volumes will eventually piece together this cast. An ambitious concept in need of some polish. (Graphic adventure. 9-12)